Baseball in San Diego: From the Padres to Petco (Images of Baseball) [Paperback]

Bill Swank (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 4, 2004

The first color action photo of Ted Williams (as shown on the front cover) was taken at Lane Field in San Diego on October 5, 1941 by an amateur photographer. Nobody knew of its existence until an old wooden cigar box was found in a basement in 1999. This book is a treasure chest of such old San Diego baseball pictures and memories. From the Padres to Petco focuses on San Diego's love affair with the Padres from the Pacific Coast League years at Lane Field (1936-57), Westgate Park (1958-67), San Diego Stadium (1968) and through 35 more exciting and often exasperating National League summers in Mission Valley (1969-2003). Through it all, Padre fans have been faithful and forgiving. With a new ballpark, San Diego looks to build a winning tradition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bill Swank is San Diego's eminent baseball historian. His upcoming Baseball in San Diego: From the Plaza to the Padres traces the earlier history of baseball in San Diego (1871-1935), completing a two-volume set that no Padre fan should be without. With over 200 photos from the San Diego Hall of Champions, the San Diego Historical Society, the San Diego Union-Tribune, and numerous private collections as well as his own personal archives, he has created a historic visual documentation of baseball in paradise.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (May 4, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738532614
• ISBN-13: 978-0738532615
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,187,713 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fun History Of San Diego Baseball, May 24, 2004

By 

J. H. Brandais (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Baseball in San Diego: From the Padres to Petco (Images of Baseball) (Paperback)

Bill once again shows his stuff as San Diego's premier baseball historian. With great photos and lively commentary, Bill paints a picture of nearly 70 years of baseball in America's Finest City. It's a must for any baseball junkie or San Diego history buff and holds a prominent place on my bookshelf.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Colorful players; great memories, October 31, 2004

By 

Thomas L. Magness (Riverside, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Baseball in San Diego: From the Padres to Petco (Images of Baseball) (Paperback)

I lived in San Diego from 1994 to 2004 and got to see many of the Padres' famous names, from Tony Gwynn and Ken Caminiti to Trevor Hoffman and Sean Burroughs. I saw the championship teams of 1996 and 1998, as well as Tony Gwynn's farewell and Dave Winfield's Hall of Fame induction. I even remember the old PCL Padres from the early 1960's and listened on the radio as the Padres won the 1984 National League pennant. This book is a treasure trove of reminders for those who remember the past as well as a good introduction to younger fans. And I will say this: the Padres and Padre fans do try to keep alive the memories of times gone by, constantly reminding us that there was good baseball in San Diego (especially with Ted Williams) before the major leagues came to town.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!!!!, September 12, 2005

By 

Matterhorn Magic "William" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Baseball in San Diego: From the Padres to Petco (Images of Baseball) (Paperback)

I work at the ballpark where the Padres play, and I've met the author. When my family moved to San Diego in 1956, we just missed the closing of Lane Field, and saw Padres' games at Lane Field, San Diego/Jack Murphy/Qualcomm Stadium. Now we have Petco Park.

The book describes the rich history of baseball in San Diego, and price of the book is well worth my money.