49. Dave Roberts

The history of the San Diego Padres commences with the 1968 MLB Expansion Draft, a process designed to assemble a team from the remnants of established franchises. With their 24th selection, the newly established Padres selected a young left-handed pitcher named Dave Roberts from the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Arriving in Southern California with limited major league experience, Roberts assumed the role of a supporting player for an expansion team, responsible for pitching innings for a team that was destined to remain at the lower end of the National League West standings during its formative years.

His first season in San Diego in 1969 was a quiet period of learning, with the rookie southpaw splitting time between the rotation and bullpen as he adapted to the demands of the senior circuit. By 1970, Roberts was beginning to understand how to handle major-league lineups. He became a key part of the rotation, throwing 181.1 innings in 26 starts. Although he finished with a misleading 8–14 record due to limited run support, his solid 3.81 ERA showed a quick improvement in his composure and stamina.

During the historic 1971 summer season, Roberts delivered his finest performance on the field. While pitching for the struggling Padres—a team that lost 100 games and ranked last in offense—he transformed his starts into must-see events at Jack Murphy Stadium. Although his 14–17 record reflected the team's poor offense, Roberts was outstanding, posting a remarkable 2.10 ERA and a tiny 1.109 WHIP over a career-high 269.2 innings.

That summer, his dominance was highlighted by his remarkable efficiency under pressure. Roberts pitched 15 complete games and two shutouts, providing much-needed relief for a heavily taxed bullpen every fifth day. His skill in limiting runs on a last-place expansion team drew notice from national writers, earning him a sixth-place finish in the National League Cy Young Award voting. This was the only season in his career where he received award consideration, marking the peak of the young franchise's success.

Aware that the young left-hander was at the height of his value, the Padres management chose to capitalize on his breakout performance. In December 1971, San Diego traded Roberts in a significant multi-player deal with the Houston Astros, acquiring veteran pitcher Skip Guinn and infielder Denis Menke. This move typified the early Padres strategy of transforming brief individual success into a set of roster components to strengthen the team's foundational depth.

Roberts would go on to pitch another decade in the majors, carving out a highly respectable career as a versatile arm for Houston, Detroit, and the Texas Rangers, but he never again matched the statistical wizardry of his magical 1971 peak. He left San Diego having compiled 27 wins, 335 strikeouts, and a sharp 3.05 ERA across his 547.1 innings of work.