The Padres are like the trees at Balboa Park or the Coronado bridge.
Part of the scenery, but not the main attraction for many visitors not to just San Diego, but Padres games.
Does it matter if the Padres win? In the big scheme of things, not hugely.
MLB funnels the team over $100 million each year.
Cushioned by their dazzling downtown ballpark and locale, the Padres rake in big bucks from non-Padres fans who fill out the lower bowl of Petco Park.
I've gone to 40 other major league ballparks, and the San Diego experience beats them all when it comes to low-hassle, fan-friendly experience and other factors like proximity to airport and attractions, availability of tickets and weather.