Manny Machado closing in on Padres' all-time record not held by Tony Gwynn

Tony Gwynn holds a number of historic records in the San Diego Padres history. Since the team's founding in 1969, no player has more hits, runs, doubles, triples, RBI, or walks than Gwynn. Mr. Padre stands alone in the annals of San Diego lore.

But there's at least one statistic that eluded Gwynn during his entire time as a member of the Padres. The all-time home run record in Padres history belongs to former first baseman Nate Colbert. Colbert was a three-time All-Star and was among the first players to ever take the field in a game for the Friars back 1969.

Colbert garnered MVP consideration in 1972, and over a three-year stretch in America's Finest City, he hit .261 with an .812 OPS 87 home runs. Colbert's first five seasons in San Diego saw the St. Louis native blast nearly 150 homers. Colbert finished his Padres career with 163 round-trippers. In case you were wondering, Adrian Gonzalez fell two short of Colbert's record.

Manny Machado closing in on Padres' all-time record not held by Tony Gwynn

But Manny Machado is on track to break that record; perhaps before the 2024 season runs out. Since landing in San Diego, Machado has always been known as a home run threat, so it's no surprise that the veteran third baseman is now threatening to overtake Colbert as the team leader in big flies.

Heading into play on Saturday, Machado was just two homers shy of Colbert's all-time record after tying Gonzalez on Friday night. Machado arrived in San Diego by way of free agency in 2019. Outside of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Machado has eclipsed 25 home runs in four straight seasons. Machado would need two more homers between now and the end of the season to make it five years in a row (and also tie Colbert).

By the time Manny is done in San Diego, he won't just own the Padres all-time home run record; he will have demolished the previous mark and put a lot of distance between himself and second place.

More San Diego Padres News and Rumors