Founded as one of four new expansion teams of National League, the Padres joined the Western Division of NL in 1969. Deriving their name from the Spanish word used for priest, which was earlier used by some other club that belonged to the Pacific Coast League, the Padres faced the jinx in their formative years. They even finished last in the division for six straight seasons. In 1973 outfielder Dave Winfield joined the team and became the team’s first superstar. Five times he led the club in home runs and seven times in runs batted in, in his career of eight years in the Padres uniform. Washington D.C. business tycoon, Ray A. Kroc purchased the team in 1974. His acquisition proved to be beneficial for the team and the Padres gradually started improving. The team won 73 games in 1976 with a 84-78 win-loss record in 1978. The 1984 line-up featured first baseman Steve Garvey, relief pitcher Goose Gossage, and right fielder Tony Gwynn. Tony Gwynn became one of the finest hitters in the history of the professional baseball. In 1996, manager Bruce Bochy instructed the Padres to win the division title earning NL manager of the year honors for himself. In 1998, the Padres once again won the NL flag after winning 98 games and defeating the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves. The Swinging Friar is the Padres mascot.
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San Diego soldier known for his heart killed in Iraq Houston Chronicle, United States - May 12, 2008 2008 AP SAN DIEGO — Richard Vaughn's dad was a sailor and his grandfather was a Marine. But an interest in tanks drew him to the Army. ...
