Annie Heilbrunn

Oct 12, 2023 | sandiegouniontribune.com | Annie Heilbrunn

It was mid-September and hours before the deadline to renew when David Lautz made the decision to opt out of the Padres season tickets he had held for nearly three decades. The Chula Vista resident said he was disheartened by shrinking member perks and a lack of communication from ticket representatives. He was taken aback by players’ seemingly apathetic body language from the vantage point of his field level seats near the Padres dugout.

Aug 25, 2023 | sandiegouniontribune.com | Annie Heilbrunn

Fernando Tatis Jr. sprinted onto the turf at Chase Field sporting custom pink and white Jordan 1s on his feet. Known for wearing the color to honor his mom, the cleats — worn on Tatis’ first game back from a performance-enhancing drug suspension — were an extension of the superstar’s well-documented style and swagger. “Pink has always been traditional with me,” Tatis said.

Aug 11, 2023 | sandiegouniontribune.com | Annie Heilbrunn

Padres closer Josh Hader grew up in Millersville, MD., and was signed by the Baltimore Orioles in the 19thround of the 2012 draft. A year later, he was traded to the Houston Astros. Dealt again to Milwaukee in 2015, Hader took off. He was a three-time MLB Reliever of the Year before being dealt to the Padres at last year’s trade deadline. In the offseason, the 29-year-old southpaw is an avid hunter and outdoorsman. U-T: Did you have a family member that encouraged you to get into baseball?

Aug 4, 2023 | sandiegouniontribune.com | Annie Heilbrunn

In December, the Padres signed right-hander Seth Lugo to a one-year deal that includes a player option for 2024. The 33-year-old Louisiana native was a walk-on at Centenary College — nickname: Gentlemen — before he was selected by the New York Mets in the 34th round of the 2011 draft. Lugo played seven seasons with the Mets, first as a starter before being used exclusively out of the bullpen.

Jul 28, 2023 | sandiegouniontribune.com | Annie Heilbrunn

(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) Fernando Tatis Jr. has become a sensation The showmanship is supported by the intensity with which he plays. On a recent Friday night at Petco Park, 11-year-old Ysabella Diego was giving it everything she had. Ysabella and her younger sister Alexis stood on the right field rail for several innings, faces red, throats sore from screaming —“Ta-tis! Ta-tis! Ta-tis!” — as they tried to get the outfielder’s attention.