Goin' Home

“Hey it’s good to be back home again…”- John Denver

Ok I have to admit, I woke up this morning with a lump in my throat. I couldn’t figure out why at first, my initial thoughts were of excitement of taking my family to the second-to-last Padres home game of the year. Then I realized it was the yearly-dreaded end of the season. Man, I recall that feeling I’d get at the Murph when the grounds crew would start hacking up the pitcher’s mound after the last out of a homestand. Chargers season always (sometimes?!) brought excitement but also some sadness in knowing that I would be hanging up my jersey for six months. (I say sometimes because during the last years of the Padres and Chargers sharing a Mission Valley home, we experienced one of the worst stretches for both teams. At least we had excitement from Trevor Hoffman, Phil Nevin, Eric Owens and of course saying Farewell to Tony but in spite of some pretty bad Padre records, we were lucky to not have Ryan Leaf and a 1 win season. In baseball terms, the Chargers 2000 was a 10-152 season. Yikes!)

Annnyyways, the emotion I carried through the day was much like it had been through the 13 years I spent roaming the Stadium and Ballpark; a little gloomy due to it all ending but even more determined to enjoy every moment of it. And enjoy it I did. During the game I was having a conversation with one of the remaining Pad Squad members from my years and I spoke of how I kind of felt guilty for being a little gloomy; she and the rest of them have been out there every day, working hard to enhance the Fan Experience and their season was coming to an end. I guess that comes from knowing exactly how they feel in late September.

All in all, the best part of the evening was sharing the experience with my wife and our children. I don’t recall much knowledge of baseball in any form until I was about 6 years old, but my kids will be able to honestly say that they grew up around the game. Both Trevor and Layla were 4 months old when they attended their first game (Openers in 2006 and in 2013) and Jojo was all of three weeks old. Which incidentally was Trevor Hoffman’s final game as a Padre.

I find it interesting that it seems as if the further I get from my final game, the more I tend to miss it. Strangely, 2011 was my first season as a regular fan but also my easiest. In a silly and maybe even a self-serving way; I consider 2011 as something of a “Victory Tour”; as my life had only months before been at its lowest state ever and by the time the season started, I was truly happy to just be alive. All the great feeling through that year was merely a bonus. Funny thing is, I don’t miss the part of the job I loved the most. I don’t miss it because it still occurs every time my family and I Play Downtown. Talking with fans, making lifelong friendships and seeing the looks in their eyes when they see how the kids are growing; that’s what I loved best about it. It’s a good thing that there’s so much going on, or else the memories would overwhelm me. Hell, even during my last years when I would get to the Ballpark around 4pm I would go sit in the upper deck to reflect on the past. Memories flooded in and it would be a hundred times stronger these days.

I used to say that it took a month to say hello to everyone at the beginning of a season. There are just so many great people to say hello to, it was impossible to get it all done in one day. Tonight we got as close as possible to pulling it off though. I thought much of those who are no longer with us, like Mark Gomez; the long time GSR who used to work Section 108 and was one of the kindest, most genuine persons I ever had the pleasure of knowing. Also Ken, who was better known as “Pinhead” due to his 1980’s-era floppy hat that was covered in pins, including one of those awesome “Goose Saved the Game!” pins from 1984. Of course, there are still plenty of fans out there who’ve been coming out since the brown and yellow days; like my good buddy Keith up in 301, who regales me with stories of Spring Training in Yuma as if they happened just yesterday. And who could forget Harry the Heckler?! I know there are some fans that are not fans of his but even more than a fan; he’s one of many lifelong friends I’ve made. Remind me some day to tell you the story of a late night after McGregors at the trolley station.

And no Armando, it has nothing to do with building a campfire under the tracks!

Yes, it was a wonderful, heartfelt night; although the highlight reel may say otherwise. If every fan there had even half as much fun as I did, then it was more than worth it. For those who remember, I did the old “hat swap” trick with Luigi and Ismael. When I put Ismael’s hat on Luigi, it looked like a grown-up wearing one of those little ice cream helmets! After, I tried to get Ismael to renew the “Rally Wedgie”, to no avail. Maybe that’s a good thing; since watching Luigi get a wedgie probably isn’t high on the list of wholesome family entertainment. So if you’re looking for a scapegoat in tonight’s loss, blame Ish. A wedgie would’ve won the game, I’m sure of it!

Another great thing that happened (or didn’t happen) was that I was able to dodge Marguerite not once but TWICE. For those in the know, she at one time had become a little overbearing and very unprofessional at times with Pad Squad members and these days, it’s a running joke. I even have long-time season ticket holders assisting my escapes!

Last but certainly not least, the only thing missing other than a “W” was the tailgate. More than once, Jojo asked why we weren’t tailgating and I told him that the folks we tailgate with weren’t there. Of course, he asked “why” to that as well. For those who weren’t lucky enough to tailgate with me back when, my friends Cub and his wife Kathy are two of the most hospitable, fun loving folks around. Cub is the Ted Williams of Tailgating; there might be better ones out there, but I sure as hell ain’t seen one!

One of the things I heard the most tonight was “I haven’t seen you all season!” And they’re right. I don’t get out there nearly as much as I’d like to. But that makes each visit that much more special. We’ve made it to only three games this year, and I used to make twice as many trips to right field per game.

Would I like to attend more games? Of course I would. But duty calls and as much as I loved the Pad Squad and was loved in return by 40,000 people, it pales in comparison to life these days. While my job keeps me away from home five nights a week, I am not alone when I get home and those of you who have followed, assisted and encouraged me in the days since my last game know that the final months of 2010 were the loneliest times of my life. And to be honest, I never in those days could have imagined where my life would be today. Yes, I’ll always have a place in my heart for the Pad Squad Experience. I am humbled every time I have a conversation at the Ballpark; people consistently remind me of the impact the Pad Squad made on their game experience. But for all the verbal thanks and accolades, what I strive to be most remembered for is having been a great husband and father. Friendships I’ve made at Petco Park have greatly assisted me in that quest.

And best of all, when I take my family out there it’s like we never left.

I call that the Best of Both Worlds.

See you next season!

Rudy