Dave Winfield is new Padres Vice President

Jet, March 11, 2002

Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield recently was named the Vice President/Senior Advisor of the San Diego Padres, the team in which he started his 22-year playing career.

Winfield, who became the first Baseball Hall of Famer adorned with the cap of the Padres, takes on several responsibilities for the team, including front office and on-field business, baseball operations, marketing, the new ballpark and player development.

"The Padres have graciously welcomed me back into the family since my retirement," said Winfield, who was already a member of the team's board of directors. "Baseball is still very much in my blood, and I'm honored to be asked to increase my role."

Winfield joined the Padres in 1973 when he jumped from the University of Minnesota to the major leagues, even though he was drafted by four professional sporting leagues. He spent the first eight seasons with the club and retired in 1995. Winfield remains one of seven players to collect 3,000 hits and 400 home runs.