The Domino Effect of the San Diego Padres signing Manny Machado
Can’t let your clubhouse leader leave.
Pic Credit (Matt Defante 2021)
Where were the San Diego Padres before they sign Manny Machado?
The year is 2018, and the San Diego Padres were a below .500 team after the 2010 season, finishing with a record of 66-96. This team was irrelevant for the playoffs. Padres fans were hopeful they would see playoff baseball in the 2015 season after brand new general manager Aj Preller took over the role. Ever since he took the role before signing Machado, Preller didn’t live up to expectations from fans and the front office from 2015-2018. The Padres made a little move in 2018 by signing Eric Hosmer to an eight-year $144 million contract.
Eric Hosmer striking out in 2018 (Getty Images)
Manny Machado in 2018 however, was playing for the Baltimore Orioles before the trade deadline, and the Los Angeles Dodgers after the trade deadline. During his time with the Dodgers, he earned the black hat from fans after his plays in the NLCS and the World Series of that year.
Turning the Padres around to a complete 180
It is the 2018-2019 MLB Offseason, two big names hit the free-agent market: Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. The two polarizing figures of the MLB. Harper hit the free agent market after his time with the Washington Nationals and Machado with the Dodgers. What would the Padres do before the 2019 season? Have Wil Myers play 3rd Base? Or have the early call-up for Fernando Tatis Jr?
On February 19th, 2019, The San Diego Padres signed Manny Machado to a 10-year, $300 million contract. “It’s finally over, I’m a Padre.” Machado’s first words when he addressed the media. “Excited to be here. Excited to be in this organization. Excited to come here and start playing baseball.” Machado's signing bought a brand new era for the Padres. It was a historic day for the Padres to start their 50th anniversary season.
Hot Start, Cold Ending.
The 2019 San Diego Padres told the story of a bright future ahead. Opening Day for the San Diego Padres was a special treat for the friar faithful. They were treated by the hottest free agent signing of Manny Machado and the young hot shot talent of 20-year-old Fernando Tatis Jr. The Padres went on and defeat the San Francisco Giants 4-0.
When Tatis Jr went down with an injury during the Nationals Series in April, Machado moved from 3rd Base to Shortstop. At the time Tatis Jr was announcing his presents by being a stand-out rookie, but a minor injury set him back til of June of that year. At one point the Padres took first place in the NL West standings before being taken away from the Dodgers. When Tatis Jr returned from injury, he played like a stud by giving Padres fans hope. Machado started off slow, but picked up the pace on his defense. One of his defining moments was the series with the Arizona Diamondbacks when he made a spectacular throw from foul ground to first base recording an out. “Manny was being Manny” Jesse Agular called. Before the All-Star Break, the Padres were a .500 team with a 45-45 record.
Notable Highlights
Opening Day against the Giants
Hunter Renfroe walk-off home run in front of a sold-out crowd against the Dodgers
Manny Machado’s throw to Hosmer in the Arizona Series
Fernando Tatis Jr return
Franmil Reyes and Manny Machado back-to-back homers against the St. Louis Cardinals
Kirby Yates having a era under 2 and was an All Star
The 2019 Trade Deadline
During the trade deadline, the Padres made a three-way trade with the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians. The Padres gave away fan favorite Franmil Reyes to Cleveland and return got Taylor Trammell from the Reds. The Padres also claimed Nick Martini from waivers, late in the season. The Padres after the trade deadline were a disaster. Went from first, to wild-card contenders before the all-star break and finished last in the division. The Padres went on to have another under .500 with a 70-92 record.
2019 Padres Lineup with Machado’s first year
Manager: Andy Green
Fernando Tatis Jr SS
Eric Hosmer 1B
Manny Machado 3B
Hunter Renfroe LF
Franmil Reyes RF
Wil Myers/ Manuel Margot CF
Ian Kinsler 2B
Austin Hedges/Fransico Mejia C
Eric Lauer/Joey Lucchesi/Chris Paddack/Nick Margevicius/Dinelson Lamet and Garrett Richards P
Bullpen: Matt Strahm/Logan Allen/Robbie Erlin/Cal Quantrill/ Aaron Loup/Carl Edwards Jr/Phil Maton/ Adrian Morejon/ Andres Munoz and Kirby Yates.
