José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones are officially stepping up to the plate as the San Diego Padres’ new owners, and they wasted no time laying down a serious marker at their Petco Park introduction this week. These two have technically been in charge since Friday, but their public debut with the San Diego media and fans was where things got real, revealing a clear vision for the club and the city.
“Stewardship” is the New Battle Cry in San Diego
Padres CEO Erik Greupner brought out the married couple and business partners, with broadcaster Don Orsillo emceeing the whole deal. What came through loud and clear on the livestream was a united front, totally locked in on winning and becoming a core part of both the organization and San Diego itself. They’re starting out wanting to “listen and learn,” which, hey, good move right? But it’s not just about learning. They’re all about snagging a championship, and get this, they’re also super passionate about community and philanthropy. The word “stewardship” kept coming up in their remarks, like they see themselves as guardians of the team, accountable directly to the fans going forward.
Feliciano kicked things off, stating they plan to be “stewards of Peter’s legacy,” shouting out former owner Peter Seidler. He dropped a line every fan wants to hear, telling everyone, “We are nothing without the fans.” You gotta love that. It’s a direct shot to the heart of what this game is all about.
From “All In” to “We Gonna Win!”,The Padres Just Got a Jolt
Then Kwanza Jones jumped in with so much energy you’d think she was about to bounce right out of her chair! Her joy at finally saying “we” as part of the Padres family was infectious. And yeah, they both stressed how much they view this ownership as part of their own family, making it clear they’re now part of the Padres family too. Jones didn’t pull any punches, declaring, “We are all in.” What really makes you lean in, though, is how she followed that up. After saying they couldn’t promise to win it all, she immediately leaned back in with an emphatic, “We gonna win!” that even got a grin from Feliciano right beside her. Talk about a statement!
Feliciano echoed that competitive fire, talking about their joint desire to “Dream big , do the impossible,” a phrase that definitely harks back to Seidler. They recognized the unique vibe of the Padres, with Feliciano saying it was the “right bid, right place, right time.” Plus, they’re serious about reaching out to San Diego’s diverse communities,Baja, the Sycuan Nation, Hispanic, Asian, and African American groups. Jones, a former Division I athlete at Princeton, and Feliciano, who brought up the Padres being underestimated in the past, both emphasized their competitive drive. “We want to win,” Feliciano declared. They’re also planning to throw their philanthropic skills into the Padres Foundation. These new owners aren’t merely talking a good game, they’re laying down a whole new blueprint for San Diego. The question now is if they can truly “Dream big , do the impossible” for the Padres.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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