Baseball in San Diego --

The Most Influential Individuals of the 20^th Century[1]

 

 

 

Baseball was enjoyed in San Diego, just as it was throughout the United States, during the last century.  Many people have contributed to baseball’s popularity in San Diego, and this article should remind us of those individuals, some of whom are long gone, and some who are still contributing.

 

Twenty-six men and one woman have been identified as the most influential individuals in baseball in San Diego during the 20^th century.  Headed by home grown Ted Williams, the list includes players, managers and coaches, owners and executives, media, and umpires – from both the professional and college ranks. 

 

The final list is the result of a balloting process, followed by debate and discussion, among members of the San Diego Ted Williams Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR).  This article includes a summary of the project, the process employed, and the final results. 

 

 

Background and Summary

 

The San Diego Ted Williams Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) has a mission that combines these four elements: baseball – research – history – San Diego. 

 

With the arrival of the year 2000, the SABR Chapter embarked on a project that would combine all of these elements: to decide which individuals most influenced baseball in San Diego in the 20th century.  The purpose wasn’t necessarily to choose the best players, or the most popular, or those of the current rage, but rather to engage in an historically-based research effort leading to the selection of those felt to have most influenced the course of San Diego baseball – its feelings, its passion, its past and present – over the last 100 years.

 

The project began with the development of a list of nominees assembled by the Chapter’s steering committee and provided to all of its members.  Chapter members were then offered the opportunity to select their own 25 most influential from this list of 73 candidates, or to provide write-in candidates of their own.  After the results of this balloting were compiled and distributed, members met in person to discuss and debate the results.  Sometimes by consensus and sometimes by a vote, this process eventually led to the ranking of a top 10 list along with another group of 16 that comprised the final list of the “26 Most Influential Individuals in San Diego Baseball during the period, 1900-1999.”

 

Many of the names on the list will likely be familiar – most are from the latter half of the century, when first minor league baseball arrived and then Major League baseball flourished in San Diego.  Almost all date from 1936 when professional baseball took hold in San Diego as the minor league Padres were welcomed into the Pacific Coast League (PCL).

 

 

Process for Selection

 

The process began with the development of the list of nominees.  The Chapter refrained from an exclusive emphasis on ballplaying accomplishments, which was the typical of baseball lists being developed as part of the “millennium” focus at the end of 1999.  Rather, the Chapter looked for individuals who met one of the following two criteria:.

1.     accomplishments in and influence on baseball specifically in San Diego

2.     significant accomplishments and influence on baseball at the national level, coupled with an association with baseball in San Diego

 

The next step was to agree on nominee categories in order to cover all ranks of baseball and to minimize the chance of leaving someone off the list whom deserved to be on.  This resulted in eight categories:

1.     Owners/management

2.     Management/coaches

3.     Media/broadcasters/entertainers

4.     Players – Major League

5.     Players – San Diego Residents/Other Teams

6.     Players – Minor Leagues

7.     Players – Semi Pro/College/Miscellaneous

8.     Umpires

 

Once the categories were defined, nominees for each category were chosen.  While SABR members have historical interests that cover all of the categories, the problem with such a process (one typical of most “century” lists), is that no one involved with the project was living in the first 15-20 years of the century and able to add recollections of that period. Also, a special effort was made to compensate for the over-emphasis that would naturally occur with the last 15-20 years of the century and familiarity with current popular individuals.

 

The resulting ballot is shown in Table 1.  It includes 73 individuals.

 

The largest categories were for major league players and owners/management (13 nominees each) and the smallest was for umpires (2).