Despite having a rough start with the Padres, Machado stated "There is no excuse," the four-time All-Star said. "... I'm disappointed in myself." "I played like shit," he added. According to his interview with Kevin Acce.
The 2019/2020 Offseason. Brown is back!
Before the offseason started for the San Diego Padres. The organization fired Andy Green from his duties as manager and was replaced by Jayce Tingler. The Padres made some moves during the offseason. Acquiring Trent Grisham (Outfielder) along with Zach Davies (Starting Pitcher) from the Milwaukee Brewers and Tommy Pham (Outfielder), Jake Croneworth (Pitcher/Infielder) along with Emilio Pagan from the Tampa Bay Rays. The Padres later went on to acquire Jurickson Profar from the Oakland Athletics. It was also a brand new change of identity for the San Diego Padres. Ditching from the White and Blue to the Brown and Gold. A huge reset for the Padres before the 2020 season.
Padres brand new look for the 2020 season (San Diego Union-Tribune) (Getty Images)
Welcome to SLAM DIEGO! We don’t care about your unwritten rules!
The pandemic happened and fans weren’t allowed to cheer on their Padres at Petco Park. The shortened season became a 60-game season that started in late July. Despite the challenges, The Padres became the team to watch on must-see TV. The Padres facing teams only from the NL West and the AL West in the 2020 season. The one particular series was the four-game series against the Texas Rangers. Despite getting swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks on the road and losing closer Kirby Yates. The Padres we’re under .500 for the first time with an 11-12 record. The Padres were dominating against the Texas Rangers with the score being 10-3. Tatis Jr was at the plate with the count being 3-0. Tatis Jr swung a hit at a grand slam, making the game 13-3. The Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward was not pleased after Tatis broke an unwritten rule. The Rangers responded by throwing at Machado. “There's a lot of unwritten rules that are constantly being challenged in today's game,” Woodward told reporters. “I didn't like it, personally. You're up by seven in the eighth inning; it's typically not a good time to swing 3–0. It's kind of the way we were all raised in the game. But, like I said, the norms are being challenged on a daily basis, so—just because I don't like it doesn't mean it's not right.” How did the Padres respond to this? Wil Myers hits a grand slam the next game in the first inning, then the Rangers/Padres went back home at Petco Park.
2020 Trade Deadline. It’s Preller Time!
The offense sparked during the season, but also needed support for the pitching as well. Chris Paddack struggled during his Sophomore Year and the stand out was Dinelson Lamet. The starting pitcher that came out from Tommy John Surgery became very nasty with sliders and fastballs by keeping his ERA under 3. The Padres needed more pitching depth from the bullpen and rotation. Also a catcher as well. Who did the Padres get during the trade deadline? Since Yates went down with an injury, they acquired closer Trevor Rosenthal from the Kansas City Royals, Infielder Mitch Moreland from the Boston Red Sox, Catcher Austin Nola, Pitchers Austin Adams, Dan Altavilla, Taylor Williams from the Seattle Mariners, Catcher Jason Castro from the Angels, Outfielder Greg Allen and Starting Pitcher Mike Clevinger from the Cleveland Indians. The Padres went all in for this trade deadline to go to the playoffs for the first time in 14 years.
The Padres clinched a playoff birth for the first time in 14 years!
In one of the most dramatic games for the Padres, they were facing the Seattle Mariners in a twist. The Mariners were represented as the home team due to wildfire fires breaking out in Seattle, so the game was played at Petco Park in a Military Sunday game. This was the game where the Padres can claim their spot in the postseason. The Padres played their hearts out to make history. Lamet pitched thru 7 innings, Myers with a solo home run, Tatis Jr broke out of a short slump, and Machado do his part as well, and it ended off with Rosenthal striking out the final out. “Swing and a miss he struck him out! For the first time in 14 years, the San Diego Padres clinched their spot in the postseason. Is this the best Padres team ever? We will find out in October! Break out the T-Shirts! Break out the hats! It’s been way too long! Really hard holding back the smiles on this one!” Don Orsillo and Mark Grant call.
All hands on deck! Injuries and the lost of the ace!
