The passion is back, and for that, we thank a local.
The Padres’ playoff run has been a kick in the britches, a joy ride of stupendous proportions and just plain fun. The way the community rallied around those in brown and gold illustrates the galvanizing power of sports.
Getting everyone to agree on politics?
Good luck.
Finding a consensus on the best beach, tastiest fish taco or sweetest surf break?
No way.
But the Padres formed a strong bond with their backers as they went bonkers over their favorite baseball team.
The uber-local angle, of course, is one Arthur John Preller.
Yes, that’s A.J. Preller, the Padres’ director of baseball operations who hangs his hat in Encinitas.
With his laid-back demeanor and love for all active sports, he evokes a bit of the coastal North County vibe. But he hasn’t been elevated to being a Padres icon, in the eyes of some, for being a good guy.
Instead, it’s for constructing a good team, and the Padres proved that in the playoffs, ousting the Atlanta Braves and leading against the Los Angeles Dodgers, two games to one, in the National League Division Series.
Somehow, the Padres rid themselves of All-Stars Juan Soto, Blake Snell and Josh Hader and improved. Plus, Bob Melvin, a three-time manager of the year, found work elsewhere.
But Preller got busy with a payroll some $90 million lighter, engineered a huge deal for Soto with the New York Yankees and produced a team heavy on heart, hustle and want-to.
“We knew we would take a different approach to roster build,” Preller said. “Obviously, we’ve done it here with different teams here the last few years — at least get to the playoffs and win some series.”
The striking difference from a year ago was the resiliency in the club, one that never waved a white flag — remember the Padres rallying from an eight-run deficit to win? There were countless other examples and contrasts between last year’s team and this year’s edition.
The Padres in 2023 were quick to fold.
The Padres in 2024 make you earn all 27 outs.
Preller gets high marks not only for those performing between the lines but for his hiring of Mike Shildt. The soft-spoken Shildt doesn’t get too high or too low, the epitome of a baseball lifer who’s breathed life into this organization.
Few, though, can match rookie Jackson Merrill’s unlikely rise. Preller and his player development staff were confident that not only could Merrill produce — he was playing high school baseball three years ago— but also make the transition from shortstop to outfield.
“I think from all of us, we were excited that Jackson potentially could take one of those outfield spots when we started spring training,” Preller said. “But like anything, players kind of tell you when they’re ready and how much they’re ready for.”
Get ready for Merrill to finish among the top two in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting.
So what was that conversation like between Preller and Merrill on their plans to plop him in center field?
Uhm, Merrill is still waiting for that pow-wow to happen.
“To be honest, they didn’t even mention center field,” said Merrill, who batted .292 with 24 homers and 90 RBI. “They came and mentioned left field.
“Center field was kind of just one day I got thrown in the lineup there, and the rest is history. It just kind of happened this way.”
Nothing just happens under Preller’s watch. If there’s a picture of him without his phone attached to his ear, it’s considered rare.
Preller is baseball, 24/7, and the patience and confidence the late and beloved Padres owner Peter Seidler had with Preller is finally paying off.
The dividends were evident in every direction this fall.
Padres flags were flapping in the breeze, and their gear clinging to nearly everyone, whether they were baseball fans or not.
While last year’s team was distasteful, this year’s squad is delightful.
“I don’t think I could have had a better group to come up with and a better group to play with this year,” Merrill said. “To just have as much fun as I possibly can have, and I’m just thankful.”
Ditto for Padres fans for a season that won’t soon be forgotten.
Contact Jay Paris at [email protected] and follow him @jparis_sports
