The San Diego Padres entered Major League Baseball in 1969 as an expansion franchise, joining the National League along with the Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals and Seattle Pilots. More than five decades later, the Padres have built one of baseball’s most recognizable franchises, produced multiple Hall of Famers, won two National League pennants, and become one of the most aggressive teams in baseball when it comes to acquiring star players.
Yet one accomplishment remains missing from the Padres’ résumé: a World Series championship.
The Padres have reached the World Series twice, in 1984 and 1998, but lost both times. The 1984 club lost to the Detroit Tigers in five games, while the 1998 team was swept by the New York Yankees.
The Birth of the Padres
San Diego had a long baseball history before joining the major leagues. The original San Diego Padres played in the Pacific Coast League beginning in 1936.
San Diego was awarded a National League expansion franchise on May 27, 1968. The new Padres selected 30 players in the expansion draft, with outfielder Ollie Brown becoming the first player selected by the franchise.
The Padres played their first major league game on April 8, 1969, defeating the Houston Astros 2-1 at San Diego Stadium before 23,370 fans.
The early years were difficult.
The 1969 Padres finished 52-110, and losing seasons became the norm during the franchise’s first decade. But San Diego gradually developed stars such as Nate Colbert and Randy Jones.
Padres Ownership Through the Years
C. Arnholt Smith — 1969-1974
C. Arnholt Smith was the original owner of the Major League Padres. A San Diego banker and businessman, Smith had also been involved with the Pacific Coast League Padres.
Smith’s ownership nearly ended with the franchise leaving San Diego. Financial problems and controversy surrounding Smith’s other business interests put the Padres’ future in jeopardy.
In 1974, McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc purchased the team and prevented the franchise from moving to Washington, D.C.
Ray Kroc — 1974-1984
Ray Kroc became one of the most important owners in Padres history.
The McDonald’s founder immediately increased the team’s visibility and spending. Attendance passed one million during his first season as owner, and Kroc became known for his willingness to spend money on major-league talent.
Kroc died in January 1984, just months before the Padres reached their first World Series. His ownership helped establish the foundation for the most important season in early Padres history.
Kroc was later inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame.
Joan Kroc — 1984-1990 After Ray Kroc’s death, ownership p assed to his widow, Joan Kroc. Her first season as owner became the greatest season in Pa dres history to that point.
The 1984 Padres won the National League West, defeated the Chicago Cubs in the NL Championship Series and reached the World Series for the first time.
The Padres ultimately lost the World Series to the Detroit Tigers, four games to one.
Joan Kroc sold the franchise in 1990 to an ownership group headed by television producer Tom Werner.
Tom Werner and the Werner Ownership Group — 1990-1994
Tom Werner headed an ownership group that eventually included 15 investors.
The Werner era produced some of the most memorable and controversial trades in Padres history. One of the most important was the December 1990 trade with Toronto that sent future Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter to the Blue Jays in exchange for Fred McGriff and Tony Fernández.
Alomar and Carter subsequently became major parts of Toronto’s back-to-back World Series championships in 1992 and 1993.
John Moores — 1994-2012
Software entrepreneur John Moores purchased controlling ownership of the Padres in 1994.
His tenure produced two NL West championships, the 1998 National League pennant and the construction of Petco Park.
The 1998 Padres became one of the greatest teams in franchise history, going 98-64 before winning the NL pennant. They faced the powerhouse New York Yankees in the World Series but were swept in four games.
Moores also played an important role in bringing the Padres into downtown San Diego with the development of Petco Park. He was inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame in 2023.
Jeff Moorad and the Attempted Purchase — 2009-2012
Former player agent and executive Jeff Moorad assembled an investment group and attempted to purchase the Padres from Moores.
The proposed transaction was structured as a gradual purchase of the team. Moorad eventually withdrew his application to become the controlling owner in 2012.
The situation ultimately led to another ownership change.
Ron Fowler and the Seidler/O’Malley Ownership Group — 2012-2020
In 2012, a group led by Ron Fowler, Peter Seidler and members of the O’Malley family purchased the Padres.
