1972 San Diego Padres season

The 1972 San Diego Padres season was the fourth season in franchise history.

Offseason

 * January 12, 1972: Rich Troedson was drafted by the Padres in the 1st round (6th pick) of the secondary phase of the 1972 Major League Baseball draft.

Regular season
Until 2021, no Padres pitcher had ever thrown a no-hitter. On July 18 against the Philadelphia Phillies, Steve Arlin came within one out of a no-hitter before a Denny Doyle single broke up the bid.

Opening Day starters

 * Bob Barton
 * Dave Campbell
 * Nate Colbert
 * Enzo Hernández
 * Clay Kirby
 * Leron Lee
 * Jerry Morales
 * Larry Stahl
 * Derrel Thomas

Notable transactions

 * May 17, 1972: Ollie Brown was traded by the Padres to the Oakland Athletics for Curt Blefary, Mike Kilkenny and a player to be named later. The Athletics completed the deal by sending Greg Schubert (minors) to the Padres on September 11.
 * June 6, 1972: 1972 Major League Baseball draft
 * Randy Jones was drafted by the Padres in the 5th round.
 * Warren Cromartie was drafted by the Padres in the 1st round (5th pick) of the Secondary Phase, but did not sign.

Starters by position
''Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Other batters
''Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Mike Corkins was the team leader in saves with 6.

Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Awards and honors
1972 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Colbert scored the winning run, but he brought the wrong uniform with him to Atlanta. The San Diego Padres' slugger donned his road jersey with SAN DIEGO on it instead of his home one with PADRES on it.
 * Nate Colbert, reserve

One week later, Colbert returned to Atlanta Stadium and tied Stan Musial's Major League record with five home runs in a doubleheader vs. the Braves. Colbert also drove in 13 runs during the twinbill, which San Diego swept 9–0 and 11–7.