 

Related to era, the list broke down as follows:

·        Pre-Pacific Coast League era (1900-1935) – 4 (Gavvy Cravath, Jack Hartley, Walter Johnson, “Chief” Meyers)

·        Pacific Coast League era (1936-1968) – 32

·        Major League era (1969-1999) – 37

 

Table 1 Most Influential People In San Diego Baseball -- Ballot
Owners/Management		Players – Major League (Continued)
1	Ray and Joan Kroc	38	Tim Flannery
2	Bill Lane	39	Steve Garvey
3	Larry Lucchino	40	Tony Gwynn
4	John Moores	41	Trevor Hoffman
5	C. Arnholt Smith	42	Randy Jones
6	Bill Starr	43	Gaylord Perry
7	Ralph Kiner	44	Ozzie Smith
8	Tom Werner	45	Dave Winfield
9	Jack McKeon	46	Graig Nettles
10	Ballard Smith	Players -- SD Residents, Other Teams
11	Randy Smith	47	David Wells
12	Eddie Leischman	48	Don Larsen
13	Buzzie Bavasi	49	Gavy Gravath
Managers/Coaches		50	Bob Boone
14	Bruce Bochy	51	Deron Johnson
15	Jim Dietz	52	Alan Trammell
16	Pepper Martin	Players -- Minor League
17	Lefty O'Doul	53	Vince DiMaggio
18	Jimmy Reese	54	Bobby Doerr
19	Frank Shellenback	55	Cedric Durst
20	Charlie Smith	56	Luke Easter
21	Whitey Wietelmann	57	Jack Graham
22	Dick Williams	58	Bob Kerrigan
23	John Cunningham	59	George McDonald
24	Carroll Land	60	Minnie Minoso
Media/Broadcasters/Entertainers		61	Earl Rapp
25	Bob Chandler	62	John Ritchey
26	Jerry Coleman	63	Max West
27	Phil Collier	64	Ted Williams
28	Earl Keller	Players -- Semi Pro/College/Misc
29	Ted Leitner	65	Joe Coscarart
30	Jack Murphy	66	Pete Coscarart
31	Ted Giannoulas	67	Jack Hartley
32	Wayne Lockwood	68	Walter Johnson
33	Mario Thomas	69	Mark Grace
Players -- Major League		70	Travis Lee
34	Ken Caminiti	71	"Chief" Meyers
35	Nate Colbert	Umpires
36	Mark Davis	72	Ed Runge
37	Rollie Fingers	73	Doug Harvey

 

 

The San Diego minor league era was almost as well-represented as the Major League era, and given the lack of minor league teams and media attention in the pre-PCL days in San Diego, it was felt that the list was relatively balanced.

 

The list of 73 nominees was distributed to all Chapter members.  They were asked to choose the 25 individuals they considered as the most influential.  In addition, they were asked to select and rank their top 10 from 1st to 10th.  This ranking of the “Elite 10” was patterned after the national ballot employed by SABR to determine the top baseball players of the 20^th century.  In addition, write-in names were allowed.

 

 

Ballot Results

 

There were 23 ballots returned by Chapter members.  These ballots included two or more votes for 57 individuals.  In addition, there were six write-in votes.  The results of the ballot are shown in Table 2.

 

"Top 25" Ballot Results.  Only two nominees were listed on all ballots: Ray/Joan Kroc and Tony Gwynn.  There were five others who were listed on at least 75% of the ballots:

·        Ted Williams

·        Jerry Coleman

·        Jack Murphy

·        John Moores

·        Randy Jones

 

Elite Rankings.  The second series of figures in Table 2 cover the “elite” rankings based upon numerical scores (10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1) given the top ranked 10 on each ballot.  Ray and Joan Kroc, Tony Gwynn and Ted Williams easily led the balloting, with John Moores in a distant 4^th place, followed by Jack Murphy and Jerry Coleman.

While the Top 25 and Elite Rankings were generally in close agreement, there were some notable exceptions.  For example, C. Arnholt Smith finished only 20^th on the Top 25 balloting, but ranked 7^th in the Elite Rankings.  Buzzie Bavasi moved up from 16^th on the Top 25 to 10^th in the Elite Rankings.  In contrast, Nate Colbert and Jim Dietz were tied for 8^th place on the Top 25^th list, but stood at 13^th and 14^th respectively on the Elite Rankings.

 

 

Discussion and Debate

 

After the ballot results were distributed, Chapter members convened for the final selection process. 

 

Top 25 Final Selection.  Members agreed to put the leading 10 vote-getters on the final "Top 25" list after minimal discussion and with no formal objections.  They also agreed to accept the next 14 vote-getters (11^th through 24^th) for further consideration.  Each Chapter member was then given the option of nominating and pleading the case of any other person on the ballot (who finished below 24^th) or any write-in candidate who they felt belonged on the Top 25 list.