Fowler became the controlling owner and executive chairman. The purchase was valued at approximately $800 million and was approved by Major League Baseball in August 2012.
Peter Seidler — 2020-2023
In November 2020, Peter Seidler became the Padres’ largest shareholder and controlling owner after purchasing additional shares from Ron Fowler.
Seidler’s ownership transformed the Padres’ approach to building the roster.
San Diego became much more aggressive in free agency, trades and long-term contracts. The Padres signed and acquired stars including Manny Machado, Juan Soto and other major players while building a team designed to compete for championships.
Seidler died in November 2023.
John Seidler and the Seidler Family — 2023-2026
After Peter Seidler’s death, his family continued to oversee the franchise, with his brother John Seidler serving as chairman and control person during the transition period.
The family eventually agreed to sell control of the franchise.
Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano — 2026-Present
In May 2026, the Padres announced an agreement to transfer control of the franchise to an ownership group led by Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano.
Major League Baseball unanimously approved the transfer on August 17, 2026. Feliciano became the Padres’ designated control person, with Jones and Feliciano jointly leading the new ownership group.
This began a new era of Padres ownership.
Padres Home Ballparks
San Diego Stadium — 1969-1980
The Padres began their Major League history at San Diego Stadium.
It was the team’s original MLB home and hosted the club from its debut in 1969 through 1980.
Jack Murphy Stadium — 1981-1997
San Diego Stadium was renamed Jack Murphy Stadium in 1981.
The stadium became the site of some of the most important moments in Padres history, including the 1984 NL Championship and the club’s first World Series appearance.
Qualcomm Stadium — 1997-2003
The stadium was renamed Qualcomm Stadium in 1997.
The Padres continued playing there through the 2003 season.
The 1998 National League championship team played its home games at the stadium.
Petco Park — 2004-Present
The Padres moved into Petco Park in 2004.
Located in downtown San Diego, Petco Park was part of a major redevelopment project in the East Village. It has become one of the most recognizable ballparks in Major League Baseball.
Petco Park also became the permanent home of the Padres Hall of Fame and a major part of the franchise’s identity.
Padres National Baseball Hall of Famers
A remarkable number of Hall of Famers have worn a Padres uniform. Some became famous in San Diego, while others spent only a portion of their careers with the club.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame list of players who played for San Diego includes:
Hall of Famer
Padres Years
Hometown/Birthplace
Hall of Fame
Willie McCovey
1974-76
Mobile, Alabama
1986
Gaylord Perry
1978-79
Williamston, North Carolina
1991
Rollie Fingers
1977-80
Steubenville, Ohio
1992
Ozzie Smith
1978-81
Mobile, Alabama
2002
Dave Winfield
1973-80
St. Paul, Minnesota
2001
Tony Gwynn
1982-2001
Los Angeles, California
2007
Roberto Alomar
1988-90
Ponce, Puerto Rico
2011
Rickey Henderson
1996-97, 2001
Chicago, Illinois
2009
Goose Gossage
1984-87
Colorado Springs, Colorado
2008
Fred McGriff
1991-93
Tampa, Florida
2023
Trevor Hoffman
1993-2008
Bellflower, California
2018
Greg Maddux
2007-08
San Angelo, Texas
2014
Mike Piazza
2006
Norristown, Pennsylvania
2016
MLB’s official Padres Hall of Fame listing confirms the club’s extensive connection with Cooperstown.
Tony Gwynn — The Greatest Padre
Tony Gwynn is unquestionably the greatest player in Padres history.
Gwynn spent his entire 20-year major league career with San Diego from 1982 through 2001. He won eight National League batting championships and was selected to 16 All-Star Games.
He finished his career with 3,141 hits and a .338 batting average.
Gwynn was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007 with 97.6 percent of the vote.
Trevor Hoffman — The Padres’ Great Closer
Trevor Hoffman spent 16 seasons with San Diego and became one of the greatest closers in baseball history.
He recorded 552 saves as a Padre and finished his career with 601 saves.
