(April 8 marks the 50th anniversary of the first major league game in Padres history. To commemorate the occasion, the Union-Tribune is producing a nine-part series on memorable debuts through the years. Today: Chapter Three ... Hey, 19)
A restless plane ride from Hawaii to San Diego was followed by a sleepless night in bed.
It’s no wonder the young outfielder arrived at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium 5 1/2 hours before the first pitch for the midseason game — July 19, 1982, to be exact — between the Phillies and Padres.
The ballpark seemed like the most logical place to burn off his nervous energy, even if virtually the only others in the Padres clubhouse at that hour were equipment manager Ray Peralta and longtime clubhouse man Whitey Wietelmann.