Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Picking the best shortstop in Padres history was easy.
Garry Templeton wins hands down.
Yes, I know that future Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith started his career with the Padres. But he was not nearly the offensive player with the Padres that he later became in St. Louis. And Khalil Greene was absolutely brilliant at times as a Padre, although his credentials lack Templeton's test of time.
Templeton, who last season was inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame, played nine-plus seasons for the Padres.