 

Table 2 Rankings and Elite Points, by Nominee
“Top 25” Votes				“Top 10” Elite Points
Rank	Nominee	Points		Rank	Nominee	Points
T1	Ray and Joan Kroc	23		1	Ray and Joan Kroc	185.0
	Tony Gwynn	23		2	Tony Gwynn	170.0
3	Ted Williams	22		3	Ted Williams	141.0
4	Jerry Coleman	20		4	John Moores- Ms	81.5
5	Jack Murphy	19		5	Jack Murphy	75.0
T6	John Moores	18		6	Jerry Coleman	74.5
	Randy Jones	18		7	C Arnholt Smithrnhol	68.0
T8	Bill Lane	17		8	Randy Jones aone	59.0
	Jim Dietz	17		9	Bill Lane ill Lane	58.0
	Nate Colbert	17		10	Buzzie Bavasi	42.0
T11	Dave Winfield	16		11	Bill Starr	30.0
	Dick Williams	16		12	Dave Winfield	27.0
	Phil Collier	16		13	Nate Colbert	23.0
14	Bruce Bochy	15		14	Jim Dietz	19.0
15	Doug Harvey	14		15	Jack McKeon	18.0
16	Buzzie Bavasi	13		16	Dick Williams	15.0
17	Jack McKeon	12		T17	Ted Giannoulas	13.0
18	Bill Starr	11			Steve Garvey	13.0
	Gavy Cravath	11			Phil Collier	13.0
T20	C Arnholt Smith	10		T20	Ozzie Smith	12.0
	Luke Easter	10			Doug Harvey	12.0
T22	Ozzie Smith	9		22	Larry Lucchino	10.0
	Ed Runge	9		T23	Bruce Bochy	8.0
	Trevor Hoffman	9			Jimmy Reese	8.0
T25	John Cunningham	8			Gavy Cravath	8.0
	Ted Giannoulas	8		T26	Tom Werner	7.0
	Ken Caminiti	8			Whitey Wietelmann	7.0
	Steve Garvey	8		T28	Earl Keller	6.0
T29	Don Larsen	7			Ken Caminiti	6.0
	Cedric Durst	7
T31	Larry Lucchino	6
	Whitey Wietelmann	6
	Bob Chandler	6
	Tim Flannery	6
	Gaylord Perry	6
	Walter Johnson	6
	Mark Grace	6
T38	Eddie Leischman	5
	Jack Graham	5
	John Ritchey	5
	Max West	5
	Bob Boone	5
T43	Jimmy Reese	4
	Carroll Land	4
	Rollie Fingers	4
	Alan Trammell	4
	Bobby Doerr	4
	Minnie Minoso	4
	Frank Shellenbeck	4
T50	Charlie Smith	3
	Earl Keller	3
	Ted Leitner	3
	Bob Kerrigan	3
	Vince DiMaggio	3
T55	Ralph Kiner	2
	Tom Werner	2
	Pete Coscarart	2

 

 

If that person received a second, they were added to the list for further consideration.  An additional 13 names were added, making a list of 27 candidates to be considered for the 15 remaining spots on the "Top 25" list.  

 

After debate on the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates and taking into consideration the initial ballot results shown in Table 2, a vote was taken on the 27 candidates.  Thirteen were selected for inclusion to the "Top 25" list, ten were rejected, and the vote was deemed close enough to have another round of voting for the remaining four candidates.  After a brief discussion, this next vote resulted in 3 of the 4 candidates being chosen for the list.  Since only two spots were available, the "Top 25" list actually became a Top 26 list.

 

Elite 10 Final Selections .  The selection method used for the Elite 10 list was similar to that for the Top 26, except no one was automatically placed on the Elite 10 list because of the initial ballot results, and an individual needed to have had  at least 5 points from the Elite ranking ballot to be considered as a candidate.

 

Starting with the leading ten vote-getters as a guideline, each Chapter member was asked if there was anyone not among the leading ten that they felt deserved to be on the final list, and if so, who from the leading ten would they exclude.  About 5 or 6 other names were mentioned, and then each member was given a final chance to argue for inclusion of a favorite or state why they felt a particular individual should rank higher or lower than where they did on the initial ballot.

