san diego padres history
san diego padres history
For the San Diego Padres, 2006 will hopefully be as bad as 2005. While the Padres finished just two games above .500 last year, this average record earned them the National League West Division title. The other four teams that comprise the division made this section of Major League Baseball the least competitive group in recent history. San Diego Padres tickets allowed fans to watch a team with no definitive characteristics of brilliance find its way to the postseason. While the Padres’ playoff series proved their mediocrity (the team lost to the MLB-best St. Louis Cardinals), fans hope that the Padres can use last year’s mild success to improve in 2006.
After the Padres joined MLB in 1969, they spent their first 35 years of existence at Jack Murphy Stadium, named after a sportswriter who helped guarantee the funding for the ballpark in southern California. However, the Padres struggled through their first decade and posted nine consecutive losing seasons. Fans in San Diego did not witness a postseason appearance until 1984 when the Padres defeated the Chicago Cubs to win the National League Pennant. Under the guidance of manager Dick Williams, the team’s offensive attack featured young outfielder Tony Gwynn and experienced infielders Steve Garvey and Graig Nettles. However, the team failed to capitalize on their first successful season and lost the World Series to the Detroit Tigers.
The next decade was plagued by inconsistency. While Gwynn’s talent as a hitter (he won the batting championship in the National League eight times) offered a much-needed boost for the Padres, it was not enough to catapult the franchise to the elite of the league. Despite posting five winning seasons, San Diego did not return to the playoffs until 1996 when the team won the National League West Division. With Gwynn’s presence at the plate even stronger, the added weapons of third baseman Ken Caminiti and Rickey Henderson improved the team’s ability to compete with other established teams in the league. Under the management of Bruce Bochy, fans witnessed another spectacular year for the franchise in 1998. San Diego defeated the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves to win the National League Pennant for the second time before the New York Yankees swept the franchise in the World Series.
Since Gwynn’s departure in 2001, the Padres have enjoyed moderate success, posting two winning seasons including last year’s miracle postseason appearance. However, fans in San Diego are optimistic for 2006. The off-season acquisition of center fielder Mike Cameron and third baseman Vinny Castilla provides the team with a deeper lineup, and All-Star relief pitcher Trevor Hoffman will enjoy another year of success as the team’s closer. However, the biggest addition to the team’s lineup is catcher Mike Piazza. While the veteran catcher may not play more than 100 games in 2006, his offensive power can help lift the Padres from a surprise division winner to a World Series contender. Watch for San Diego Padres tickets at the new PETCO Park to become some of the most sought after seats in professional baseball.
