San Diego Padres

The *San Diego Padres’ are a Major League Baseball team located in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division.StadiumThe Padres currently play at PETCO Park, and have done since 2004. Before that, they played at Qualcomm Stadium, from 1969 to 2003. NicknameThe Padres took their name from a Pacific Coast League team which played in San Diego in 1936. That minor league franchise won the PCL title in 1937, led by then-18-year-old San Diegan Ted Williams.*History’ In 1969, the San Diego Padres joined the ranks of Major League Baseball as one of four new expansion teams, along with the Montreal Expos (now the Washington Nationals), the Kansas City Royals and the Seattle Pilots (now the Milwaukee Brewers).

Their first owner was C. Arnholt Smith, a prominent San Diego businessman and former owner of the PCL Padres whose interests included banking, tuna fishing, hotels, real estate and an airline.

*Record By Decade’1969In their first year, Preston Gomez guided the team to a 52-110 record.1970-1979Gomez continued to coach the Padres until the middle of 1972, when he was replaced by Don Zimmer, who lasted only a season and a half. John McNamara took over in 1974 and coached until 1977. Roger Craig took over in 1978, and brought the Padres their first winning season, 84-78. 1979 the Padres returned to their losing ways, however.1980-1989Jerry Coleman coached for a single year, as did Frank Howard. Then Dick Williams took over and coached for four years. After four winning seasons he left the club, to be replaced by Steve Boros, who lasted obly a year. Larry Bowa tried his luck but left after two years. In 1989, the coach was Jack McKeon.1990-1999Jack McKeon coached a final year in 1990, then Greg Riddoch took over for two years. Jim Riggleman tried to bring winning ways to the Padres for two years, but failed. Bruce Bochy took over in 1995 and coached out the rest of the decade.*2000-2008’ Bruce Bochy continued to coach the Padres until 2006. Bud Gonzalez took over in 2007, and is the current coach.