Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob had been shopping to buy the Oakland A’s before they moved to Sacramento but the A’s weren’t for sale. He might be interested in the San Diego Padres who are up for sale. (Joe Lacob photo)

San Diego Padres might have a New Owner, with a Bay Area connection

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The San Diego Padres are up for sale, and with Joe Lacob’s history of interest in MLB teams, he could be a potential buyer. Lacob’s previous attempts to purchase baseball franchises, including the Oakland A’s and the Los Angeles Angels. Lacob currently owns the NBA Golden State Warriors and the WNBA Golden State Valkyries. Could Lacob be expanding his sports empire?

Joe Lacob offered to buy the Oakland A’s in 2005 when Lewis Wolff and John Fisher were the owners. As a matter of fact, in an interview with John Shea, then with the San Francisco Chronicle, now with the San Francisco Standard, Lacob went into detail about when he offered to buy the A’s in 2005 for $180 million.

It is well known that Lacob had a “standing offer” to purchase the Oakland A’s from John Fisher for years, and always maintained that the team belongs in Oakland. As recently as 2023, Lacob and Fisher reported interactions regarding a potential purchase, but Lacob did not actively pursue it when Fisher seemed committed to his team.

Ownership history of the San Diego Padres: C.Arnholt Smith, followed by John Kroc and Joan Kroc of Mc Donalds’s fame, next Tom Wernes, John Moores, and the group led by Ron Fowler. The most recent/current owners were Peter Seidler and John Seidler, who became the principal owner in 2023 following Peter’s death.

The San Diego Padres franchise began in 1936 in the PCL, playing in San Diego until 1968. In 1969, they became an expansion team in the Major Leagues, playing in the National League. The First Manager of the San Diego Padres was Cuban-born Preston Gómez in 1969.

The first Latino Major League managers in history also born in Cuba: Miguel “Mike” González, who served as the interim manager of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1938.

Padres are one of five teams who never won a World Series; Padres, Mariners, Brewers, Rockies, Tampa Bay Too bad for Oakland and A’s fans that Lacob couldn’t buy the A’s; he is a winner, unlike the man who owns the team today.

Quote about baseball owners – Stewardship and fan accountability “It’s a stewardship. We have an obligation. We are accountable to the fans and to the city. If you don’t approach it that way, you shouldn’t be an owner in my opinion,” said Phillies owner John Middleton.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com