 

After the discussion, a vote was held.  Each member ranked who they felt was the most influential from 1^st to 10^th.  The first eight in the voting were then placed on the Elite 10 list.  The next four went to a second round of voting where the final two spots on the Elite 10 list were filled.

 

 

Final List of Top Individuals in San Diego Baseball

 

Consistent Top 3.  In almost every case - with the initial ballot, with the final Top 26 list and with the final Elite 10 list - these were top three vote getters:

 

1.     Ted Williams.  The San Diego native starred at local Hoover High School before beginning his professional baseball career with the minor league Padres in 1936.  His Hall of Fame career with the Boston Red Sox started in 1939 and spanned four decades.  Williams is the last man to hit over .400 in a season and is regarded by many as the greatest hitter of all time.

2.     Ray and Joan Kroc.  Ray Kroc is credited with saving Major League Baseball in San Diego when he purchased the Padres at the eleventh hour as they were heading out of town in 1973.  Upon his death, his wife Joan took over the helm and was owner during the Padres first visit to the World Series in 1984.

3.     Tony Gwynn.  Gwynn had his San Diego start with San Diego State University as a basketball and baseball star, before joining the Padres.  Considered a sure Hall of Famer, Gwynn has won eight batting titles and accumulated over 3,000 hits.

 

Remainder of the Elite 10.  Rounding out the list of the top 10 most influential people in San Diego baseball, in order of their selection, were:

4.     Bill Lane

5.     Jack McKeon

6.     Jack Murphy

7.     C. Arnholt Smith

8.     Buzzie Bavasi

9.     Jerry Coleman

10.  John Moores

 

As the final list demonstrates, the discussions and debates largely emphasized the longer term influences and contributions by an individual and, thus, only two players made the final list (Ted Williams and Tony Gwynn).

 

Three key owners that influenced the various moves of the Padres team, minor and major league, were on the Elite 10 list: Bill Lane bringing the PCL to San Diego, C. Arnholt Smith bringing the major league team to San Diego, and John Moores spearheading the move to a new ballpark for 2002. 

 

Jerry Coleman made the list by virtue of his being with the Padres as the radio-TV voice since 1972, along with a year as field manager in 1980.  “Trader Jack” McKeon spent an entire decade, 1980-90 as general manager and field manager of the Padres, the longest for any of the team’s top executives.  Jack Murphy led his “ink” to the cause of getting the Padres accepted by the National League, and was influential in getting local resident support in a referendum to build of a major league stadium.  Finally, there was Buzzie Bavasi, who in 1969 provided the baseball brains behind the original Padres for an eight-year period.

 

The Final Top 26 List – the 16 Honorable Mention.  The remaining 16 individuals that were selected for the Top 26 list are shown below in alphabetical order:

Nate Colbert

Phil Collier

Gavy Cravath

John Cunningham

Jim Dietz

 

Cedric Durst

Doug Harvey

Trevor Hoffman

Randy Jones

Eddie Leischman

 

John Ritchey

Bill Starr

Max West

Whitey Wietelmann

Dick Williams

Dave Winfield

 

These lists were compiled in December of 1999 and there are those who may have had a significant influence on San Diego baseball by the time you read this but are omitted from these lists because their period of influence overlapped the 20^th and 21^st centuries.  Two such individuals could possibly be Bruce Bochy and Larry Lucchino.  As this is being written in 2000, one can see the possibility of Bochy becoming the greatest of Padres managers.  Yet he is currently managing a mediocre team, and not many have gotten rich trying to forecast the careers of managers.  Ten years from now, Lucchino may be regarded as the architect of a beautiful downtown ballpark that set the Padres on firm financial footing and revitalized downtown's East Village.  However in the year 2000, there are a number of lawsuits surrounding the ballpark issue and not even a 100% guarantee that it will in fact be built.  While it was never mentioned specifically during the development of the Elite 10 and Top 26 lists, Chapter members seemed to vote on what was a done deal at the end of the 20^th century rather than trying to project what might happen in the 21^st  century.