The Padres got the 4th seed in the MLB 2020 playoffs. They will be facing a team that ended their playoff run in 1996, 2005, and 2006. That being the pesky St.Louis Cardinals. The advantage was the Padres had home field advantage at Petco Park. The starting ace Dinelson Lamet who had a breakout year with the team went down with an unapparent injury. Many speculated that he would be the starting pitcher come playoff time. Instead, the ball was handed to Chris Paddack. The starting rotation looks like this for the National League Wild Card. Game 1 was Chris Paddack, Game 2 was Zach Davies and Game 3 was all hands on deck. The Padres took the loss in game 1. Paddack was pulled in the 2nd inning and the team couldn’t capitalize on the lead. In game 2, the Padres showed more emotion than ever! The team went down early but in the 6th inning, everything changed. Tatis Jr hits a three-run home run making the game 6-5 followed up by Machado hitting a solo home run to tie the game. Myers woke up his bat as he hits 2 homers late in the game. Tatis also hit another home run the infamous bat flip that got the cover of MLB The Show 21. The Padres took game 2. Game 3 attention was an all-hands-on-deck situation that was managed by Jayce Tingler. Craig Stamman started off the game and everyone in the bullpen did their part to shut out the St.Louis Cardinals. Once Rosenthal struck out the final out. The entire downtown of San Diego was lit up for the first time since 1998. The Padres are advancing to the next round. Their opponent was the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Padres went on to get swept in the NLDS at Arlington Texas. The Padres did start their newly acquired Mike Clevinger but at what cost? Clevinger went down in the 2nd inning forcing him to miss out on the 2021 season. The NLDS showed the Padres who was the clubhouse leader, that is Manny Machado, who stepped up to defend Fernando Tatis Jr being robbed of a home run. Although the Padres came up a bit short looking for the big cake. The future remains bright for the Padres.
“Just got to remember this feeling. What it’s about. Trust me I don’t like it. We’re just getting started!” Fernando Tatis Jr told the media after the Padres were eliminated in the NLDS.
Downtown San Diego celebrates the aftermath of game 3 (San Diego Union-Tribune) (Getty Images)
Notable Highlights from the 2020 Padres Season
Opening day/series against the D-backs
The birth of Slam Diego along with the sweep of the Texas Rangers
The rise of Fernando Tatis Jr
Machado walk-off home run against the Texas Rangers
Dinelson Lamet’s and Wil Myers's breakout year
Myers walk-off homerun against the Mariners
The trade deadline
Jake Croneworth walk-off against the Rangers
Croneworth contending for rookie of the year
Trent Grisham's walk-off home run at San Francisco
Padres clinch a playoff birth for the first time in 14 years
Padres NLWC match up against the Cardinals
San Diego Padres 2020 Lineup
Manager Jayce Tingler
Trent Grisham CF
Fernando Tatis Jr SS
Manny Machado 3B
Eric Hosmer 1B
Wil Myers RF
Tommy Pham LF
Mitch Moreland / Jurickson Profar DH
Jake Croneworth 2B
Austin Nola/Jason Castro C
Starting Rotation
Dinelson Lamet
Chris Paddack
Cal Quantrill (Before being traded to the Indians) Mike Clevinger (After Trade Deadline)
Zach Davies
Joey Lucchesi (Before being sent down with the taxi squad)
Garrett Richards (Beginning of the season before being sent to the bullpen) Adrian Morejon* (Bullpen Day)
Bullpen
Adrian Morejon, Matt Stahram, Tim Hill, Javi Guerra, Drew Pomeranz, Luis Patino, Emilio Pagan, Ryan Weathers, Luis Perdomo, Garrett Richards, Criag Stammen, Austin Adams, Trevor Williams, Kirby Yates and Trevor Rosenthal
MLB The Show 21 cover featuring Fernando Tatis Jr
The All-In Trade and Offseason!
The Padres came up short in their playoff run in 2020. During the offseason, Aj Preller went ballistic. Trading Zach Davies to the Cubs in return for getting a starter Yu Darvish and Victor Caratini. Darvish was a runner-up for Cy Young Award with his season in 2020. Preller also acquired Blake Snell from the Tampa Bay Rays who also had a stellar season in 2020 and the infamous being pulled by Kevin Cash in the 6th inning during the World Series. Darvish and Snell were the two big names who were getting a starting rotation seat for the Padres 2021 season. Although the attention was on them, Preller also traded Joey Lucchesi in a three-way trade with the Mets and Pirates. In return got San Diego Native Joe Musgrove. Finally, the Padres signed an infielder from Korea. Ha-Seong Kim from the Korean Baseball League.
