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Matt Blades

My Connection With San Diego


The San Diego Padres after winning the 2022 National League Division Series


It was October 15, 2022. The San Diego Padres were down 3-0 in the seventh inning of game 4 of the National League Division Series against their division rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Padres were seen as massive underdogs in this series, and time seemed to be running out on their season. However, in the bottom of the seventh, hope began to emerge, as the Padres answered back by tying the game at 3 runs each. With 2 strikes and 2 outs, Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth hit a single into center field, scoring two runs. Two more innings of scoreless pitching later, the San Diego Padres had beat the Dodgers and moved on to the National League Championship Series. The atmosphere of Petco Park was electric, and the entire city was in celebration. Even though I was at my house 60 miles away watching on the TV, I still felt more connected to the city of San Diego than I ever had before.


I grew up in a suburb outside of San Diego for my entire life. I have been to the city countless times, whether it be to have fun with my friends, visit my family, or to just explore. The city is a special place for me; one that brings back so many memories from my childhood. Visiting the zoo with my family, walking around the Gaslamp Quarter, or even recent memories like when my friends and I watched the sunset atop the bluffs in La Jolla. San Diego is a city I keep coming back to time and time again, even as I’ve grown and visited cities across the globe. Whenever I return, I instantly feel at home, something I’ve never felt in any other city.​​ This connection is important to me and always keeps me engaged with the city and its culture.


La Jolla at sunset


One thing that is unique about San Diego is its connection to Mexico. The city is located directly on the border, and is home to a large Hispanic population. The city is defined by a combination of American and Mexican cultures, which influences everything from the food to the clothing. You can often hear both English and Spanish being spoken while walking downtown. As someone with Hispanic heritage, I find myself being able to connect with and feel represented by this mix of cultures. It has allowed me to feel connected with my heritage and identify with the culture of the city.


While all of these connections have been present throughout my life, I feel like I never truly appreciated the city until I moved away. When I left, I initially thought that the city I lived in did not matter as much as the opportunities there. However, I found myself missing something that I couldn’t find in this new city. I couldn’t truly find a connection like I did with the city of San Diego. While part of this was the weather and the beaches, I missed the culture and vibrance of the city, the atmosphere of the streets, and the family that I left behind. I realized the importance that my connection with San Diego had on me as a person.


Gaslamp Quarter


In an increasingly divided world, it is nice having a connection with everyone in a city. With more people spreading their own opinions than ever, having something that brings an entire city together is special. Being the only professional sports team left in the city, the San Diego Padres is something that everyone in the city can rally behind. On big game days, the entire city can come together to cheer on the team as divisions fade into the background. The city truly has a special connection with its team. Let’s go Padres.


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