Padres: Fans Deserved Better

San Diego Padre management and two players apologized Friday for players who criticized local fans for cheering Chicago Cub slugger Sammy Sosa and celebrating when his 63rd home run helped beat the Padres on Wednesday night.

The contrition came at a rally organized by backers of a proposed baseball stadium in downtown San Diego, a measure that faces a tough vote in November. Ballpark backers were worried that the hostile comments of Kevin Brown, Steve Finley and Greg Vaughn could cause a voter backlash against the ballpark.

“In the heat of the moment, some ballplayers said a couple of things a few nights ago that possibly should have been slept on,” first baseman Wally Joyner said. “What I’d like to express today is our appreciation to you.”