Padres and Playdates

The Padres are hanging around, but is it time to panic... or keep the faith? This week we're breaking down the current state of the Padres, the latest trade rumors, Mason Miller being San Diego's lone All-Star representative, and the nostalgic 5th inning tribute celebrating America's 250th birthday with a The Sandlot nod. Plus, we're catching up on everything happening in our lives this summer, because baseball is only part of the story.

What does it take to become one of San Diego's most recognizable news anchors while raising a family and staying true to yourself?

This week on Padres & Playdates, we're joined by Heather Lake from FOX 5 San Diego for an inspiring and hilarious conversation about chasing big dreams, building a career in television, and life as a San Diego mom.

Heather shares how she started her career at Fox 5, what it's like getting recognized at the grocery store, and why she'll always be a die-hard San Diego Padres fan. She also tells the unforgettable story of having a panic attack before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Petco Park, proving that even TV personalities get nervous.

Whether you're a Padres fan, a parent, or someone pursuing a dream of your own, this episode is packed with laughs, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes stories you won't hear anywhere else.

⚾ In this episode:
• Heather Lake's journey to FOX 5 San Diego
• Chasing your dream career
• Getting recognized around town
• Life as a San Diego mom
• Her love for the San Diego Padres
• The truth about throwing out the first pitch at Petco Park

🎙️ Padres & Playdates is the podcast where baseball, parenting, and San Diego culture come together.

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share. New episodes every week featuring Padres personalities, athletes, media members, and fellow baseball-loving parents.

#PadresAndPlaydates #HeatherLake #FOX5SanDiego #SanDiegoPadres #Padres #PetcoPark #SanDiego #BaseballPodcast #MLB #WorkingMom #WomenInMedia #FirstPitch #SportsPodcast #FriarFaithful

Episode 35: TARPS OFF! El Gringo Benjamín on Going Viral, Petco Park Injury, Mexican Culture & Padres Baseball

What does it take to go viral while staying true to yourself? This week we're joined by El Gringo Benjamín for one of our most entertaining conversations yet.

We dive into the story behind the TARPS OFF movement, how a trip to Petco Park ended with a painful injury, and what it was like suddenly becoming a viral internet personality. Benjamín also shares how his Southern upbringing led to an unexpected love for Mexican culture, Banda music, mariachi, and why embracing what you genuinely enjoy has become his brand.

Of course, we couldn't let him leave without talking Padres baseball. We break down what's working, what's not, the current state of the team, and where we think the season is headed.

If you're a Padres fan, love baseball, enjoy internet culture, or have followed El Gringo Benjamín online, this episode is for you.

⚾ Topics Covered:
• The TARPS OFF movement
• El Gringo Benjamín's viral rise
• His Petco Park injury story
• Growing up in the South
• Love for Mexican culture, Banda, and mariachi
• Padres baseball analysis
• What's working...and what's not
• Social media, authenticity, and going viral

🎙️ New episodes every week! Be sure to follow our podcast and leave us a comment letting us know your favorite moment from the episode.

The Padres invited us and our families to experience the suite life at Petco Park, and let's just say... our kids did their absolute best to test the limits of that invitation. 😂 Thankfully, the suite experience came through clutch, giving us enough space to contain the chaos while still enjoying a Padres win in style.

We also dive into Fernando Tatis Jr.'s long-awaited walk-off home run and why it felt like a moment Padres fans have been waiting weeks to see. Plus, we're giving Samad Taylor the credit he deserves after continuing to prove he belongs on this roster and can contribute in meaningful ways.

As always, we're talking Padres baseball, breaking down what's working, what's not, and why we're still keeping the faith despite the ups and downs. Is this team closer to turning a corner than people think? We discuss the offense, the recent momentum, and what we're watching moving forward.

⚾ Padres baseball
⚾ Fernando Tatis Jr. walk-off home run
⚾ Samad Taylor's impact
⚾ Petco Park suite experience
⚾ Family fun at Padres games
⚾ San Diego Padres analysis and reactions

One year. Thirty-one episodes. Countless hot takes, questionable decisions, emotional support group chats, and somehow we're still here.

