History of San Diego Padres in Timeline
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. Founded in 1969 as an expansion franchise, they compete in the National League (NL) West Division. Their home games are played at Petco Park. The team's name, "Padres," which means "fathers" in Spanish, pays homage to the Franciscan friars who established Mission San Diego de Alcalá in 1769.
1936: Padres adopted name from Pacific Coast League team
In 1936, the Padres adopted their name from the Pacific Coast League (PCL) team that arrived in San Diego.
1937: Pacific Coast League title won by Padres
In 1937, the minor league Padres franchise won the Pacific Coast League title, led by 18-year-old Ted Williams.
1962: Swinging Friar appears on team programs.
In 1962, the Swinging Friar designed by Carlos Hadaway first appeared on team programs for the home opener, when the Padres were still in the Pacific Coast League.
1969: Padres overall record
From 1969 through 2025, the Padres have an overall record of 4,217–4,789–2 (.468).
1969: Padres joined Major League Baseball
In 1969, the Padres joined Major League Baseball as one of four new expansion teams.
1969: Padres founded as expansion franchise
In 1969, the San Diego Padres were founded as an expansion franchise in Major League Baseball (MLB).
1969: Swinging Friar retained as team joins MLB.
In 1969, the Swinging Friar mascot was retained when the Padres joined Major League Baseball.
1969: EST. 1969 on logo
In 2012, The Padres added the year of the team's first season (EST. 1969) to another secondary logo.
1969: John Demott the First PA Announcer
When the San Diego Padres began in 1969, John Demott was the team's first public address announcer.
1971: Tan uniform used as road alternate
In 1971, a second tan uniform, this time with the city name, was used as a road alternate before becoming the primary uniform.
1972: Padres radically change uniforms
Switching from flannel to polyester in 1972, the Padres radically changed their uniforms, wearing all-gold uniforms and pants regardless of road or home games.
1974: Padres returned to wearing traditional uniforms
In 1974, the Padres returned to wearing traditional uniforms.
1975: Randy Jones named All-Star
In 1975, Randy Jones was a two-time All-Star (1975, 1976).
1976: Randy Jones wins Cy Young Award
In 1976, Randy Jones was a two-time All-Star (1975, 1976) and the club's first Cy Young Award winner.
1976: Padres ditch the buttons in favor of pullovers for their home uniform
In 1976, the Padres ditched the buttons in favor of pullovers for their home uniform.
1978: New uniform set beginning
In 1978, the brown uniforms served as a template for the Padres' next uniform set beginning.
1979: The Kid from Left Field Film
In 1979, the San Diego Padres were first portrayed in the NBC made-for-TV film "The Kid from Left Field".
1980: Orange added to the Padres' palette
In 1980, the Padres added orange to the palette for their uniforms.
1984: Graig Nettles with Padres
Gwynn, Winfield, Fingers, Gossage, Randy Jones, and Graig Nettles (3B, 1984–1987) are members of the San Diego Hall of Champions.
1984: Steve Garvey hits game-winning home run in NLCS
In 1984, Steve Garvey hit the game-winning two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS).
1984: Padres add initials "RAK" to uniforms
In 1984, the Padres added the initials "RAK" on the left sleeve in honor of Ray Kroc.
1984: Padres lost their World Series appearance
In 1984, the Padres made and lost their appearance as the National League pennant winner in the World Series.
1984: Padres lose World Series
In 1984, the Padres won the National League pennant but lost in the World Series.
1984: Padres lose to the Detroit Tigers in the World Series
In 1984, under manager Dick Williams, the Padres clinched their first National League (NL) pennant, but they lost to the Detroit Tigers in the World Series in 5 games.
1984: Garvey's number commemorated
Prior to moving to Petco, Garvey's number was commemorated on the wall behind the spot in right-center field where his winning home run in the 1984 NLCS cleared the fence at San Diego Stadium.
1984: Ray Kroc honored at San Diego Stadium
Ray Kroc was honored in 1984.
1985: Padres change to script-like logo, change team colors to brown and orange.
In 1985, the San Diego Padres switched to a script-like logo. The team colors were changed to brown and orange.
1986: RAK initials removed from uniforms
In 1986, the "RAK" initials were removed from the Padres uniforms.
