Father Figure: Padres Introduce Tom Garfinkel As President & COO

Tom Garfinkel Named Padres New President & COO

Padres Vice Chair & CEO Jeff Moorad yesterday at Petco Park introduced former D'Backs Exec VP & COO Tom Garfinkel as Padres President & COO, replacing Dick Freeman, who retired on March 31, according to Corey Brock of MLB.com. Garfinkel will "oversee all non-baseball operations," and he will report directly to Moorad. Garfinkel with the D'Backs was "responsible for helping to grow the revenue in the organization" 25%. Garfinkel said of joining the Padres, "In terms of the vision, I want to build a consistent, high-performing team on the field each year, balancing the long term and short term to make sure we compete year in and year out is one of the key things moving forward." Brock noted a "primary component of his success in Arizona focuses on the fan experience." Garfinkel: "When you look at the fan experience from end to end ... whether that's calling to buy tickets, buying concessions, or using the restroom at Petco Park or going through the parking lot ... we want to make sure we're paying attention to every detail. We want to try to make things better every day." Garfinkel served as Chip Ganassi Racing Exec VP prior to working in MLB, and he currently serves as co-Owner of HOF Racing with Moorad (MLB.com, 4/8).

TIME FOR A CHANGE: In San Diego, Tom Krasovic notes Padres season-ticket sales "have dropped from 20,000 to fewer than 10,000 since Petco Park opened" in '04, and Garfinkel "will try to reverse that trend." Garfinkel: "The chances of recovery are good." Garfinkel gave "no specifics about what changes he will make at Petco." Garfinkel: "It's still a very affordable entertainment option." Krasovic notes the Padres' TV deal with Channel 4 San Diego, which runs through the '11 season and pays the Padres about $10-12M annually, "ranks at or near the bottom" in MLB, and Moorad said that "'win-win' outcomes ... will be sought when he and Garfinkel negotiate new radio and TV contracts" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 4/9). Garfinkel said that he "didn't foresee any immediate changes, including moving in the right field fences at Petco Park or making any changes to the Padres' uniforms." Garfinkel instead said that he wants to "continue focusing on the fan experience" (NORTH COUNTY TIMES, 4/9).