The San Diego Padres have started this season like none before it. Forget the heartbreak and heartburn of preceding seasons’ less memorable endings, the Padres’ undefeated 7-0 start erased all those compounded miseries and gave fans new and exciting hope.
The 7-0 start was the best start in the club’s 54-year history that goes back to its first MLB season in 1969. The Padres have made it to the World Series twice in that span — in 1984 against the Detroit Tigers and in 1998 against the New York Yankees.
The Pads’ World Series record is 1-8. But at leat they’ve been there. Fans are hoping for more the way this season has started.
Longtime South Bay resident Lupe Lucero is one of them.
A Paradise Hills resident for more than 60 years, Lucero attended Paradise Hills Elementary School, St. Michael’s and later Marian High School. She and her husband Art have lived in their current home for 40 years. She’s seen time progress, and definitely with the Padres, who seem to have become bona fide World Series contenders every season.
Games are fun now, even on the radio. But Padres mania was a long time in the making. For some, they were an acquired taste during lean years throughout the 1970s.
“We took our kids to the games when they were in elementary school,” Lucero said. “We were fans but we didn’t go to that many games. We were Chargers fans during the Air Coryell and Dan Fouts era. We would have to get in line to fight to get a good seat in the bleachers.
“Now I’m more of a fan. I have my own bell to ring when it’s the last inning. For every strike in the last inning, they ring the bell at the stadium. I have my own bell to ring at home.”
Streaming and local television broadcasts (never a possibility during the club’s infancy) have created a new landscape for fans.
“I enjoy being retired and being able to watch all the games, and not have to miss work,” she said.
She exercised her vocal cords quite a bit during the Padres’ seven-game sweep of their opening homestand.
“That was remarkable,” she said. “It’s a wonderful thing, especially for longtime fans who have been waiting (for a return to the World Series). It looks like they might have a good season. I know they can’t win all the time. I just want them to stay humble and enjoy the games.”
Since opening the season 7-0, the Pads have gone 3-3 in their next six games, though they still lead the National League West Division standings by a half-game over the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers.
“The same pitchers couldn’t do it again, even the hitters,” she lamented.
Lucero can get impatient at times with the flow of games. “When you hear me cuss, it’s when they’re not doing something right,” she said, smiling.
It’s been 27 years since the Padres have been in a World Series, though the Friars now seem to have become legitimate contenders nearly every year.
Lucero and other neighbors made the street come alive with war-whoops, horns and seemingly nonstop screaming during the 2022 National League Championship Series games against the Philadelphia Phillies after defeating the hated Dodgers in the preceding divisional series.
“It was exciting, we thought we were going to make it to the World Series,” she said. “That was so depressing.”
The Padres lost a close divisional series last year to the Dodgers, who went on to win the World Series against the Yankees.
Understandably, the Dodgers are her least favorite team.
She’s not alone.
Lucero is well on her way to training the next generation of Padres fans.
“My daughter Yvonne bought us a tour of Petco Park. It was neat. We were so excited. We got to see a few players …”
She and her grandson Jose have attended every Opening Day event for the last 10 years. “We’ve made it a tradition,” she said.
Lucero recently attended a family event at the San Diego Zoo sponsored by the Padres.
“I got a picture with (Jackson) Merrill. I waited and waited and finally he was there. He was very nice and signed an autograph for me.”
When the Padres hit a home run, she lets neighbors know it.
In the meantime, she keeps watching and cheering (er, screaming) for her favorite team.
“I’m waiting for the Padres to play their best,” she offered. “I know they can do it.”
What’s that axiom — good things come to those who wait?
Pad Squad
Padres Log
Friars start 7-0 IN 2025
March 27: San Diego 7, Atlanta 4
March 28: San Diego 4, Atlanta 3
March 29: San Diego 1, Atlanta 0
March 30: San Diego 5, Atlanta 0
March 31: San Diego 7, Cleveland 2
April 1: Padres 7, Cleveland 0
April 2: Padres 5, Cleveland 2
San Diego Padres Leaders
(Through 13 games)
Hitting average
- Jackson Merrill 0.378
- Fernando Tatis Jr. 0.364
- Manny Machado 0.340
- Martin Maldonado 0.333
- Xander Bogaerts 0.304
- Gavin Sheets 0.303
- Luis Arraez 0.283
RBI
- Jackson Merrill 10
- (tie) Fernando Tatis Jr. 7
- (tie) Gavin Sheets 7
- (tie) Jake Cronenworth 5
- (tie) Xander Bogaerts 5
- (tie) Manny Machado 5
- Luis Arraez 4
Pitching
Wandy Peralta 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 strikeouts in 6.1 innings
Jason Adam 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 11 strikeouts in 7.1 innings
Michael King 2-0, 4.05 ERA. 16 strikeouts/13.1 innings
Kyle Hart 1-0, 11.13 ERA, 4 strikeouts in 5.2 innings
Randy Vasquez 1-1, 1.72 ERA, 6 strikeouts in 15.2 innings
Nick Pivetta 1-1, 2.70 ERA, 8 strikeouts in 10 innings
Dylan Cease, 1-1, 7.98 ERA, 18 strikeouts in 14.2 innings\
Note: Jeremiah Estrada 0-0, 1.23 ERA, 9 strikeouts in 7.1 innings; Yuki Matsui 0-0, 1.80 ERA, 9 strikeouts in 5 innings
