Golfer Phil Mickelson, former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley poised to buy Padres

Golfer Phil Mickelson reportedly is in line to become a part-owner of the Padres. (AP)

In 2003, Phil Mickelson attempted to earn a one-day contract with the Tigers by pitching batting practice for their Triple-A affiliate, the Toledo Mud Hens. As you probably guessed, Mickelson was never offered that contract. Now, Lefty is poised to become the one offering the contracts instead.

FoxSports’ Ken Rosenthal reports that the San Diego native and four-time majors champion is among a group of investors, led by former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley selected to purchase the Padres for an estimated $800 million.

The deal includes $200 million for a portion of the team’s equity stake in Fox Sports San Diego. According to Rosenthal’s source, the contractual terms are still being finalized and the deal has yet to be approved by the league, though both are expected to be completed within the next two weeks.

In a conference call on Monday, Commissioner Bud Selig told reporters he was thrilled about the likely return of the O’Malley family to baseball.

“San Diego fans and the club deserve a good ownership, great ownership, and assuming this deal goes through — and it hasn’t yet — so we’ll have to wait a little bit, but it’s great,” Selig said.

Mickelson’s stake was not made available, however, when his interest in the club became public back in May. Lefty told reporters, “Given the price tag, it’s going to be a significant amount.”

“Growing up, the Padres were my team and still are,” Mickelson told the San Diego Union-Tribune in May. “I always had a love for the team. But [recently] I just felt disassociated with the organization a little bit as a fan. I just know I didn’t identify with the players or have an emotional connection.

“Where I want to get involved is I want to get a personal involvement with the players and the community — personal interaction with fans, more community outreach. I want to create an emotional tie with the players and the community.”

Sports Illustrated’s estimate of Mickelson’s 2011 income — $61,185,933 — exceeds the Padres’ entire 2012 player payroll.

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