Loss of Gwynn Likely Heavy Blow to Padres

The San Diego Padres’ pennant chances are a lot slimmer now that Tony Gwynn is out at least four weeks. . . .

Yeah, Gwynn is fat and so was Babe Ruth. . . .

Dodger outfielder Todd Hollandsworth is quickly developing into a five-point player who can hit, hit with power, run, throw and catch. . . .

In fact, Hollandsworth has become a candidate to stretch the Dodger rookie-of-the-year award streak to five, although New York Met shortstop Rey Ordonez is the clear-cut leader right now. . . .

Mike Piazza should give Raul Mondesi patience lessons. . . .

Mark Guthrie has proved Fred Claire to be right. . . .

At the time, Claire said that Guthrie was much more than a thrown-in to the deal that also brought starting pitcher Kevin Tapani to the Dodgers from the Minnesota Twins for Ron Coomer, Greg Hansell and Jose Parra last July 31. . . .

Guthrie, whose earned-run average is microscopic, has given Los Angeles much-needed left-handed middle relief strength. . . .

Is it sheer coincidence that the Cincinnati Reds have improved dramatically since the suspension of Marge Schott? . . .

Until his heart attack, Tom Lasorda, 68, hadn’t spent a night in a hospital bed since he had his tonsils removed in 1939. . . .

“I thought I was indestructible,” Lasorda said. . . .

Look-a-likes: Todd and Tim Worrell. . . .

Mark Kotsay’s performance for the touring U.S. Olympic team shows that the Florida Marlins were fortunate the Cal State Fullerton outfielder was still available when they drafted him ninth in the first round last month. . . .

Kotsay was three for four with a home run and three runs batted in during the U.S. team’s 11-10 victory over Cuba on Monday. . . .

The Cuban pitchers make Pedro Astacio and Alejandro Pena look like fast workers. . . .

If you thought Brady Anderson would be leading the major leagues in home runs today, you’re alone. . . .

I wonder how most thoroughbred trainers eke out a living. Of the 324 trainers who have started horses at Hollywood Park this meeting, 191 have failed to win a race. . . .

Exotic Wood, whose only defeat in seven races was a close decision to champion filly Serena’s Song, resurfaces in today’s third race at Hollywood Park after returning from New York. . . .

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On the Mike Tyson-Bruce Seldon undercard July 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Felix Trinidad defends his International Boxing Federation welterweight title against Ray Lovato, and Terry Norris defends his World Boxing Council and IBF junior-middleweight titles against Alex Rios. . . .

Some day, Trinidad vs. Oscar De La Hoya is going to be a huge attraction. . . .

Chances are that George Foreman won’t fight again. . . .

The addition of golf to the Olympics would give an entirely new meaning to medal play. . . .

NFL scouts say Cal’s Pat Barnes, who has yet to fulfill his enormous potential, will be one of the most heavily scrutinized quarterbacks in the nation this year. . . .

Barnes can’t ask for a better tutor. New Bear Coach Steve Mariucci was Brett Favre’s position coach at Green Bay. . . .

This should be a good year for quarterbacks in the Pacific 10. Besides Barnes, other all-star candidates include USC’s Brad Otton, UCLA’s Cade McNown, Arizona State’s Jake Plummer and Oregon’s Tony Graziani. . . .

As part of the “Touchdown for Youth” program co-sponsored by USC and the Los Angeles Sports Council Foundation, hundreds of disadvantaged children will be able to attend the Trojan-Oregon State game Sept. 14 at the Coliseum free of charge. . . .

Thumbs up to Louisiana State basketball Coach Dale Brown for hiring Bob Boyd, 66 years young, as an assistant. In 1972, Boyd, while at USC, turned down the head coaching job at LSU. . . .

UCLA is among the schools on the short list of 6-foot-9 forward Lamar Odom from Middle Village, N.Y. He is also on the short list of NBA teams thinking about drafting a player out of high school next year. . . .

If the New York Knicks sign Reggie Miller, I guess that would mean the start of a mutual admiration society between Miller and Spike Lee. . . .

The scrimmages during the Dream Team’s practice sessions at Chicago should be much tougher than its games at Atlanta. . . .

How can the Kings not welcome back Tony Granato with open arms? . . .

K.C. Jones will make a capable assistant to M.L. Carr. That’s my initial reaction.