San Diego, CA

MEXICO CITY -- When Eduardo Ortega lands in Mexico with the Padres -- and this will now be his fourth time doing so -- he thinks about all of it.

He thinks about playing pickup baseball games with his two brothers, imitating Mario Thomas, the Spanish voice of the Padres when Ortega was a kid growing up in Tijuana.

He thinks about those years he spent as a radio DJ, a talk show host, a news reporter, clinging tight to his dream of becoming a baseball broadcaster.

He thinks about his past trips to Mexico with the Padres -- the three regular-season series in Monterrey, including a particularly poignant moment in 1996, when MLB came to Mexico for the very first time. There were other exhibition games, too, as well as a day trip he vividly remembers, going alongside Tony Gwynn and Rod Carew as ambassadors at a clinic in the ‘80s.

Ortega, now in his 37th season as the Spanish-language voice of the Padres, thinks about all of it. And -- you know what? -- it's all a bit overwhelming.

"I know Thursday night, when we land from Chicago, it's going to be very special," said Ortega, his eyes beginning to well. "It happened to me in Monterrey in '96 and '99, and then 2018, when we played the Dodgers. It gets emotional."

He has to pause, collect himself.

"Very special," Ortega continued. "Just very, very special. Proud to be Mexican in the Major Leagues."

The Padres and Giants play two games at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú on Saturday and Sunday in Mexico City, the first two regular-season games ever played in the Mexican capital.

They'll do so amid quite a backdrop. And there's no one better qualified to summarize that backdrop than Ortega:

"It's the best moment of Mexican history for baseball -- ranking third [in the world baseball rankings] after the World Baseball Classic," Ortega said. "Baseball has grown in Mexico. More states and more fans are following baseball because of what happened in the World Baseball Classic. But also, all of the buzz the Padres have created, building this team ... a lot of fans from Mexico are watching the Padres, growing this fanbase.

"It's just a great moment to be an ambassador for both sides -- for Major League Baseball and for Mexico."

Ortega has called 25 World Series and 20 All-Star Games. He's called 17 Caribbean Series, including the latest one in February, an eight-team edition that was the largest in history. And he was the lead Spanish play-by-play voice for each of the first four World Baseball Classics.

"Broadcasting in Spanish is a lot different than broadcasting in English," said Pedro Gutierrez, Ortega's partner on Padres Spanish radio. "You've got to have a little bit more flair and a little bit more flavor. He oozes it. He goes by far, above and beyond, and it comes from his passion for baseball."

Ortega's résumé speaks for itself. Gutierrez believes staunchly that Ortega will, sooner or later, become the first Mexican enshrined in Cooperstown.

And yet, those who are closest to Ortega almost never gush about his broadcasting chops first. They gush about the person.

"When I started working with him, the first thing that somebody told me was: See how he treats people," Gutierrez said. "Whether it be an elevator operator at a stadium we don't know, or it was [former Padres GM] Kevin Towers ... everybody would see Eduardo, and it puts a smile on their face. That's just the way he treats people."

End your night with this elite Spanish radio call of Camarena’s grand slam!!!!! #HazloGrande pic.twitter.com/lfdLlGRrqq

— Cut4 (@Cut4) July 9, 2021

Ortega brings his unending enthusiasm to the broadcast booth. “Sabor Latino,” Gutierrez calls it. Ortega has announced dozens of the sport's biggest games. He also spent plenty of time during the 2010s calling some bad Padres teams on a nightly basis.

"In terms of just sheer emotion, it doesn't matter if we are the 2016 Padres on a losing streak, or we're the 2022 Padres going to the NLCS, or he's doing ESPN Game 7 of the World Series and Rajai Davis just hit the homer in Cleveland,” Gutierrez said. “It's the same passion on every single pitch. That's a pretty high standard."

It's a standard Ortega strives to maintain every day.

"In the end, I'm always thinking, based on my love of baseball: promote the game and sell the stars on the field," Ortega said. "That's the goal -- and should be -- for every broadcaster, to connect the game with the audience."

Congrats to my friend Eduardo Ortega @EDEPORTEGA on 35 years as the voice of the Padres Spanish broadcasts. Should be HOF. So glad I got the chance to know you and tell my story about our trip to Mexico City! pic.twitter.com/ReieLebQuB

— Don Orsillo (@DonOrsillo) September 27, 2021

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Said Gutierrez: "He tries to present the players in the best possible light. He'll drop a story about each player -- his parents come from here, parents come from there, and he can connect a little bit with the audience, trying to give that little background."

First and foremost, Ortega’s passion is baseball.

Within that passion, however, there are clearly two passions: Padres baseball and Mexican baseball. This weekend, they’re intertwined.

