1974 San Diego Padres season
Encyclopedia
The 1974 San Diego Padres
season was the 6th in franchise history. The team finished last in the National League West
with a record of 60-102, 42 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers
.
by the beginning of the 1974 season. People were so convinced the transfer would happen that new uniforms were designed. Even the baseball card companies were fooled. About half of the Padres' player cards printed by Topps
that season displayed "Washington National League" as the team name. However, the Padres' lease in San Diego required the team to continue to pay its lease, which was to run for 15 more years, even if it moved. With that knowledge, Danzansky's banks dropped out, unwilling to pay for stadiums in two cities. C. Arnholt Smith, though, could not afford to remain the owner, and instead sold the Padres to McDonald's
' co-founder Ray Kroc
, who scuttled the planned move and kept the team in San Diego. The nation's capital would have to wait until after the 2004 season, when the Montreal Expos
, the Padres' sister National League expansion team
in 1969, transferred to the District of Columbia and became the Washington Nationals
.
grabbed the public address system microphone and apologized to fans for the poor performance of the team, saying, "I've never seen such stupid ballplaying in my life." At the same time, a streaker
raced across the field, eluding security personnel. Kroc shouted, "Throw him in jail!"
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
season was the 6th in franchise history. The team finished last in the National League West
National League West
The National League Western Division, or NL West, is one of the three divisions of Major League Baseball's National League. It was created in 1969 when the previously undivided National League expanded its membership to twelve teams, positioning half of them in an Eastern division and the other...
with a record of 60-102, 42 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers
1974 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers won the National League West by four games over the Cincinnati Reds, then beat the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1974 National League Championship Series before losing to the Oakland Athletics in the 1974 World Series.- Offseason :...
.
Offseason
- October 25, 1973: Mike Caldwell was traded by the Padres to the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
for Willie McCoveyWillie McCoveyWillie Lee McCovey , nicknamed "Mac", "Big Mac", and "Stretch", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played nineteen seasons for the San Francisco Giants, and three more for the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics, between and...
and Bernie Williams. - November 7, 1973: Jerry MoralesJerry MoralesJulio Ruben "Jerry" Morales Torres is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played from -.-Career:Morales was originally signed by the New York Mets as an amateur free agent at the age of 17 in 1966...
was traded by the Padres to the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for Glenn BeckertGlenn BeckertGlenn Alfred Beckert is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League as a second baseman for the Chicago Cubs for nine seasons from to before ending his career with the San Diego Padres in .-Baseball career:Beckert was drafted from Allegheny College as an amateur...
and Bobby FenwickBobby FenwickRobert Richard Fenwick , is a retired Major League Baseball player who played infielder from -. He would play for the Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals.-External links:...
.
Washington Padres?
Before the 1974 season began, the Padres were on the verge of being sold to Joseph Danzansky, who was planning to move the franchise to Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
by the beginning of the 1974 season. People were so convinced the transfer would happen that new uniforms were designed. Even the baseball card companies were fooled. About half of the Padres' player cards printed by Topps
Topps
The Topps Company, Inc., manufactures chewing gum, candy and collectibles. Based in New York, New York, Topps is best known as a leading producer of baseball cards, football cards, basketball cards, hockey cards and other sports and non-sports themed trading cards.-Company history:Topps itself was...
that season displayed "Washington National League" as the team name. However, the Padres' lease in San Diego required the team to continue to pay its lease, which was to run for 15 more years, even if it moved. With that knowledge, Danzansky's banks dropped out, unwilling to pay for stadiums in two cities. C. Arnholt Smith, though, could not afford to remain the owner, and instead sold the Padres to McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
' co-founder Ray Kroc
Ray Kroc
Raymond Albert "Ray" Kroc was an American fast food businessman who joined McDonald's in 1954 and built it into the most successful fast food operation in the world. Kroc was included in Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century, and amassed a fortune during his lifetime...
, who scuttled the planned move and kept the team in San Diego. The nation's capital would have to wait until after the 2004 season, when the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
, the Padres' sister National League expansion team
Expansion team
An expansion team is a brand new team in a sports league. The term is most commonly used in reference to the North American major professional sports leagues, but is applied to sports leagues worldwide that use a closed franchise system of league membership. The term comes from the expansion of the...
in 1969, transferred to the District of Columbia and became the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
.
Regular season
In his first home game as the Padres' new owner in 1974, Ray KrocRay Kroc
Raymond Albert "Ray" Kroc was an American fast food businessman who joined McDonald's in 1954 and built it into the most successful fast food operation in the world. Kroc was included in Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century, and amassed a fortune during his lifetime...
grabbed the public address system microphone and apologized to fans for the poor performance of the team, saying, "I've never seen such stupid ballplaying in my life." At the same time, a streaker
Streaking
Streaking is the act of running nude through a public place.-History:On 5 July 1799, a Friday evening at 7 o'clock, a naked man was arrested at the Mansion House, London, and sent to the Poultry Compter...
raced across the field, eluding security personnel. Kroc shouted, "Throw him in jail!"
