Staycation Diary: San Diego
The Padres play in a classy city, but how high should fan expectations be?
One of my favorite college memories took place at the Holiday Bowl on December 30, 2004 when I got to perform inside Qualcomm Stadium with the Cal Band. Playing at halftime before 64,000 fans of California and Texas Tech felt like the culmination of all the years I spent in marching bands dating back to my freshman year of high school. When I had some down time in the days leading up to the game, I took a tour of Petco Park which had just opened in April as the new home of the San Diego Padres. The kindly tour guide explained how hotel taxes helped to fund its construction, and my favorite part was getting to pose in the dugout.
I would attend the occasional Padres game in the ensuing years, getting to see late-career performances from Barry Bonds and Trevor Hoffman with my own eyes while even witnessing a rare visit by the New York Yankees. I also enjoyed attending FanFest prior to the arrival of the pandemic. The first time I attended, I was able to watch the team take batting practice and hear current broadcaster Tony Gwynn Jr. speak. The highlight of the day was getting Hoffman to sign a souvenir book my father had given me as a gift. It was a stroke of luck, as Hoffman only arrived at the table minutes before it was my turn to meet whoever happened to be sitting there. Several fans wished Hoffman good luck with his Hall of Fame chances, and in 2018 the star relief pitcher was finally inducted into Cooperstown.
Instead of holding the event prior to the regular season, this year the Padres decided to plan FanFest around the team’s first road game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 7. The result was a party atmosphere as fans roamed the field, purchased items at the team garage sale, and watched their favorite squad play on the massive stadium screen. One of the commentators made a good point when stating that this was a rare night, as a Southern California heat wave caused the temperature in San Diego to be warmer than in Phoenix.
I arrived a bit groggy after the drive from Orange County but managed to dodge some traffic by parking at a shopping center near UC San Diego and riding the trolley downtown. I quickly learned how to use my PRONTO card in order to scan before boarding, which was good because the transit agents were verifying passenger fare payments at many stations. After disembarking it was a short walk to the Petco Park gate, where despite a supposedly strict bag policy I was allowed to enter with mine.
Although I was too late to reprise my role as autograph hound, the team sale was in full swing. The checkout line snaked all the way through the areas of items for sale, but I was determined to hunt for bargains. I spent a total of $24 on six items including this Hoffman jersey reminiscent of what he wore during the 1998 run to the World Series.
Despite an offseason injury suffered by young star Fernando Tatis Jr., I could sense the high expectations from fans all around the stadium. In this game, the Friars held a 2-0 edge after a bases-loaded walk to new designated hitter Luke Voit and a run-scoring single by catcher Austin Nola. However, a ninth inning collapse and home run by Arizona’s Seth Beer (on Beer Day, no less) resulted in a 4-2 loss for the Padres.
San Diego would respond by winning the next three games of the series and through Sunday hold a 15-8 record in the highly competitive National League West. They are tied for first place with the Dodgers while the Giants lurk only a half game behind. Even the Rockies are a surprising 13-9 in the early going.
San Diego has gotten a terrific renaissance from Eric Hosmer, who is slugging a robust .579 in the early going. Meanwhile, Manny Machado leads the team with 2.2 Wins Above Replacement and former top prospect Jurickson Profar has hit five long balls already. Joe Musgrove is adding a veteran presence to the starting rotation, while MacKenzie Gore already looks like he is worthy of all the hype. Both have an ERA under 2 thus far. San Diegans are also looking forward to Blake Snell’s imminent return from injury.
After checking out with my purchases, I made my way to the field and gazed up in awe while walking around the warning track. Subsequent to a couple of minutes fantasizing about running down long fly balls, I asked a staff member if she would mind taking my picture. I was pleased to have a souvenir of my experience more than 15 years after that memorable visit to the dugout.
I examined an exhibit about the history of the neighborhood and was surprised to find a plaque honoring Larry Doby, the first black player to join the American League. I didn’t realize that he played minor league ball in San Diego prior to his major league career in Cleveland. I also stopped at the statue commemorating former broadcaster Jerry Coleman, who was known for a few humorous slips of the tongue during his days on the radio.
Unfortunately, the kitchen at City Tacos had closed by the time I attempted to have a postgame meal. I did enjoy an iced tea from a convenience store just outside the stadium gates as I made my way back to the trolley. Several people waiting for the next departure were clad in Padres gear, although I’m guessing their trips home would be a lot shorter than mine. At least the terrible rush hour congestion was long gone by the time I was ready to get back on I-5. After a bitter offseason lockout, baseball season was back. I couldn’t have been happier.