San Diego Padres' All-Time Team

As a franchise, there is a list of things the Padres have yet to accomplish. They have never won a World Series, had a player hit for the cycle, or a pitcher earn a no-hitter.

But, besides those accomplishments, this franchise is not without its list of memories throughout the years. Tony Gwynn's 3,000th hit against the Montreal Expos, the team's run to the World Series in 1998, and Trevor Hoffman's 479th record-breaking save are all things to be proud of.

We remember our favorite players from our favorite eras, whether it be Rollie Fingers, Randy Jones, Steve Garvey, Tony Gwynn, Trevor Hoffman, or Adrian Gonzalez.

So, with all of that in mind, I thought I would put together my "All-Time Padres team," with the best players at their respective positions.

Big thanks to Joe Yanarella for giving me the idea to put this together when I couldn't come up with anything in my own brain.

Catcher: Benito Santiago

Signed by the San Diego Padres as an amateur free agent on September 1, 1982, he would make his Padres' debut on September 14, 1986. He went on to set a Major League record for a rookie by hitting in 34 straight games, which earned him Rookie of the Year honors in unanimous fashion.

In his third season with San Diego, Santiago won the Gold Glove award, despite leading the National League in passed balls and errors.

He remained with the Padres for seven seasons, then became a free agent after the 1992 season.

First Base: Wally Joyner

After the 1995 season, the California Angels and San Diego Padres made a trade that sent Bip Roberts to the Angels for first baseman Wally Joyner.

Joyner would spend four seasons with the Padres, including the team's 1998 NLCS Championship season. That season, Joyner hit .298 with 12 home runs while driving in 81 runs in 131 games.

Joyner would be with the Padres until after the 1999 season when he was traded, along with Reggie Sanders, to the Atlanta Braves for Bret Boone and Ryan Klesko.

Second Base: Roberto Alomar

There were a few guys I could have gone to, but Roberto Alomar was the one guy that stuck out in my mind.

Playing three seasons (1988-1990) for the San Diego Padres, Alomar made his presence felt rather quickly. In 1989—his best season by far—Alomar not only hit .295 and played in all but four games, he also stole 42 bases, which tyed him for second in the National League.

Alomar, in what was his last season with the Padres, was named to the NL All-Star team in 1990 and was then involved in one of the worst trades in Padre history.

Alomar, along with eventual World Series hero Joe Carter, were shipped to the Toronto Blue Jays in return for Fred McGriff and Tony Fernandez. The trade is still talked about by Padres' fans today.

Honorable mentions: Tim Flannery, Mark Loretta

Third Base: Ken Caminiti

When thinking about the All-Time third baseman, this was one of the easiest decisions in my mind.

Ken Caminiti was not only a clubhouse favorite but also a fan favorite, right up until his untimely death of a heart attack in 2004.

Caminiti was traded from the Houston Astros—where he spent his first six seasons—after the 1994 season to the San Diego Padres. It was for the Padres that he began putting up career numbers.

In his first season with San Diego in 1995, Caminiti hit .302 with 26 home runs and drove in 96 runs. In 1996, he hit .326 with a career high 40 home runs and drove in 130 runs. It was a season that earned Caminiti the Most Valuable Player Award.

It wasn't until 2002, in a Sports Illustrated cover story, that fans learned that Caminiti struggled with not only alcohol but admitted to using steroids during his MVP season in 1996.

Despite all that, during an on-field ceremony prior to the final game ever played by the Padres at Jack Murphy Stadium (a.k.a. Qualcomm Stadium), fans voted him as the Padres All-Time third baseman and gave Caminiti a huge standing ovation that lasted for several minutes.

Shortstop: Khalil Greene

No disrespect to Ozzie Smith, and I know he would have been the popular choice here, but after comparing the two I decided to go with the unconventional pick: Khalil Greene.

Khalil was the most exciting shortstop since "The Wizard" and often made even the most difficult plays look routine. Not only that, but he would come up with clutch hits when the Padres needed them as well as showing flashes of tremendous power.

Greene enjoyed his best season in 2007 when the shortstop hit 27 home runs and drove in 97 while hitting .254 and posting a career high 611 at bats.

Outfield: Rickey Henderson

Although he only had two short stints with the San Diego Padres, he was still one of the most electrifying players in all of baseball when he was on the field. No matter how old Henderson was toward the end of his career, he still struck fear in the minds of pitchers as he took that famous lead off of first base.

When he was with the Padres, it was no different. Rickey was stealing bases, driving in runs, and making things happen.

