PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / SCOTT MILLER : Gwynn Speaks Out on Slump

Tony Gwynn, in a three-for-32 slump before tripling to right-center in the eighth inning Sunday, says he still doesn’t think he is out of his slump.

And for those who don’t believe him, he interviewed himself.

It started after Sunday’s game when, as Gwynn reached his locker after showering, a group of reporters approached him. He saw them coming and said: “Tony got a hit, here they come.”

Then he laughed, and began the interview. Both the questions and answers were supplied by Gwynn:

“Is your slump over?”

“No.”

“Did you feel good today?”

“No.”

“Do you feel you’re coming out of it?”

“No.”

“Did you hit it (the triple) good?”

“Yes I hit it good, but I was swinging from my boots.”

Gwynn also said he broke two bats during Sunday’s game, the first time he could ever remember doing that.

Many ex-players go into broadcasting. Maybe this guy could be a writer when his career ends. Gwynn is going fishing. Fred McGriff is planning to play some golf. Today is just the Padres’ second off-day at home this summer, and most of the players were planning to do anything but think about baseball.

Then, about the time McGriff said he was going golfing, Thomas Howard walked up.

“Hey, Fred, want to go to the batting cages (Monday),” Howard asked.

They both laughed.