SAN DIEGO — The energy at Petco Park on Thursday afternoon was unlike any Opening Day in San Diego Padres history. Fresh off an electrifying 2022 postseason run that carried them to within two wins of the World Series, the Padres opened the 2023 campaign against the Colorado Rockies in front of a sellout crowd who believe — truly, deeply believe — that this could finally be the year.
The offseason additions of shortstop Xander Bogaerts, signed to an 11-year, $280 million contract, have transformed an already talented roster into one of the deepest lineups in baseball. Bogaerts joins a core that includes Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and a pitching staff anchored by Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove. On paper, the Padres are built to compete for a championship.
Bogaerts told the crowd during pregame ceremonies that he came to San Diego to win a World Series, drawing a thunderous ovation. He praised the energy in the city, the fans, and the roster, saying everything is aligned. Now, he said, they just have to go out and do it.
North County Shows Up
For Padres fans throughout North County, Opening Day is an annual pilgrimage south on I-5 that takes on special significance in a year of heightened expectations. The Coaster from Encinitas and Solana Beach was packed with fans in brown and gold by 10 AM, many carrying homemade signs and wearing jerseys of their favorite players. Tailgate parties in the lots surrounding Petco Park started hours before first pitch.
Lifelong Padres fans from Encinitas, many wearing vintage 1998 World Series gear, said that last October changed everything. For twenty years they had been hoping and dreaming, but after last year's postseason run, they saw what the team can do. With Bogaerts and a full season of Soto, many genuinely believed this could finally be the year.
The Padres won the opener 6-1 behind a strong start from Darvish and a Soto home run that landed deep in the Western Metal Supply Co. building seats, sending the crowd into a frenzy that echoed through the East Village long after the final out. For a franchise and a city that has waited decades for a championship, the 2023 season was off to a dream start.