2006 San Diego Padres

After a solid performance in the 2005 MLB season, the San Diego Padres are poised to make a strong showing in 2006. The Padres finished the 2005 regular season with a .506 win average, placing them at the top of the National League West. San Diego baseball fans will again have the opportunity to watch Brian Giles, whether he is hitting or walking onto the bases, Jake Peavy on the mound, Khalil Greene at shortstop, but there will be new faces like catcher Mike Piazza as well. Tickets to Petco Park are selling fast - don't miss your chance to catch the San Diego Padres in action in 2006!

The San Diego Padres Baseball Club, starting with the 2004 baseball season, makes PETCO Park its home. The $500 million-dollar park replaced Qualcom Stadium, formerly Jack Murphy Stadium, where the Padres played baseball since they were awarded a team for the 1969 season. The capacity of PETCO Park is 46,000. The Padres saw the new stadium boost ticket sales and renew fan support.

The Padres have reached post-season play three times in their 35-year history, but have failed to win the World Series in two attempts, losing in 1984 and 1998. The most famous San Diego Padre baseball player is Tony Gwynn. Tony Gwynn made his major league debut with the Padres in 1982 and finished his 20-year career, all with the Padres, in 2001 with a lifetime .338 batting average and 3,141 hits, making him a first-ballot Hall of Fame guarantee. Tony also won 8 batting titles, tying him with Honus Wagner for the National League mark. When Tony is inducted into the Hall of Fame, he will join Dave Winfield, who is the first and presently the only Hall of Famer to go into the Hall as a Padre. Other Hall of Famers who once played in a Padres' uniform included Willie McCovey, Gaylord Perry, Rollie Fingers and Ozzie Smith.

The Padres' history in Major League Baseball has been relatively short, but many milestones and records have been accomplished by baseball players wearing Padres uniforms. In 1971, Nate Colbert hit 5 home runs and drove in 13 runs in a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves. The 5 home runs tied Stan Musial's major league record set in 1954, and the 13 RBI's established a Major League mark that still stands. In 1977, Rollie Fingers won the National League Fireman of the Year award, while Bob Owchinko received the Rookie Pitcher of the Year award. In that same year, Gene Richards set a Major League rookie record for most stolen bases with 56. Gaylord Perry, in 1978, earned the Cy Young Award, becoming the first pitcher to win the award in both leagues. In 1980, the Padres become the first baseball club to have 3 players steal over 50 bases, Gene Richards, Ozzie Smith and Jerry Mumphrey, and Rollie Fingers became the first pitcher to win the Fireman of the Year award 3 times. In 1987, catcher Benito Santiago set a rookie record by hitting in 34 games consecutively. In 1995, the Padres tied a 20th-century National League record with 9 runs in the 10th inning against the Philadelphia Phillies. In that same year, the Padres tied a National League record with 9 Grand Slams. The Padres made Major League Baseball history by playing the New York Mets in Monterrey, Mexico, the first major league baseball game played outside the U.S. or Canada.

The San Diego Padres Baseball Club has had many historic milestones in its relatively short history in professional baseball. With its new stadium and rejuvenated fan base, the Padres are a team to be reckoned with.