Hoffman was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2018. He was born in Bellflower, California.
Dave Winfield
Dave Winfield played his first eight major league seasons with the Padres.
Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Winfield was the fourth overall pick in the 1973 draft and went directly to the major leagues.
He later became a major star with the New York Yankees and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2001.
Padres Who Were Also Yankees and Hall of Famers
Several Hall of Famers played for both San Diego and the New York Yankees.
Dave Winfield
Padres: 1973-1980
Yankees: 1981-1988, 1990
Hall of Fame: 2001
Birthplace: St. Paul, Minnesota
Winfield became a Yankees star after leaving San Diego and helped New York reach the 1981 World Series.
Goose Gossage
Padres: 1984-1987
Yankees: 1978-1983 and 1989
Hall of Fame: 2008
Birthplace: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Gossage was a dominant Yankees closer before signing with San Diego before the 1984 season. He helped the Padres reach their first World Series.
Rickey Henderson
Padres: 1996-97, 2001
Yankees: 1985-89
Hall of Fame: 2009
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
Henderson became one of the greatest leadoff hitters and base stealers in baseball history.
Padres MVP Winners
The Padres have had only one National League Most Valuable Player winner:
Ken Caminiti — 1996. Caminiti won the National League MVP Award in 1996.
He hit .326 with 40 home runs and 130 RBIs and helped San Diego win the NL West.
Caminiti’s MVP season remains one of the greatest individual seasons in Padres history.
Padres Rookie of the Year Winners
The Padres have had two official National League Rookie of the Year winners:
Butch Metzger — 1976
Metzger became the first Padres player to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award.
Benito Santiago — 1987
Santiago won the award unanimously.
He also established a remarkable rookie record with a 34-game hitting streak, which remains the longest hitting streak by a rookie and the longest in Padres history.
Padres Cy Young Award Winners
Although the Padres have had only one MVP.
National League Cy Young Award winners:
Randy Jones — 1976
Gaylord Perry — 1978
Mark Davis — 1989
Jake Peavy — 2007
Blake Snell — 2023
Randy Jones became the first Padre to win the Cy Young Award. Peavy’s 2007 season was another of the greatest pitching seasons in franchise history, while Snell became the most recent Padres Cy Young winner.
The Players the Padres Traded Away Before They Became Stars
Padres history contains some painful examples of players who became superstars after leaving San Diego.
Ozzie Smith
Perhaps the most famous example is Ozzie Smith.
The Padres traded Smith to the St. Louis Cardinals in December 1981 for Garry Templeton and other players.
Smith became known as “The Wizard” and eventually entered the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The trade is still considered one of the most painful deals in Padres history.
Roberto Alomar
The Padres traded Roberto Alomar to Toronto in December 1990.
San Diego received Fred McGriff and Tony Fernández.
Alomar became one of the greatest second basemen in baseball history, winning World Series championships with Toronto in 1992 and 1993 and eventually entering the Hall of Fame.
Gary Sheffield
San Diego traded Gary Sheffield to the Florida Marlins in June 1993.
The Padres received Trevor Hoffman in the deal.
At the time, the move was part of San Diego’s payroll-cutting fire sale. Sheffield became a major star in Florida, while Hoffman developed into one of the greatest closers in baseball history.
It became one of the rare trades in which both sides received a future Hall of Fame player.
Fred McGriff
McGriff was actually acquired by San Diego in the Alomar trade, but the Padres later traded him to Atlanta in 1993.
McGriff went on to become a major star with the Braves, helped Atlanta win the 1995 World Series and was eventually elected to the Hall of Fame in 2023.
Anthony Rizzo
The Padres acquired Anthony Rizzo from Boston in the Adrian Gonzalez trade.
Rizzo spent only part of one season with San Diego before being traded to the Chicago Cubs.
He became a three-time All-Star, a key member of the 2016 World Series champion Cubs and one of the best first basemen of his generation.
Max Fried
Max Fried was the Padres’ first-round pick in 2012.