“The first ever official game, with San Diego being the home team, in Mexico City, the capital of the country -- it’s very special,” Ortega said. “I can’t wait to call the game there and make another chapter of history where the Padres are starring.”

SAN DIEGO — While the Padres took to Mexico City, several local high school baseball teams got the chance to play a game in Petco Park Saturday afternoon.

As part of the annual CIF High School Baseball series in Petco Park, Carlsbad High School took on La Costa Canyon in the last of seven student games that took place this weekend.

“I’ve been in this park many times, but I’ve never seen a high school team play here,” one LCC student, Emerson Ostanik, told FOX 5. “It’s kind of cool.”

The series kicked off Friday with three match-ups: Valhalla vs. West Hills, Mater Dei Catholic vs. San Ysidro, and Imperial vs. Brawley.

Two schools, La Jolla Country Day and Maranatha Christian, took to the field the day prior, however, that game as not part of the Padres-sponsored series.

Saturday marked the final day of the High School Baseball Series at San Diego’s downtown stadium. Before CHS and LCC, Kearny and Foothills Christian took on Mountain Empire and Classical Academy, respectively.

For many of the students that took to the diamond, it was a dream come true. Even the students in the stands were awestruck seeing their classmates playing on the home turf of their favorite players.

“If I was on the LCC (team), I’d be like ‘Oh my god, I’m like Tatis right now,’ or Machado,” Ostanik said.

Each of the schools were issued about 400 tickets for the game to sell to students and families, the San Diego Union Tribune reported. But high demand ultimately prompted the Padres to open a ticket booth at the stadium for the games.

There is at least one more game scheduled at Petco Park for this CIF baseball season. It will take place on June 18 immediately following the 1:10 p.m. Padres game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

SAN DIEGO — Don’t put your coats and umbrellas away yet: San Diego is in for a “rollercoaster” week, according to the National Weather Service, with high temperatures forecasted to transform into a major cooldown and chance of rain.

NWS said a low pressure system moving south from the Gulf of Alaska will be affecting the region for much of the next week.

While Sunday will see a slight dip in temperatures, it will remain fairly warm across the county.

Daytime highs in the coastal neighborhoods on Sunday will be in the high 60s, while valley and mountain communities are forecasted to see maximum temperatures in the mid to high 70s. Desert areas could see heat anywhere from the high 80s to the low 100s.

A thick marine layer will accompany the biggest drop in temperatures on Monday. Most areas away from the deserts will see anywhere from a 5 degree to 10 degree departure from normal high temperatures.

The marine layer will also bring a chance of precipitation in the middle of the week, with patchy drizzle possible as early as Tuesday. More widespread showers are likely on Wednesday and Thursday.

NWS said that the strongest chance of precipitation will come Wednesday night into Thursday. Both morning and evening commutes could be impacted, according to the weather agency.

About a quarter to a half of an inch is possible west of the mountains, NWS said. In the south slopes of San Bernardino County, up to one inch of rain is possible. Measurable snow is possible for elevations above 6,000 feet.

Periods of gusty winds are also possible across the mountains and deserts moving into the week, according to NWS.

Here is a look at the latest Yankees roster moves...

April 29, 11:50 p.m.

The Yankees announced on Saturday morning that they’ve officially signed Jake Bauers to a major league contract, and they’ve added him to the big league roster.

With Aaron Judge a bit banged up over the past few days, Bauers joined the Yankees’ taxi squad at the beginning of their series in Texas. New York is excepted to provide an update on the outfielder’s status later today.

If Judge does avoid the IL, and is just to miss a few days, Bauers could at the very least provide the Yanks with insurance. The veteran has played first and both corner outfield positions in his big league career.

Prior to being called up, Bauers was hitting .304 with a 1.245 OPS, nine homers, five doubles, and 20 RBI in Triple-A. He also put together a strong spring, hitting .407 across 13 games.

In a corresponding roster move, New York has transferred Lou Trivino to the 60-day injured list. The right-hander, who has yet to pitch this season, is dealing with a UCL strain in his pitching elbow.

April 28, 11:35 p.m.

Following the Yankees' 5-2 loss to the Rangers on Friday night, the team announced they optioned INF/OF Franchy Cordero to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

In 18 games (53 at-bats), the 28-year-old slashed .151/.182/.578 with four home runs and 11 RBI.

While Cordero's numbers of late were not good, he was pivotal in the first couple of weeks of the 2023 season. From April 3-12, Cordero hit .280 but launched four home runs and 11 RBI. He would not hit another home run or drive in another run since.

April 25, 4:22 p.m.

The Yankees announced Tuesday that they have signed LHP Nick Ramirez to a major league contract and selected him to the active roster.

