America’s Finest City has always been known for its impeccable weather, waves and fish tacos, but after Tuesday night’s MLB All-Star game, Surf City will be synonymous with wipe out. Or should I say strike out. For the first time in over 20 years, the Padres’ all-stars have a chance to put San Diego on the baseball map. With three of the league’s best hurlers headed to San Francisco, including the 2007 NL All-Star starter, the Padres will force the rest of baseball to recognize what Friar fans and teammates already know.

No teammate could be more enthusiastic about the selection of Jake Peavy, Trevor Hoffman and, in particular, Chris Young than the manic Marcus Giles. “I’m just glad to see the 3^rd one (Young) get in. I think the third one should have been just as much of a shoe-in as the first two…He’ll never tell you he’s mad. That’s just the way C.Y. is. But he should have made it right from the beginning.”

As far as Hoffman is concerned, Giles was surprised to hear that that the MLB saves record holder has only been to the all-star game six times. “Really? I would have guessed 8 or 10. He’s gotta be in every year, I think, especially after breaking Lee Smith’s record. Then obviously the 500 (saves) and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see 600 before we done.”

Prior to the announcement of Peavy as starter, Giles threw his support behind the NL strike-out leader with little reservations. “I think he should be the starter. No question. I don’t know maybe I’m a little biased because he’s my teammate.”

However, Giles has been on the receiving end of some of Peavy’s heat and he’s noticed qualities in the 26-year-old right-hander that have made him the pitcher he is today. “He’s got great stuff. He’s got command of all of his pitches. And he’s got the confidence behind him. That’s the most important thing about it. He’s got the confidence behind all of his pitches and it shows when he’s out there. This is Jake he’s a competitor, he always will be.”

Playing behind him has also allowed Giles to appreciate Peavy’s style and spirit. “He’s just a gamer. In a tight situation he wants the ball. You gotta love that out of any pitcher.

“He’s definitely established himself as one of the best pitchers of our era. It’s fun to watch and a lot of fun playing behind him because he throws strikes, he gets a lot of ground balls and keeps us middle infielders busy. It makes for a fun game.”

That’s just what San Diego fans expect from Tuesday’s all-star game. With Peavy first to take the mound, Young in relief and likely Hoffman to close, the Friar faithful will have reason to be glued to their television sets from beginning to end. But what’s more important is the fact that the league will finally be forced to take notice.