Before we get to the topic at hand, I’d just like to offer congratulations to the Chargers for winning the AFC West and to LaDainian Tomlinson for scoring three more touchdowns on Sunday to break the all-time single-season mark. Tomlinson is a pleasure to watch and represents the city of San Diego well.
Speaking of guys who fit that description, let’s talk a little today about Tony Gwynn. As you know, this is his first year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame, and the smart money says he’ll get in on the first attempt.
One of the things I’m planning to include in the book is a look back on Gwynn’s 3000th hit, and I’d like your help. What are some of your memories of that game or that time in general?
Here are two of mine:
- Gwynn hugging first-base umpire Kerwin Danley, a former college teammate.
- Me estimating when Gwynn would get the hit and buying tickets in right field for an entire homestand; Gwynn landing on the DL and me watching a lot of Mike Darr.
How about you?
Shandler’s projections for Kouz were pretty solid too. I don’t have the book in front of me, but he said he’s among the best young power hitters.
Shandler also sees:
* a rebound to ’05 for Marcus Giles
* Bard’s continuing success (BA, not power)
* Todd Walker’s decline
* Gonzalez duplicating his ’06 with a little more power
* Sledge being fairly useless
* Orange Giles recouping some of his BA (.300), but his power not coming back
I wanna’ play.
Top 5:
1. Gwynn
2. RJ
3. Fouts
4. Hoffman
5. Winfield
As for great Padres seasons, OPS+ has Caminiti’s 96 at the top, but Tony’s 94 is second and might be worth looking at more closely. It won’t have the counting stats, of course, but a .394/.454/.568 line is not too shabby for 110 games.
Also, Vaughn’s big year, 98, was pretty impressive. 112 R, 28 2B, 50 HR, 119 RBI, .272/.363/.597 and an OPS+ 0f 158 (he was also 11 of 15 in SB).
#39: You know what, I could be wrong, Geoff. Maybe she didn’t come onto the field. Memory is a tricky thing.
I supposed I should check old articles. Will let you know.
Can someone refresh his hit for me? I wanna say he either lined it over vidro at second, but for some reason i keep thinkin he just smacked it off the concrete floor and bounced it over the infield……either way, i just remember bein shocked his 3,000th wasnt knocked thru the 5.5 hole, like 2,500 of his other hits
I’m a couple days late on this….but to answer #54…it was like a bloop over 2nd base…not exactly a line drive which seemed like it would’ve been fitting.
Although I think he hit it a bit harder than the ball Rickey blooped down the right field line for his #3000