A TO Z: Q is for...

 

Quilvio Veras, who scored the first run in Safeco Field history.

Since I never snapped a photo of the Dominican native during his playing or coaching career, it seemed right for the ballpark where he made history to serve as his "stand in."

On July 15th, 1999, the Padres 2nd baseman singled off Jamie Moyer to lead off the top of the 3rd inning.  After Eric Owens sacrificed him to center, Phil Nevin broke the scoreless tie with an RBI grounder to the hole to put San Diego on top.  Veras later added another single and, in the top of the 9th with the Padres down a run, ended his productive day with a bases loaded walk that tied the game.  Owens followed with a sacrifice fly for the go-ahead run in what became a 3-2 San Diego victory.

Quilvio Veras, who broke in with the Marlins, played seven big league seasons. He led the NL with 56 stolen bases in 1995, while finishing third for Rookie of the Year.  Four years later with the Padres, he saw his only post-season action, as San Diego won the NL pennant, before being swept by the Yankees in the World Series.


Ironically, I have been to Safeco (now T-Mobile Park), but have yet to see a game there.  On my one and only visit to Seattle in 2009, the Mariners were on the road -- so I settled for the next best thing, a guided tour of this retractable roofed gem.

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