The biggest signing was locking up Fernando Tatis Jr to a 14-year $340 million dollar contract to stay with the Padres.
The Padres Top 3 Starting Rotation (Getty Images)
No No Joe!
Opening day for the Padres in 2021 was a success, but the one game that changed everything was on April 9th, 2021. The Padres were on the road at Arlington Texas, where Joe Musgrove was making his 2nd start with the hometown team he grew up watching. The innings go by. It was watching Musgrove throw to Caratini. As the game continue to progress, not a signal word was being told what Joe was flirting with. Until the bottom of the eighth inning. When Wil Myers made the catch in right field. The bottom of the 9th inning was peak cinema. Musgrove recorded the two outs, one out away. “Ground ball to shortstop. Kim will go to first. The San Diego Padres get their first no-hitter in the history of the franchise and it belongs to San Diego's own, Joe Musgrove, sending the friar faithful in a frenzy!” Don Osrilo call from Bally Sports San Diego. “If it took this long. It’s been well worth it. Couldn’t happen to a better kid! Homegrown! Java Joe! No! No!” Mark Grant called from the booth. This game will go down as one of the best Padres games of all time. The hometown hero throws the first no-hitter in franchise history. This was the highlight of the 2021 Padres season. Even famous rapper Rob $tone made a song about the San Diego Padres called All 9 Innings about this no-hitter history in the making.
Highlights before Padres Re-Opening Day
Joe Musgrove’s No-Hitter
Fernando Tatis Jr injured his shoulder. Come’s back and hits a home run first game back against the Dodgers.
Padres sweep the St.Louis Cardinals in a four-game series without its star Fernando Tatis Jr. Tatis was put in the covid IL.
Jake Croneworth inside the park home run against the Colorado Rockies
Fernando Tatis Jr almost hits the cycle in his return from the Covid IL
Reopening Day. The fans are back!
June 17th, 2021, The San Diego Padres welcomed back the fans to full capacity. No-No Joe is handed the ball for Reopening Day against the Cincinnati Reds. In the following series, they would sweep the Los Angeles Dodgers at their home field. The Padres also had a four-player invite for 2021 All-Star Game. Fernando Tatis Jr, Manny Machado, Jake Croneworth, and Mark Melancon. Padres went from having one All-Star player to expanding to four the next.
The Fall
“The guys battled there and kept grinding” - Jayce Tingler
After the All-Star break, the Padres remained hot for a short period of time. Jake Croneworth hit the cycle against the Washington Nationals on July 16th, 2023. The third cycle in Padres history. The trade deadline was a complete disaster. With the all-in trades during the off-season. The Padres got worst after the trade deadline. The only notable highlight from Padres during the trade deadline was getting an infielder Adam Frazier from the Pirates. Then signed two pitchers, Jake Arrieta, and Vince Velasquez. The 2nd half Padres was a mess. To start off, the Padres failed to attempt to trade Eric Hosmer. The bullpen was completely worn out. Starting pitching started become a problem as Snell and Paddack went down with injuries. Jake Arrieta and Vince Velasquez pitching didn’t help the team. But the final nail coffin of the end of the season for the Padres was the relationship between the two-star players. Machado and Tatis Jr during the St.Louis series. A video was leaked about the communication between Tatis Jr and Machado. “You go play baseball! No, it’s not! It’s not all about you!” Machado yelled at Tatis Jr. This statement showed leadership and experience from Manny Machado. Machado is showing Tatis Jr his experiences and doesn’t want him to receive the black hat from fans. When the Padres returned home to San Diego. Machado addressed the media and apologized to the fans. It also showed Machado turned hero and maturity by having control of the team. However, the manager of the Padres Jayce Tingler lost the team. With the second half Padres collapsed in 2021. Tingler was let go of his duties as an active manager of the team.
Noteable highlights after Padres Re-Opening Day
Padres sweep the Reds followed by another sweep against the Dodgers
Daniel Carmarana hits a grand slam off Max Scherzer and rallies back to win the game 9-8 against the Washington Nationals
Jake Croneworth hits the cycle. 3rd in franchise history.
