JAY PARIS COMMENTARY: This Black is soaring: While Padres struggle, manager's daughter excelling in gymnastics

By JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | Wednesday, May 28, 2008 8:11 PM PDT ∞

SOLANA BEACH ---- The Padres have shown a spark of late, but really this year is one big tumble.

For both of these Blacks.

Bud Black, the Padres manager, remains optimistic despite a season starting upside-down.

Jessie Black, his daughter, is upbeat because she landed right side up.

Say what? Break away from the Petco Park marathons, and make a run to the TRC Gymnastics Academy in Solana Beach. In a nondescript, industrial-park building not far from Del Mar Race Track, one Black has found the winner's circle.

"I can see the headline now,'' a TRC visitor said. "Padres stink, but Black's daughter does great.''

That's a bit harsh, but it tells the story.

While Black's Padres are blue over their National League West standing, his youngest offspring has leaped up the ranks of top-level gymnastics.

"I don't know where it came from,'' Black said of Jessie's prowess. "When she was young, she was always a little bit of a live wire ---- always moving, always jumping around."

Jessie has bragging rights in the Black's Rancho Santa Fe home. Earlier this month, the 16-year-old dynamo led her Level 9 team to the USA Gymnastics Women's Junior Olympic Western Championships in St. Charles, Mo.

Jessie's Region 1 squad outlasted those from Arizona, Nevada, Utah and other parts of California to win the title ---- a title that Bud helped Jessie claim with his sage advice.

Right, Jessie?

"He tells me what he tells the players,'' said Jessie, a Cathedral Catholic High sophomore. "And half the time, it doesn't work, because that is for baseball.''

Jessie's story comes with a giggle.

She resembles her dad in looks but maybe not demeanor. While Black has never met a microphone or notepad he didn't embrace, Jessie is a bit more reserved. But wouldn't you be somewhat shy, knowing you're riding high while Pops' bunch is down low?

Here comes that giggle again. But it's nothing but straight talk for Black following a heartbreaking loss. After being second-guessed by the media, he'll ask Jessie and his wife, Nan, for their take.

"Sometimes after tough ones, yeah, he'll always ask us our opinion,'' Jessie said. "He'll say, 'Should I have done this or that?' ''

If expecting a sugar-coated reply, Black should look elsewhere.

"We tell him the truth,'' Jessie said. "He knows our opinions because we tell him how we feel.''

Meaning the tables have somewhat turned.

It was Black telling Jessie a thing or two when she was sidelined with a back injury. From December 2006 until June 2007, a balky vertebrae kept Jessie's nose pressed against the TRC windows ---- well, kind of.

"She sat out the entire season with a back brace, but she was still here every day doing what she could do,'' said Chris Mangano, a TRC coach. "To get to where she got this year is amazing.''

With amazing grace, Black was like a CD with a skip ---- repeatedly telling her to do her stretching.

"I did,'' Black said. "I guess like all parents do, you tell your kids to do their homework and eat their vegetables ---- and do your exercises!''

Black's prodding wasn't futile. Jessie was determined to return ---- or, like any other teenager, just wanted to shut her old man's trap.

"Yeah, he told me every day to do my exercises on my back,'' Jessie said. "He wouldn't let me go a day without doing them.''

A day without gymnastics is rare for Jessie. She practices five times a week, about four hours a session.

"I was extremely proud with her perseverance,'' Black said. "She kept it a priority that she wanted to continue and went through the therapy, did the exercises to come back.

"She kept the passion, and you can't really instill passion in someone. I just like the fact that she is passionate about what she wants to do.''

That showed in the Western Championships. Jessie's first event, the uneven bars, was Padre-esque ---- a complete clunker.

"She was the most nervous I saw her all year,'' TRC coach Darryl Davis said. "Some people have that rough first event, roll over and cry. But Jessie is one of those kids that it doesn't bother them ---- it's kind of a kick in the pants.''

Jessie quickly re-booted.

"I was bummed until I started warming up for (balance) beam,'' Jessie said. "I just forgot about it, forget I did so bad.''

That led to a memorable performance. She posted scores of 9.3 on the beam, 9.175 on vault, and 9.5 on floor exercise to place in the top 10 in all three events.

Her performance came on Mother's Day, but Father Bud was beaming, too. Now, if Jessie's karma could just catapult from the gym to the Padres' dugout.

If the Padres are to make a sudden twist, who better than a flexible, champion gymnast to lead the way?

"She loves the Pads and is very supportive,'' Black said. "She is always giving encouragement. She'll say, 'Dad, you're going to win tonight. Dad, you're going to turn it around.' ''

Just maybe, like Jessie, the Padres will perform an impressive somersault.

Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.

First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, e-mail addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. Attempts to misrepresent your identity or impersonate any person will not be approved. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.