This week we're celebrating the one-year anniversary of Padres & Playdates by looking back at our favorite moments from the past year, the wild ride this podcast has taken us on, and why we're somehow still optimistic even while the Padres continue to absolutely shit the bed.

We also discuss the strange reality that Fernando Tatis Jr. somehow has the best batting average on the team even though it feels like he's been slumping for a month, what's gone wrong with the offense, and why we're refusing to panic... at least for now.

Thanks for hanging out with us for 365 days of chaos. We wouldn't want to suffer through Padres baseball with anyone else. 💛🤎

Episode 32: AN EPIC SLUMP AND A TRAUMA DUMP!! 🤪⚾️

The Padres are officially in their flop era and we're breaking down exactly how we got here. We talk about the epic slump, what's really going wrong, whether there's any reason for optimism, and why we're not quite ready to hit the panic button (yet).

Plus, a little trauma dumping, summer plans, taking the kids to a suite at Petco Park this Monday, and the usual chaos you've come to expect from us.

If you're frustrated, confused, mildly delusional, and still somehow convinced this team can turn it around, this episode is for you.

🎧 Available now!

This week we’re celebrating Anais’ birthday while the Padres continue to make absolutely no sense in the best way possible. We break down the last four series, Gavin Sheets’ INSANE 3-run homer in the top of the 9th with two outs, why Andujar might be the most underrated player on this team right now, and ask the question every Padres fan is currently screaming into the void: WTF is going on with Tatis?!

We also get into how the Padres are somehow leading the NL West despite some of the worst hitting numbers in baseball and several star players not performing like themselves. Plus, a chaotic round of Would You Rather and a look ahead at our busy week featuring a Padres vs. Dodgers game at Petco with Bubbles & Fishing Poles 👀

Basically: vibes are high, logic is low, and somehow the Padres keep winning.

The Padres took over CDMX and honestly… so did we. This week we’re breaking down our Mexico City series experience, why it somehow felt exactly like being at Petco Park, and why this trip has officially become our entire personality. From the insane atmosphere to Padres fans absolutely SHOWING UP, we’re recapping all the chaos, fun, and core memories made south of the border.

We also discuss the shocking amount of Dodgers fans in attendance… supporting the Padres, obviously. 💅

Plus:

• Xander Bogaerts quietly becoming ON FIRE
• Luis Campusano proving people wrong
• The vibes of this team right now
• That brutal umpire call that ended Mason Miller’s scoreless streak and sent baseball fans into a spiral

Basically: Padres baseball, friendship, serotonin, and Mexico City supremacy.

This week we’re riding HIGH after an electric sweep and an unstoppable winning streak! We break down Bogey’s unforgettable walk-off grand slam and relive the absolute chaos of our insane 6–2 comeback in the bottom of the 9th. Seriously… does it get better than that?!

We’re giving major love to our announcers (because they’ve been on fire lately), and we’re officially declaring Merrill our MVP after what might be the best game of his career.

Off the field, things get just as fun—Anais’s kids are out here proving they know more baseball than most of our friends, and we start to seriously question if the Dodgers are building players in a lab somewhere… because HOW?!

Also, important discussion: we need to see Freddy Freeman’s baby pictures immediately.

Come for the recap, stay for the chaos—this episode is a fun one!

Opening week chaos, we’re so back.

In this episode, we recap everything from Opening Day week, including being on the news (twice 👀), Tony Gwynn Jr.’s event at Bub's, and our full Opening Day experience, the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

We break down the first week of Padres baseball, officially crown Mason Miller as our MVP (yes, we said it), and get into who we’re feeling good about vs. who’s already stressing us out going into the season.

It’s early, emotions are high, and we have thoughts. Lots of them.

🎧 Tune in for baseball, chaos, and the realest takes you’ll hear this week.