San Diego Padres Chairman Peter Seidler speaks at a news conference to announce finalizing a contract with Xander Bogaerts, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, in San Diego.Photo:AP Photo/Denis Poroy
AP Photo/Denis Poroy
San Diego Padres owner and chairman Peter Seidler has died. He was 63.
The Padres announced his death in amedia releaseon Tuesday, The news comes after Seidler, a two-time survivor ofnon-Hodgkins lymphoma, shared in a statement in September that he had undergone “a medical procedure” the month prior and was “on the road to recovery.”
“Although I can’t be with you at the ballpark for our remaining games this season, I am watching them all, and I look forward to making some noise together again in 2024 and celebrating the 20th anniversary of our beautiful ballpark,” his statement added.
According to theSan Diego Union-Tribune,Seidler “had been battling an illness for months,” and his family requested for his cause of death to remain private.
Seidler purchased the Padres in 2012 andbecame chairman in November 2020after his business partner Ron Fowler stepped down from the role.
TheSeidler Equity Partners co-founder’s passion for the sport began at a young age. He was the grandson of previous longtime Dodgers owner andNational Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum executiveWalter O’Malley.
Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement shared on the release that Seidler “grew up in a baseball family” and that his love for baseball was “evident throughout his life.”
San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler speaks during an induction of the Padres Hall of Fame before a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Friday, July 28, 2023, in San Diego.AP Photo/Gregory Bull
AP Photo/Gregory Bull
“He was passionate about owning the Padres and bringing the fans of San Diego a team in which they could always take pride. Peter made sure the Padres were part of community solutions in San Diego, particularly with the homeless community. He was an enthusiastic supporter of using the Padres and Major League Baseball to bring people together and help others,” his statement added.
Padres CEO Erik Greupner shared in his own statement on the release that “Peter was a kind and generous man who was devoted to his wife, children, and extended family. He also consistently exhibited heartfelt compassion for others, especially those less fortunate. His impact on the city of San Diego and the baseball world will be felt for generations.”
According to Seidler’sbiography on the Padres' website, he formed the “Tuesday Group” that met weekly to figure out ways to “help the most vulnerable segments of the homeless population” in San Diego. Alongside his wife Sheel, he supported multiple charities including theJuvenile Diabetes Research Foundationand theAmerican Cancer Society.
Under Seidler’s ownership, the Padres' payroll grew to $250 million this year as he sought to finally bring the franchise its first World Series championship.
“We expect to be good year after year,” Seidlertold reporters in December. “As an owner who will be in this game as long as I’m allowed to, we look at a very long-term perspective.”
Members of the Padres also took time to share their memories with Seidler. Pitcher Yu Darvish shared onInstagramthat “his heart hurts with the unfortunate news of Peter Seidler’s passing.”
“I’m sure everyone that knew him would agree with me when I say Peter was a truly wonderful human being, and being in his presence was always a blessing. He was a teacher of life, and taught me countless lessons form the all the interactions we had,” his statement added.
source: people.com
