Last weekend, my dad and I took one of his long time friends Dan Egan to Spring Training watch the San Diego Padres in Peoria Arizona. Spring training is one of my favorite things to go to because of the amount of memories I’ve created hanging out with the players at their facility.

Right before covid, my uncle and cousin were able to join my dad and I at spring training and we had an absolute blast. During our trip, I was able to show my cousin Jaxx around the complex and we were able to meet Fernando Tatis JR and Manny Machado in the batting cages. One of my favorite memories from the trip was hanging out with Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman who was someone I looked up to growing up.

Throughout my trip this weekend, one of my highlights was watching Machado along with Tatis JR and Juan Soto during batting practice on the field. While walking around the facility, I was amazed seeing all the players up close and loved talking to the fans about what their expectations were about the season.

After we left the practice facility, the Padres played against the Milwaukee Brewers and the environment was electric throughout the stadium. Brent Honeywell, who pitches for the Padres, struggled pitching through the third inning giving up five runs to the Brewers including an RBI single to Brice Turang in the second inning. In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Padres bats came alive scoring two runs including a solo home run by Machado that made the crowd go wild. After the fourth inning, the Padres continued racking up hits against the Brewers including an solo home run to Jake Crownenworth taking the lead 7-6. During the ninth inning, the Padres bullpen did an phenomenal job not allowing any runs to the Brewers winning the game 11-6.

On Sunday, My dad, Dan, and I went to watch the Padres versus the Chicago Cubs in Mesa Arizona. Before the game, I was really excited to check out the Cubs facility because it was a stadium I’ve never seen before. Once we got to the stadium, there was live band playing music entertaining the fans outside the main entrance which was super fun being around everyone while getting pumped up for the game. When the park opened, we walked around the stadium and were impressed with the amount of food selections there were along with the view from the outfield grass area. During the game, Julio Teherán, who pitches for the Padres, pitched through the fourth inning allowing two hits including a triple to Nico Horner in the third inning. The Padres battled against the cubs scoring two runs including an RBI single to Brandon Dixon. In the bottom of the ninth, the Padres bullpen struggled allowing two hits including a walk off home run to Nelson Velazquez .

Despite loosing on Sunday, the Padres have been doing great during spring training with a 10-12 record. Personally, I’m really excited to see well the team does this year along with our new additions including Xander Bogaerts. looking into this week, the Padres will be playing there last few games against the Colorado rockies, the Cincinnati Reds, and the Kansas City Royals.