SAN DIEGO -- Opening Day, like spring itself, is a time of optimism and hope in the baseball world. Each team’s fans put their faith in the belief that anything is possible in the season ahead.

It is fitting, then, that the Padres and their fans gathered Saturday at Petco Park to celebrate the life of team owner Peter Seidler as a new season dawns. Seidler had hope and faith in his team, certainly, but he is best remembered for his optimism and faith in humanity.

“The horizons he saw were bright and hopeful,” said Eric Kutsenda, Seidler’s longtime business partner and his successor as Padres chairman.

Seidler, the Padres’ owner since 2012, died in November at the age of 63. Adored by fans for his willingness to spend as the franchise never had before in pursuit of a World Series championship, he left his mark on San Diego far beyond the pristine field at Petco Park.

Seidler supported and spearheaded several organizations seeking solutions to homelessness. He formed “The Tuesday Group” -- a collection of civic leaders who met weekly to address issues of the homeless. He was on the city of San Diego’s leadership council for its homelessness reduction plan. He was named 2022 San Diegan of the Year by the San Diego Union-Tribune and he was honored with the 2023 Herb Klein Spirit of San Diego Award by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.

This wasn’t philanthropy from a distance. Many a night, Seidler departed Petco Park after a game to walk the streets in the East Village neighborhood, striking up conversations with those he encountered to learn more about their experiences, and perhaps, find a new path to solve the problem of homelessness.

Bob McElroy is among those who worked with Seidler to find solutions. He is the CEO of the non-profit Alpha Project, which works to help families and individuals gain self-sufficiency. McElroy recalled an early conversation in which he tested Seidler a bit, trying to discern whether he was another fly-by supporter or the type to roll up his sleeves.

“I asked him, ‘Why do you care about homeless folks?’” McElroy recounted. “He said, ‘Why wouldn’t I?’ He could tell from my blank stare that I was waiting for an answer. He said, ‘Bob, everyone has value. Everyone matters. My goal is to make them believe it.’”

The Padres are remembering Seidler with more than the heartfelt words heard Saturday. They are wearing “PS” patches on their uniforms this season. The initials are inside a heart-shaped design, worn just above the players’ hearts. The organization on Saturday unveiled a replica of the logo as a permanent memorial on a façade at Petco Park. San Diego mayor Todd Gloria repeated the city’s commitment to rename a street near the ballpark as “Peter Seidler Way.”

There’s also a much more personal remembrance that has caught on with Padres personnel. In his final year, Seidler sported a distinctive bushy mustache that turned down at the corners, slicing across his ever-present smile. Many of those who can grow a similar mustache are doing so -- or making their best attempt. Hall of Fame closer Trevor Hoffman is among them.

“What an amazing honor,” Hoffman said, waving his hand in front of his hidden upper lip. “Nobody could pull it off like Peter. He was a maverick. One of the nice things about it is I was walking around town and people would say, ‘Hey, Hoffy, nice mustache.’ It gave me a chance to explain exactly why the mustache was coming in -- to honor our great friend Peter -- and it gave me the opportunity to explain all the great things he did. …

“In the mornings, I would get up and see that mustache. It would give me inspiration to be a little bit more like Peter, to be kinder, to be gentler, to love -- all from a mustache.”

The 2024 Padres, two games into their season and awaiting their home opener on Thursday, are inspired on the field, as well.

"We will continue to work hard to fulfill your longtime dream, which is to bring a parade to the city while we hold up the Commissioner’s Trophy at the end of the year," superstar Manny Machado said. "We love you, Peter."

Seidler was eloquent in expressing that dream during Spring Training last year: “One year soon, the baseball gods will smile on the San Diego Padres and we will have a parade.”

Said Kutsenda: “We rejoice, dear Peter, that you are now one of those baseball gods, safely tucked into heaven. We will do our part to fulfill your prophecy, knowing that you are with us every step of the way.”