1987: Graig Nettles with Padres
Gwynn, Winfield, Fingers, Gossage, Randy Jones, and Graig Nettles (3B, 1984–1987) are members of the San Diego Hall of Champions.
1988: Steve Garvey's number retired by the Padres
In 1988, Steve Garvey was the first player to have his number retired by the Padres.
1989: Scripted logo put in gray ring
In 1989, the Padres took the scripted Padres logo and put it in a gray ring that read "San Diego Baseball Club" with a striped center.
1990: Team colors remain brown and orange.
Through 1990, the San Diego Padres team colors remained brown and orange after being changed in 1985.
1991: Padres logo updated, team colors changed to orange and navy blue
In 1991, the Padres logo was updated, with the ring color changed to silver and the Padres script changed from brown to blue. The team colors were also changed to a combination of orange and navy blue.
1991: Padres / Nike. City Connect 2.0 Coming
On November 2, 2025, to coincide with Dia de los Muertos, the Padres posted a teaser video on their social media platforms, The blue and orange color palette was worn by the Padres between 1991 and 2003, including the franchise's most recent run to the World Series in 1998.
1995: Kevin Towers becomes general manager
In 1995, Kevin Towers became general manager of the Padres; under his lead, Ken Caminiti became the first Padres player to win the MVP Award.
1995: Marine Recruit Visits Begin
In 1995, the San Diego Padres began a tradition where Marine Recruits from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot would visit the games en masse during Military Appreciation Day.
1996: Padres become first national sports team to have an annual military appreciation event.
In 1996, the Padres became the first national sports team to have an annual military appreciation event.
1996: Team logo added to left sleeve.
In 1996, the team logo was added to the left sleeve of the Padres' uniform.
April 15, 1997: Jackie Robinson's number retired throughout MLB
On April 15, 1997, exactly 50 years after Jackie Robinson broke the baseball color line, the No. 42 he wore with the Brooklyn Dodgers was retired throughout Major League Baseball.
September 5, 1997: Andy Ashby takes a no-hitter into the ninth inning
On September 5, 1997, Andy Ashby took a no-hitter into the ninth inning, which was the closest that the team had come to achieving this feat before 2021.
1997: Garvey's number disappears
In 1997, Garvey's number disappeared when the stadium was expanded and the location was masked by an overhang.
1997: Padres unveil navy blue alternate uniform.
In 1997, the Padres unveiled a navy blue alternate uniform, featuring the team name in navy blue with orange drop shadows, orange numbers at the back, and white piping.
1997: Padres-Mariners rivalry designated as one of 15 'naturalized rivalries'
In 1997, the Padres' matchup against the Seattle Mariners was designated one of the 15 'naturalized rivalries' when interleague play began.
1998: Swinging friar logo removed from sleeve.
After the 1998 season, the swinging friar logo was removed from the left sleeve of the alternate uniform, being replaced by the primary logo.
1998: Padres swept by the New York Yankees in the World Series
In 1998, the Padres achieved their second National League (NL) pennant alongside Trevor Hoffman, only to be swept by the New York Yankees in the World Series.
1998: Padres lost their World Series appearance
In 1998, the Padres made and lost their appearance as the National League pennant winner in the World Series.
1998: Padres lose World Series
In 1998, the Padres won the National League pennant but lost in the World Series.
1998: Padres / Nike. City Connect 2.0 Coming
On November 2, 2025, to coincide with Dia de los Muertos, the Padres posted a teaser video on their social media platforms, The blue and orange color palette was worn by the Padres between 1991 and 2003, including the franchise's most recent run to the World Series in 1998.
1999: Bruce Binkowski's Tenure Ends
Bruce Binkowski, the longest-serving public address announcer in the team's history, remained until the end of the 1999 season.
1999: White chest numbers added to alternate uniform
In 1999, white chest numbers were added to the Padres' navy blue alternate uniform.
1999: Padres failed to win a single playoff series between 1999 and 2019
The Padres failed to win a single playoff series between 1999 and 2019.
1999: San Diego Padres Hall of Fame founded
The San Diego Padres Hall of Fame was founded in 1999.
2000: Padres began wearing a camouflage jersey to honor the military.
In 2000, the Padres began wearing a camouflage jersey to honor the military.
