A couple of days ago, I attempted to lift the spirits of my fellow Padres fans by posting the ten best moments in San Diego Padres history. However, being a Friar fan has been traditionally defined by sporadic tastes of glory matched up to prolonged periods of misery.
Consider this a return to reality.
10. The Padres miss the playoffs by a fake run
This wound is still open, so much so that I've spent the last 15 minutes trying to find the replay again.
You can't blame this one fully on a blown call, as Jake Peavy—San Diego's ace—was less than stellar, and Trevor Hoffman, the MLB's all-time saves leader, was unable to close out the game as he gave up three runs while recording a whopping one out.
9. 1969-1977
Expansion teams are expected to be bad in the first few years they exist. This was especially true in the era before free agency. The Padres came in to the league a few years before Curt Flood made his famous case for freedom, and the Friars got steadily better when they were able to buy talent instead of relying solely on their farm system.
Even then, in their first six seasons—the Padres lost more than 100 games in four of their seasons. In 1970—when they didn't lose 100 times—they lost 99 times. In 1972, a strike prevented them from losing more than 95 games. Until 1978, the Padres' topped out at a lofty 73-89.
8. Roseanne "sings" the Star-Spangled Banner
In the early 90's, the Padres were owned by a group that included TV producer Tom Werner. As part of a publicity stunt to boost ratings for one of his shows, Mr. Werner decided to choose one of his stars to sing the National Anthem. It's not uncommon for actors to be good singers, so Werner made a logical choice by having Roseanne Barr sing The Star-Spangled Banner.
Yup. That Roseanne Barr.
I have a feeling that if anyone tried something like that today, they'd be halfway to Guantanamo before they could finish a verse.
Enough said.
6. Padres select Matt Bush No. 1 in 2004
One thing you can look forward to every year if your team is terrible is having the first crack at the nation's most talented amateurs via the MLB draft.
In 2004, San Diego set a record for lazy scouting by drafting San Diego native Matt Bush with the No. 1 pick. In four years, Bush has: been suspended before playing a single game, broken his ankle and missed half a season, been switched to pitcher from his original position of shortstop, and, torn a ligament in his throwing arm and thus not being able to play again until at least 2009.
Other members of the 2004 draft class? Stephen Drew, Jered Weaver, Jeremy Sowers, Taylor Tankersley and Blake DeWitt.
5. The 1998 World Series
11 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Chris Plouffe 10 months ago
I know that 1-game playoff was tough, and I wanted the pads to win...but it shouldn't have even been that close as I think it was Holliday's homer was called a double.
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Eric Gomez 10 months ago
Yeah, and you know what? The way Hoffman was pitching Colorado was still going to win. But on the bright side, baseball's using instant replay now! ... not for plays at the plate, though. Hm.
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Collin Hager - The Roundtable 10 months ago
Headline got me interested here, so great work that way. I was hoping this would be detailing the worst moments of the Tim Welsh Era of Providence College Friar basketball. Just as solid to read it about another set of priests, though.
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Michael Wagner 10 months ago
Oh the Padres. I was born in Carlsbad, north of San Diego but I was raised a Cubs fan (Thank God). I always followed the Padres and most of my friends were Padres fans so I enjoyed seeing them get frustrated over the Padres making stupid trade and draft picks. The one I will always remember is the Jason Bay trade for Giles, what a dumb trade that was (even at the time). I hope the Padres can turn it around and also need to thank all you Padres Fans for Jimmy Edmonds...
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Eric Gomez 10 months ago
You're not welcome. That Jason Bay trade still haunts my dreams, by the way. The other day I was watching the BoSox and Yankees last series at Yankee Stadium when I saw Xavier Nady on the Yankees bench getting ready to hit while Jason Bay was in the outfield shagging flies for Boston.
Suicidal yet?
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billy bob 10 months ago
Thank God you're a Cubs fan? The most worthless franchise in the history of baseball? Just want to remind you, that your team's nickname is the LOSERS.
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Michael Wagner 10 months ago
You know what it has been 100 years but at least we've got one..I'm not going to hate on the Padres because I've rooted for them when I've been to games but yes I would rather be a Cubs fan. The Cubs are at least committed to winning, The Padres not so much.
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KP Wee 10 months ago
Actually, Carter and Alomar were traded from SD to Toronto FOR McGriff and Fernandez. Then SD sent McGriff to Atlanta and Fernandez to the Mets.
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Eric Gomez 10 months ago
I know that. That's why I made the annotation that these were players that San Diego had either developed or acquired by other means. Either way, Carter and Alomar were traded for parts of "equal" value, but San Diego didn't capitalize on this as they traded McGriff and Fernandez soon after. It's like that time Mike Piazza went to the Marlins for a week in 1998.
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Fred Fowler 10 months ago
Good article, Would like to mention, maybe not a worse thing to happen, but probably the most insulting thing to happen to the Padres was the snubbing of Randy Jones in 1975 for the Cy Young award. He had the league best ERA 2.24 and won 20 games for a team that lost 20 more games than they won. I just think he should have won it in back to back years 1975 & 1976.
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Eric Gomez 10 months ago
It's true, we're the Rodney Dangerfields of the MLB.
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