Best Opening Day moments in Padres history

The San Diego Padres joined Major League Baseball in the 1969 season, and since then, Friars fans have seen several memorable moments. Over 50 years later, the Padres have made the playoffs eight times, holding an all-time record of 4,127-4,717 entering the 2025 campaign.

San Diego begins this season at home for a four-game slate against the Atlanta Braves, which begins on March 27. Before we celebrate the new season, let's take a look back at some of the greatest moments in Padres Opening Day history.

Best Opening Day moments in San Diego Padres history

4. The 11-run inning

On April 1, 1997, the Padres hosted the New York Mets at Qualcomm Stadium. Trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Padres erupted for 11 runs - including three straight home runs - en route to a 12-5 victory. Here was the sequence of runs in the sixth.

3. Randy Jones dominates

From 1969-74, the Padres didn't quite have an ace on the mound. That was until they drafted Randy Jones, a local kid from Orange County.

Jones already had some time in the majors under his belt entering the 1975 season, but it was in this year that San Diego fans had a star to rally around. He placed second in the NL Cy Young Race alongside a league-best 2.24 ERA. The Padres knew they had a stud on the mound, and everything came together even more in 1976.

On Opening Day - April 9, 1976 - Jones fired a complete game against the Atlanta Braves in an 8-2 victory. He surrendered one earned run and struck out two hitters, which was the start of his Cy Young candicacy. He won the award in 1976 after winning 22 games, pitching 25 complete games, and registering a league-best 1.027 WHIP despite throwing over 315 innings.

2. Padres win first game at Petco Park

On April 8, 2004, exactly 35 years after becoming a Major League Baseball franchise, the Padres opened the gates of Petco Park. Qualcomm Stadium closed its doors, and since this day, Petco Park has been home for the Friars. Entering the 2025 season, San Diego is 882-807 at Petco Park.

Win No. 1 came at the home opener in 2004, which was against the San Francisco Giants. Sean Burroughs hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th inning to score Khalil Greene to cap the 4-3 victory. Burroughs, who led off and played third base, also had the game-tying RBI single in the ninth inning, which also plated Greene. Burroughs and Greene each produced three hits in this game.

David Wells tossed seven scoreless innings and did not strikeout a single batter. Trevor Hoffman was hit with the blown save after allowing a two-run double off the bat of Ray Durham. Eddie Oropesa earned the win.

1. Padres win first game in franchise history

On April 8, 1969, the Padres were welcomed to Major League Baseball. They existed for a few decades beforehand in the Pacific Coast League, but they became the latest expansion team at the end of the 1960s.

In their first game, which was at San Diego Stadium, the Friars defeated the Astros, 2-1. Ed Spiezio collected the franchise's first-ever hit and home run, muscling a game-tying solo homer in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ollie Brown picked up the eventual game-winning hit, which was an RBI double to score Roberto Peña.

Dick Selma tossed a complete game for the Padres and struck out 12 Astros, allowing one run on five hits and two walks. Selma would pitch in just three more games with the Padres after that win. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs, but will always be remembered as the first pitcher to win in a Padres uniform.