San Diego Padres Events Near Ashburn

The oldest pro sports franchise in San Diego has been delighting fans for half a century. From children and families to sailors and Marines, a Padres game unites people across generations and communities with a uniquely SoCal spectacle. Pick up your own Padres tickets to see how the Friars play the game and experience the excitement for yourself.

A West Coast Original

The Padres formed as an expansion team in 1969, one of California’s only baseball teams not to move into the state from elsewhere. They took their name from a Minor League team that played in the city since 1936 and introduced San Diego native Ted Williams to the world. The new Padres got started with 6 last-place seasons and nearly got moved to Washington, D.C. before new management propelled them into contention.

The club really started to make its mark when Ozzie Smith took the field and showed the world a new way to play shortstop, and in 1984 they kept the Chicago Cubs away from the World Series with a comeback win to take their first league pennant. The Padres lost the World Series to the Detroit Tigers in 5 games, needed 14 years to win the pennant again, and then lost to the 1998 New York Yankees in 4. Despite the disappointment, they returned to the postseason repeatedly in the 2000s and built a home for great baseball in San Diego.

Stars on the Wall

With Hall of Famers like Tony Gwynn, Dave Winfield, and Trevor Hoffman, the Padres have built up a club of great talent and proud tradition. A game under the sun at Petco Park is one of the standout things to do in San Diego, and you can see some terrific baseball when you pick up tickets to see the Padres play.

When did the San Diego Padres join the MLB?

The San Diego Padres joined Major League Baseball in 1969 as an expansion team. The team would adopt their name from a Pacific Coast League team that played in San Diego in 1936.

Where do the Padres play their home games?

The San Diego Padres' ballpark is Petco Park, located in downtown San Diego. The stadium opened in 2004 and is located right across from the San Diego Bay. The stadium has many unique features, including a beach area in the outfield, a historic Western Metal Supply Co. building situated in left field, and a "Park in the Park" area where fans can watch the game from outside the stadium.

Do the San Diego Padres have a mascot?

Yes they do! The Padres mascot is a friar named "Swinging Friar". He has served as the official mascot of the Padres since 1958, when the Padres were still part of the Pacific Coast League. It was the Franciscan friars who founded the city of San Diego.

Have the Padres ever won a World Series?

Despite winning five National League West titles and two National League pennants, they've yet to win the World Series.

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