San Diego Padres

Quick Facts

• Founded: 1969

• Original Name/City: San Diego Padres

• Current Ballpark: Petco Park

• World Series Titles: 0

• Franchise Nicknames: The Friars, The Pads, Slam Diego

A History of the San Diego Padres

Joining the National League in the 1969 expansion, the San Diego Padres spent much of their early history struggling for wins. However, the franchise's fortunes began to change with the arrival of two key figures: Dave Winfield, a dynamic star of the 1970s, and later, Tony Gwynn, who would become the unquestioned face of the franchise. It was Gwynn who led the Padres to their first taste of major success.

In 1984, the team reached its first-ever World Series, creating a wave of excitement throughout the city, but the most beloved era in team history came in the late 1990s. The 1998 Padres won a franchise-record 98 games and captured their second National League pennant, with star player Tony Gwynn making a run at a .400 batting average. He was surrounded by a powerful lineup that energized the Padres’ fanbase at Jack Murphy Stadium.

While they lost the World Series to a powerhouse Yankees team, that season remains a high point for fans and players. The team's iconic closer, Trevor Hoffman, also became baseball's all-time saves leader during this period.

In 2004, the Padres moved into Petco Park, a beautiful downtown ballpark that is widely regarded as one of the best in the majors. In recent years, the franchise has adopted an aggressive, star-studded approach, signing big-name free agents in an attempt to build a championship contender.

This new "Slam Diego" identity has brought a new level of excitement as the team and its passionate fans pursue the franchise's first World Series title.

Franchise Timeline

• 1969: Founded as an expansion team.

• 1984: Made their first World Series appearance.

• 1998: Won their second National League Pennant.

• 2004: Moved into their current home, Petco Park.

Legendary Players

Tony Gwynn (1982-2001)

• "Mr. Padre" is one of the greatest and most beloved pure hitters in baseball history. He played his entire 20-year Hall of Fame career in San Diego, winning an incredible eight batting titles and finishing with a .338 career average. He was a master of his craft, a pillar of the community, and the undisputed icon of the franchise.

Trevor Hoffman (1993-2008)

• Hoffman was one of the most dominant closers of all time, famous for his intimidating "Hells Bells" entrance music. He was the first pitcher in history to reach both the 500 and 600-save milestones, holding the all-time saves record for several years. The Hall of Famer was the anchor of the 1998 pennant-winning team.

Dave Winfield (1973-1980)

• The first true superstar in Padres history, Winfield was an exceptional all-around athlete who went directly to the major leagues without spending a day in the minors. A powerful force both at the plate and in the outfield, he put the young franchise on the map during his eight seasons.

Manny Machado (2019-Present)

• Machado is a superstar third baseman whose arrival has ushered in a new, high-spending, and ambitious era for the Padres. His elite defense, powerful bat, and fiery leadership have made him the face of the modern "Slam Diego" teams. He’s signed a huge contract to anchor the team long-term.