"HAY QUE VIVIR!"

Maybe, potentially, Fernando Tatis Jr. has created a motto that could bring joy back to the San Diego Padres dugout.

I have an idea. I don’t know whether or not it’s going to be a popular one, but I suppose that’s the risk of putting your ideas out there.

This idea is about Fernando Tatis Jr., who might actually be the most talented baseball player I’ve ever seen (not named Shohei Ohtani). He’s also a player that, in the past and I imagine this door is still open for the future, has played with an immense amount of joy.

Whether it’s the bat flips….

Or the dancing….

Or the shirtless postgame interviews….

Tatis is electric when he’s having fun. It’s impossible to take your eyes off him and, before you know it, your hips are swaying to the music that’s playing in your head.

When fans of the San Diego Padres spent much of last season talking about “sad Tatis” or “mopey Tatis”, I didn’t really take it as criticism of the man. That’s just how he is built to react to that type of environment.

Part of being a fan of this baseball player is/was being a fan of the absolute joy that he plays with. It’s the opposite of what many other baseball players preach, which is to never get too high or too low.

Screw that, I say, enjoy the moments of joy and tolerate the bad times. That’s how you know you’re alive!

All of this brings me back to my idea, which I got from the man himself…

Seattle Mariners superstar CF Julio Rodriguez recently celebrated his 25th birthday. He celebrated with a post on Instagram, showing him enjoying time with family and friends over the course of a few days in the Dominican Republic.

One of the pictures was of him and Fernando Tatis Jr. (who, by the way, turned 27-years old in the last few days), which is probably why the Padres RF commented on the post:

Now, my Spanish isn’t great, but I’m pretty sure “Hay que VIVIRRRR” translates to “We have to live!” In typical Tatis fashion, it’s a celebration of a moment of joy for his friend.

Without a good reason, I like to keep track of the team hashtag for the San Diego Padres each year. This is a not a huge deal, but it’s not a nothing deal, and I tihnk it’s time they try something a little less bland. Here’s the list I’ve got:

• 2025: #FightForTheFaithful

• 2024: #ForTheFaithful

• 2023: #BringTheGold

• 2022: #TimeToShine

• 2021: #HungryForMore

• 2020: #FriarFaithful

My idea is that I think the Padres should lean into “Hay que vivir”. Maybe even make this season’s hashtag #HayQueVIVIRRRR to make it a little more unique. Maybe sell shirts in the team store that say it. Lean into the fun of it all.

For those that are concerned that a Spanish-language team motto / hashtag might not fly with the fanbase, I present you with a couple of quick stories:

First, San Diego FC’s Mikey Varas used the phrase “¿Y ahora que?” more than a couple times in the team’s inaugural season. Sometimes to the press, more often to his players, Varas was always asking “And now what?” after accomplishments. It sent a signal that the team was never ready to settle for blowing past low expectations.

Second, the San Antonio Missions are actually two different brands and I’m not sure how many people know this. I only know it because the boys at MadFriars put me onto it. Some nights, they’re the San Antonio Missions. Others, they are the San Antonio Flying Chanclas. Yes, really.

This alternate identity for the team has helped them tap into new markets (the youths) to find fans, but it also gives them something joyful to play around with so that it’s more than just balls and strikes when fans come out to watch.

So many fans of the San Diego Padres, myself included, were frustrated with how joyless the 2025 team was. Many blamed Mike Shildt, while some blamed Manny Machado, but who is to blame is a lot less important than finding a solution.

The baseball season is long. REALLY long. And it’s going to come on the heels of the World Baseball Classic this year, so it’ll be even longer than normal. It cannot simply be about balls and strikes, and pointing at the dugout while turning your head to the side while you stand on first base ain’t gonna cut it.

The more joy this team plays with, the better they’ll play. I’m convinced of it. Stop talking about the grind and the mindset and start talking about the fun and the camaraderie.

It’s time for the Padres, led by Craig Stammen, to take the advice of Julio Rodriguez’ friend, Fernando Tatis Jr.:

Hay que VIVIRRRR🖤