<P> The Padres adopted their name from the Pacific Coast League team which arrived in San Diego in 1936 . That minor league franchise won the PCL title in 1937 , led by then - 18 - year - old San Diegan Ted Williams . The team 's name , Spanish for `` fathers '' , refers to the Spanish Franciscan friars who founded San Diego in 1769 . </P>
<P> The Padres adopted their name from the Pacific Coast League team which arrived in San Diego in 1936 . That minor league franchise won the PCL title in 1937 , led by then - 18 - year - old San Diegan Ted Williams . The team 's name , Spanish for `` fathers '' , refers to the Spanish Franciscan friars who founded San Diego in 1769 . </P>
when did the padres come to san diego
when did the padres come to san diego
1936
1936