Tom DeLonge moved by Padres fans' playoff singalong
Tom DeLonge became emotional as Padres fans sang blink-182's 'All the Small Things' during an NLDS game against Milwaukee. San Diego used the song as an unofficial anthem and won 4-3 to force a Game 4. The band's hit has remained popular and has also been adopted by other teams.
Blink-182’s “All the Small Things” arrived in 1999 as the second single from Enema of the State, the album that broke the San Diego group. DeLonge reportedly wrote it late in the sessions as a radio-ready track, its “na-na” hook nodding to the Ramones. Decades later, the Padres made it a de facto stadium tradition.
During an NLDS game against Milwaukee, the song played in the eighth inning. San Diego won 4-3, extending the series to a fourth game. DeLonge, a lifelong Padres supporter, watched from the stadium. The Colorado Avalanche also used the track during their 2022 Stanley Cup run.
The moment may strengthen ties between San Diego fans and their team, turning a shared song into a ritual that spans generations. It could also remind artists that older hits can find new life in sports settings, potentially boosting catalog streams and concert interest. For viewers, such scenes may offer a lighthearted, communal distraction during high-stakes playoffs, though the effect is likely modest and temporary.