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Greatest Pitcher In Padres History Back With the Franchise

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Eric W. Bolin | Last updated Mar 20, 2025 6:55 PM ET

Tony Gwynn. Dave Winfield. Jake Peavy.

Those three players have the three highest individual wins-above-replacement totals in San Diego Padres franchise history. Gwynn is the face of the organization and will remain so in perpetuity. Winfield played for six franchises, but became a star in southern California and remains third in franchise history in hits, more than 2,000 behind Gwynn. Both are in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Peavy's inclusion in the top three WAR totals, though, may come as more of a surprise. The right-hander was good with the Padres, making two All-Star games in San Diego and leading Major League Baseball in strikeouts twice in an era where strikeouts were not all the rage as they are now. Throw in his Cy Young Award-winning season of 2006 when he not only led the league in punchouts, but also WHIP (1.061).

Peavy played eight years in San Diego before joining the Chicago White Sox for five seasons, the Boston Red Sox for two and the San Francisco Giants for three at the end of his career.

Now, 16 years after leaving Petco Park, Peavy is back in the fold.

The Padres Hall of Famer has been hired as a special assistant to CEO Erik Greupner. Peavy will assist multiple organization departments and serve as a team ambassador.

"I'm incredibly appreciative of this opportunity to reunite with my Padres family," Peavy said. "San Diego has always held a special place in my heart. I'm a Padre through and through -- from the moment I was drafted by the team until this very day."

Peavy won 92 games in his eight seasons with the Padres from 2002-09. He ranks third in franchise history in wins, fourth in strikeouts-per-innings and is the team's all-time leader in total strikeouts with 1,348 in a San Diego uniform.

Peavy retired from baseball in 2019 and joined MLB Network as analyst in 2022 where was still working as of the time of his re-hiring by the Padres.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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