Petco Park already has plenty of historical bark

By: DAN HAYES - Staff Writer | Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:40 AM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO-- Ten days ago, Barry Bonds gave Petco Park another slice of history when he tied Hank Aaron's career home run record by blasting No. 755.

Just like the Padres' previous home field, Qualcomm Stadium, the downtown ballpark has witnessed a handful of momentous occasions since opening 3 1/2 years ago.

Granted, Petco Park isn't within a stone's throw of Yankee Stadium -- a building that hosted the Baltimore Colts' 23-17 overtime win over the New York Giants in the 1958 NFL title game, a Muhammad Ali title defense in 1976, Pope John Paul II in 1979 and countless moments of Yankees' lore -- in an historical sense.

It can't yet compare with Qualcomm and its three Super Bowls, two World Series and two All-Star games, either.

But whether it's Bonds blast, a Trevor Hoffman save or a Rolling Stones concert, Petco Park is off to a strong start in establishing itself as a haven for history.

"It has been a pretty amazing run," said Richard Andersen, general manager of Petco Park. "It has given it a neat sense of history in a hurry."

The run began on March 11, 2004, when the San Diego State baseball team -- under the direction of Tony Gwynn -- christened Petco Park with a 4-0 win over Houston in front of an NCAA single-game record crowd of 40,106.

Though Gwynn never played there, his legend was cemented into the edifice when the Padres honored the Hall of Fame inductee by unveiling a 10-foot statue of his likeness on July 21.

"I think all San Diego would agree the moniker of Mr. Padre was an accurate one," Padres executive vice president Jeff Overton said. "We believe he had a great deal to do with (Petco being built). And for that John Moores and the Padres' organization continues to be supportive of him, and rightfully so. ...It was a natural opportunity to have the college tournament there, the first sellout and for him to turn the lights on."

The trend continued with the Padres clinching a National League West title on Sept. 28, 2005, and they later hosted the St. Louis Cardinals in the divisional series. Other Padres moments downtown include the 2006 NL divisional series and Trevor Hoffman's 479th (Sept. 24, 2006) and 500th (June 6, 2007) saves. The former broke Lee Smith's all-time record.

But Petco's history isn't limited to the Padres.

From March 18-20, 2006, the facility hosted the semifinals and final of the inaugural World Baseball Classic, an event won by Japan over Cuba.

"What an event that was," Andersen said. "It was electric. ... Every pitch was the seventh game of the World Series."

Petco has also hosted a series of non-baseball events, including its first-ever concert, when the Rolling Stones came to town in November 2005.

Last February, the venue became the only one on American soil to host the USA Sevens rugby event. And it's also hosted several international soccer games.

"Unless you got all the Beatles to come back, I don't how you could outdo (the Rolling Stones)," Andersen said. "We promised that it would be more than a ballpark.

"It's been a great run." Ý

-- Contact staff writer Dan Hayes at dhayes@nctimes.com.