But on Friday night before the Padres' game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Petco Park, the club will honor Ted Leitner for 30 years behind the microphone as its announcer. Friday at 3:45 p.m., XX Sports Radio ---- the Padres' flagship station ---- will honor Leitner with a 15-minute tribute.

"I look back at 30 years, and I think, 'Holy cow! How did that happen?' " Leitner said.

Leitner came to San Diego from Philadelphia in 1977 to serve as sports director at Channel 8. In 1978, he jumped on board as play-by-play voice for San Diego State football and basketball.

Oddly, he started with the Padres in 1980, when Jerry Coleman ---- his radio partner for the last 29 years ---- was named manager of the club, and left the booth a man short.

"I had a limited baseball background, but when the Padres asked if I wanted to do their games, I said, 'Hell, yes!' " Leitner said.

He worked then with Dave Campbell and Bob Chandler. Leitner credits Chandler with his early-career survival.

"In the beginning, Ted had a lot of irons in the fire," Chandler said. "He was a fan of baseball, but he wasn't a baseball guy. Sometimes things would come up, and he wouldn't have the answer. So I'd press the cough button, fill him in, and the audience never was the wiser. I was happy to do it, though.

"Ted was a great partner. ... My strength was history, knowledge of the game and the team. So we were a good fit together.

"Plus, Ted is the most talented all-around broadcaster I've ever met."

The Padres will salute Leitner in an on-field ceremony at 6:45 p.m. Friday. Coleman will serve as emcee for an event that will include a video tribute and gifts.

Leitner's family will join him on the field. Leitner insisted that Chandler be there, too. But Chandler almost had to miss it.

Before he knew of the event, Chandler purchased tickets to "Wicked" at the Civic Theatre. He thought the show started at 7 p.m. But the curtain goes up at 7:30.

"So I can most gladly make it," Chandler said. "I got a little lucky."

Leitner said any broadcaster who stays with one team for 30 years has to be a little lucky.

"Some people like my style, some don't," Leitner said of an approach that is more conversational than staccato play-by-play.

"I've been lucky to survive changes in ownership, changes in CEOs, changes in general managers and changes in stations."

For many years, the Padres were on KFMB (760 AM). When they jumped to KOGO (600), then-CEO Larry Lucchino insisted that Leitner continue with the team. And when XX 1090 got the contract, station owner John Lynch was in total support of keeping Leitner.

Leitner's role over the years has changed dramatically. For years, he was No. 2 on the broadcasts to Coleman. And when Leitner was working at Channel 8, he wasn't afraid to share his opinions of the team's play with the public. Often that opinion was critical.

But Leitner is now the team's lead voice, working with Coleman and Andy Masur.

"As the lead voice now, I feel my job is to promote the team without losing credibility," Leitner said. "I was brutal on the team at times when I worked at Channel 8. I won't cover up or lie about bad play. I'm not a homer."

At more than 60 years old, Leitner admits he doesn't have the genes of Coleman, who is going strong at 84.

"But I'd like to do this as long as I can," Leitner said. "I'd like to go another 15-20 years.

"I'd like to choose when I want to leave."

Favorite moments

Leitner said his favorite seasons were 1996 and '98.

"Oh man, '96 was great, but '98 topped it," Leitner said. "From the playoffs against the Astros and Braves to the World Series, it was a great year.

"I grew up in New York. I was a vendor as a kid at Yankee Stadium. So to go back there as a radio announcer and call a World Series, I shouldn't say this, but I would have paid them to let me do that."

As for his favorite players over the last 30 years, Leitner lists Tony Gwynn as his "unquestioned No. 1 favorite." They're joined by Ken Caminiti, Eric Show, Steve Garvey and Wally Joyner.

Hall of Fame

Coleman won the Ford Frick Award and is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. While Leitner is on the Ford Frick ballot, he holds little hope of ever being honored in Cooperstown.

It would be nice, however, if the Padres came to their senses and put Leitner ---- and Chandler ---- in their own Hall of Fame. They are by far the most deserving candidates and should go in together.