Players Want Williams Era Behind Them

An early spring sun basted the desert with 95-degree warmth, ideal for the snowbirds streaming into town in their recreational vehicles.

It was just right for a round of golf, too, and many of the Padres got in 18 holes Tuesday afternoon.

While they were on the course, the rapidly evolving managerial drama was being played out back in San Diego with Steve Boros named to direct the club.

The news, while less shocking than the departure of Dick Williams a day earlier, was no less bracing or uplifting to the ballplayers.

The most telling reaction came from Tony Gwynn, whose spirits are usually at least as high as his batting average.

“A lot of guys are going to be rejuvenated,” Gwynn said, punctuating his statement with an extended, almost childlike laugh that communicated pure joy.

Catcher Terry Kennedy put it a bit more strongly.

“I figured Boros would be the man - he was the logical choice,” Kennedy said. “He’s a real gentleman, and I’m very pleased he was hired.

“Really, he’s almost better than we could have hoped. He’s such an improvement, it’s ludicrous. He has the word ‘fun’ in his vocabulary. Things had just deteriorated so far under Dick, it was beyond salvage, as they say in the spy novels.”

Overall, there seemed to be a desire among the players to put the Williams era behind them without dwelling on the pain or the resentments of the past four seasons.

“I hope it will make a big difference in our club,” Gwynn said, referring in equal measure to the exodus of Williams and the arrival of Boros.

“Certain guys who weren’t happy (under Williams), maybe they’ll push that extra little bit now. It’s obvious a lot of players wanted it to happen, and there were a lot of sighs of relief when it did.”

Gwynn said he is pleased it took only one day to replace Williams.

“Now we can get down to the business of playing baseball,” he said. “You need to have somebody directing, even if it’s just the start of spring training.”

Pitcher Greg Booker agree.

“It’s good to get the whole mess out of the way,” he said. “We were all as curious as everyone else about who would get the job.

“It wouldn’t have been good for us to go into the clubhouse every day wondering what would happen. . . . I think Steve Boros is a great guy and a great choice.”

Coach Harry Dunlop, who will be on the bench alongside the new manager, said the players will find Boros open and communicative.

“This is a man who cares,” Dunlop said. “He is a compassionate man who cares for people. He remembers how tough it was when he was a player, something any manager should keep in mind.

“He’s also very organized. If a manager doesn’t act like he knows what’s going on, he can’t expect the players not to be confused.”

Indeed, some Padres may have been confused about their roles, according to Gwynn.

“The point I want to make is that some players don’t realize their job is to play, not hire a manager,” he said. “There were times I got upset last year when the hit-and-run sign wasn’t flashed, but, hey, I know I have to lump it. I do what I’m told. If that makes any sense.”

Coach Jack Krol, who claimed to be as much in the dark about recent developments as many fans, said he expects the managerial shift to have a revitalizing effect.

“It’s common in baseball for a club to come to life after there’s a change,” he said. “After a while, you reach a plateau, but the good clubs keep on going and become champions.

“I hope our players are a little embarrassed over what happened last year. And I won’t lie to you--there was some dissension because of the way Dick managed. But one thing never changes--the players have to produce or the manager is going to look bad.”

In the transition from a hard-nosed, thick-skinned manager to one who seemingly has more heart, it’s all but certain that the new skipper will be tested, according to Krol.

“Hell, every manager is tested, I don’t care if it’s Casey Stengel, Billy Martin or Dick Williams,” Krol said.

“I just hope the veterans will do their jobs and allow Steve to manage up to his potential. I have a funny feeling it’s going to be more easygoing in the clubhouse and I have to think the change will be for the best.”

Overlooked in the rush to celebrate the end of the Williams dictatorship was the fact that there may be more new blood added to the ballclub, as Gwynn noted.

“Some guys who thought they had a job locked up under Dick will now have to push to impress the new manager,” Gwynn said.

“There could be some guys losing a starting position, or some players making the club who wouldn’t have if Dick was still here.”

And that was just about the closest approach to gloom anyone got on the Padres’ day of rejuvenation.