Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — For quite a while, people in Dodgerland, players and fans alike, denied that there was any sort of “rivalry” with the San Diego Padres. You’d hear a lot of “they’re just another team; our true rivals are the Giants” and things of that nature. And while it’s certainly true that historically Giants/Dodgers has been a richer and more heated rivalry, we need to come to grips with the fact that LA/San Diego might just be the best rivalry in baseball right now. The Giants’ nearly decade of mediocrity since their World Series run (2021 being the huge exception), and the Padres ownership’s willingness to go “all in” at the drop of a hat, have shifted the center of gravity in the NL West considerably south. So, before the Friars and Dodgers go at it this week, it’s worth a look back to how we got here.
Early History: Dodgers’ Dominance
When the Padres joined Major League Baseball in 1969, they faced stiff competition from the more established Dodgers. The Dodgers, having relocated from Brooklyn to Los Angeles a decade earlier, were already a powerhouse in the National League, consistently winning division titles and making playoff appearances throughout the 1970s and 1980s. In contrast, the Padres struggled to find their footing during these early years.
By the end of the 1970s, the Dodgers had firmly established themselves as the kings of the National League West, holding a substantial winning record against the Padres. From 1970 to 1979, the Dodgers won 105 games against San Diego, while losing only 63. This one-sidedness often pushed the Padres further down the standings, but it also set the stage for a competitive rivalry that would evolve over time. The Dodgers four World Series appearances in the 70s and early 80s showed that their dominance in the NL West was nearly complete. Meanwhile, the best the Padres could manage in their first dozen years of existence was an 81-81 finish in 1982 and 1983, good for fourth place in the division. Not much of a rivalry.
Padres’ First Punch: 1984 Pennant Race
The rivalry took a significant turn in 1984, marking the Padres’ first major breakthrough. The Dodgers’ own Steve Garvey relocated 100 miles south and took up residence on the right side of the diamond at Jack Murphy Stadium in the first little nick to the Dodgers’ sense of self in regard to the Padres. That year, San Diego captured the National League West title and advanced to the World Series after defeating the Chicago Cubs in the NL Championship Series. Although they ultimately lost to the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, the 1984 season was pivotal for the Padres, showcasing their potential to compete with the Dodgers.
During the regular season, the Padres won 11 of the 18 games they played against the Dodgers, signaling a shift in the balance of power. The Padres finished with a commendable 92-70 record, proving they were no longer just an underdog but a legitimate contender in the league.
Though a plucky Dodger team would win the World Series in the amazing 1988 season, the Padres actually ruled the decade. According to StatMuse, the Padres posted a 104-87 record against the Boys in Blue in the 1980s.
1990s: Even Playing Field
The 1990s brought a more balanced rivalry, with both teams experiencing ups and downs. The emergence of players like Tony Gwynn, who became one of baseball’s most formidable hitters, helped elevate the Padres’ competitiveness. Gwynn particularly thrived against the Dodgers, boasting a career batting average of .331 against them, with 250 hits that made life challenging for Los Angeles pitchers. In addition, San Diego started to show some signs of aggressiveness in acquiring talent from outside the organization.
In 1998, the Padres made their second World Series appearance, though they were swept by the New York Yankees. Nonetheless, they continued to assert themselves in the rivalry, winning the season series against the Dodgers that year, 8-4. This period marked a turning point where the Padres proved they could compete with their Southern California rivals. The decade ended with the two teams fighting to a 76-76 record in the 1990s. Though the Dodgers still had more prestige then their upstart neighbors to the south, parity had been achieved.
2000s: Dodgers Reclaim Control
The early 2000s saw the Dodgers regain control of the rivalry. From 2000 to 2009, they won 97 of their 173 matchups against the Padres. The Dodgers enjoyed success with standout players like Eric Gagné, who set a record with 84 consecutive saves during this time.
The 2006 season was particularly defining, as the Padres narrowly clinched the NL West with an 88-74 record, finishing just one game ahead of the Dodgers. Despite splitting their 18 games that season, the Padres’ success in head-to-head matchups kept the rivalry alive and competitive. In the 2010s, as the Guggenheim Group assumed control and established the Dodgers as the premier team in all of baseball, the talk of rivalry dissipated considerably. The Dodgers went on a string of NL West titles that left the Padres in the dust. In the years 2010-2019, the Dodgers dominated the head-to-head series, posting a record of 120-67. After a decade like that, it’s no surprise that Dodgers fans started to take their dominance over the Padres for granted.
