San Diego Padres All-Stars: Building the Best Padres All-Time Lineup

San Diego Padres All-Stars: Building the Best Padres All-Time Lineup

San Diego Padres All-Stars: Building the Best All-Time Lineup

Gwynn. Winfield. Hoffman. And perhaps even that swinging friar? These stars have always made fans in America’s Finest City exclaim ‘Oh My!’ It’s not just these icons; San Diego has witnessed many Padres create unforgettable moments worthy of a star.

Manager: Bruce Bochy

Bruce Bochy is one of only two managers in Padres history to win the NL Manager of the Year award, although he didn’t receive it in the very season he led San Diego to the World Series. Bochy spent 12 seasons managing the Padres and holds the record for the most games managed at 1,926. Only Bud Black, who took over in 2007, has also managed over 1,000 games. While Bochy’s overall record with San Diego was under .500, the years from the ‘98 World Series until their return to the postseason in 2005 largely reflect issues with the front office.

Starting Pitcher: Jake Peavy

Jake Peavy stands out as the sole choice for the Padres’ all-time starter, not due to a lack of competition but because no other pitcher has been as dominant in the uniform for such a duration. www.90jili.live Peavy played for San Diego for eight seasons—though due to a midseason call-up and trade, it was effectively seven—during which he accumulated 1,342 innings with a 3.29 ERA. From 2004 to 2008, Peavy posted a 2.95 ERA, twice leading MLB in earned run average and strikeouts, while also winning the 2007 NL Cy Young award.

Reliever/Closer: Trevor Hoffman

Trevor Hoffman is one of the select few relievers in the Hall of Fame and one of three Padres to wear their cap in Cooperstown. Drafted by the Reds in 1989 as a shortstop, he was picked up by the Marlins in the 1992 expansion draft after transitioning to pitching. Less than a year later, Hoffman was traded to San Diego for Gary Sheffield. Over 16 years with the Padres, he delivered a 2.76 ERA while amassing 552 saves, striking out 9.7 batters per nine innings; all records among Padres pitchers. His 601 career saves rank as the second-most in MLB history.

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Catcher: Benito Santiago

Benito Santiago earned the 1987 NL Rookie of the Year title after batting .300/.324/.467 with 18 home runs in 146 games. Although he didn’t surpass this performance in his career, such a start meant he didn’t have to. Santiago won four Silver Sluggers during his seven years in San Diego, three Gold Gloves, and was named to four All-Star teams. His defensive skills compensated for any offensive shortcomings, particularly during his time in San Diego when he was at his most balanced.

First Base: Adrian Gonzalez

The Padres acquired Adrian Gonzalez in a significant 2006 trade with the Rangers. During his five years with San Diego, in the challenging offensive environment of Petco Park, Gonzalez teased fans with what his stats could have looked like in a more hitter-friendly venue. Despite this, he managed to hit .288/.374/.514 with 161 home runs and played Gold Glove defense. After being traded to Boston in 2011, Gonzalez led the majors with 213 hits and finished his career with 317 home runs.

Second Base: Jake Cronenworth

Mark Loretta recorded a .314/. how to bet nba in gcash377/.438 average with the Padres in just three years. In contrast, Jake Cronenworth has achieved a .247/.332/.411 line in a much tougher offensive era. Despite a disappointing 2023 season, Cronenworth’s performance aligns with Loretta’s, making him a vital part of the Padres’ lineup since his arrival following a trade with the Rays. He’s consistently performed well at second base while also demonstrating versatility defensively.

Third Base: Manny Machado

It might come as a surprise, but Manny Machado has spent just as long with the Padres as he did with the Orioles, with a contract covering him through 2033. Although Petco Park somewhat limits his statistics, Machado has still managed to hit .276/.342/.489 over six-plus seasons, with over half of his 347 career home runs coming while donning a Padres uniform. Now 33, he has a chance to join the rare 3,000-hit and 500-home-run clubs, and even if he doesn’t reach that level, Cooperstown may still be on the horizon.

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Shortstop: Garry Templeton

Despite a lack of Gold Glove awards, Garry Templeton was among the finest defensive shortstops of his time, sharing the era with legends like Ozzie Smith. In fact, Templeton and Smith were traded for each other before the 1982 season, securing both teams a shortstop for the following decade. Templeton ranks first in defensive WAR for the Padres, narrowly surpassing Smith, despite hitting just .258/.312/.320 in ‘84 when baseline NL shortstops batted .242/.296/.315. Templeton’s glove made a significant difference.

Outfield: Tony Gwynn

When the Padres made their World Series run in 1984, the 24-year-old Tony Gwynn led MLB in hits with 213 and batting average at .351, finishing with a 141 OPS+. In 1998, during the Padres’ second World Series appearance, the 38-year-old Gwynn maintained a .321/.364/.501 line, achieving a 133 OPS+. How could so little change over so much time? That was simply Gwynn’s consistency. In his 20 years—all spent in San Diego—this Hall of Famer accumulated a formidable www taya365.338/.388/.459 line, earning eight batting titles, 3,141 hits, 319 steals, and 763 extra-base hits, all franchise records.

Outfield: Dave Winfield

Though Dave Winfield played longer with the Yankees, he enjoyed a better start with the Padres, which explains his decision to don a Padres cap when he was honored in Cooperstown. In one less season, Winfield achieved an additional five WAR with San Diego, hitting .284/.357/.464 for a 134 OPS+, matching his performance in New York, which features a more hitter-friendly park. Even after leaving as a free agent, Winfield remains third in hits (1,134), fifth in doubles (179), and homers (154) among Padres players.

Outfield: Fernando Tatis Jr.

Fernando Tatis Jr. has had an impactful six seasons in MLB, marked by multiple All-Star selections, a Gold Glove award, and two Silver Sluggers. He led the NL in home runs with 42 in 2021 at just 22 years old and, now at 26, ranks sixth in franchise history with 142 long balls and fourth in WAR among position players with 25. Tatis is also second in slugging percentage (.520) and has broken into the top-10 for steals. With a contract through 2024, he possesses ample opportunities to climb the ranks further.

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Designated Hitter: Ken Caminiti

Even though Ken Caminiti spent most of his 15-year career with the Astros, his effect on the Padres was immense. 337 jili app In 1998, he hit .252/.353/. 8k8 com download509, with 29 home runs, propelling San Diego to the World Series. Across his four years with the team, Caminiti batted .295/.384/.540, racking up 121 of his 239 career home runs, along with another five playoff homers for the Padres, and contributing more than half of his career wins above replacement. He stands first in franchise history for both slugging and OPS, fourth in on-base percentage, and 10th in home runs, despite his relatively brief time in San Diego.

Honorable Mentions:

  1. Dick Williams (manager)
  2. Andy Ashby (starting pitcher)
  3. Kevin Brown (starting pitcher)
  4. Randy Jones (starting pitcher)
  5. Heath Bell (reliever/closer)
  6. Roberto Alomar (2B)
  7. Mark Loretta (2B)
  8. Bip Roberts (2B)
  9. Phil Nevin (3B)
  10. Khalil Greene (SS)
  11. Ozzie Smith (SS)
  12. Steve Finley (OF)
  13. Brian Giles (OF)
  14. Gene Richards (OF)

What are your thoughts on this all-time San Diego Padres lineup?