Padre Veterans Win; Was It Closing Night?

Remember how high school seniors would start the final home game of the season?

Well, four Padre veterans were in that position Wednesday night in the final home game of the season.

Terry Kennedy, Graig Nettles, Steve Garvey and Garry Templeton were the mainstays of the 1984 championship team. But they have all had sub-par seasons and in recent weeks have been relegated to the bench and replaced by youngsters from Las Vegas.

In the Padres’ 3-2 victory over the Dodgers in front of 11,945 at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium Wednesday night, that quartet was back.

But you have to wonder for how long? Listen to what Padre Manager Steve Boros--whose job may also be in jeopardy--had to say after the game:

“It’s appropriate that T.K. gets a two-run single and Graig drives him in,” Boros said. “It’s a nice way to perhaps see some of the guys bow out. It’s not etched in granite. But let’s face it, there’s that strong possibility.

“I was hoping they (Kennedy and Nettles) would hit triples in the late innings so I could replace them with pinch-runners and they could get the accolades from the fans that they deserve.

“We can’t forget the contribution players like Terry Kennedy and Graig Nettles have made to this organization. And I don’t want this to sound like an epitaph on their tombstone.”

But. . . .

“This will be my last game in a white uni,” Kennedy said. “No doubt about that.

“I was pretty excited out there. That was fun. I was pretty sad coming off the field at the end.”

Said Nettles: “I’m happy to be able to play. I think the fans want to see some of the veterans in the lineup for the last (home) game of the season.”

When asked if he thought this would be his last home game as a Padre, Nettles said: “ I haven’t thought about it that much. It’s not for me to decide.”

While most of the attention Wednesday centered on the past, one move was made with the future in mind.

Tony Gwynn was moved to leadoff in the order, where Boros said he will hit for the season’s remaining three games.

“I asked him if he thought it might help in an attempt to win the batting title,” Boros said. “He would get some extra at-bats. Tony said he would like to bat leadoff because he is kind of interested to see how comfortable he feels about doing it.”

Gwynn went 2 for 4 and is at .329, two points behind Dodger second baseman Steve Sax (1-3) and six points behind Tim Raines, who did not play Wednesday.

“I’m willing to give everything a try,” Gwynn said. “We don’t have a leadoff hitter and you don’t know what will happen during the winter.”

Padre Notes

Goose Gossage made his first appearance since rejoining the team after being suspended for three weeks. Gossage was welcomed by a chorus of boos. He allowed one hit and struck out one in the eighth inning. Lance McCullers pitched a scoreless ninth to get his fifth save. Starter and winner Jimmy Jones (2-0) allowed just three hits and two runs and struck out nine in seven innings. . . . Kevin McReynolds was hit by a pitch thrown by Brian Holton in the first inning. McReynolds left the game and was diagnosed as suffering a bruised left forearm.