At the eye doctor:

Doc: See that “E” up there?

Me: Um…

Doc: Kind of?

Me: Sure, let’s say I do.

Well, I may not be able to see, but I can talk baseball. We turn now to page 629 of The Scouting Report: 1990 for a detailed look at Mr. Padre:

Gwynn knows the strike zone like a pitcher, and has the knack of hitting the ball exactly where it is pitched… He is that rare player who is virtually impossible to stop… Gwynn has improved tremendously in this department [baserunning], developing into a viable 40-steal a year player… Gwynn is not comfortable in centerfield, feeling that covering all that ground wears down his legs. He’s barely passable there, but still one of the league’s best in right… Gwynn is one of those who lead by example. His work habits are second to none. No matter how well he is hitting, he can be found in the batting cage or studying videos. He also has no qualms about playing hurt.

Listed at 5-11, 199 lbs., Gwynn led the NL in percentage of swings put into play (61.0%), singles (165), and batting average with two strikes (.315) and against RHP (.351). Overall, he hit .336/.389/.424, winning the fourth of his eight batting titles. His OPS+ of 133 was right in line with his career OPS+ of 132. He played 86 games in center (career high), 73 in right. At this stage in his career, Gwynn had 1354 hits, 45 homers, 221 stolen bases, and 233 strikeouts.

Factoids about Gwynn:

• Is all-time leader in assists at SDSU.
• Drafted as a point guard by the NBA San Diego Clippers the same day the Pads’ drafted him in the third round.
• Finished in Top 10 in NL batting average 15 consecutive years (1984-98).
• Was NL All-Star every year from 1984-99 except 1988 (he did win the batting championship that year).
• Won five Gold Glove awards.
• Stole 30+ bases four times (1984, 1986, 1987, 1989).
• Enjoyed best season at age 34 (.394/.454/.568).
• Lowest OPS+ in a season with 400+ PA was 112, in 1990.
• Top comps at age 29: nobody who played after 1938; Edd Roush, Elmer Flick, and Zack Wheat are in the HOF.
• Top comps for career: Wheat, Rod Carew, Paul Waner, Wade Boggs, Sam Rice, Roberto Clemente, Heinie Manush, George Sisler, Sam Crawford, and Vada Pinson. All but Boggs and Pinson are in the HOF.

Speaking of Boggs, here’s how his career totals match up against Gwynn’s:

       G   AB    R    H  2B  HR  RBI
WB  2439 9180 1513 3010 578 118 1014
TG  2440 9288 1383 3141 543 135 1138

      BA  OBP  SLG OPS+   BB  SB
WB  .328 .415 .443 130  1412  24
TG  .338 .388 .459 132   790 319

Boggs drew walks, Gwynn stole bases. There you go.

For a closer look at Gwynn’s HOF credentials, check out guest columnist David Marshall’s excellent Kelternizing Gwynn series that appeared in this space in the spring of 2003. Also, BaseballLibrary.com has some good biographical info on the man and his career.