The Padres on Monday will roll out their official product for the 2016 season. The start of FanFest ahead of Friday’s exhibition against the Chicago White Sox, then, served as a soft-opening preview of both the lineup and a new-look Petco Park as the organization prepares to host its first All-Star Game since moving downtown.
Plenty is different on both fronts, too, from a roster sans Justin Upton, Ian Kennedy and Jedd Gyorko to new LED stadium lighting to the sun-splashed décor and historical touches added throughout the 12-year-old ballpark. While the most notable addition – the Padres Hall of Fame – won’t open until July 1, the Midsummer Classic-themed makeover certainly held Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s interest as the city and Chargers push through efforts to keep the NFL in town, possibly downtown.