The annual Padres Alumni softball game returned after a hiatus in 2020, bringing some of the franchise's biggest names to the diamond to face San Diego's military heroes.
The six-inning game featured Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman, two-time All-Star Steve Finley, Cy Young Award recipient Randy Jones, Carlos Hernandez, Nick Hundley, Mark Loretta taking on the Marine Corps Recruit Depot All-Stars, a team of 21 U.S. Marines and one Navy Sailor assigned to MCRD.
The Padres alumni were beaten by the Marine Corps team 16-2.
For former Padre players the score didn't really matter. What was important was paying respect to everything their opponent does off the field.
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"It's an honor to come out here and hang out with some of our young marines, who are allowing us the opportunity to go about our days under the blanket of freedom," said Trevor Hoffman. "It's very special to be out here and play around some softball, but the bigger meaning is we just wanted to come out and say "Thank you for their service."
Randy Jones added, " We just say thank you to these guys for what they do for our country."
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Each team will be led by an 'Honorary Manager' with the Padres Alumni being managed by former big leaguer and Padres hitting coach, Merv Rettenmund.
The MCRD All-Stars will be managed by retired Master Sgt. Mike Magro and captained by Master Sgts. Jim Quintero and Chris Nieves.
Coming in over the loudspeaker will be current voice of Petco Park, Padres announcer Alex Miniak, who will be providing live play-by-play of the game.
Service members on base, along with their families, will be treated to food, kids’ activities, ticket giveaways, live entertainment and a meet and greet with members of the Padres Alumni team.
The softball game on the MCRD San Diego will serve as the sixth Padres Alumni softball game after a brief hiatus in 2020.
Previous Alumni games have taken place at Naval Base San Diego (2017 and 2019), MCRD San Diego (2017), MCAS Miramar (2018) and Naval Air Station North Island (2018). More information on the Padres’ military initiatives can be found on the club’s dedicated military website.
The current Padres roster is having a rough go of things after a devastating loss to L.A. Sunday night.
But there is still hope for October baseball as the Padres battle Cincinnati for the last National League Wild Card spot.
If the Padres secure the NL Wild Card spot, it would mark the first back-to-back trip to the post-season in 15 years.
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