Address: Current Fashion Valley Location, 7007 Friars Road, San Diego, CA 92104
For a decade, Mission Valley was the birthplace of baseball in San Diego, despite the Planning Commission’s considerations about the marketing of the area.
From 1958 (the first game against the Phoenix Giants) to 1967, the San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast League played at Westgate Park, which is now the site of the Fashion Valley Mall, until San Diego Stadium (now Qualcomm) opened. .
The single-level stadium, built at a cost of $1 million, had a capacity of 8,268 people and had one clubhouse on the left infield line and the other on the right infield line. Friars Road was running along the fence of the starting box.
Possibly it would have been minor league baseball, however, the list of players is littered with some who have had notable careers.
Some of Westgate Park’s stars Don Larsen, Tony Perez, Lee May, Tommy Harper, Bob Watson, Warren Spahn, Lou Piniella, Sal Bando, John “Blue Moon” Odom, Steve Carlton, Jesus Alou, Matty Alou, Felipe Alou, Willie McCovey, Andy Messersmith, Bo Belinsky, Dave DeBusschere, Rusty Staub, Phil Niekro, Minnie Minoso, Tommy John, Luis Tiant, Sam McDowell, Jim Lonborg, Wilbur Wood, Rico Petrocelli, Bob Uecker, Tony Oliva, Gaylord Perry, Mickey Lolich, Manny Mota, Don Newcombe, Juan Marichal, Frank Howard, Maury Wills, Brooks Robinson, Larry Doby, Bob Lemon, Herb Score and Satchel Paige, 54.
UT San Diego ranked the top 50 sports venues in the county.
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