Sports News Southwest

Friday's 7:05 p.m. Padres-Giants game is 1990s Retro Night, presented by California Grown. The Padres will wear their 1997 blue pinstripe uniforms in a nod to Tony Gwynn, a 2007 National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee. Gwynn won his eighth and final batting title in 1997.

California Grown spokesperson Shaun White will deliver a Ceremonial First Pitch Friday. The San Diego native and Carlsbad resident is the 2006 Olympic Snowboard gold medalist in the halfpipe. White is the only athlete to win gold medals in both the Winter and Summer X Games, competing in both snowboard and skateboarding competitions.

Following Friday's game, throwback band Liquid Blue will perform a post-game concert at the Park at the Park.

Saturday's 7:05 p.m. San Diego-San Francisco tilt includes Padres Caps for all fans, thanks to San Diego County Credit Union.

Sunday's 1:05 p.m. series finale features Padres T-Shirts for Kids (14 and younger), compliments of Cricket Wireless.

On Sunday, the Padres will recognize Mexican Independence Day with a pre-game ceremony and Latino-themed entertainment throughout the ballpark. Kids from Tijuana's Liga Guycura will take infield practice and join the Padres for the presentation of the National Anthem. The team will play at the newest Little Padres Park in Tijuana, set for completion this fall.

Monday's 7:05 p.m. Padres-Pirates game will include a pre-game ceremony recognizing San Diego's "Fleet Week" festivities. Bank of America, the Official Bank of Major League Baseball, is partnering with the Padres to host 3,000 local military at the game. The military personnel, many of whom just returned from Iraq, will meet Padres players during batting practice.

Tuesday's game will feature a birthday party for PETCO Animal Supplies. PETCO is celebrating its 42nd year and its mascots, Red Ruff and Blue Mews, will host the celebration. More than 150 San Diego youngsters won entries in a coloring contest earning them an invite to the party and game tickets. Red Ruff and Blue Mews - a red dog and a blue cat - attend each Padres home game and are featured prominently in PETCO's signature logo.

Wednesday's San Diego-Pittsburgh game is also a 7:05 p.m. start, while Thursday's matchup between the same two teams marks the final 12:35 p.m. weekday matinee this season.

The game is also the final 2-for-1 Day at PETCO Park. Fans can get two tickets for the price of one in the Upper Reserved and Toyota Terrace Reserved sections and enjoy two hot dogs for the price of one.

Padres pitcher Jake Peavy will receive the Padres 2007 Roberto Clemente Award before Thursday's game. The right-hander is among team leaders in community outreach, backing several philanthropies including TEAM FOCUS, Rady Children's Hospital and the Padres Scholars. Peavy hosted 3,000 youth from San Diego's STAR/PAL to games this season.

The Rockies then come to PETCO Park for three games to wrap-up the Padres home schedule. All fans in attendance at Friday's 7:05 p.m. game will receive a Padres Team Photo Calendar, courtesy of AMPM.

Saturday's 7:05 p.m. game will be followed by Family Fireworks, presented by Diversified Holdings.

Sunday's regular-season home finale is a 1:05 p.m. start. All kids 14 and younger will take home a Padres Lunch Box, thanks to Submarina.

After the game, more than 40 lucky winners will be brought down onto the field and receive a Padres player or coach's jersey in the annual Shirts Off Their Backs Fundraiser, presented by Sycuan Resort & Casino.

Shirts Off Their Backs
During each game of the homestand, volunteers will be selling scratcher tickets for the eighth annual Shirts Off Their Backs Fundraiser (while supplies last). Winners will receive a game-worn jersey from a Padres player or coach immediately following the Sunday, Sept. 23 game.

Through major initiatives and community-wide support, the Padres Foundation encourages San Diego's youth to LIVE healthier lives, continue to LEARN and pursue a higher education and PLAY - baseball, softball or any other type of physical activity.

Tag it:

?