Garvey Wants to Buy Padres : He’s Talking to Groups of Possible Investors

Steve Garvey is trying to round up enough money to buy the San Diego Padres, the team for whom he happens to play first base.

It’s believed he would be baseball’s first player/owner.

“What better way (for an owner) to get a feel for the clubhouse than being there?” he said with a laugh Monday.

Garvey said two more groups called him Monday to say that they are interested in helping him financially. Two other groups called last week, and he plans to speak with two new groups later this week. In addition, he’s calling many of his business friends, past and present, to see if they are interested.

Owner Joan Kroc’s asking price is a reported $50 million.

“My parameters (for potential co-owners) are that the team remain here in San Diego and that there are commitments from the people involved to do whatever it takes to put us (the Padres) on top,” said Garvey, who would not name the interested groups. “That means that the proper financial resources be put into it.

“Obviously, my position would be as part (minority) owner but also as managing partner. The 17 years of experience I’ve had from on the field to public relations to marketing to promotions, would be a pretty good base of understanding.”

He recently had lunch with Padre President Ballard Smith.

“(Smith) said, ‘If you put something together, just call and we’ll get together and talk,’ ” Garvey said. “And we’re working diligently on it. The sooner it’s done the better, because a lame-duck situation is one that I don’t think is good for any of the parties involved.”

Over the years, many have speculated that Garvey wanted to hold a political office after his baseball career.

About two weeks ago, Garvey got a call from two groups that wanted his advice about buying the Padres. And he realized then how much he wanted to be in charge of a baseball club.

“We (his family) have always talked about what I’d do after baseball,” Garvey said. “People said, ‘Would you like to manage?’ I said, ‘Well, I’ve never had interest in managing, but I’ve had an interest in management of an organization.’ And that could’ve been as general manager or running the team. But this is something that just happened to come up.

“The people (interested in helping him buy the team) know when I become involved in something I give it 100% and make it successful. . . . And the (Padre) organization is at a low point after the last two seasons, and I think it’s primed for an injection of enthusiasm. We’re open for anyone who’s interested. It’d be nice to have the ownership from San Diego or at least a part of it be San Diego-based.”

But if Garvey does buy the team, what happens with . . .

--His contract. He’ll be signing his own paycheck, of course. And what happens when his current $1.25-million contract expires after this season? Who would he negotiate with?

--His playing status. What if his manager benches him?

“Well, they’d have to rely on my integrity as a person,” Garvey said.

--His front-office duties. “Well,” he said, “I may be chief executive officer, but I’d bring in someone who would handle the daily operations of the club while I’m playing. This would be a first, wouldn’t it?”