 

Now the debate can begin.  Are there deserving individuals who should have been on the Elite 10 or Top 26 list, and if so, who then should be removed?  Enjoy the list, debate the merits of the nominees, be mindful of the greats of yesteryear and decide who you would select on a list of your own.

 

Brief biographies of all 73 nominees are contained in the appendix.  (Brief biographies for the six write-in nominees are included at the end of the appendix.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biographies

 

The Top 10:

 

1. Ted Williams - played for Hoover High and the Pacific Coast League Padres in the 30’s before commencing his 19-year Hall of Fame career with the Red Sox.  He’s regarded as one of the greatest hitters of all time and the best player to come out of San Diego County.

 

2. Ray and Joan Kroc - Ray Kroc bought the Padres in 1974, and is credited with halting an impending move to Washington, DC and keeping the team in San Diego.  After his death in 1984, wife Joan assumed control of the team until 1990.

 

3. Tony Gwynn - an 18-year major league veteran, he’s played outfield for the Padres his entire career, amassing over 3,000 career hits and eight batting titles.

 

4. Bill Lane - the original owner of the Pacific Coast League Padres from 1936-38, he brought minor league baseball to San Diego.  Downtown’s Lane Field was named after him.

 

5. Jack McKeon - the Padres’ general manager from 1980 to 1990 and field manager from 1988 to 1990, his wheeling and dealing ways earned him the “Trader Jack” moniker.

 

6. Jack Murphy - the sports editor for the San Diego Union, he played a leading role in garnering support for building the Mission Valley stadium and obtaining a major league expansion franchise.

 

7. C. Arnholt Smith - owner of Pacific Coast League Padres from 1956 to 1968, he secured rights to a National League expansion franchise and became the original owner of the Padres from 1969 to 1974.

 

8. Buzzie Bavasi - minority owner and president of the expansion Padres in 1969, he also took over as general manager in 1969 and served in that capacity until 1977.  Considered a major influence in getting baseball’s “Lords” to award a franchise to San Diego.

 

9. Jerry Coleman - Padre announcer from 1972 to the present, save one year when he served as Padres manager.  He played in the majors for 9 years with the New York Yankees.

 

10. John Moores - Padres owner from 1994 to the present, and the leading proponent for a new downtown ballpark.  He founded Padres Scholars and Little Padres Park programs.

 

 

Other nominees (in alphabetical order - the remaining members of the Top 26 are underlined):

 

Bruce Bochy - Padre manager from 1995 to the present.  Winningest manager in Padre history.  Won the pennant in 1998.  He was a player with the Padres from 1983 to 1986.

 

Bob Boone - this 19-year vet was a highly regarded defensive catcher and ranks 2nd in career games caught.  He played high school ball at Crawford and would later manage the Kansas City Royals.  The middle man of baseball's first 3-generation family (father Ray, sons Bret and Aaron).

 

Ken Caminiti - 13-year major league veteran, played 3B for the Padres from 1995 to 1998.  National League MVP in 1996.

 

Bob Chandler - Padre announcer from 1972 to the present.

 

Nate Colbert - a 10-year major league veteran, he played first base for the Padres 1969 to 1974, and still holds the Padres’ career homer record.

 

Phil Collier - San Diego Union sportswriter from 1953 to the present, and long-time Padre beat writer.  He is in the writers section of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

 

Joe Coscarart - he grew up in he Escondido area and played two years for the Boston Braves in the 30's.

 

Pete Coscarart - Joe's brother.  He played 9 years for the Dodgers and Pirates before playing four years as a second baseman for the PCL Padres from 1946 to 1949.

 

Gavy Cravath - the first player born in San Diego County (Escondido) to make the majors.  The home run king of the deadball era, he led the NL in homers 6 times, and held the record for career homers until Babe Ruth came along.  Rated the second best player in county history (next to Ted Williams) by the San Diego Union.

 

John Cunningham - won over 800 games as baseball coach at the University of San Diego from 1964 to 1998.

 

Mark Davis - a 14-year major league vet, he played with the Padres from 1987 to 1989, winning the Cy Young award in 1989.

