Don Orsillo sends heartbreaking message to Padres fans after playoff elimination

For the San Diego Padres, this wasn't supposed to be how their season ended. They defied the odds all year long as they weathered the departure of stars. The Padres always seemed to come back when they were down, and would fight to the last out. They looked so good that, until Friday night's elimination at the hands of the Dodgers, they were a rather trendy World Series pick.

Unfortunately, the Padres' underdog story was not to be, as their offense no-showed in Games 4 and 5. There was not another Jackson Merrill clutch hit or any Fernando Tatis Jr. heroics. San Diego's pitching staff came through in the series decider, but the offense and bravado that had gotten the Padres this far was nowhere to be found.

Adding to the pain of the loss to the hated Dodgers, Padres play-by-play announcer Don Orsillo posted his heartfelt thanks to Padres fans on social media, and it has fans wishing the they could hear his calls just a few more times in 2024.

Don Orsillo's heartfelt thanks to Padres fans hits hard after playoff elimination by the Dodgers

For Orsillo, the 2024 season is going to be a bittersweet memory. Orsillo left the Red Sox in 2015 despite being beloved by Boston fans and having been the voice of three World Series runs, but the organization opted not to retain him. After the disappointment that was the 2023 season, the Padres' 2024 run had to feel like his chance to call another deep playoff run by an exceptionally fun squad while the Red Sox fumbled their way to another disappointing finish.

Padres fans are feeling very similarly right now. This San Diego team looked like one of destiny. For much of the season, they looked like they had the Dodgers' number and could beat any team in a number of ways. The vast majority of the moves they made pressed the right buttons and they played with an edge that is somewhat reminiscent of some of those Boston teams that Orsillo called World Series games for.

All of that said, the Padres and their fans should be proud of this season. Despite all of the headwinds the team had coming into the year, the front office came up big, the Padres played their brains out, and Padres fans showed that they are among the best in baseball during the playoffs. While the Pads have more work to do this offseason, the future looks bright for baseball in San Diego.

That doesn't make their exit from the playoffs sting any less now, but it should provide hope that fans should get to hear more of Orsillo's postseason calls in the years to come.

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