Joe Musgrove goes the distance and throws a complete game against the Angels.
Manny Machado put’s Fernando Tatis Jr in his place
Jayce Tingler is fired after the season concluded.
2021 San Diego Padres Lineup
Manager: Jayce Tingler
Tommy Pham LF
Fernando Tatis Jr/ Ha-Seong Kim SS
Manny Machado 3B
Jake Croneworth 2B
Wil Myers RF
Eric Hosmer/Adam Fraizer 1B
Trent Grisham CF
Austin Nola/Victor Caratini C
Yu Darvish/Blake Snell/Joe Musgrove/Chris Paddack/Ryan Weathers
Dinelson Lamet was a starter but was moved to the bullpen due to his struggles and injuries
Bullpen Nabil Crismatt, Dan Altavilla, Daniel Carmarana, Tim Hill, Reiss Kneher, Adrian Morejon, Nick Ramirez, Criag Stammen, Matt Straham, Taylor Williams, Mason Thompson, Miguel Diaz, Mark Melancon.
The offseason of unknown
The Padres went into the offseason of the unknown. The lowest variable moment for the franchise which a bunch of star power. From going to the first no-hitter, followed by four players invited to play in the all-star game to a season collapse. Jobs were on the line. The first move of the offseason was a surprise. The Padres hired veteran manager Bob Melvin from the Oakland A’s. Few weeks later during Spring Training, Padres got Sean Manaea from the A’s. The Padres also signed Nick Martinez from Japan and acquired Luke Voit from the Yankees. The final offseason move was getting Taylor Rogers as the closer from the Twins.
Bob Melvin hired as active manager (Getty Images)
The biggest shock in the offseason was Tatis Jr wrist injury from a motorcycle accident. That will set him back from playing baseball.
Put the C in Manny
Without the star player. How would the Padres perform with Tatis Jr on the sidelines? That being Manny Machado! Putting the C in Manny means putting the captain in Manny in control of the ship. The Padres had their opening series on the road against the D-Backs and the Giants. When the Padres had their opening day, there was a turn in direction of the team. Machado’s leadership. On opening day at Petco Park, Machado went 5 for 6 against the Braves. Machado also provided get mentorship to Ha-Seong Kim. Where Kim is still learning despite his 2nd year at the Major League level. Kim was able to step up and pick up the pieces during Tatis Jr absence. When Machado addressed the media about Ha-Seong Kim, “He’s the key to this team. He’s the heartbeat of this team. Everybody loves him.” Machado watched Kim grow as a baseball player. From hearing club house reports, Machado shows he is a welcoming player to have for the Padres.
Machado and Kim (Getty Images)
Is the same story being rewritten?
The Padres were good but not perfect. The Dodgers remained at the top of the NL West, struggling and fighting for the wild card position. Snell and Darvish had a slow start. Snell came out from a groin injury prior to last season. The stand out was Musgrove. At one point had the lowest ERA in the entire National League. A lot more has to be done. The Padres struggled to bring runners home and leave them stranded. Rogers started off great but became shaky before the trade deadline. If the Padres are going to compete in the playoffs, then they need to make some trades as soon as possible.
Notable Highlights Before 2022 All Star Break
Manny Machado's Opening Day performance at Petco Park
MaKenzie Gore makes his MLB Debut against the Braves
Austin Nola's walk-off hit against the Dodgers
Jorge Alfaro's walk-off homerun against the Miami Marlins to save Mother’s Day
Joe Musgrove's no-hit bid against the Milwaukee Brewers
Joe Musgrove resigns with the Padres to a five-year deal $100 million dollars.
Machado’s 1,500 careers hit against the Cubs
Jorge Alfaro walk-off against the D-Backs
Debut of the City Connect Jerseys
Juan Soto becomes a Padre! LFGSD!
The Padres went all in during the trade deadline. It started off by trading away Taylor Rogers to the Brewers and in return getting Josh Hader. The Padres went on the get Brandon Durry from The Reds. The biggest trade was getting Juan Soto and Josh Bell from the Washington Nationals. The Padres had to give up, Luke Voit, Eric Hosmer, Taylor Rogers, and top prospects Cj Abarms, MacKenzie Gore, and Robert Hassel III in order to make this trade clause happen. The team was ready to compete in the 2nd half of the season with the goal of making it to the playoffs again. The first game together was in front of a sell-out crowd with a feeling of a playoff game. A notable highlight is “Brandon Drury does play on Slam Diego.” Drury's first at-bat as a Padre is a grand slam. This team is ready to compete.
