Padres Special: 1998 National League Champion San Diego Padres Remembered
 Second Base- Quilvio Veras
The Padres had a need at the top of the order after the team finally let loose of aging all-time great Rickey Henderson. While looking for a potential lead-off type hitter, the name of Quilvio Veras came up. He had promising numbers as a rookie but suffered a leg injury and was limited to only 34 games his second year. On November 21st, 1996 the Padres sent former 1st round pick Dustin Hermanson to the Florida Marlins for Quilvio Veras. Veras would immediately take over as the teams leadoff man and second baseman.
Quilvio was originally drafted by the New York Mets as an amateur in 1989. He never played for the Mets on the major league level, and was dealt in 1994 to the Marlins for Carl Everett. Making his debut for the Marlins in April 1995. The Dominican switch hitter, stole 56 bases that year and hit .285 with four homers and 34 runs batted in. In 1998 for the Padres, Quilvio Veras had his best year in the majors. He played in 138 games and hit .267 with 6 home runs and 45 RBI’s. Veras also stole 24 bases and had a .373 on base percentage, walking 84 times that year. A true spark plug on the top of the order. He created havoc for many National League pitchers that season.
Quilvio had three seasons with the Padres. He played in 415 games and stepped to the plate 1,531 times. He smacked 15 home runs and drove in 131 runs while stealing 87 bases. A .270 career Padres hitter with an on base percentage of .366. On December 22nd, 1999 a blockbuster deal went down between the San Diego Padres and the Atlanta Braves. The Padres would send Quilvio Veras, Wally Joyner and Reggie Sanders to the Braves for Brett Boone, Ryan Klesko and Jason Shiell. Quilvio would only play two half seasons in Atlanta and would ultimately retire in July of the 2001 season, at the age of 30.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.