2000: Primary logo on alternate uniform.
Until the 2000 season, the team's primary logo was used on the alternate uniform's sleeve.
2001: Dave Winfield's number retired
In 2001, Dave Winfield's number, 31, was retired, and he was also inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, deciding to have his plaque depicting him wearing a Padres cap.
2001: Alternate home white uniform becomes primary, pinstriped uniforms retired
In 2001, the Padres' alternate home white uniform became the primary uniform, after which the pinstriped uniforms were retired following that season.
2001: Pinstripes return to the Padre home jersey for the first time since 2001
In 2020, the return of brown and gold colors included the return of pinstripes to the Padre home jersey for the first time since 2001.
2001: Jerry Coleman honored at San Diego Stadium
Jerry Coleman was honored in 2001.
2002: Retired numbers moved and inscribed on outfield fence
In 2002, all the retired numbers were moved and inscribed on the outfield fence.
2002: Mariners failed to make the playoffs from 2002 to 2021
The Mariners failed to make the playoffs from 2002 to 2021.
2003: Team changes stadiums, logo changed
Between the 2003 and 2004 seasons, the Padres logo was completely changed when the team changed stadiums. The new logo looked similar to home plate with San Diego written in sand font at the top right corner and the Padres new script written completely across the center, and waves finished the bottom of the plate.
2003: Padres / Nike. City Connect 2.0 Coming
On November 2, 2025, to coincide with Dia de los Muertos, the Padres posted a teaser video on their social media platforms, The blue and orange color palette was worn by the Padres between 1991 and 2003, including the franchise's most recent run to the World Series in 1998.
2004: Frank Anthony Becomes PA Announcer
From Petco Park's opening in 2004, the PA announcer was Frank Anthony.
2004: Retired numbers unveiled at Petco Park
In 2004, although not ready for the opening of Petco Park, the retired numbers were unveiled midseason.
2004: Logo change
In 2004, the Padres changed their logo and the new logo looked similar to home plate with San Diego written in sand font at the top right corner and the Padres new script written completely across the center. Waves finished the bottom of the plate. Navy remained but a sandy beige replaced orange as a secondary color.
2004: Padres move into Petco Park
In 2004, the Padres moved into their current stadium, Petco Park.
2004: Tony Gwynn's number retired
In 2004, the Padres retired No. 19 in honor of Tony Gwynn, who is widely considered the greatest Padres player ever.
2004: Script on road uniform reverted to the San Diego wordmark style.
In 2017, the script on the road uniform reverted to the San Diego wordmark style it used from 2004 to 2011.
2004: The shade of the sand color is noticeably darker than the sand-colored road jerseys worn from 2004 to 2010.
In 2020, The shade of the sand color is noticeably darker than the sand-colored road jerseys worn from 2004 to 2010.
April 2005: 60,000 Marine Recruits Hosted
Through April 2005, over 60,000 Marine Recruits had been hosted by the Padres as part of their military outreach program.
2005: Padres reach the postseason
From 2005 to 2025, the Padres reached the postseason six times, yet the team has not returned to the World Series.
2006: Padre Games Aired on XHPRS-FM 105.7
Padres games were aired on XHPRS-FM 105.7 from 2006.
September 2007: KBOP-CA Changes Format
Until September 2007, Friday and Saturday Padres games were seen in Spanish on KBOP-CA channel 43, until that station changed to an all-infomercial format.
2008: Padres began wearing camouflage jerseys for every Sunday home game.
Starting in 2008, the Padres began wearing camouflage jerseys for every Sunday home game.
2009: San Diego removed from logo.
In 2009, the 'San Diego' text was removed from the top right corner of the Padres logo.
2010: A sand-colored road jersey (also with pinstripes) for the first time since 2010.
In 2020, The new uniform designs featuring the brown and gold colors included sand-colored road jersey (also with pinstripes) for the first time since 2010
2010: Padre Games Aired on XHPRS-FM 105.7
Padres games were aired on XHPRS-FM 105.7 until 2010.
2010: Trevor Hoffman retires
Trevor Hoffman retired from playing after 2010, as MLB's career leader in saves with 601, including 552 with the Padres.
