Netflix’s Padres Documentary: A Swing and a Miss
Netflix has developed a reputation for producing captivating sports documentaries that capture the triumphs, struggles, and human stories behind the games we love. From The Last Dance chronicling Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls to Formula 1: Drive to Survive revitalizing global interest in the sport, the streaming giant has raised expectations for insightful, emotional, and memorable storytelling. Yet, not every project hits a home run. In the eyes of many baseball fans—especially those loyal to the San Diego Padres—the platform’s upcoming documentary about the Padres’ crushing loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers is being hailed as the “worst documentary ever made.”
The documentary reportedly focuses almost entirely on a specific game and playoff moment where the Padres, despite building hype and momentum throughout the season, faltered against their divisional rivals, the Dodgers. Rather than exploring the broader journey of the team, the spirit of San Diego’s fanbase, or the nuances of a long, dramatic season, the film zeroes in on failure. It sensationalizes disappointment instead of offering a nuanced perspective. For many fans, the project feels less like an examination of baseball and more like an unnecessary reopening of old wounds.
Padres Fans Expected a Celebration, Not a Postmortem
The Padres are not just another baseball team. They are the pride of San Diego, representing a city that lost its NFL franchise and has poured its heart into supporting baseball. Over recent years, the organization has invested heavily in star players, big contracts, and playoff dreams, all to give its fans the sense that a championship might finally be within reach.
Given that context, Padres fans hoped any Netflix feature would highlight the city’s passionate support, the players’ resilience, or the underdog spirit that makes the team compelling. Instead, they are presented with a documentary that dwells on a painful moment—the loss to the Dodgers—that most fans would prefer to move past.
Critics argue this storytelling choice doesn’t just miss the mark, it feels tone-deaf. For a franchise still chasing its first World Series title, emphasizing heartbreak rather than hope undermines what makes the Padres story meaningful.
Why the Documentary Falls Flat
Several elements contribute to the overwhelmingly negative reception surrounding the project:
1. Narrow Focus – Instead of painting a full picture of the Padres’ season, the film zeroes in on one loss. This narrow scope makes it feel more like a highlight reel of failure than a deep documentary.
2. Lack of Balance – Great sports documentaries balance triumph and tragedy, showing how athletes grow through both. By focusing almost exclusively on defeat, the Netflix project leaves little room for inspiration.
3. Missed Human Stories – Baseball is more than statistics and scores. Fans wanted to see behind-the-scenes relationships, community connections, and player journeys. These stories are what resonate emotionally, but here they’re barely touched.
4. Dodgers-Centric Tone – Ironically, some early reports suggest the film spends almost as much time praising the Dodgers as it does covering the Padres. This further alienates San Diego fans, making them feel their own team’s documentary has been hijacked by their rivals.
The Emotional Impact on Padres Supporters
For long-suffering Padres supporters, this documentary doesn’t just sting—it feels insulting. Many still remember the excitement of postseason runs, the rise of players like Fernando Tatís Jr., Manny Machado, and Juan Soto, and the collective energy at Petco Park. Fans wanted those memories preserved on screen. Instead, they’ve been given what feels like a prolonged obituary of their team’s dreams.
Some Padres loyalists have even taken to social media, calling the film “a slap in the face” and “a Dodgers puff piece disguised as Padres content.” This backlash demonstrates just how emotionally invested fans are—and how careless storytelling can alienate the very audience a documentary should honor.
Could It Have Worked?
Interestingly, the idea of documenting failure isn’t inherently flawed. Some of the greatest sports stories revolve around heartbreak, perseverance, and redemption. However, what makes those narratives powerful is balance. When failure is framed as a stepping stone to growth, it inspires rather than discourages. Had Netflix taken a broader approach—showing how the Padres and their fanbase processed the loss, how the city rallied around the team, and how players prepared for future challenges—the project could have been moving.
Instead, by sensationalizing defeat and ignoring context, the documentary undermines its own potential.
A Lesson for Netflix
Sports documentaries succeed when they capture the humanity behind the competition. Fans don’t just want highlights; they want insight into resilience, camaraderie, sacrifice, and determination. By failing to capture the Padres’ humanity, Netflix has created what many are already calling the “worst documentary ever made.”
For Padres fans, this misstep is a reminder that their story—one of hope, heartbreak, and unwavering loyalty—deserves to be told in full, not reduced to a single painful night.