A quarter-century has passed since the Padres cut ties with longtime shortstop and eventual team Hall-of-Famer Garry Templeton, trading him to the Mets for another struggling infielder. Templeton was in his tenth season with the club and sixteenth overall, and adjusting poorly to a bench role after losing his starting job to the newly acquired Tony Fernandez. Through 49 team games, Templeton had appeared in 32, starting only eight - all at the unfamiliar position of third base. He was hitting a paltry .193 in 59 plate appearances, with an even more appalling .203 on base percentage and a scant .
Padres traded Garry Templeton 25 years ago today
