San Diego Padres,
professional baseball team, one of five teams in the West Division
of the National League (NL). The Padres play at Qualcomm Stadium in
San Diego, California, and wear uniforms of white, orange, and blue.
The team’s name, the Spanish word commonly used for priest, was
inspired by the padres of the Roman Catholic Mission San Diego de
Alcala, which was founded in San Diego during the 18th century.
The Padres made their first World Series appearance in 1984 under
the direction of manager Dick Williams. Starring on that team were
first baseman Steve Garvey, relief pitcher Goose Gossage, and right
fielder Tony Gwynn. The left-handed Gwynn, one of the finest hitters
in major league history, won eight batting titles from 1984 to 1997.
In 1998 the Padres won 98 games and the NL pennant, led by Gwynn,
pitcher Kevin Brown, first baseman Wally Joyner, and outfielder Greg
Vaughn.
The Padres joined the NL’s West Division in 1969 as an expansion
team. The club struggled in its early years, placing last in the
division for six consecutive seasons. Featured in San Diego’s early
lineups were power-hitting first basemen Nate Colbert and Willie
McCovey and center fielder Cito Gaston. Outfielder Dave Winfield
joined the team in 1973 and became the team’s first superstar,
leading the club in runs batted in (RBIs) seven times and in home
runs five times during his eight years in San Diego.
The Padres improved in 1976, winning 73 games as left-handed pitcher
Randy Jones earned the NL Cy Young Award. In 1978 first-year manager
Roger Craig guided the Padres to their first winning season with a
84-78 win-loss record. Right-hander Gaylord Perry won the Cy Young
Award that year at age 39, while veteran relief pitcher Rollie
Fingers led the NL in saves.
The Padres hit their stride in 1984. Playing his first complete
season, Tony Gwynn won his first batting title as he and teammates
Steve Garvey, Garry Templeton, and Graig Nettles led San Diego to
the West Division title. The Padres defeated the Chicago Cubs in the
NL Championship Series to win the franchise’s first pennant, but
they lost to the Detroit Tigers in the World Series.
Despite Gwynn’s sensational hitting, San Diego struggled during the
late 1980s and early 1990s. Along with Gwynn, several other Padres
enjoyed individual success during the team’s rebuilding period. In
1987 catcher Benito Santiago was named NL rookie of the year, and
two years later relief pitcher Mark Davis led the major leagues in
saves to win the NL Cy Young Award.
The Padres placed in the lower half of their division from 1993
through 1995. Manager Bruce Bochy turned the club around in 1996,
guiding the Padres to the division title and receiving the NL
manager of the year award. That same year, veteran third baseman Ken
Caminiti was named NL most valuable player (MVP). The Padres lost to
the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the playoffs for the
NL pennant.
Over the next two seasons the Padres strengthened its roster by
acquiring several talented players, including Kevin Brown and Greg
Vaughn. In 1998 Bochy directed the Padres to another divisional
championship. The club then bested the Houston Astros and the
Atlanta Braves to win the NL pennant. In the World Series, however,
the New York Yankees swept the Padres in four games. After the
season the club traded Vaughn, and Brown signed as a free agent with
the Los Angeles Dodgers.CHAMPIONSHIPS
The team has no World Series win.
The Padres won the NL Pennant in 1984 and 1988.
TOP MANAGER
Bruce Bochy has served as the team's manager since 1995 and had a
485-469 record at the end of the 2000 season. He was named NL
Manager of the Year in 1996. Dick Williams managed the team from
1982-1985 and finished with a 337-311 record.
MVPS
Ken Caminiti (1996)
CY YOUNG
Randy Jones (1976), Gaylord Perry (1978), Mark Davis (1989)
ROOKIE OF YEAR
Butch Metzger (1976 co-winner), Benito Santiago (1987)
RETIRED NUMBERS
6 - Steve Garvey (1B)
35 - Randy Jones (P) |
