WHO RAN THE PADRES

Joan B. Kroc

Owner and Chairwoman of the Board

Kroc succeeded her late husband, Ray A. Kroc, as owner of the Padres in January 1984, but she still devotes much of her time to her many business, community and philanthropic interests.

In 1976, Kroc founded Operation Cork to promote awareness of chemical dependence and its impact on the family. Operation Cork’s activities include distribution of films and printed materials to schools and human-care agencies, and working with corporations and organizations to establish employee assistance programs.

Kroc made her mark on baseball and professional sports in general in 1980, with the establishment of the Padres’ employee assistance program to help players and staff with alcohol, chemical dependence and other problems.

Kroc has received awards recognizing her humanitarian efforts, including the U.S. Olympic Committee’s “Spirit of America” award, a National Distinguished Community Service Award from the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith and her selection as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s 1985 Woman of the Year.

Ballard F. Smith

President

The son-in-law of owner Joan Kroc, Smith joined the Padre organization in midseason 1977 as vice president and general counsel. He was promoted to executive vice president by the end of the season and was named president in September 1979.

Before entering professional sports (Smith served one year as vice president and general manager of the San Diego Mariners of the World Hockey Assn.), Smith, 41, was elected district attorney for Crawford County, Pa., in November 1975, and served until September 1976.

Smith graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1971.

He is on the board of directors of the McDonald’s Corp.; is director and principal stockholder of Sun Mountain Broadcasting Inc., which owns two radio stations in Salt Lake City; and is director of Premier Food Services Inc., the concessionaire in the San Diego Sports Arena.

Jack McKeon

Vice President of Baseball Operations

More than 120 player transactions in 5 1/2 seasons have earned McKeon the nickname “Trader Jack.” Only Tim Flannery remains from the team that McKeon took over in July, 1980.

He joined the Padres in September 1979, after managing the Triple-A team in Denver. He helped transform the Padres into National League West contenders, and San Diego went on to win the National League pennant in 1984.

As director of baseball operations, McKeon oversees the major league club, minor league operations, scouting and media relations. He has served in a variety of roles in professional baseball, having managed in 13 major and minor league cities and having served as scout, scouting director, assistant general manager and general manager.

McKeon was a manager at 23 (in 1953) and spent 20 years in the minor leagues before reaching the major leagues. He became Kansas City’s manager in October, 1972, and led the Royals from 1973 until July 24, 1975.