On Friday, October 15th, 2010, I was finally confronted with the reality that it was really over. I headed out to Petco Park to purchase a few copies of the Padres 2010 Photobook (which for 5 bucks is an AWESOME deal). I got off the trolley at 12th & Imperial and headed towards the gates of the Park at The Park. At about 9:53am, as I was walking through the Park at the Park, I heard a noise. Not a very loud noise, but it was mechanical. As I continued my walk, I saw the most heartbreaking sight. 

There was a bulldozer in the sandbox taking down the "BELIEVE" sand sculpture.  I stood there watching this machine take out pieces and flatten out the dreams and aspirations of an entire season. All that remained at that point was the Friar and the word "BELI". The clouds began to release a light sprinkling. As if the Baseball Gods were crying through the clouds. Even they didn't want to see what was happening. I felt helpless. I got the urge to run down those stairs and jump in front of the dozer like a man protecting an aging tree. This was our treasure, our beloved symbol of hope. I was too late. I walked away shamed that I could do nothing to save it. I went to the team store, bought my Photobooks and walked outside knowing I'd have to go back the way I came. When I returned to the sandbox, it was gone. All that was there was sand. No Friar, no bulldozer. No sign of life. It was in that moment that I'd come to the realization that the 2010 Padres season was officially over.