2011: Padres changed the camouflage design to a more modern 'digital' design
For 2011, the Padres changed the camouflage design to a more modern 'digital' design, using the MARPAT design after receiving permission from then-Commandant James Conway, and dropped the green from the lettering and logo of the jersey.
2011: Road uniform changed, alternate navy cap retired
In 2011, the Padres' road uniform was changed to a grey base, and the navy and sand caps were used exclusively with the navy alternates. After the season, the alternate navy cap was retired.
2011: Trevor Hoffman's number retired
In 2011, the most recent number to be retired was Trevor Hoffman's No. 51, after he retired from playing in 2010.
2011: Script on road uniform reverted to the San Diego wordmark style.
In 2017, the script on the road uniform reverted to the San Diego wordmark style it used from 2004 to 2011.
2012: New primary logo unveiled, uniform adjustments made.
For the 2012 season, the Padres unveiled a new primary logo and made adjustments to their uniforms, including adding the swinging friar logo to the home uniform's left sleeve.
2012: Bally Sports San Diego Assumes Rights
In 2012, Bally Sports San Diego (formerly Fox Sports San Diego) assumed the rights to the Padres' games under a 20-year deal, replacing Cox Cable's 4SD.
2012: Peter Seidler owns the Padres
In 2012, Peter Seidler owned the San Diego Padres.
2013: Frank Anthony's Tenure Ends
Until 2013, the PA announcer at Petco Park was Frank Anthony.
April 19, 2014: Alex Miniak Announced as PA Announcer
On April 19, 2014, Alex Miniak was announced as the new Public Address announcer for the San Diego Padres.
September 5, 2015: Ferrell Takes the Field Movie Premieres
On September 5, 2015, the movie "Ferrell Takes the Field", featuring Will Ferrell playing ten major league baseball Spring-training games, one of the teams including The San Diego Padres. The movie premiered in Petco Park after the Padres vs. Dodgers game.
2016: Padres added a second camouflage jersey, this time in navy blue
For 2016, to coincide with hosting the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the Padres added a second camouflage jersey, this time in navy blue.
2016: Garvey's Game 4 homer ranked No. 1 moment in San Diego sports history
In 2016, The San Diego Union-Tribune ranked Steve Garvey's Game 4 homer as the No. 1 moment in San Diego sports history.
2016: Padres Portrayed in Fox's "Pitch"
In 2016, the San Diego Padres were portrayed in the one-season Fox television series "Pitch", about the first female to play in Major League Baseball.
2016: Retired numbers relocated in Petco Park
In 2016, the retired numbers were relocated to the Ring of Honor on the upper deck façade above the press box behind home plate in Petco Park, after being moved from the batter's eye in center field.
2016: Padres wear navy blue and gold color scheme
In the 2016 season, the Padres wore a navy blue and gold color scheme and added a new brown and gold alternate uniform.
2017: Padres become only major league team in San Diego
Following the relocation of the Chargers to Los Angeles in 2017, the Padres became the only franchise in the four major American professional sports leagues in the San Diego sports market, strengthening the rivalry and San Diego's animosity to Los Angeles sports in general.
2017: Padres reveal new color scheme and jerseys
For the 2017 season, the Padres revealed a new color scheme and new jerseys, reverting to a navy blue-and-white combo for the home uniform. The word Padres returned to the front of the home uniform, but with a new script, while the script on the road uniform reverted to the San Diego wordmark style it used from 2004 to 2011.
2017: Entercom Acquires Radio Rights
In 2017, Entercom acquired the radio rights to the Padres, which were then carried by 94.9 KBZT.
2017: Padres and Mariners did not play
In 2017, the Padres and Mariners did not play.
January 2019: Brown and gold colors announced to return
In January 2019, the Padres announced that the original brown and gold colors would return for the 2020 season.
2019: The Padres alternated the navy camouflage jersey with a Marines style, which were used through 2019.
From 2016 the Padres alternated the navy camouflage jersey with a Marines style, which were used through 2019.
2019: Padres failed to win a single playoff series between 1999 and 2019
The Padres failed to win a single playoff series between 1999 and 2019.
August 20, 2020: Padres hit grand slams in four consecutive games
On August 20, 2020, the Padres became the first team in MLB history to hit a grand slam in four consecutive games.
