Remembering ‘90, Gwynn Relishes His Quick Start : Baseball: Career-best April, team’s start mean satisfaction for Padre outfielder.

Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn says he has nothing to prove to anyone, but he tells himself differently.

He says he’s going to ignore all critics, but he finds himself listening intently for boos and taunts from the crowd.

He says he’s the same old Tony Gwynn, but he knows he isn’t.

After spending the past eight seasons with the Padres, maybe it’s time, Gwynn suggests, that people get to know just who he is, and what he’s all about.

“I know I don’t have anything to prove,” Gwynn said, “because I’ve been as consistent as anyone the last eight years. I don’t think I should change, because I like me the way I am. And I know I can’t change the way people think of me.

“But what I want, more than anything else, is just to clear the picture for everybody.”

This is why although most folks might be yawning about Gwynn’s .365 batting average, he is elated. While everyone is overlooking his 11 RBIs, Gwynn is euphoric. While his defense is being taken for granted, he’s proud of his early-season accomplishements.

“It may look like I’m the same player I’ve always been,” Gwynn said, “but things are happening now that have never happened before.”

Gwynn is a career .329 hitter, but the .365 batting average he takes into tonight’s 4:35 game against the Philadelphia Phillies is the second-highest of his career for the month of April.

He already has exceeded his career best for RBIs in April. In fact, he didn’t obtain his 11th RBI last season until May 19.

And he might have four Gold Glove awards sitting in his trophy case, but the way he already has been getting to balls in the outfield, and catching balls against the wall, he’s determined to shut up any critics who dare to say he has slowed down.

“I want to people to watch me this year, and make their own judgments,” Gwynn said. “Don’t go by what someone says, or what you read, judge for yourself.

“That’s all I want.”

Still smoldering over being ridiculed last year by former teammate Jack Clark, Gwynn wants to wipe out all memories of the ugly season. He wants to prove that he indeed is among the elite in this game, a status many believe he has already earned with his six All-Star appearances and four batting titles.

Yet because of Clark’s criticism, and the resulting taunts from occasional fans, Gwynn wants to make sure that image is no longer tarnished.

Considering the way he’s been playing since the opening day of the season, perhaps more instrumental than anyone in the Padres’ 10-6 start, this could be a season that just might be remembered for a long, long time.

“It’s so nice to have the focus being on the field instead of all the other stuff,” Gwynn said, “and believe me, that makes a big difference. I can’t tell you what a distraction that was last year.

“But this year, hey, I feel great. Mentally I’m right. Physically I’m right. I think this could be a hell of a year. And I can say that with extreme confidence.

“I’m not being cocky or anything when I say that, that’s just my track record. If I have a good first two months, I’m going to have a hell of a season.

“This will not be a year like last year, that’s for damn sure.”

For the first time in years, Gwynn is at peace with himself. No longer is there dissatisfaction or ill-feelings toward his contract. No longer does he have to be the only one praised when the team wins or the only one condemned when it loses.

“I really don’t have any worries, they’re gone,” Gwynn said. “It feels so good to go out there and do the things I know I can do. I’m not fighting myself like I was in the past.

“I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do. If they like it, they like it. If they don’t, they don’t.

“I’m not going to be any different.

“And that feels good.”