Today, we are featuring an autographed card of former San Diego Padre 2B Mark Loretta. This particular card is from the 2005 Donruss Signature Series set.   The previous season (2004), Mark was the Padres’ lone representative in the All-Star Classic.

Unless something strange happens between now and July, expect to see only one Padre represented in this year’s All-Star game. A combination of injuries, a losing record, and a lack of star power will do that.  My odds on choice is 1B Yonder Alonso (it helps that Ryan Howard is hurt and Prince Fielder/Albert Pujols are playing in the AL).

Back in 2004, there was a lot of optimism for the Padres heading into the season.  The team had new uniforms and were heading into a new, downtown stadium.  Unfortunately, most of the Padres hitters hitters couldn’t figure out the new ballpark.  Everyone except for 2B Mark Loretta.

Here was his line for 2004: .335 (3rd best in the NL), 47 doubles, 16 HR’s, 76 RBI, 108 runs, and 208 hits.  Only Padre other than Tony Gwynn with 200 hits in a season.  I have to search the googles, but I believe that Loretta is the only player with a career .300 average at Petco Park.

After being the Padres’ MVP in 2003 and 2004, he was traded to Boston in 2006 for Doug Mirabelli (Most Padres fans would agree, Mirabelli was one of the most unpopular players in team history.  For those of you who have no idea why, here it is).  Loretta is currently a special assistant with the Padres.