San Diego traded him to Atlanta in December 2014 as part of the deal for Justin Upton.
Fried developed into an elite starting pitcher after leaving the Padres.
Trea Turner
Trea Turner was originally a Padres draft pick and prospect.
He was eventually sent to Washington in a three-team transaction involving Wil Myers.
Turner developed into an elite shortstop, became a major offensive star and helped Washington win the 2019 World Series.
The Padres’ Two World Series Appearances
1984 World Series
The 1984 Padres won their first National League pennant.
The team featured Tony Gwynn, Steve Garvey, Graig Nettles, Goose Gossage and a pitching staff that carried San Diego to the World Series.
The Padres defeated the Chicago Cubs in the NL Championship Series.
In the World Series, however, the Detroit Tigers proved too strong.
Detroit won the championship four games to one.
Even though San Diego lost, the 1984 season permanently changed the identity of the franchise.
The Padres were no longer an expansion team simply trying to survive.
They were National League champions.
1998 World Series
The 1998 Padres produced perhaps the greatest regular season in franchise history.
They finished 98-64 and won the National League West.
The club defeated the Houston Astros in the NL Division Series and the Atlanta Braves in the NL Championship Series.
The 1998 roster included Tony Gwynn, Ken Caminiti, Greg Vaughn, Kevin Brown and Trevor Hoffman.
Hoffman had one of the greatest seasons ever by a Padres closer, while Vaughn hit 50 home runs.
The Padres reached the World Series for the second time.
Waiting for them were the New York Yankees.
The Yankees swept San Diego four games to none.
The Padres therefore finished the season as National League champions but without a World Series title.
World Series Record
Year
Opponent
Result
1984
Detroit Tigers
Lost 4-1
1998
New York Yankees
Lost 4-0
World Series Championships: 0
National League Pennants: 2
The Padres remain one of the MLB franchises that have reached the World Series without winning it.
The Padres’ Greatest Players
A short list of the most important players in franchise history would include:
Tony Gwynn, Trevor Hoffman, Dave Winfield, Randy Jones, Nate Colbert, Steve Garvey
Ken Caminiti, Jake Peavy, Benito Santiago, Garry Templeton, Randy Jones, Goose Gossage,
Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Adrian Gonzalez
Tony Gwynn remains the clear No. 1 because of his entire-career commitment to San Diego, eight batting championships, 3,000-plus hits and Hall of Fame career.
The Padres Hall of Fame
The Padres also maintain their own team Hall of Fame.
Among those honored are:
Nate Colbert, Randy Jones, Ray Kroc, Dave Winfield, Buzzie Bavasi, Jerry Coleman, Tony Gwynn, Trevor Hoffman, Dick Williams, Garry Templeton. Benito Santiago, John Moores,
Jake Peavy, Ken Caminiti, Kevin Towers
The Padres Hall of Fame recognizes not only players but also owners, managers, broadcasters and executives who made important contributions to the franchise.
The Padres Legacy
The San Diego Padres have experienced almost every extreme that professional baseball can offer.
They began as an expansion team that lost 110 games.
They nearly left San Diego during their early years.
Ray Kroc saved the franchise.
Tony Gwynn became one of the greatest hitters in baseball history.
The Padres reached their first World Series in 1984.
They returned to the World Series in 1998.
Petco Park became one of the most recognizable stadiums in baseball.
Trevor Hoffman became one of the greatest closers ever.
The franchise produced Hall of Famers, MVPs, Cy Young winners and Rookie of the Year winners.
And in the modern era, the Padres became one of baseball’s most aggressive teams in pursuing star talent.
Yet the ultimate prize remains unfinished business.
The San Diego Padres have won two National League pennants but have never won a World Series.
That fact is an important part of their history—but it is also what keeps Padres fans dreaming about the season when San Diego finally brings a World Series championship to Petco Park.
As the franchise enters a new ownership era under Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano in 2026, the goal remains the same one that has existed since the Padres first took the field in 1969:
Win the World Series and bring the championship trophy to San Diego.
Artie Fischal
