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ve location within the city and profit turning for San Diego ownership, Padres fans can in part thank their beautiful new stadium for providing them with much to smile about since it opened in 2004.6. Jerry Coleman inducted into the Hall of Fame
World Series MVP, decorated veteran and war hero, world-class announcer. Those are just some of the terms utilized by others to describe the illustrious life and career of Jerry Coleman, the long-time San Diego Padres radio announcer (and in 1980, their manager) who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005, receiving the Ford C. Frick award for his exploits as a broadcaster.
His colorful style, hilarious misquotes and mispronunciations, excitable personality and trademark quotes ("Oh Doctor!", "You can hang a star on that play!") have made him a part of San Diego baseball as much as anything or anyone else.
5. Trevor Hoffman's record-breaking save
Already in possession of the record for most appearances by a pitcher for a single team, Hoffman broke another, more cherished record in the fall of 2006, the all-time saves record held until then by Lee Smith. It was a testament to Hoffman's durability and dominance over the course of almost 15 years. With Hoffman closing games, the Padres have won four Division Titles and one League Championship while Trevor has been selected to six All-Star games. He also holds five distinct MLB records for closers aside from his all-time saves mark.
4. Dave Winfield inducted into the Hall of Fame
One of the most complete athletes of all-time, Dave Winfield was drafted by the Padres in 1973, the same year he was drafted by two basketball franchises (the NBA's Atlanta Hawks and the ABA's Utah Stars) and an NFL team, the Minnesota Vikings. During his eight seasons in San Diego, Winfield established many club marks that continue to stand to this day.
His first four All-Star game selections were obtained as a member of the Padres, as were his first two Gold Gloves. After retiring in 1995, Winfield selected the Padres as his team the first year his name appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot, in 2001. Today, he remains with the team - serving as a vice president.
3. The 1984 NLCS
The upstart San Diego Padres had made it to their first postseason series in franchise history, earning a showdown against the NL East winning Chicago Cubs, who looked to end a 78-year championship drought.
The Cubs appeared to have the series locked up when they took a 2-0 lead, but San Diego clawed back, winning the next two games and forcing a Game 5 in San Diego. After taking an early lead, the Padres stormed back in the 7th inning, with a bad hop double by Tony Gwynn being the coup de grace. San Diego would go on to their first World Series, and Chicago would go on without winning a title to this very day.
2. The 1998 Season
After winning the NL West in 1996, the Padres finished last in their division the following season. Once again, GM Kevin Towers made key moves which included the trade that brought SP Kevin Brown to the Padres in the off-season.
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