Modern Era: Padres vs. Dodgers Heats Up
The rivalry reached new heights starting in 2020, primarily due to the Padres’ emergence as a serious contender. Both teams made the playoffs that year, facing off in the National League Division Series. The Dodgers swept the Padres in three games, but the series was marked by intense moments, including Cody Bellinger’s spectacular home run robbery of Fernando Tatis, Jr. in Game 2. Of course, that moment was followed by the famous (infamous?) Brusdar Graterol hat toss, complete with blowing kisses to an enraged Manny Machado in the opposite dugout.
In 2021, the rivalry intensified further, highlighted by memorable matchups. The teams played 19 games that season, with the Dodgers winning 12. One of the standout moments was a 16-inning marathon in September 2021, where the Dodgers triumphed 11-9 in a gripping contest that showcased the competitive spirit of both teams.
The rivalry reached a dramatic peak in 2022 when the Padres eliminated the Dodgers in the NLDS, a stunning upset despite the Dodgers’ impressive regular season record of 111-51. This defeat hit the Dodger fan base hard. Not that the team had compiled one of the greatest regular seasons of all time only to win just one game in the postseason. That was bad enough. But to lose to them? A team they finished 22 games ahead of in the standings? It was almost too much to bear. An early exit the following year at the hands of the Diamondbacks, another NL West rival, did nothing to salve the wounded psyches of Dodger fans.
Notable Storylines and Moments
Throughout their rivalry, numerous memorable storylines have emerged, reflecting the fierce competition and rich history between the two franchises. Dodgers historian Mark Langill highlighted some of them a couple of years ago in a great article in Dodger Insider. Here are a few of the key takeaways:
- Steve Garvey’s Impact: Garvey, who played for both teams, is a significant figure in the rivalry’s history. He won NL MVP honors while with the Dodgers and later helped lead the Padres to their first World Series in 1984. His walk-off home run in Game 4 of the NLCS remains one of the most iconic moments in San Diego sports history.
- Four Consecutive Home Runs: In the thrilling “4+1” game on September 18, 2006, the Dodgers made history by hitting four consecutive home runs against the Padres, a feat not seen in MLB since 1964. This game exemplified the excitement and unpredictability that defines their matchups.
- Famous Fights: The rivalry has seen its share of heated moments, including a benches-clearing brawl in 1975 and another skirmish in 2013 involving Carlos Quentin and Zack Greinke that led to significant injuries. These incidents illustrate the passion and intensity that both teams bring to the field.
- Family Ties: The rivalry also features family connections, with notable players like the Gwynns (Tony’s brother Chris and son Tony Jr. both played for the Dodgers) and the Worrells (Todd pitched for the Dodgers, Tim for the Padres) having ties to both teams. This familial aspect adds a personal dimension to the competition, as players often face off against their relatives on the field.
- International Games: The Dodgers and Padres showcased their rivalry on an international stage with games in Monterrey, Mexico, and during MLB’s first China Series in 2008. These events demonstrate the global appeal of baseball and the significance of the Dodgers-Padres matchup.
- San Diego Kids: The Dodgers may represent Los Angeles, but they have three members of the team that have strong ties to the San Diego area. Of course, manager Dave Roberts lives in San Diego in the offseason, and has strong ties to the Padres organization, the team that gave him his first chance at being on a big league coaching staff. But beyond that, both pitcher Alex Vesia and utility man Tommy Edman grew up in the San Diego area, and probably had their share of Padres swag in their closets back in the day.
2024: Another Chapter
The Dodgers-Padres rivalry has evolved dramatically over the years, with each team experiencing periods of dominance and resurgence. While the Dodgers historically held the upper hand, recent years have seen the Padres emerge as a formidable foe, revitalizing the rivalry. This season, the Padres have already won seven of the ten games played, making some fans’ confidence in the team a little wobbly. Indeed, after starting out the season being a pretty mediocre squad (50-50 over the first 100 games), the Padres have been on a heater that’s lasted nearly three months. Since that .500 start, the Padres are 40-16, crawling back into the race. As it stands before Game 1 of the series, they trail the Dodgers by just three games. And with Dylan Cease, Joe Musgrove, and Michael King on the mound, they seem to have an advantage over the starting pitching of the injury-riddled Dodgers’ rotation.
Will the Padres cause trouble for the Dodgers this week, or will the Dodgers rise up to the occasion and swat away its closest rival for the NL West crown? We shall see, in what should prove to be the series of the year at Dodger Stadium. Southern California bragging rights are at stake. We’ll see who comes out on top.
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