By: @PadresConnect
Padres catcher Victor Caratini hits a walk-off home run in front of a sell out crowd at Petco Park to catapult the Padres to victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
“San Diego didn’t lose the Chargers; the Chargers just lost San Diego." It was January of 2017 when San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer confirmed the Chargers had made the decision to move the NFL team out of America's finest city and to Los Angeles.
This was devastating news for a fan base that had cheered on the team, spent their hard earned dollars, and made memories with for more than 55 years. Shakespeare says it's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. Clearly, Shakespeare was not the owner of seven (now out of date) San Diego Chargers jerseys like I was.
In addition to the Chargers and Padres, the only major sports team that has called San Diego home is the NBA's San Diego Clippers (ending in 1984). Regrettably, none of these teams have ever won a championship in their respective sport. Currently, the only hardware San Diego can claim is the WWE World Heavyweight Championship won by Chula Vista native Rey Mysterio in 2005 (but I'm not sure many people would count that one).
In a city known for its pristine beaches, beautiful weather, and absolutely elite California burritos, one would assume that sports are seen as an afterthought. Given the fact that San Diego has a myriad of tourist attractions to choose from, where do the Padres fit in all of this? Fans would say: right at the top.
How can we know this to be true? We could try and find out with a deep dive into attendance numbers, jersey sales, online impressions on Padres content, etc. But instead, let's look to the players in the dugout and the people in the stands.
At the top of this article is a video from a random Tuesday night at Petco Park during this past 2021 season. There were no giveaways, no 1$ beers, and certainly no playoff implications. Yet, as one can clearly see, the stadium is more packed than a Wal Mart on Black Friday.
Once Padres catcher Victor Caratini identified himself as the hero of the evening, the friar faithful went into a frenzy. As is usually the case, Padres announcer Don Orsillo said it best when he referred to the crowd as a "sea of San Diegans". A sea of fans during the regular season is not something most teams are accustomed to. As a matter of fact, most clubs would be lucky to have a puddle for most of their regular season games.
The reason behind the abundant number of fans in attendance is multi-faceted, yet clear. The organization is showing the city of San Diego that they care about the Padres being a significant part of their lives. Going to Padres games isn't just for the die hard fanatic, it's a social event. But even more than that, it's a family event.
Baseball is different from the bars, beaches, and all the other wonderful things San Diego has to offer in that it's rooted in not only American history, but personal history as well. America's pastime is so closely intertwined with memories and nostalgia that serve as a galvanizing force to anyone who has ever made memories at a baseball game. Reminiscing on Padres of yesteryear like Winfield, Gwynn, Garvey, Jones, Hoffman, Peavy, and so many others is a feeling not easily forgotten.
As the last team standing in San Diego, those memories at the ballpark with grandpa, grandma, mom, dad, son, daughter, etc are increasingly precious. The Padres provide the opportunity for San Diegans to continue making familial memories in a setting that is in one sense tradition, but also, dynamic enough for the present day. So much of attending a game is not the wins or losses, but rather, the process. The process includes the little moments we live through and come to cherish as time passes. Ultimately, baseball is family. The Padres are family. And family deserves our adoration and support.
The organization has exemplified they want to deliver not only a World Series, but a memorable experience. From fielding a competitive team in a stacked NL West, to the mid-game renditions of Sweet Caroline and scoreboard hat shuffle, there's something for everyone. As the last remnant of pro sports left standing in San Diego, the organization is not resting on its laurels.
By investing in the players, increasing payroll, nurturing the team's culture, and emphasizing the importance of the fan experience, the Padres brass is communicating that they care about the friar faithful.
Whether in sports, life, or anything else, it is a fundamental truth that people want to feel appreciated and wanted. And if they do, as Padres fans do, then they will reciprocate that love and support whether the Padres are triggering indescribable elation, or if the game has brought fans profound despair.
The Padres are an integral part of America's finest community that makes up America's finest city. Whether the friar faithful are singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" for the first time with their kids or drinking a beverage with a group of friends, the Padres give us the opportunity to partake in moments we'll cherish for years to come.
To some cities, their sports teams may not seem this grandiose or important. But in San Diego, it's hard not to be romantic about baseball.
Thank you for reading! Padres Connect exists for the purpose of providing analysis/insight, sparking conversation, and discussing the team we all love without agendas and without having to pay to subscribe. We believe Padres baseball talk should be accessible to everyone, inclusive, and serve as a supplement to following the game we know and love. If there's a topic you'd like us to dive into please shoot us a DM @padresconnect on Twitter or send us an email to padresconnect@gmail.com.
Kommentare