Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Time to put June behind us … except for you, Wil Myers.
Myers, of course, had one of the best Junes in Padres history. The first baseman hit .327 (32-for-98) with 10 doubles, 11 home runs 25 runs scored and 33 RBIs over 26 games.
Myers' 11 home runs are a Padres record for June, breaking the mark of 10 by Greg Vaughn in 1998 while en route to his club-record 50 homer season.
Myers' 21 extra-base hits in June, tying Vaughn's franchise-record for extra-base hits in any month. Vaughn's 21 extra-base hits came in May 1998, meaning Myers holds the record for June in this category.
And Myers' 33 RBIs are also a franchise record for June and the third-highest total for any month in franchise history. Ryan Klesko had 40 RBIs in May 2001, and Ken Caminiti had 38 RBIs in August 1996.
So it is easy to say that Myers arguably had the best June in franchise history -- if not one of the best calendar months in Padres history.
But it is time to turn the page. The Padres were 13-13 in June despite an all-around offensive breakout.
The Padres hit .274 in June and averaged 5.6 runs per game. They finished fourth in the National League in batting average and tied for third in runs scored. They were tied for sixth in homers for the month (34) and were fourth in slugging percentage (.443) and OPS (.781).
But they were also 12th among the National League's 15 teams with a 5.17 ERA.
July promises to be a memorable month for San Diego, starting when the Padres open their Hall of Fame structure at Petco Park as well as open a three-game series against the Yankees -- their final three home games before the All-Star Game.
The culmination of the month, of course, is the All-Star Game and its ancillary events around Petco Park and at the Convention Center (FanFest).
The events on the field at Petco Park start with the Futures Game on July 10. That game will feature three top Padres prospects playing for Triple-A El Paso. Outfielder Hunter Renfroe will be playing for Team USA. Center fielder Manuel Margot and second baseman Carlos Asuaje will be playing for the World Team.
The Home Run Derby will cap the practice day on June 11. The All-Star Game will be played on June 12.