Gwynn Has a Fine Day: 5 for 5 and a Concentration Lapse

Tony Gwynn had five hits for the first time in his major league career, raised his batting average to .390, scored the winning run--and found he would be $100 poorer.

“Hey, we’re all human,” Gwynn said after he learned he would be fined for missing a sign on the decisive play of Thursday’s 3-2 victory over the Dodgers.

Gwynn, who went 5 for 5, had a lapse of concentration after he opened the 10th inning with a single to left off Dodger reliever Matt Young. He had previously hit two doubles and two singles off starter Orel Hershiser.

Gwynn failed to notice that third base coach Harry Dunlop had given the hit-and-run sign to the next batter, Carmelo Martinez.

Gwynn wasn’t the only one who was unaware that Martinez, who had squared away to bunt on the first pitch from Young, had orders to swing away at the second pitch.

The Dodgers were fooled, too, which worked to the advantage of Martinez.

He got the pitch he was expecting, an inside fastball, and drove it into the left-field corner for a double that scored Gwynn and ended San Diego’s three-game losing streak.

Gwynn, who hadn’t been fined since his rookie season in 1982, learned of his mistake when Martinez asked him about the play as they were leaving the field.

“I guess I’ll have to write out a check to Larry (Bowa),” Gwynn said.

“No matter who you are or what the situation is, if you miss the sign, the manager will take your money.”

Several teammates offered to chip in and help pay Gwynn’s fine.

“I’ll throw in $20,” infielder Tim Flannery said.

Martinez also said he’d toss in a few bucks. Even Bowa suggested he might donate a little.

“No, I’ve got to pay,” Gwynn said. “ And I’ll be concentrating next time.”

The last manager who fined Gwynn was Dick Williams, who set him back $5 on several occasions when Gwynn failed to advance a runner from second to third with no one out.

As rare as it is for Gwynn to commit a mental mistake that costs him hard currency, five-hit games are even rarer.

Until Thursday, the only other five-hit game of his professional career was at Spokane in 1982 when he was playing for Hawaii of the Pacific Coast League. He was called up to the Padres later that summer and finished the season with a .289 average, the only sub-.300 year of his National League career.

Gwynn, of course, has since established himself as one of the best hitters in the league.

Bowa compares him to a young Pete Rose, in terms of his enthusiasm and work habits, as well as his hitting.

Gwynn doesn’t consider himself a leader, but there’s little doubt his influence is felt.

“It’s been frustrating for all of us,” Gwynn said about the team’s poor start. “We know we’re a better team than we have shown, and it’s disheartening not to play better. We can’t get down. We know it’ll turn for us sooner or later. It’s bound to.”

Not that he was expecting it to turn against Hershiser, against whom he was 1 for 8 last year.

Gwynn said Hershiser worked him as he has in the past, with fastballs, sinkers, breaking balls and split-fingered fastballs.

“Never anything good to hit,” Gwynn said. “I just try to think along with him, see the ball and react.”

He said he hit two breaking balls that were down around his ankles. Another time he was jammed, but doubled to left off the wall.

His last and most important hit came after he fouled off a fastball from Young. Gwynn lined the next pitch into left.

“I knew it was my fifth hit, but I didn’t know the fans knew,” Gwynn said.

“It was a nice feeling, a great feeling, but I didn’t want to dwell on it. I was on first base, trying to make something happen.”

With a little help from Martinez, he made the Dodgers lose a game, and $100 disappear from his bank account.

“I just knew I had to run as fast as I could to beat the ball,” said Gwynn, who wanted to avoid a collision with catcher Mike Scioscia.

Earlier, Scioscia had blocked Joey Cora at the plate, saving a potential run.

“He might be the best I’ve ever seen at blocking the plate,” Bowa said. “He’s tough.”

Gwynn was preparing himself mentally for a bruising meeting with Scioscia. “You know he can drop the hammer on you,” he said.

The collision didn’t materialize because Gwynn slid in ahead of the throw.

Gwynn walked away in one piece and feeling pretty good, until he talked to Martinez and realized his biggest day as a hitter also would be memorable for having cost him $100.