San Diego Padres: The 4 icons who make up the franchise's Mount Rushmore

San Diego Padres Mt. Rushmore: Jake Peavy

Joining the Padres in 2002, Jake Peavy quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the pitching rotation and a force to be reckoned within Major League Baseball.

Peavy's impact was multifaceted. His fierce determination and fearless approach to each start made him a fan favorite, as he consistently delivered electrifying performances that captured the hearts of San Diego faithful. His fiery demeanor reflected his unwavering commitment to winning and his refusal to back down from any challenge.

One of the highlights of Peavy's time with the Padres came in 2007 when he won the National League Cy Young Award, solidifying his status as one of the premier pitchers in the game. His dominant performances that season, including a league-leading 19 wins and 240 strikeouts and 2.54 ERA, elevated the Padres and energized the entire city.

Recently inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame, Peavy was a special pitcher, according to his former manager, Bud Black.

"A great competitor," Black said. "He came to play. He won the Cy Young in my first year managing the team, so that made things a lot easier knowing he was pitching every fifth day.

"He always had good stuff. He had the ability to spin the ball and had a really good slider and his fastball had some movement. He could also field his position and control the running game. He was a good all-around player and he would show his emotions on his sleeve. He did things his way, and that was great."