Appropriately, the Padres’ inaugural hit at Petco Park this season found its mark at the expansive heart-shaped tribute in center field, dedicated to the late Peter Seidler.
Xander Bogaerts‘ single in the fourth inning, directed towards center field, reached the boundary of the shaded grass encircling Seidler’s “PS” initials. This occurrence served as a poignant reminder of Seidler’s enduring presence in San Diego.
“I can feel his presence here today,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said before his club’s 6-4 victory over the Giants on Thursday afternoon in the home opener. “He’s going to be with us in spirit and in memory. … He’ll be in our hearts all season.”
“Heart” holds significant meaning for the 2024 Padres, as evidenced by the heart-shaped insignia with “PS” adorning the uniform patches worn by players. Additionally, this emblem is permanently displayed at Petco Park, honoring figures like longtime broadcaster Jerry Coleman and former owner Ray Kroc.
Players have articulated a renewed emphasis on playing with passion this year, a quality that seemed lacking in the previous season when the team found itself out of contention, only salvaging a winning record with a late-season surge.
Whether attributed to newfound heart or timely hitting, the Padres demonstrated a notable departure from their 2023 form on Thursday by mounting a comeback victory. A four-run surge in the seventh inning against the Giants’ bullpen propelled the Padres to a 2-1 record. Bogaerts’ decisive single and Jake Cronenworth’s two-run double provided crucial insurance runs.
In contrast, last season saw the Padres secure just seven wins when trailing in the seventh inning or later, a statistic that ranked among the lowest in MLB, underscoring the significance of their recent triumph.
