(April 8 marks the 50th anniversary of the first major league game in Padres history. To commemorate the occasion, the Union-Tribune is producing a nine-part series on memorable debuts through the years. Today: Chapter Eight ... Going downtown)
They got almost everything right with Petco Park.
The downtown location provides excellent views of the San Diego skyline, the Coronado Bridge and San Diego Bay and was the catalyst for redevelopment in the East Village and beyond.
The design smartly incorporates the historic Western Metal Supply Co. building, with its leading edge serving as the left-field foul pole and its balconies as home run depositories.