 

Jim Deitz - baseball coach at San Diego State from 1972 to the present.  College coach of Tony Gwynn, Mark Grace and Travis Lee among others.

 

Vince DiMaggio - A member of the original PCL Padres in 1936, when he batted .293 with 102 runs batted in.

 

Bobby Doerr - A second baseman who played with the original PCL Padres in 1936 and batted .342 before a Hall of Fame career with the Red Sox.

 

Cedric Durst - a member of the 1927 Yankees, he played for the Pacific Coast League Padres from 1936 to 1941, and served as manager from 1939 to 1943.  He still holds the record for most San Diego managerial victories at the professional level.

 

Luke Easter - First baseman for the PCL Padres in 1949 and 1954.  In 136 games with the PCL Padres he hit 38 home runs.

 

Rollie Fingers - this 21-year vet, a Hall of Famer and Cy Young award winner, was the Padres closer from 1977 to 1980.

 

Tim Flannery - he played his entire 11-year career with the Padres from 1979 to 1989.  Currently serving as the Padres third base coach.

 

Steve Garvey - a 19-year major league veteran, he played 1B for the Padres from 1983 to 1987.  His homer in the 1984 playoffs is probably the most notable one in Padres history.

 

Ted Giannoulas - probably the most notable baseball mascot as the "San Diego Chicken".

 

Mark Grace - this 12-year major league veteran with the Cubs played college ball for San Diego State.  Had the most hits in the 1990's.

 

Jack Graham - A first baseman and outfielder who played for the PCL Padres in 1948 and from 1950 through 1952.  In 1948 he hit 48 home runs and was the PCL's Most Valuable Player.

 

Jack Hartley - the San Diego Union reports Hartley as "a San Diego baseball star back in 1896.  He began as a southpaw pitcher but soon went to the outfield because of his long distance hitting ability to bring in runs when most needed."  Hartley was the center fielder on the 1907 San Diego Pickwicks.

 

Doug Harvey - played college ball at San Diego State before beginning his 31-year career as a National League umpire from 1962 to 1992.  Recently selected as the 2nd greatest umpire of the century. 

 

Trevor Hoffman - currently regarded as one of the game’s great relievers and holder of the Padres’ career save record.

 

Deron Johnson - this 16-year major league veteran played his high school ball at Poway and also played briefly with the Pacific Coast League Padres in the 1960s.

 

Walter Johnson - this 21-year major league vet and Hall of Famer is regarded as one of the greatest pitchers of all time.  During his formative baseball years, he played in the Anaheim-Santa Ana area, and also pitched for the San Diego Pickwicks in the 1907 Pacific Coast Championship series.

 

Randy Jones - this 10-year major league veteran pitched for the Padres from 1973 to 1980, winning 20 games twice plus the Cy Young Award in 1976.

 

Earl Keller - Longtime sportswriter for the San Diego Union and San Diego Sun who covered professional and amateur baseball.

 

Bob Kerrigan - A pitcher who played for the PCL Padres in 1947, 1948, 1951, and from 1953 to 1956.  He won the final game of the 1954 season which gave the Padres the championship.

 

Ralph Kiner - general manager of the PCL Padres from 1955 to 1960.  His Hall of Fame major league career was played predominately with the Pirates, where he led the league in homers

7 times.

 

Carroll Land - baseball coach and athletic director at Point Loma Nazarene College from 1973 to 1999.  Served as president of the American Baseball Coaches Association in 1995.

 

Don Larsen - this Point Loma native had a 14-year major league career, highlighted by pitching a perfect game in the 1956 World Series.

 

Travis Lee - named college player of the year while at San Diego State.  Currently plays 1B/OF for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

 

Eddie Leischman - general manager of the Pacific Coast League Padres from 1962 to 1968, winning three championships.  He was also the major league Padres first general manager.

 

Ted Leitner - local sportscaster from 1978 to the present, and Padre announcer from 1979 to the present.

 

Wayne Lockwood - San Diego Union sportswriter from 1962 to 1999.

 

Larry Lucchino - minority owner and president of the Padres from 1994 to the present.  In the forefront of the effort to build a new downtown stadium.