In 1996, Henderson's first stint with San Diego, he finished in the top 10 in the National League in walks, on base percentage, steals, and runs.

After being traded to the Angels during the 1997 season, Henderson returned to San Diego in 2001, ironically enough, Tony Gwynn's final season. In Gwynn's final game, Henderson wanted to sit out as to not take any attention away from him in his final game, but Gwynn insisted that Henderson play.

During that season, Henderson broke Babe Ruth's record of 2,062 career walks as well as Ty Cobb's 2,246 career runs. That season also marked the first time in major league history that two players on one team had 3,000 or more hits (Gwynn had 3,141).

Outfield: Dave Winfield

An All-Time Padres team wouldn't be complete without the likes of one of the "good guys" of baseball: Dave Winfield.

One of only two athletes to ever be drafted in three different sports (basketball, baseball, football), Winfield decided on baseball and signed with the San Diego Padres, who had drafted him with the fourth overall pick in 1973 and brought him directly to the big leagues.

Winfield was elected to the All-Star team four straight years (1977-1980) during his seven years with the Padres, Though he enjoyed his best season in 1979. Winfield hit .308 with 34 home runs and 118 RBI.

Outfield: Tony Gwynn

The All-Time Padre, the man that solidified the nickname "Mr. Padre," is Tony Gwynn.

From making his debut in June of 1982 to his final appearance in October 2001, Gwynn was always the consummate professional, always tinkering with his swing, and always looking for ways to get better.

It was Gwynn's dedication that made him one of the best hitters of all-time, finishing his career with 3,141 career hits. It was the reason that his name dons a street sign; the street that the new Padres ballpark (Petco Park) sits on, 19 Tony Gwynn Drive. Not to mention he has his own statue just over the centerfield wall.

Gwynn, a San Diego State alum, decided to return to his alma mater after his playing days were over. He's been the head coach of the Aztec's baseball team since 2003.

Pitcher: Rollie Fingers

Rollie Fingers, with the Padres from 1977-1980, won the NL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year three times during his four years with the team. He posted career highs in saves with 35 in 1977 and 37 in 1978.

Pitcher: Kevin Brown

Kevin Brown was perhaps one of the best trades the Padres have made in their history.

After the 1997 season, the Padres made a trade that brought right-hander Kevin Brown to San Diego. Brown would not disappoint. In fact, he had one of the best seasons of his career.

He posted an 18-7 record in 1998 with a career high 257 strikeouts and a 2.38 ERA. He lead the Padres to a NLCS Championship where they would be swept in four games by the eventual champion, the New York Yankees.

Pitcher: Andy Ashby

Another pitcher that had a huge effect on the San Diego Padres during the NLCS Championship season was right-hander Andy Ashby.

Dealt from the expansion Colorado Rockies in 1993, Ashby struggled to a 3-10 record and a 6.80 ERA the rest of the way. After that, Ashby started to turn things around. He posted a career low 2.94 ERA in 1995 and finished with a 12-10 record.

It was in 1998, however, that Ashby enjoyed the best season of his career. The right-hander won 17 games with a 3.34 ERA and posted career highs in innings pitched (226.2) and strikeouts (151).

Pitcher: Rich Gossage

Rich "Goose" Gossage made a name for himself as one of the best relievers in baseball history.

From 1984-1987, he racked up 20+ saves in three of the four seasons on the ball club. He posted his best season as a Padre in 1995. He finished the season 5-3 with a 1.82 ERA and 26 saves in 79 innings pitched.

Pitcher: Trevor Hoffman

Lastly—but certainly in no way least—I give you long-time closer Trevor Hoffman.

Hoffman has been through it all with San Diego. After being sent to the Padres in a trade from Florida in 1993, his debut ended poorly and was serenaded with a chorus of boos from fans.

Those boos have turned to standing ovations over his 15 seasons with the San Diego Padres. From his first save to his record-breaking 479th save to his 500th, Trevor took the baton passed by Tony Gwynn and became the new face of the franchise.

Unfortunately for Hoffman, that run had to end as the team elected not to bring back the All-Time saves leader after the 2008 season. Instead, they handed the reigns over to Hoffman's former setup man, Heath Bell.

Hoffman could very well be known as the best pitcher in Padres' history, but one thing is certain: Those of us who remember his save that closed out the Atlanta Braves during the NLCS Championship game in 1998, and the saves that won back-to-back NL Western Division titles know that Petco Park will never be the same without "Hells Bells" blasting over the PA system as Hoffman methodically trotted out of the bullpen.