Opening Day starters
- Steve ArlinSteve ArlinSteven Ralph Arlin is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. In six major league seasons, Arlin pitched for the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Indians .-College Star:...
- Glenn BeckertGlenn BeckertGlenn Alfred Beckert is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League as a second baseman for the Chicago Cubs for nine seasons from to before ending his career with the San Diego Padres in .-Baseball career:Beckert was drafted from Allegheny College as an amateur...
- Nate ColbertNate ColbertNathan Colbert Jr. , is a former American Major League Baseball player who was a first baseman with the Houston Astros , San Diego Padres , Detroit Tigers , Montreal Expos and Oakland Athletics .Signed by his hometown St...
- Johnny GrubbJohnny GrubbJohn Maywood Grubb, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter, who also occasionally played at first base...
- Enzo HernándezEnzo HernándezEnzo Octavio Hernández [er-NAN-dez] is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and right-handed batter who played for the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers ....
- Fred KendallFred KendallFred Kendall was a catcher for parts of 12 seasons in Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, and Boston Red Sox....
- Willie McCoveyWillie McCoveyWillie Lee McCovey , nicknamed "Mac", "Big Mac", and "Stretch", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played nineteen seasons for the San Francisco Giants, and three more for the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics, between and...
- Derrel ThomasDerrel ThomasDerrel Osborn Thomas is a former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball primarily as a second baseman, center fielder, and shortstop from 1971-85...
- Bobby TolanBobby TolanRobert Tolan is a former center and right fielder in Major League Baseball. Tolan, who batted and threw left-handed, played for the St. Louis Cardinals , Cincinnati Reds , San Diego Padres , Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates...
Notable transactions
- May 31, 1974: Horace ClarkeHorace ClarkeHorace Meredith Clarke was a Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres from 1965 to 1974....
and Lowell PalmerLowell PalmerLowell Raymond Palmer is a retired American Major League Baseball pitcher. The right-hander was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1st round of the 1966 amateur draft . He played for the Phillies , St. Louis Cardinals , Cleveland Indians , and San Diego Padres...
was purchased by the Padres from the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. - June 5, 1974: 1974 Major League Baseball Draft1974 Major League Baseball draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1974 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :With the number one pick of the June regular phase, San Diego tabbed infielder Bill Almon from Brown University, one of six shortstops selected in round one...
- Bill AlmonBill AlmonWilliam Francis Almon is a retired American baseball player who played in the major leagues from 1974 through 1988. A utility player, he played first base, second base, shortstop, third base, outfield and designated hitter...
was drafted by the Padres in the 1st round (1st pick). - Lenn SakataLenn SakataLenn Haruki Sakata is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as a utility player from 1977–1987 and was a member of the Baltimore Orioles 1983 World Series Championship team. He was the second Asian American to play Major League Baseball. He is Yonsei...
was drafted by the Padres in the 5th round, but did not sign. - Bump WillsBump WillsElliot Taylor "Bump" Wills is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs . He also played two seasons in Japan for the Hankyu Braves...
was drafted by the Padres in the 12th round, but did not sign.
- Bill Almon
Roster
| 1974 San Diego Padres | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders | Manager Coaches |
||||||
Player stats
| = Indicates team leader |
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 141 | 424 | 98 | .231 | 8 | 45 | |
| 1B | 128 | 344 | 87 | .253 | 22 | 63 | |
| 2B | 141 | 523 | 129 | .247 | 3 | 41 | |
| SS | 147 | 512 | 119 | .232 | 0 | 34 | |
| LF | 145 | 498 | 132 | .265 | 20 | 75 | |
| CF | 140 | 444 | 127 | .286 | 8 | 42 | |
| RF | 95 | 357 | 95 | .266 | 8 | 40 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 119 | 368 | 76 | .207 | 14 | 54 | |
| 74 | 217 | 52 | .240 | 1 | 12 | |
| 64 | 172 | 44 | .256 | 0 | 7 | |
| 42 | 90 | 17 | .189 | 0 | 4 | |
| 39 | 74 | 20 | .270 | 1 | 3 | |
| 13 | 33 | 7 | .212 | 1 | 2 | |
| 14 | 15 | 2 | .133 | 0 | 0 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | 226 | 9 | 19 | 4.66 | 137 | |
| 33 | 211.2 | 9 | 14 | 3.66 | 130 | |
| 40 | 208.1 | 8 | 22 | 4.45 | 124 | |
| 16 | 64 | 1 | 7 | 5.91 | 18 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 73 | 2 | 5 | 5.67 | 52 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 4.69 | 57 | |
| 54 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 4.56 | 26 | |
| 30 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4.03 | 40 | |
| 25 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4.79 | 41 | |
| 23 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7.07 | 22 | |
| 18 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4.64 | 15 | |
| 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.10 | 9 |
Awards and honors
1974 Major League Baseball All-Star Game1974 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1974 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 45th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 23, 1974, at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
- Johnny GrubbJohnny GrubbJohn Maywood Grubb, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter, who also occasionally played at first base...
, OF, Reserve