(Associated Press) The group, headed by then-Padres chief executive Jeff Moorad, attempted to buy the Padres from controlling owner John Moores for $530 million, but the deal fell through in April 2012. And he's certain the Padres can handle the three nine-figure contracts they've doled out in the past four years. You just had the Rockies trade a generational talent and basically mock the fanbase in the press conference, it's a joke. Ray Kroc, owner of the San Diego Padres, stands next to his ivy curtain covering the center field fence at San Diego Stadium on April 12, 1979. THE SAN DIEGO PADRES! And he’s certain the Padres can handle the three nine-figure contracts they’ve doled out in the last four years. He doesn't think San Diego is a small market but rather views it for what it is: the eighth-largest city in the United States. He is a principal and board member of Columbia Distributing in Oregon and Washington. Six San Diego pitchers followed Arlin and stopped the bleeding for a time, allowing only one more run through the seventh, but the Padres had only mustered two … SAN DIEGO — Padres majority owner Peter Seidler couldn’t make it any clearer. He doesn’t think San Diego is a small market, but rather views it for what it is, the eighth-largest city in the United States. Comment: Werner, a Hollywood TV producer, put together a 15-member ownership group, including 11 San Diegans, to buy the Padres. Tonight, April 9, was the first home game under the Padres’ new owner, Ray Kroc. (Associated Press) SAN DIEGO -- San Diego Padres majority owner Peter Seidler couldn't make it any clearer. 2:00pm: Ron Fowler has stepped down as executive chairman of the Padres and sold a majority stake of the team to general partner Peter Seidler, Kevin Acee of the San Diego … After all, there was reason for optimism. If an owner wants to spend money, they'll spend money, thats just a fact. An old friend of team co-owner Larry Lucchino, Emmett, 71, whose home base is a Central Park South apartment in Manhattan and who reportedly serves on the Padres … San Diego Padres. Still, the opening night crowd of 39,083 at San Diego Stadium was primed and ready to cheer on their Padres, as they faced the visiting Houston Astros. Ray Kroc, owner of the San Diego Padres, stands next to his ivy curtain covering the center field fence at San Diego Stadium on April 12, 1979. Ron Fowler is the Vice Chairman and co-owner of the San Diego Padres and the Chairman and CEO of Liquid Investments, Inc. But that's besides the point. Fowler was a member of a minority group that owned 49.32 percent of the Padres. It's all an act with these guys crying poor. After the Padres posted winning records in …