Best Padres Uniform Patch

In one of the more interesting debates I’ve seen on Twitter relating to Padres uniforms, friend to the program Greg Tish posed this question:

This leads us to the question: what is the best sleeve patch the Padres have worn?

For your consideration we’ll be looking at regular uniform patches. Anniversary/special event patches (such as the 30th anniversary or Tony’s retirement patch) will be in another episode. The patches featured for your consideration have generally been in use longer than one season and appeared on regular season game uniforms.

So which sleeve patch do you think is best?

Sportslogos.net

RAK Patch - 1984-86

The Padres generally kept their sleeves free of patches save for a few special years until the death of team owner Ray Kroc in 1984. Though this is somewhat a commemorative patch, the Padres did wear his initials on the left sleeve until 1986. This patch is the only patch to have been worn through two uniform sets; it appeared on the 1984 brown/yellow/orange uni set and on the 1985 brown/orange set.

Sportslogos.net

San Diego Padres Primary Logo Patch - 1994-2001

The primary logo of the 90s-era Padres graced the sleeves of the pinstriped Padres until the ill-fated switch to a navy/white primary uniform (sounds familiar). This patch still makes an appearance as the side patch on the Wayback Wednesday uniforms.

Sportslogos.net

San Diego Padres Primary Logo Patch - 2000-2003

This patch appeared on the plain navy/white uniforms of the early 2000s. This logo is essentially unchanged from the former logo save for the lack of orange.

Sportslogos.net

San Diego Padres Primary Logo Patch - 2004-2011

The emergence of the “shampoo” logo came with the move to Petco park in 2004. This patch differed slightly from the official logo in that it lacked the San Diego within the home plate. This logo also came with the emergence of sand as a part of the Padres colorway.

Sportslogos.net

Modern Swinging Friar Patch - 2004-2011

The modern version of the Swinging Friar logo appeared on the navy tops of the 2004-2011 Padres uniform set. Many fans prefer this version of the Friar donning a maroon robe though the color never appeared in the Padres colorway.

Sportslogos.net

Classic Swinging Friar Patch - 2012-2015

The classic 70s era Friar returned as a sleeve patch (albeit in navy) for the 2012 uniform change that toned down the sand and added front piping to the Padres jersey. This is considered the quintessential Swinging Friar by many fans.

Sportslogos.net

San Diego Padres Alternate Logo Patch - 2012-2015

With the Swinging Friar being moved to the home jersey in 2012, this alternate logo appeared on the away and navy alternate jerseys. A silhouette of Petco Park along with the Padres wordmark made for an interesting and fresh patch.

Sportslogos.net

Interlocking SD Patch - 2007 - Present

Though the interlocking SD has been in use as a patch since 2007 on the Military Sunday jerseys, this option will serve as a catchall for every use of the interlocking SD as a patch. The SD has appeared as the primary patch for the home, away, and Friday Alternate jerseys this year.

Time to weigh in! Which sleeve patch do you think is the best?