Eileen Robinson and Alice Williams of Point Loma wore Padres shirts and cheered from seats overlooking first base.
Robinson, rocking a swag chain and showing off a T-shirt signed by Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman, displayed a smartphone video of herself earlier Thursday greeting the superstar reliever driving into Petco Park.
Fans started a wave. Concession stands made a killing. And cries of “Let’s go, Padres” rank out.
All with no Friars on the field.
Playing their Major League Baseball opener, the Padres lost to the Diamondbacks 4-2 in the bottom of the ninth.
But it was bottoms up for beer-buying fans in San Diego — 355 miles from Phoenix and the actual game.
The annual FanFest event, returning after a two-year pandemic pause, drew thousands to a free game dubbed the Road Opener Watch Party.
After flooding through the gates, many made a beeline for the popular “Garage Sale” of old Padres gear, with autographed balls going for $20 and used batting practice ones priced at $5 each.
Padres Nation pawed through bobbleheads, jerseys and framed (and unframed) photos. Hated blue Padres caps went for $2. New Padres underwear was sold.
But having the most fun were kids of all ages, playing catch with soft giveaway balls and running the bases — actually second and third base — guided by smiling Pad Squad members in short skirts.
From the grassy slope of the Park in the Park, hundreds watched Ted Leitner on a tall stage interview Padres pitching alumni Randy Johnson, Hoffman and Mark Loreta.
Here are some highlight photos of a frolicsome FanFest on a balmy April night:
