"The stall in the southeast corner of the Padres' spring training complex is hallowed ground. It once belonged to Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn. After Gwynn retired, the cubicle adjoining a rare - and valued - open space passed to Ryan Klesko. Jake Peavy set up shop in the corner for a season before it was passed onto Greg Maddux. Adrian Gonzalez held court in the corner last season. The cubicle now belongs to Ryan Ludwick, who has been working out in Peoria for the past month in an effort to erase "the worst two months of my career." Expected to give the Padres an offensive boost when he was acquired from the Cardinals at the trading deadline last July 31, Ludwick instead hit .211 with six homers, 26 RBI and 57 strikeouts in 209 at-bats. "I had never been booed before," said the 32-year-old Ludwick. "It stung, but I understand. I had a tough two months when the Padres needed me to have a good two months." In an unusual move for a professional athlete, Ludwick took full responsibility for his play after the Padres missed making the National League playoffs by a game. "I had opportunities to win more than one game with a big hit and I didn't," Ludwick said last October. At the time, Ludwick vowed to make amends if the Padres wanted him back. They did, to the tune of $6.775 million to avoid arbitration. "I'm looking forward to Ryan having a big year for a couple reasons," Padres manager Bud Black said Saturday as his club was braving strong winds and scattered showers for their first day of full-squad drills." Read more: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/feb/19/ludwick-excited-get-fresh-start-padres/