 

Pepper Martin - manager of the PCL Padres from 1945 to 1946.  A 13-year major league veteran, he was a notable member of the Gashouse Gang teams of the 30's.

 

George McDonald - A first baseman who played for the PCL Padres from 1936 to 1944 and in 1946.

 

Chief Meyers - a full-blooded Indian from the Mission tribe in the San Bernardino area, he played on the 1907 San Diego Pickwicks before launching his major league career as a catcher for several teams from 1909 to 1917.

 

Minnie Minoso - Outfielder, third baseman, and shortstop for the PCL Padres in 1949 and 1950 before moving on to an extended major league career.

 

Graig Nettles - another 22-year vet, this San Diego High School and San Diego State alumnus played for the Padres from 1984 to 1986.

 

Lefty O'Doul - PCL Padre manager from 1952 to 1954 and won a PCL title in his final year as the Padres' manager.  An 11-year major league vet, he has a lifetime average of .349.

 

Gaylord Perry - a 22-year vet, Hall of Famer and 300-games winner, he pitched for the Padres in 1978 and 1979, winning the Cy Young Award in 1978.

 

Earl Rapp - An outfielder who played for the PCL Padres from 1953 to 1957.

 

Jimmy Reese - Player for the PCL Padres in 1937 and 1938, coach from 1948 to 1960, and manager in 1948, 1960, and 1961.

 

John Ritchey - a San Diego State star and Negro American League batting champ, he became the first black player to play in the Pacific Coast League, joining the PCL Padres in 1948, one year after Jackie Robinson broke the major league colored barrier.

 

Ed Runge - served as a PCL ump before beginning a 17-year career as an AL ump from 1954 to 1970.  A longtime county resident, his son Paul is also a notable umpire.

 

Frank Shellenbeck - The original manager of the PCL Padres in 1936.  He managed the Padres to their 1937 PCL championship and also managed the 1938 season.  He also pitched for the PCL Padres from 1936 to 1938.

 

Ballard Smith - Padre president under the ownership of Ray and Joan Kroc.

 

Charlie Smith - baseball coach at San Diego State University from 1933 to 1964.

 

Ozzie Smith  - regarded as a wizard on defense, this 19-year vet was the Padres shortstop from 1978 to 1981.

 

Randy Smith - Padre general manager from 1993 to 1995.  Currently general manager for the Tigers.

 

Bill Starr - catcher for the Pacific Coast League Padres from 1937 to 1939 and owner of the team from 1944 to 1954.  Signed John Ritchey as first black player in the Pacific Coast League.

 

Alan Trammell - this Kearny High grad would go on to spend his entire 20-year career with the Tigers.  He and Lou Whitaker made up baseball's longest double play combo.  In his first year as 1B coach for the Padres.

 

Tom Werner - majority owner of the Padres from 1990 to 1994.

 

Mario Thomas - Padre's Spanish broadcaster from 1969 to the present.

 

David Wells - a 13-year major league veteran primarily with the Blue Jays and Yankees, he played for Pt. Loma High.  Pitched a perfect game in 1999.

 

Max West - a 7-year major league veteran, he hit 121 home runs in his three seasons with the Pacific Coast League Padres in 1947, 1949 and 1950, leading the league in 1947 and 1949.

 

Whitey Wietelmann - beginning in 1949, he served the Pacific Coast League Padres and major league Padres in numerous capacities for over 40 years, including as a player and bullpen coach.

 

Dick Williams - Padre manager from 1982 to 1985, winning the pennant in 1984.  After playing in the majors for 13 years, he managed six different teams over the course of 21 years.

 

Dave Winfield – outfielder for the Padres for eight years beginning in 1973 joining the team right out of the University of Minnesota and the 1973 College World Series.  He led the National League in RBIs for the Padres in 1979 and ended his career with more than 3,000 hits.

 

 

Write-in nominees:

 

Ray Boone - San Diego native, major leagues player

Dave Campbell - major league Padres player and broadcaster

Enrique Morones - Spanish language broadcaster

Bob O'Regan - San Diego native, umpire

Al Schuss - broadcaster

Harry "Suitcase" Simpson - PCL Padres player