SAN DIEGO – The third generation of the O’Malley family took over the sad-sack San Diego Padres on Wednesday, promising to run the club in the same first-class manner that Walter and Peter O’Malley once ran the Dodgers.

The new ownership group includes Peter O’Malley’s sons, Kevin and Brian, and nephews Peter and Tom Seidler. It also includes San Diego businessman Ron Fowler, the executive chairman who has been designated as the team’s control person.

“This is a special moment for us,” Kevin O’Malley said at a news conference to announce the closing of the $800 million deal and introduce the new ownership group. “Our grandfather, Walter O’Malley, our father, Peter O’Malley, for close to 50 years ran a first-class baseball organization. We feel a great responsibility being here today to carry on that legacy. We have high expectations for a first-class product on and off the field and we look forward to working with the team here to make it happen.”

Phil Mickelson has said he’ll be involved in the group. Peter Seidler said that due to conflicting schedules and the closing of the deal, he hasn’t had a chance to sit down with the golfer to finalize his involvement, but hopes to do so in the next few weeks. Seidler said there’s one spot left in the ownership group and it’s being held for Mickelson.

The O’Malley-Seidler-Fowler group takes over a Padres team that has largely struggled since being swept by the Yankees in the 1998 World Series. Many fans felt a sense of disconnect with John Moores, who had owned the team since December 1994 and had to put it up for sale due to a difficult divorce. Jeff Moorad’s attempt to buy the team on a layaway plan fell apart earlier this year, forcing Moores to put the team back on the market.

The late Walter O’Malley bought the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950 and moved them to Los Angeles before the 1958 season.

Peter O’Malley eventually took over for his father and all told under the family’s ownership, the Dodgers won six World Series and 13 NL championships before being sold in 1998.

TWINS: Minnesota placed All-Star catcher Joe Mauer on trade waivers, said Fox Sports.

• Minnesota recalled first baseman Chris Parmelee from Triple-A Rochester.

To make room for Parmelee, the Twins outrighted right-hander Jeff Gray to Rochester.

ORIOLES: Baltimore is close to signing free-agent left-hander Randy Wolf, who was released by the Milwaukee Brewers last week.

INDIANS: Shelley Duncan was designated for assignment by Cleveland, which also claimed left-hander Scott Maine on waivers from the Chicago Cubs.