Ramirez, 33, last appeared in the majors in 2021 with the San Diego Padres. In 13 appearances, Ramirez had a 5.75 ERA in 20.1 innings pitched. Last season, Ramirez was signed to a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners but did not make it out of Triple-A with the club.

In a corresponding move, the team optioned RHP Greg Weissert to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes/Barre.

Entering Tuesday, Weissert appeared in four games this season and pitched to a 2.08 ERA in 4.1 innings.

April 14, 3:25 p.m.

The Yankees announced Friday they have called-up pitcher Greg Weissert from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and designated pitcher Colten Brewer for assignment.

The move comes after the Yankees bullpen got taxed for 8.1 innings of relief on Thursday in an 11-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins after starter Jhony Brito failed to make it out of the first. New York's 40-man roster count now stands at 30 after the move.

Brewer joined the Yankees' Opening Day roster after having spent spring training in the Tampa Bay Rays' organization. The 30-year-old appeared in three games for this season, allowing four runs (all earned) on six hits while walking three and striking out four in 8.1 innings pitched (4.32 ERA). The right-hander got bitten by the long ball three times in his final appearance against the Twins on Thursday night.

If Brewer clears waivers, he has the right to reject the assignment and elect free agency.

Weissert, 28, appeared in 12 games for the Yanks last season – his first action at the Major League level. The righty allowed seven runs (all earned) on six hits while walking five and striking out 11 in 11.1 innings (5.56 ERA).

Jeepers, but it’s going to be pretty this San Diego weekend. And oh, the number of outdoor activities happening just in time for it – whew!

The WOW Festival – the La Jolla Playhouse event formally known as Without Walls – continues with dozens of options, from theater and dance to music and puppetry. Local artists include performers from the San Diego Symphony, DISCO RIOT, the Diversionary Theatre, TuYo Theatre and the Blindspot Collective. Most shows are free and this year, the action shifts to the waterfront Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. WOW opens at 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

You honestly could make it a free arts weekend in downtown San Diego. Spend a few hours at WOW, then shift several blocks north to Little Italy for ArtWalk, where 250 artists offer up their best paintings, photos and other creations in booths along India Street. Musicians also will perform on four stages during the two-day event – it opens at 11 a.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday.

Need your mid-year fix of music on Adams Avenue? It’s time for Adams Avenue Unplugged, with live performances inside restaurants, bars and coffee houses along two miles of the main drag, from University Heights to Kensington. Headliner Dave Alvin’s show sold out, but never fear. There are more than 60 other shows to see. Start times stretch from noon to 9 p.m.

There’s SO much free community and cultural festival goodness this weekend too.

The Encinitas Spring Street Fair opens at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday with food, arts and crafts vendors plus entertainment on four stages, children’s rides and a kid/dog-friendly beer garden. Head to South Coast Highway 101 in downtown.

The first Southern California Asian & Pacific Islander Festival opens at 10 a.m. Saturday at Oceanside Civic Center with more than 20 Asian and Pacific Islander cultures set to be represented. Performers will take to three stages for the free event, which includes a martial arts demonstration arena, Library Hub, storytelling and hands-on cultural activities.

Spring Valley Day 2023, in front of Bancroft Elementary School, includes a car show, arts and crafts fair, chalk mural, live entertainment and local vendors and kids’ zone. The event starts at 10 a.m. Saturday. There’s a free bike valet too.

Linda Vista hosts its Multi-Cultural Fair and Parade on Linda Vista Road between Comstock and Ulric Street, opening at 10 a.m. Saturday, with booths and music and dance on two stages. The parade, starting on Genesee Avenue leading to Comstock, begins at 11 a.m.

City Heights resident uses found objects in her exploration of the human body and its commodification

Tarrah Aroonsakool is really into trash.

Halfway through our conversation at her City Heights home she admits that she’s had to limit herself to how many times she goes to swap meets because she knows she’ll end up coming back with all sorts of knick-knacks, curiosities and ephemera.

“I’m definitely a collector of things,” says Aroonsakool, pointing to a wall-sized Vietnamese food menu, complete with pictures of the dishes, that she found after a nearby restaurant closed. “I know that I’m eventually going to do something with it.”

She even has something of an inside joke among friends that the art store she most frequently visits is right outside her door.

“My first studio, you could enter it through an alleyway, so I always joked that going through the alley was, for me, like going through an arts supply store,” she says, laughing. “I’m just shopping behind people’s trash cans in the alleyway.”

So as to not give the wrong impression, Aroonsakool is by no means a hoarder. Rather, she is attracted to the concept of what she calls the “lesser than.”

Whether it’s the discarded or unwanted materials she uses within her sculptural and painted works, or the thematic elements within those pieces, the clearest throughline within her work is the exploration of beauty and commodification. Whether it’s body parts rendered to look like chicken wings or a tissue paper sculpture resembling a butchered pig carcass, she admits her work is both enticing and disturbing, accessible but crass.

