Ah, the rivalry between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers. It’s a tale as old as time—or as old as 1969, when the Padres first graced the MLB with their presence. This “rivalry” (and I use that term very loosely) is one for the books—or maybe more like the footnotes—of Major League Baseball. Sure, the Padres and Dodgers play in the same division, face off a bunch of times every year, and have fans who love to hate each other. But here’s the thing: the rivalry is about as balanced as a see-saw with an elephant on one side and a Chihuahua on the other. Spoiler alert: The Padres are the Chihuahua.

The Birth of a One-Sided Rivalry

Let’s flashback to the late 60s, when the Padres were born, and Southern California’s newest team began its storied tradition of not winning. Meanwhile, the Dodgers, already an established powerhouse, were busy collecting World Series titles like they were Pokémon cards. The Padres spent the first decade of their existence figuring out how to play baseball, while the Dodgers were busy, you know, playing it.

By the time the 1980s rolled around, Padres fans had perfected the art of hoping. And boy, did they hope. They hoped that their ragtag bunch could finally stand toe-to-toe with the Dodgers. And to their credit, in 1984, they finally gave San Diego something to cheer about: their first trip to the World Series. Unfortunately, it came against the Tigers, who promptly smacked them back into reality. But hey, at least the Padres made it to the dance, right?

Meanwhile, the Dodgers continued doing what they do best—winning titles and consistently reminding the Padres that they were more like the annoying little brother of the NL West. Padres fans developed a coping mechanism called “We’ll get ‘em next year,” which still echoes in Petco Park every October.

The 90s: The Padres Strike Back (Sort of)

For a fleeting moment in the late 90s, the Padres were relevant again. Tony Gwynn, the eternal symbol of Padres greatness (and let’s be real, he’s the only symbol of Padres greatness) was leading the team to another World Series appearance in 1998. Padres fans were finally ready to puff their chests and stick it to Dodgers fans—until the Yankees swept the floor with them in four games. Oops.

While the Padres enjoyed their moment of relevance, the Dodgers went through an uncharacteristically quiet period. But even when they weren’t at their best, they still managed to overshadow the Padres. It’s kind of like that person who doesn’t study for the exam but still manages to get a B+ while you’re grinding away just to pass. Annoying, right?

The 2000s and 2010s: The Dark Ages (For the Padres, Anyway)

The new millennium didn’t bring much hope to Padres fans. They continued to pine for the day when they could go toe-to-toe with their SoCal rivals, but instead, they watched from afar as the Dodgers went back to their winning ways. The Padres, on the other hand, were busy assembling teams that were the epitome of mediocrity. Their biggest highlight? A couple of division titles in 2005 and 2006. Whoo boy, break out the champagne!

Meanwhile, the Dodgers became the Yankees of the West, signing big-name free agents, cranking out wins, and perennially competing for the World Series. Padres fans? They were left to wonder if they’d ever have a shot at playing meaningful October baseball while watching the Dodgers dominate year after year. Petco Park became a lovely tourist attraction with great weather, tasty fish tacos, and…not much else to get excited about.

2020: A Glimmer of Hope?

Then came 2020, and for a brief, shining moment, the Padres looked like they might actually challenge the Dodgers. Fernando Tatis Jr. burst onto the scene, the Padres were suddenly loaded with talent, and the team started throwing around the phrase “Slam Diego.” Padres fans began to believe—this time, really believe—that the tide was turning. The Padres even made it to the playoffs and squared off against their hated rivals in the NLDS.

And then the Dodgers crushed them. Again.

Dodger fans, in their ever-so-gracious manner, reminded Padres fans of their place. Sure, San Diego had their shiny new toys, but the Dodgers? They were still the kings of the NL West. Oh, and by the way, the Dodgers went on to win the World Series in 2020, just to add a little extra salt to the wound. Because what’s a rivalry without a little humiliation?

2022: David Finally Slays Goliath

Just when Padres fans thought they were doomed to spend eternity in the Dodgers’ shadow, 2022 happened. Finally, after years of being the proverbial punching bag, the Padres delivered the gut punch that left Dodgers fans reeling. In the 2022 NLDS, the Padres stunned the baseball world by eliminating the 111-win Dodgers in a glorious 5-game series. For the first time, it wasn’t just about staying competitive—it was about beating their bully outright. The Padres, led by Manny Machado and a red-hot pitching staff, stormed into the playoffs and sent the Dodgers packing, leaving Dodger fans wondering if they had somehow woken up in an alternate universe.

For San Diego, this wasn’t just a series win—it was an exorcism of decades of frustration. Padres fans went from dreaming about beating the Dodgers to actually tasting victory. That 2022 series wasn’t just a win—it was the Padres making a statement: “We can beat you. We will beat you.” The city of San Diego celebrated like they’d won the World Series (because let’s be honest, that’s probably the closest they’ve come to feeling that way in a long time).

2024 Playoff Battle: Round Two

And now, here we are in 2024, and guess what? The Padres and Dodgers are squaring off again in the playoffs. The drama is thick, and the stakes are even higher. While the Dodgers cruised to yet another division title, the Padres had a rollercoaster season, sneaking into the playoffs with hopes of recreating their 2022 magic. The question on everyone’s mind: Can the Padres do it again?

Dodger fans are, of course, puffing their chests, dismissing the idea that the Padres could possibly win two playoff series against their beloved Boys in Blue. But Padres fans are fired up, believing that lightning can strike twice. And why shouldn’t they? They’ve got the talent, they’ve got the swagger, and most importantly, they’ve got that sweet, sweet memory of 2022 fresh in their minds. This time, the Padres aren’t just showing up—they’re coming to win.

So, while the Dodgers may still hold the overall edge in the rivalry, the Padres are proving that, when it counts, they can hang with the big boys. It’s David vs. Goliath Part 2—and Padres fans are hoping for another knockout punch.

Is This Really a Rivalry?

At the end of the day, calling this a rivalry feels a bit generous. Sure, the Padres want it to be a rivalry. Their fans sure feel the rivalry. But the Dodgers? They probably see the Padres the way a cat sees a mouse. They toy with them for a while before inevitably finishing them off.

Maybe, just maybe, the Padres will finally get the upper hand one day. Maybe they’ll break the cycle of disappointment and finally give their fans something to celebrate. But until then, the rivalry between the Padres and Dodgers is less about fierce competition and more about a lesson in patience. Or futility. Depends on who you ask.

Until then, Padres fans, there’s always next year—or maybe this year?