Back in 2004 the San Diego Padres used their first pick in the amateur draft to select shortstop Matt Bush. There was some concern with the pick at the time, because many people felt the Padres would have been better off going after Stephen Drew or Jered Weaver. The Padres were concerned about the bonus it would take to sign either of those guys, though, and instead went with the local product Bush.They then gave Bush a team record $3.15 million signing bonus. Bush, then only 18 years old, then went out and celebrated his newfound wealth by getting into a fight at a nightclub in Peoria, Arizona. Bush was suspended for the incident but came back after a month off courtesy of the team, and after he plead guilty to disorderly conduct, trespassing, and underage possession of alcohol.
Well, last week Matt was in a bar that was only a block away from where the fight in 2004 took place. Bet you can't guess what happened.
Padres minor leaguer Matt Bush, drafted first overall in 2004, recently was involved in an off-field fight in which he suffered bodily harm, according to persons close to him. It happened near a pub/grill in Peoria, Ariz., across from the Padres' compound.
Padres farm system overseer Grady Fuson said Bush, 22, is still participating in workouts at the club's training site.While it's obvious that Matt still has quite a bit of growing up to do, I don't think we should label him as a troublemaker just yet. Sure, it's the second time he's been involved in a fight at a bar or a club since signing with the Padres, but it's also been four years and the kid is only 22 years old.
"Obviously people are going to know he was in a fight," Fuson said. "To the extent of that fight, people are going to have to guess. How it was caused, there was support there for him.
"Obviously, there are some consequences out of this. But those are in-house."
Bush's father, Danny, confirmed that his son was involved in an altercation. "But we really can't talk about it," he said yesterday. "I talked to the Padres people and they said don't talk about it."
I know I wasn't the most mature person in the world at 22, and I didn't have over $3 million to play with. That said, I'm sure the Padres will help speed up Matt's maturation a little bit if they hit him in the pocket book and fine him.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-27-2008 @ 4:47PM
ron wolfe said...
Don't tell me you must be a Padres fan. Let's face the facts, the kid is more than likely a mean drunk and should not be in a bar for that reason alone. What are you going to say to back him up in a couple of years if he happens to have a knife or gun on him the next time??
Reply
7-28-2008 @ 12:48AM
Dex said...
Why would that post make him a Padres fan? Padres fans don't like Matt Bush.
7-28-2008 @ 12:28AM
George B Vieto said...
Matt Bush needs to learn that having a lot of money and going to a watering hole is an inviation to trouble since the average fan doesn't understand why atheles get paid high salaries to play a kids game.
Reply
8-02-2008 @ 3:53AM
Don said...
Whatever, I've got exactly two words for evasive Padre lackey Grady Fuson. The two highly publicized bar incidents aside, the larger issue is that Bush's on-field performance has been a source of embarrassment for the Padres from day one considering he was taken with the first overall pick and I imagine the mere mention of his name, regardless of context, is a source of disgust inside what passes for their hierarchy. An organization that was primed for big things this year, they should feel foolish.
P.S. I get a kick out of guys like you pointing out your empathy for the immaturity of youth as if things vastly improved with you over time. Somehow I doubt that's the case in most instances.
Reply
8-11-2008 @ 10:33PM
Gary h said...
Matt Bush will never mature into a big league player. Even if he turned into Babe Ruth he doesn't have any future in San Diego. The Padre's will more than likely release him this winter. Matt Bush is just another example of someone who had the talent, but could not find the work ethic or responsibility to channel his efforts in a positive manner. Good Bye Matt and good luck with life!
Reply