Jake Peavy Returns to Padres as Special Assistant to CEO Erik Greupner

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Former San Diego Padres pitcher Jake Peavy has returned to the organization as a special assistant to CEO Erik Greupner, the club announced Thursday. Peavy, the 2007 National League Cy Young Award winner and recent Hall of Fame inductee, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to reunite with the franchise where he spent the majority of his playing career.

“I’m incredibly appreciative of this opportunity to reunite with my Padres family,” Peavy stated. “San Diego has always held a special place in my heart. I’m a Padre through and through — from the moment I was drafted by the team until this very day, and I can’t wait to work alongside this talented group and contribute in any way I can to the success of this great organization.”

Peavy, 43, is best known for his impactful tenure with the Padres from 2002 to 2009. During this time, he was a dominant pitcher, earning three All-Star selections and leading the league in earned run average (ERA) and strikeouts in his Cy Young-winning season. He posted a remarkable 2.54 ERA and 240 strikeouts while securing 19 wins that year, solidifying his status as one of the elite pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB).

The Padres drafted Peavy in the 15th round of the 1999 amateur draft. He made his major league debut in 2002 and quickly established himself as the team’s ace. Over his eight seasons with the Padres, Peavy compiled a 92-68 record with a 3.29 ERA, averaging over a strikeout per inning. He was traded to the Chicago White Sox mid-season in 2009.

“Jake brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that will be invaluable to our organization,” Greupner said. “His passion for the Padres and success on the mound will help guide our team’s efforts toward excellence.”

After his time with the Padres, Peavy also pitched for the Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants before retiring in 2016 with a career record of 152-126 and a 3.63 ERA.

Peavy’s return to the Padres comes at a time when the organization is looking to build on recent success. He was inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame in 2023, a testament to his lasting impact on the franchise and the city of San Diego.