John Moores is a successful businessman and philanthropist who also had a notable career in baseball. He was the owner of the San Diego Padres, a Major League Baseball team, from 1994 to 2012. During his tenure, he oversaw the team's move to a new stadium, Petco Park, and helped to improve the team's performance on the field.
Moores was born in Texas in 1944 and grew up playing baseball. He attended the University of Houston, where he played on the baseball team and earned a degree in economics. After college, he worked in the computer industry and eventually founded his own company, BMC Software, which became a major player in the industry.
In 1994, Moores purchased the San Diego Padres for $80 million. At the time, the team was struggling both on and off the field. Moores immediately set about making changes, including hiring new management and investing in the team's infrastructure. He also oversaw the construction of Petco Park, a state-of-the-art stadium that opened in 2004.
Under Moores' ownership, the Padres had some of their most successful seasons in franchise history. In 1998, the team won the National League pennant and advanced to the World Series, where they lost to the New York Yankees. The team also won four division titles during Moores' tenure.
Moores was known for his hands-on approach to managing the team. He was often seen in the clubhouse and on the field, talking to players and coaches and offering his input. He was also known for his philanthropy, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare. He donated millions of dollars to various causes, including the University of California, San Diego, and the Rady Children's Hospital.
In 2012, Moores sold the Padres to a group of investors led by Ron Fowler. The sale price was reported to be around $800 million, a tenfold increase over what Moores had paid for the team 18 years earlier. Moores remained involved in baseball after the sale, serving on the board of directors for Major League Baseball and as a member of the ownership group for the Houston Astros.
Overall, John Moores had a successful and influential career in baseball. He helped to turn around a struggling franchise and oversaw the construction of a new stadium. He also had a positive impact on the community through his philanthropy. While he is no longer the owner of the Padres, his legacy in San Diego and in baseball as a whole is still felt today.
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