San Diego Padres: Breaking Down Retired Numbers

The San Diego Padres have retired five numbers throughout their existence, but only two have the merits for that distinction.

What does it mean when a ball club retires the number utilized by a player?

It means he had an illustrious career with a particular team for an extended period of time.

Therefore, the number worn will never be used again by the respective club in recognition of the players career.

As a result of the mentioned factors, the San Diego Padres have retired five numbers. Plus the mandatory number retired throughout baseball, worn by the legendary Jackie Robinson (42).

The breakdown…

1. Jackie Robinson (42). In honor for breaking the baseball color line. Undisputed.
2. Tony Gwynn (19). Mr. Padre had no flaws inside or outside the ball park, spend his entire career in San Diego, had more than 3,000 hits, won eight batting titles, several gold gloves. Without a doubt the greatest player to wear a uniform in San Diego.
3. Trevor Hoffman (51).  Spent the best 15 years of his career as San Diego’s closer (1993-2008), was the first reliever to reach 500 & 600 saves, held the all time saves lead for five years, enough said. No doubter.
4. Dave Winfield (31). He played only eight years for the Padres, had one very good season (.308, 34 HRs, 118 RBIs) and three good ones, the other four were regular at best. Maybe not enough production in SD to be immortalized.
5. Randy Jones (35). He also was eight years in San Diego, really only had one season that put him here (1976 Cy Young).
6. Steve Garvey (6). Of the five years he was in San Diego, he played four (injury). His stats were regular at best (only once he hit more than 20 HRs), but he hit the famous home run that send the Padres to a game five on the 1984 NLDS. Really? If that’s the factor, maybe Kurt Bevacqua & Jim Leyritz should be considered to have their numbers retired.

This topic might cause controversy, but if the parameters are set by these players.

Then Phil Nevin, Fred McGriff, Benito Santiago, Ozzie Smith, Ken Caminiti, Greg Vaughn & Mark Davis should be considered.

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In conclusion, with all due respect to Dave Winfield, Randy Jones and Steve Garvey, they don’t have the merits to be mentioned in the same paragraph with Jackie Robinson, Tony Gwynn, and/or Trevor Hoffman.