The Padres Hall of Fame is up. It’s about time. The spanking new Hall opens Friday at Petco, in time for the All-Star Game, and it’s going to be terrific, high-tech straddling high-tech. The Bud Selig Hall of Fame Plaza is down. Removed. Kaput.

We’re good at being bad at history around here, and it’s great to see the Padres preserving their past — not to mention San Diego’s baseball yesterdays and todays — and, after more than a year of groping, finding their senses. They’ve done it right.

There practically was no evidence of any history before this, and there’s actually over 80 years of it. The organization has been a lousy museum keeper.

“The most important thing is, we do have a great history,” club President and CEO Mike Dee was saying Tuesday as he took me on a tour of the Hall of Fame Plaza, which doesn’t look as though it possibly can be completed by Friday, but will be.


The new Hall is what matters most here, but let’s get the Selig thing out of the way, because its creation did not sit well with the fans, let alone the media. I can say without equivocation I was against it, although the plaza itself wasn’t going to be obtrusive. But it wouldn’t have mattered if Bud’s name was on a sprinkler head in the outfield. It wasn’t a good idea.

In January 2015 the Padres were awarded the 2016 All-Star Game, the first at Petco, the third in San Diego, when it appeared the Dodgers might get it. The Padres never have stated it publicly, but there’s no question naming a plaza after then-Commissioner Selig eased Petco into the winner’s circle. The commish names the sites.

At the very least, Dee and Padres ownership have to be given some credit for righting a wrong, although the result got them what they wanted, the game.

“When we made the (Selig) announcement, we underestimated the sentiments of the fans,” Dee said. “And the reaction of the fans was something we heard. In processing the feedback from our fans — including those who may be writing this story — we made the decision to move in another direction.


“Since that time, when we planned out the Hall of Fame, we made a mid-course decision, and we still will honor Commissioner Selig someway, but in our offices.”

Not that they needed Selig’s permission to take down his sign, but they did check with the retired commissioner.

“The commissioner is aware of it and supports our decision,” Dee said. “He’s excited about what we will do. It won’t be anything outwardly facing to the fans, but inside the footprint of Padres offices.

“This area should be branded Padres Hall of Fame Plaza, and we don’t want to take anything away from the Hall.”


Dee showed me the original, 1996 architect’s rendering of Petco, which he carried around with him back then when he worked for Larry Lucchino on the project. It included a Padres Hall of Fame, behind the scoreboard. For whatever reason, it never came to be and the area was used as a radio studio and break room for the Elite Security staff.

Now, that 2,000 square feet of indoor space will be totally dedicated to Padres and San Diego baseball history, complete with some great exhibits, old and new photos, and state-of-the-art 4K video equipment. Fans will be asked to bring old photos of them at the park, and follow with new pictures that will be placed on a continuous video loop.

Outside, the plaza originally intended for Bud will offer 1,500 square feet of space. There will be baseball Hall of Fame replica plaques of every Padres player who entered the Hall not wearing a San Diego cap (such as Ted Williams and Bobby Doerr). Other plaques will be dedicated to Padres Hall of Famers. There is space that one day will be used for statues of team greats.

“We can do this outside in San Diego,” Dee said. “Can’t do this in a lot of other cities.”


With this kind of thing, the organization doesn’t pull many half-baked cakes from its oven. They’re gathering stuff. It takes time, especially when you don’t have much to begin with.

After John Moores bought the team in 1994, he complained openly to me about the lack of memorabilia the franchise had kept around. There hardly was anything, including old uniforms and equipment. He bought up as much as he could.

“This was an unfulfilled promise,” Dee said. “It underscores the long-term view ownership has on the franchise. Your grandchildren are going to walk in here and say, ‘Wow!’ ”

They should. Imagine, doing things right and honoring and remembering our past instead of the usual San Diego way. Which is destroying history.