Lane Field (1936-1957), under construction
in downtown San Diego. The park, where fog
would roll in and make the ball hard to see
on some nights, was home to the San Diego Padres.
(Photo of online image)
By Ed Piper
Wayne Ambler's father grew up in Staten Island, New York.
Wayne, a life-long San Diegan, has faint memories of his father taking him to Padres' minor league games at Lane Field, in downtown San Diego, when he was a young boy. He was born in 1948, so sometime in the early 50's he would have visited the original home of the Padres.
Lane Field was home of the San Diego minor league team, coached for many years by Lefty O'Doul, from 1936 to 1957. O'Doul was a "pitcher whisperer", known for developing young pitchers who went on to the major leagues.
A friend reminded Ambler of stories that the fog would roll in, making it hard to see the ball in the park so close to the harbor.
Wayne has fond memories of going down to the dugout before or after games.
Wayne's father was a friend of George Bamberger, who managed the Baltimore Orioles, then the New York Mets when Darryl Strawberry was a star for the Amazin' Mets.
The same friend informed Wayne Ambler that he has Bamberger's baseball card from the 60's. Wayne was surprised and pleased that he even recognized the name George Bamberger.
Another stadium the minor league Padres played in holds much more vivid memories for Wayne: Westgate Park, located where Fashion Valley is now. His father took him to many games there when he was a young person. Westgate Park served as the minor league Padres' home field from 1958 to 1967.
San Diego was then awarded a National League expansion franchise, also called the Padres, which began play in 1969.
Westgate Park (1958-1967), located where
Fashion Valley is now. The home of the minor
league Padres for a decade, famous
for its metal roof (view of it at top).
(Photo of a Facebook share)
People who attended games at Westgate Park have memories of the metal roof over the stands making noise when a foul ball landed atop it, or rain starting to come down. Wayne says, "Yes, the roof was metal."
Whenever Bamberger would be in town, he would call Mr. Ambler up and arrange to meet for a meal and/or the game.
One time, Bamberger called, but he said he would just have to see the Amblers at the game, because there was a situation which he had to address with Strawberry, the Mets' slugger.
The elder Ambler never graduated from high school, living through the Depression.
Wayne's younger brother, three years younger, was a catcher. His dad tried to arrange for him to play at Crawford High, which was well-known for churning out catchers who went on to be all-stars in the major leagues: Bob Boone, who played for the Phillies, Ed Herrmann, who played for White Sox, Dave Duncan, a catcher for the Oakland A's, and others.
But the youngest Ambler got sidetracked, ranking way down on the depth chart. So his dad arranged him to enroll at then-Serra High, which more recently became Canyon Hills High.
A great joy came when Serra defeated Crawford in the CIF Finals, avenging the youngest Ambler's frustrated career at Crawford.
Opening an office in the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego, Wayne's father sold tickets for cruises, primarily to members of the military. He worked with the Princess cruise line. He would arrange land itineraries via bus for other customers, before the Eisenhower Administration led the construction of the interstate highway system.
Highways had only two lanes in those days, and travel was not terribly convenient.