By incorporating everyday objects, even things many people consider to be trash, she says the viewer is able to find the value in these objects even if what they’re viewing can be initially bewildering.

“In a way, it makes people feel more comfortable, more open and receptive to the ideas presented in the work,” Aroonsakool explains. “My stuff can be on the gruesome side. Even with my watercolor paintings, I paint portraits of queer bodies, people that aren’t seen, by Western ideas, as what is beautiful.”

This exploration of “exaggerated bodily elements” and the “capitalist-promoted fetishistic gaze,” as she puts it, is something Aroonsakool has deftly explored since moving back to San Diego five years ago. Born and raised in the South Bay, growing up in National City and Bonita, she was often drawn to outsider art and ceramics. It’s likely what led her to eventually move to New Orleans, where she lived for six years. At the time, she says she had a very narrow outlook on the San Diego art scene.

“When I left San Diego I was like, ‘I don’t want to do beach art. I don’t want to paint dolphins. I don’t want my art in La Jolla,’” Aroonsakool says, laughing. “It was always like, ‘where’s the space for me?’”

Still, once she was living on her own for the first time in New Orleans, she began gravitating toward creating art using found materials not out of an overt desire, but rather out of necessity. Without a reliable kiln to fire and produce her ceramics, Aroonsakool says she began to create art using materials that were readily available.

“I found some cardboard boxes and started to paint on them. I ended up really liking the oil stains that would be on there,” says Aroonsakool, adding that it made her think “inside the box.”

“Pun intended,” she laughs. “I would incorporate things like the stains and the markings on the cardboard into the work. I realized that I really do love trash. In a sense, you’re limited by what you find, but it makes you think differently.”

She eventually moved back to San Diego to work at an art licensing company, moonlighting in the DIY art scene with organizations like Weird Hues, a Chula Vista warehouse space known for showcasing young and experimental local artists. Aroonsakool had a solo exhibition of her work at the space in March 2019.

“It was weird being back at first, like a tourist in your own hometown,” Aroonsakool says, adding that becoming involved with Weird Hues helped “kickstart” not only new work, but also the idea that it was possible to stay creative in a city that is often viewed as not valuing homegrown artists. “It showed me that I could make art in San Diego versus New Orleans.”

She’s kept that mindset since, incorporating everyday objects, found materials and household items into her work.

Aroonsakool admits that her work, including her paintings, can sometimes have color tones and even textures that are “meaty” and “nasty.” Tones of red and purple and pink abound and her new work incorporates papier-mâché and found materials to create disconcerting sculptural works that hang in her studio like a meat market.

She credits a 2021 group exhibition in City Heights (“Characters”) for reigniting her interest in sculptural works. And whereas her previous works were much more blatant (for example, a 2020 work featured a body on a plastic meat tray), her new work is more abstract in nature.

“Yes, bodies in general are a throughline, but I gravitate towards what I call ‘lesser than’ people,” Aroonsakool says. “When it comes to the current work, it has to do with the commodification of bodies — slicing and dissecting parts of us that are deemed as less, or cutting off the best parts of us and putting that on display.”

These days, she produces most of this work in a City Heights space she shares with the owners of Teros Gallery and Burn All Books, both of whom lost their previous brick and mortar locations during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a palpable energy within the studio, emblematic of the DIY hustle of local creatives; that is, that in a city where being an artist is not commensurate with the cost of living, collaboration and communal mindsets are downright imperative.

“Being part of the community is really important,” says Aroonsakool who has also volunteered and done mentorships at a number of community organizations and nonprofits. “Whether it’s a friendship that might end up influencing my work or it might lead to me finding new materials, I just generally want to connect with my surroundings.”

Aroonsakool has recently been hosting open studio events to get feedback on her new work, which she will eventually showcase at a solo installation at Hill Street Country Club in Oceanside in June. She’s also planning a new large-scale sculptural work which will be installed at the corner of El Cajon Boulevard and Euclid Avenue.

She mentions she quit her job to devote herself full-time to her practice. One gets the sense she’s on a bit of a roll, having finally found, in digging through the literal and metaphorical debris of life, the art and the community she’s always desired.

“I do see what all of us see; what it was and what it could be,” Aroonsakool says. “And so I do think that a lot of us are trying to create that atmosphere that we want to see.”

“It’s a community,” Aroonsakool adds. “If one of us succeeds, we all succeed. And that’s something I’m seeing throughout San Diego.”

Combs is a freelance writer.

Tarrah Aroonsakool

Age: 28

Born: San Diego

Fun Fact: Aroonsakool created one of her new sculptural works, “Rib Special,” using newsprint papier-mâché, cardboard and, of all things, paper toilet seat covers.