Padres Special: San Diego Padres Franchise Four

The debate for the third spot on this list goes between Garvey and Winfield. Garvey only played five seasons with the Padres, but his home run off Lee Smith is probably the biggest single hit in franchise history. In Garvey’s tenure he hit .275 with 61 home runs and 316 RBI’s. He played in 605 games and was a two-time all-star. He had that clutch hit for the Padres but I think I will have to give the third spot on this list to Dave Winfield.

Winfield was a homegrown Padre, and played eight total season with the Padres. He amassed 154 home runs and 626 RBI’s while hitting .284 and stealing 133 bases. Winfield was an absolute athlete n the field and the four-time all-star should nearly be a lock for the third player on this list. The fact he to this day also works for the team and represents the Padres every day is a deciding factor. Not to mention that the hall-of fame outfielder chose to wear a Padres cap upon being inducted to the baseball hall-of-fame in 2001.

The final spot on this list will be a debate between Jake Peavy and Randy Jones. Both starting pitchers have almost identical numbers. Both players played eight seasons with the Padres, won one Cy Young apiece and were both 2-time all-stars. Their records were Peavy (92-68), Jones (92-105) and their ERA’s Peavy (3.29) and Jones (3.30). They are essentially the same pitcher, stat wise.

Well I’m too young to remember Randy Jones and all he was. I can see the records and watch video, but I never had the pleasure to watch him throw. Peavy on the other hand, I saw many times and enjoyed the intensity he brought each and every start. Both pitchers are homegrown talents having started with each franchise minor league systems. This is really a tough call for me.

Its worth noting that players like Roberto Alomar, Benito Santiago and especially Ken Caminiti were excluded from the elite eight. Caminiti being the franchises only MVP could garner some votes, but ultimately his drug use probably cost him any shot at contention. It’s a shame because the man was pleasure to watch play. His intensity was contagious and its a shame his name is tainted to most people. So, on to my selections.

My franchise four are Tony Gwynn, Trevor Hoffman, Dave Winfield and I am going to go with Randy Jones with my last spot. Apologies to Jake Peavy, but Jones played in a time where the Padres were unknown and he put up fantastic numbers. His Cy Young award-winning year where he was 22-14 and threw 315.1 innings is amazing. 40 starts from a major league pitcher is a thing of the past. Jones was a workhorse and unfortunately all those inning eventually caught up with him. Jones was forced to retire at the age of 32. Peavy also has won two straight World Series rings with the RedSox and Giants, so I don’t really think he knows the pain Padres fans feel. That in itself disqualifies him from the list in my eyes. That is my franchise four for the Padres, what’s yours?

James Clark

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.