Plus: France brings a baguette to the dish
Monday, August 24
SAN DIEGO -- For all intents and purposes, today marks the beginning of the Jones-Feliciano era of Padres baseball.
The Seidler family announced last November that they would explore a potential sale. That sale was announced in May. The process was formalized Aug. 17, with a unanimous vote from the league, and the transaction was completed shortly thereafter.
But today’s the day. Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano will be introduced as the new owners of the Padres this afternoon in a press conference at Petco Park. Ceremonially at least, this marks the true start of their ownership, the beginning of their stated goal from last week’s announcement:
“Our ambition is clear: to bring a World Series championship to San Diego and build an enduring organization capable of competing for championships year after year,” they said in a statement Aug. 17 after the vote was announced.
There’s a palpable sense of excitement within the organization.
“It’s awesome to get this past us and start this new journey,” Manny Machado said after the announcement. “We’re excited to meet José and Kwanza and start the relationship, see what they have for the future for San Diego.”
With the sale having been finalized just last week, Jones and Feliciano haven’t gotten much opportunity to interact with the Padres. They attended the finale of the Mexico City Series, shortly after the agreement was reached. But they’ve remained mostly at arm’s length while the sale process played out.
“Nice to have that wrapped up and finalized,” said childhood Padres fan Joe Musgrove. “Really excited to hear from them. I think we’ve all been excited to see what the message is going to be and the direction.”
Jones and Feliciano arrive at a fascinating time in the history of the Padres, who are in the midst of the most successful era in club history. If they reach the postseason, it will mark the first time they’ve done so in three straight years.
Sure, postseason expansion has had some effect on that number. But the rest of the club’s recent achievements tell the same story. The Padres are closing in on a fifth consecutive winning season. They’ve reached the playoffs in four of the last six years and can make it five in seven.
They’re also laden with superstars like at no other point in club history -- superstars who are tied to the organization long term. The ballpark sells out every night, and the team has broken attendance records in each of the last three seasons.
“They made the right purchase, obviously,” said Fernando Tatis Jr. with a laugh. “But, man, they’re coming in at the right time. We’re in a great spot as a team and the community of San Diego overall.”
“It’s just a great organization that they’ve decided to buy, and that they’re going to be a part of,” said Padres manager Craig Stammen. “It’s a great city with amazing weather and great people. But the biggest thing about our team is: It’s a fun team to watch. They’re going to be proud of the product that’s on the field, and we’re going to work our tails off to make them proud.”
Under the Seidler family, the Padres were deeply involved in the community as well, and last week’s release indicates a strong willingness from Jones and Feliciano to continue and build on that foundation.
“We intend to be engaged owners, bringing our energy, experience, and perspective while working alongside the talented team already in place and investing ambitiously and thoughtfully in the Padres’ future,” they said in last week’s statement. “That means pursuing excellence and innovation throughout the organization, delivering a first-class experience at Petco Park, deepening the bond with the faithful fans, and making a positive impact across the San Diego community. We are all in and committed to winning.”
Publicly at least, that pursuit starts today.
“We don’t have to worry about, ‘When’s it going to happen?’ and all the variables that go with it,” Stammen said of the sale. “It’ll be exciting when they do introduce themselves to the organization, and the players get to meet them, talk to them, and it’s not an unknown. Now it’s a known -- and we can all work together and try to win a World Series for the Padres.”
Before Jackson Merrill accomplished it Saturday, who was the last Padres center fielder to record a 20-homer, 20-steal season?
A) Mike Cameron
B) Joe Carter
C) Steve Finley
D) Will Venable
• What a comeback on Saturday night -- the type of win that shows why the Padres are trending toward a return to the postseason.
• Nick Pivetta had his player option converted to a club option on Saturday, his 131st consecutive day on the IL, which triggered a clause in his contract.
• Casey Mize exited his start on Saturday with an ankle sprain, but he’s hopeful he’ll be able to make his next start.
• Ty France homered using a baguette bat for Players’ Weekend. He’s on a roll. Been the bread and butter of this Padres offense. (Sorry. But France even offered a pun of his own.)
• How, exactly, did Tatis go from wondering when he’d ever hit another homer to the most prolific power hitter in the Majors since the All-Star break?
• The Padres completed an emphatic sweep of the Twins on Sunday, capping perhaps their most complete series of the season.
Last week, the Padres announced Fan Appreciation Month, scheduled for September as “a celebration of the club’s faithful fans highlighted by special offerings throughout the month.”
For the final 12 home games of the regular season, the Padres will offer season-ticket members credit toward food and drinks and access to unique experiences.
All fans in attendance are eligible to win prizes. Tickets to Fan Appreciation Month, which is presented by Motorola Razr, can be purchased at www.padres.com/tickets.
D) Will Venable
Venable eclipsed 20-20 during the 2013 season with 22 homers and 22 steals. Cameron, Finley, Carter, Derek Bell and Dave Winfield also accomplished the feat as primary center fielders. No Padres center fielder has done so twice.
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