2020: The Padres used two different camouflage jersey colors: green and sand-olive, both with the current Padres logo
From 2020 to 2023, the Padres used two different camouflage jersey colors: green and sand-olive, both with the current Padres logo.
2020: New uniform designs featuring brown and gold colors unveiled
In 2020, the Padres unveiled new uniform designs featuring the brown and gold colors, including the return of pinstripes to the home jersey for the first time since 2001 and a sand-colored road jersey (also with pinstripes) for the first time since 2010.
2020: Dodgers win the 2020 NLDS
The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres in the 2020 NLDS.
April 9, 2021: Joe Musgrove throws first no-hitter in Padres history
On April 9, 2021, Joe Musgrove threw the first no-hitter in Padres history against the Texas Rangers, ending the longest no-hit drought in MLB.
2021: Radio Broadcasts on KWFN 97.3 The Fan
As of the 2021 season, Padres radio broadcasts in English are carried by KWFN 97.3 The Fan.
2021: Mariners failed to make the playoffs from 2002 to 2021
The Mariners failed to make the playoffs from 2002 to 2021.
2022: Padres wear Nike "City Connect" uniforms.
In 2022, the Padres joined 13 other teams in wearing Nike's "City Connect" uniforms, featuring pink, mint green, and yellow accents, and a graffiti-style "San Diego" script. The uniform intended to pay tribute to the San Diego–Tijuana bi-national metropolitan area.
2022: Padres rank in top 10 in MLB team merchandise sales at Lids.
In 2022, the Padres ranked in the top 10 in MLB team merchandise sales at U.S. sports retailer Lids due to the return to brown and gold uniforms.
May 2023: MLB Takes Over Padres' Regional Broadcasts
In May 2023, MLB took over production of the Padres' regional broadcasts after Bally Sports San Diego missed a rights payment, retaining the existing commentators and contracted employees.
May 31, 2023: Padres' Telecasts Produced by MLB
As of May 31, 2023, the Padres' regional telecasts are produced by MLB's local media department and distributed via local origination channels on television providers in the team's regional market and via MLB.tv as PADRES.TV.
November 14, 2023: Death of Peter Seidler
On November 14, 2023, Peter Seidler, who owned the Padres since 2012, died at the age of 63.
November 2023: Death of Peter Seidler
Peter Seidler died in November 2023.
2023: The Padres used two different camouflage jersey colors: green and sand-olive, both with the current Padres logo
From 2020 to 2023, the Padres used two different camouflage jersey colors: green and sand-olive, both with the current Padres logo.
2023: Death of Peter Seidler
Peter Seidler, owner of the San Diego Padres since 2012, died in 2023.
March 23, 2024: Public memorial for Peter Seidler
On March 23, 2024, the team held a public memorial and celebration of life for team owner Peter Seidler.
2024: Dylan Cease throws a no-hitter
In 2024, Dylan Cease threw a no-hitter against the Washington Nationals on July 25.
2024: Nate Colbert home run record overtaken
In 2024, Manny Machado overtook Nate Colbert as the long-time home run leader.
2024: Los Angeles Dodgers win the 2024 NLDS
The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres in the 2024 NLDS.
February 6, 2025: John Seidler approved as Padres control person
On February 6, 2025, MLB owners approved of John Seidler as the Padres' control person.
November 2, 2025: Padres tease 'City Connect 2.0' uniform with WWE Superstar Dominik Mysterio
On November 2, 2025, the Padres released a teaser video featuring WWE superstar Dominik Mysterio to promote the upcoming 'City Connect 2.0' uniform, set to launch in April 2026, hinting at a blue and orange color palette reminiscent of the 1991-2003 era.
2025: Padres winning seasons
As of the 2025 season, the Padres have had 19 winning seasons in franchise history.
2025: Padres-Mariners rivalry officially recognized as 'The Vedder Cup'
Starting in 2025, the Padres-Mariners rivalry was officially recognized as 'The Vedder Cup', with the winner of the series being awarded a trophy designed by Eddie Vedder.
April 2026: Padres / Nike. City Connect 2.0 Coming
On November 2, 2025, the Padres posted a teaser video on their social media platforms ending with an ad saying "Padres / Nike. City Connect 2.0 Coming April 2026."
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