Burn the ships! Capture The Moment!
With all the trades happening for the Padres, the team had to face the biggest roadblock all season. Tatis Jr was caught and suspended for 80 games. The Padres went on to have a slump after hearing the suspension of Tatis Jr. The Padres had to face the toughest part of the schedule in September. On September 15th, the Padres hit its lowest moment again, despite losing multiple series against the Dodgers and Diamondbacks. This time around, Bob Melvin called out the whole entire team about their underperformance in the 2nd half. The following day after Melvin called out the team; Jake Croneworth wrote on a whiteboard three words. “Burn the ships.” “Just leave everything behind You’ve got one way to go. You can’t go back” Croneworth addressed the media. This sparked the team. With the result of clinching the 2nd wild card spot.
The moment that changed everything. (Annie Heilbrunn Twitter)
Notable Highlights after the All-Star Game
Manny Machado walk-off home run against the Giants
Ha-Seong Kim diving play from short stop to the stands against the Nationals
Jake Croneworth's walk-off against the Dodgers
Blake Snell flirts with a no-hitter thru the 7th inning against the St.Louis Cardinals
Padres clinch a playoff birth
Run through the jungle. Padres VS Mets National League Wild Card
The Padres had to face tough opponents to reach their goal. They have to face teams with over 100 wins, being the Mets and the Dodgers. The Padres was a team that finished 89-73. Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Mets. The offense power woke up. Once the Padres capitalized on the lead They secured it. In game 2 however, the Padres came up short in the end. In a win-or-go-home situation, the Padres gave the hometown hero the ball. With Musgrove going 7 innings, 5 strikeouts, and a complete shutout against the Mets. This was the breaking point for the Padres to advance to match up against the team that had their number, the Dodgers. The defining moment of this wild card series was Musgrove’s ears. Mets manager Buck Showalter wanted to check Musgrove's ears if he had substance and it turns out Musgrove didn’t.
The infamous I can’t hear your moment of the National League Wild Card Round. (Getty Images)
Slayed the Dragon. National League Division Series. Padres VS Dodgers
The National League, which always finished 1st in the west. The team shattered many fans’ hearts back in 2020 and went on to win the World Series. The team that beat the Padres all through the 2022 regular season. The Dodgers had a record of 111-51 through the regular season. In a five-game series, three to win in advance. Only one team can advance to the National League Championship Series. The Padres took the loss in Game 1. Once the Dodgers took the lead with a 5-0. The Padres tried to rally back but came up short. Resulting in a 5-3 game.
Game 2 felt different. The Padres had their ace Yu Darvish pitching for game 2. Machado hit a solo home run off Clayton Kershaw in the first. Bottom of the first saw, Freddy Freeman took Darvish deep to tie the game. The Dodgers took the lead when Max Muncy hit a home run to make the game 2-1. In the third inning saw the Padres played the small ball by bringing runners home. Machado doubled to bring Kim home and Croneworth grounded out to bring Soto home, putting the score 3-2. In the bottom of the third, Trea Turner hit a home run off from Darvish tieing the game. In the top of the 6th inning, Profar signaled to bring Croneworth home. 4-3 Padres. To add insurance to this lead, Croneworth hits a solo home run in the 8th inning making the game 5-3, all thanks to the goose. Josh Hader closed the story of game 2 to secure the save.
San Diego Rally Goose (Fox Sports)
Game 3 felt special. The friar faithful was able to experience playoff baseball at Petco Park for the first time since 2005. Blake Snell took the bump for game 3. It was a pitcher’s duel between Snell versus Tony Gonsolin. The Padres strike first when Croneworth signaled to bring Soto home in the first. Bottom of the first was Grisham hitting a solo home run off from Gonsolin. The Dodgers did strike back but were only able to score in one run by a Mookie Betts sac fly to bring in Trace Thompson home. The Padres bullpen was able to shut down the Dodgers after Snell was taken out in the 6th inning. Nick Martinez, Robert Suarez, and Josh Hader kept the Dodgers bats silent to secure game 3 of the series.
