Excitement for San Diego Padres in full effect during 2020 FanFest

Machado steals the day

Especially when Manny Machado listed his three priorities for the coming season: 1. Stay Healthy 2. Win some games 3. Bring a championship to San Diego. The entire ballpark could hear the cheers from the crowd gathered in front of the Sycuan stage to watch the interviews.

https://twitter.com/Padres/status/1216149164947537920

As the crowd chanted his name, Manny nearly dropped a f-bomb while yelling “this is why I f(stopped himself) signed with San Diego!”

All of this passion between Manny and the Friar Faithful set off a Twitter war that lasted all afternoon with Padres fans vowing their support (I love Manny Machado and will protect him with all my being) and the Machado haters (F#%! Manny Machado).

The die seems to be cast for the future as Machado haters will never be able to get past the mistakes Manny made during the playoffs of 2018 while he was with the Dodgers, and the Friar Faithful who have fully adopted him after he has assumed the role of head cheerleader for the team. Time will tell who will win this war.

For my part, I attended my first Social Summit hosted by the Padres that has been a yearly occurrence at FanFest over the past several years. Including the bloggers, the world of Padres Twitter, and other social media participants the two sessions were held in the Beer Loft of the Western Metal Building.

The first session featured Chris Paddack, Ty France and new Padre Zach Davies. I didn’t attend the session but followed the Twitter feed and the main theme seemed to be how much everyone felt that Chris Paddack is willing and able to assume a leadership role on the team this year.

He echoes the assertion of Machado that their goal is to bring a championship to San Diego.