San Diego Padres chairman and owner Peter Seidler passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at the age of 63.
The team confirmed the news on Twitter.
With profound sadness, the Padres announce that their Chairman and Owner Peter Seidler passed away today in San Diego. He will be dearly missed.
Please see the attached press release for further detail: https://t.co/aCzmP690G9 pic.twitter.com/hWOxwRbLFq
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) November 14, 2023
While the Padres did not disclose a cause of death, Seidler survived two bouts of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In September, he announced that he had undergone an undisclosed medical procedure that would prevent him from attending any further games during the 2023 MLB season.
“The Padres organization mourns the passing of our beloved Chairman and owner, Peter Seidler,” Padres CEO Erik Greupner said in a statement. “Today, our love and prayers encircle Peter’s family as they grieve the loss of an extraordinary husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. Peter was a kind and generous man who was devoted to his wife, children, and extended family. He also consistently exhibited heartfelt compassion for others, especially those less fortunate. His impact on the city of San Diego and the baseball world will be felt for generations. His generous spirit is now firmly embedded in the fabric of the Padres. Although he was our Chairman and owner, Peter was at his core a Padres fan. He will be dearly missed.”
In 2012, Seidler formed a group with his uncle and American businessman Ron Fowler, to purchase the Padres. Just three years ago, the MLB approved the transfer of the role of chairman from Fowler to Seidler, who purchased part of Fowler’s stake in the team to become the largest stakeholder. He backed that up with financial commitments in the hundreds of millions.
Fans and others around the league shared their condolences on Seidler’s death.
My heart hurts with the unfortunate news of Peter Seidler’s passing. I’m sure everyone that knew him would agree with me when I say Peter was a truly wonderful human being, and being in his presence was always a blessing.
He was a teacher of life, and taught me countless…
— ダルビッシュ有(Yu Darvish) (@faridyu) November 14, 2023
This man poured his heart and his $ into bringing a winner to town. Much respect. https://t.co/ki4cIcJUPM
— Chris Rose (@ChrisRose) November 14, 2023
One of the best owners ever https://t.co/LmXkRzHtkn
— Heath Bell (@HeathBell21) November 14, 2023
Heartbreaking news. My thoughts and prayers are with the Seidler family and Padres organization.
An incredibly kind man who meant so much to the city of San Diego, baseball in this region, and beyond. https://t.co/nH65FP27mJ
— Sammy Levitt (@SammyLev) November 14, 2023
Peter was as genuine a human being as you could possibly get. He cared for everyone he met and will be dearly missed here in San Diego and across the baseball world.
Thank you for everything, Mr. Seidler. 🙏🏻 https://t.co/YLXUN821ZP
— Alex Miniak 🎙 (@AlexMiniakPA) November 14, 2023
This is awful. Seidler did everything he could to make San Diego a winner, and his passing makes baseball worse as a result.
RIP Peter. https://t.co/FO9m5GSgZQ
— Schlasser (@UrinatingTree) November 14, 2023
RIP to the greatest owner the Padres will ever have. He brought so much joy to what was a listless franchise, and reinvigorated the city at a sorely needed moment. My condolences to Peter's family and friends, and to all Padres fans. https://t.co/wi3ZxiOYAy
— Change the Padres (@ChangeThePadres) November 14, 2023
RIP to Peter Seidler
No owner in baseball was a greater cheerleader for his city and his team.
He may have spent above his team's means. But he refused to accept the popular notion that San Diego was just another small market that couldn't compete.
It's hard not to admire that https://t.co/k1bzGOtUmB
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) November 14, 2023
RIP. Peter Seidler loved his team, loved his city. He was always upbeat and wanted nothing more than to bring a World Series title to San Diego. https://t.co/EhoeP4aQl7
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 14, 2023
Just an absolute gut-punch to the city. https://t.co/b4W0Thr9Mb
— Ryan Phillips (@RumorsandRants) November 14, 2023
Heartbreaking. No one wanted to win for San Diego more that Seidler. And his contributions stretched well beyond baseball. https://t.co/aaqw4c7nJs
— Bryce Miller (@Bryce_A_Miller) November 14, 2023
Just awful news. The Peter I knew was a kind and empathetic man. https://t.co/rXnSmPRudP
— Ben Higgins (@BenHigginsSD) November 14, 2023
Seidler is survived by his wife, Sheel, and their three children.