Hader securing the save in Game 3 of the NLDS (Fox Sports)
Game 4 of the NLDS. The chance to eliminate the Dodgers in front of a sold-out Petco Park. The team doesn’t want to go back to Los Angeles to end the series. Finish it at home! Joe Musgrove took the mound. The hometown hero, representing the team he grew up watching, can put this team to the Championship Series. Musgrove only gave up two runs during his outing. Tim Hill came in relief and only gave up one run. The game was 3-0 Dodgers. The bottom of the 7th inning changed everything and the Padres found a way to rally back. Started when Austin Nola reached an infield signal to bring Trent Grisham home. Followed by Ha-Seong Kim double to bring Grisham home. The damage continued when Juan Soto signaled to bring Nola home. The at-bat that turned Petco Park into raptors is when Jack Croneworth doubled to second to bring Kim and Soto home. The score was 5-3 Padres. The bullpen burned the ships on the Dodgers offense by Robert Suarez and ended it off with Josh Hader. For the first time since 1998, the Padres are going to the National League Championship Series.
Jake Croneworth RBI Double bottom of the 7th (Getty Images)
“Our fans have been waiting for so long and I used to be that fan that was waiting,” said Joe Musgrove, the hometown kid who started the clincher. "It feels good to be on this side of the ball, I'll tell you that, but these fans deserve to celebrate tonight.
“I know the job's not done, we've got a lot of baseball ahead of us still, but this is something that needs to be celebrated," Musgrove said. "Those guys handed it to us all year long and when it came down to it and we needed to win ballgames we found ways to do it.”
Heartbroken
Although the Padres advanced to the NLCS. They would eventually come up short of the red-hot Philadelphia Phillies. Game 1, was a pitcher’s duel between Yu Darvish and Zach Wheeler. The Padres were shut out in game one with the score 2-0.
The final win of 2022. The Padres did win game 2 by a rally back. Josh Bell, Brandon Duruy, Manny Machado, and Juan Soto ignite the offense taking the game 7-5.
Once the Padres arrived in Philadelphia to take one game 3-5. The Padres weren’t able to capitalize on a win. The final blow to the Padres 2022 run was when Bryce Harper hit a two-run home run-off from Robert Suarez in game 5. Padres had the lead 3-2 but unfortunately, Harper ended the Padres 2022 magical run. With the final score 4-3.
The end of the road. (Getty Images)
San Diego Padres 2022 Lineup after the trade deadline.
Manager Bob Melvin
Jurkison Profar LF
Juan Soto RF
Manny Machado 3B
Josh Bell/Brandon Duruy DH
Jake Croneworth 2B
Wil Myers 1B
Ha-Seong Kim SS
Trent Grisham CF
Austin Nola / Jorge Alfrao C
Starting Rotation
Yu Darvish/Blake Snell/Joe Musgrove/Mike Clevinger/Sean Manaea
Bullpen
Luis Garcia/Tim Hill/Craig Steammen/Nick Martinez/Adrian Morejon/Nabil Crismatt/Robert Suarez and Josh Hader
San Diego Padres polaroid collection throughout the 2022 season. Known phrase of “Capture The Moment!” (Padres Twitter)
The Present Day
When you think about the journey the Padres have been through from 2018-2023. Who would’ve thought this team shined? Look how the lineup changed from 2019-2022. Although Machado is opting out at the end of the year. Look at this journey the Padres have been through. Machado turned villain before the Padres to hero after being signed with the Padres. Not only it was an impact on the team and a clubhouse leader but the community of San Diego. A painted mural of him at Third Ave Chula Vista with the quote “The Sky The Limit” showed the impact of Machado’s time in San Diego. Also, Aj Preller and Peter Seidler's ownership and general management move to push this team to win its first world series. That is a goal for Machado and the city of San Diego. “Manny is my top priority,” Peter Seidler said. Is to keep Machado at all costs. Without the impact of signing Manny Machado, where would the Padres be today? Without Manny’s leadership, how would the Padres acquire big stars to play in San Diego? The stories where this team from the last four years now is remarkable.
Machado’s painted mural (Getty Images ABC10)
