Myers Reports for Setup Duty With Padres

Randy Myers is back in town. The hand grenades, stun gun and other paraphernalia will arrive later.

The left-handed reliever, definitely one of a kind, arrived in San Diego on Friday, wearing a camouflage hat and reporting for duty as the NL West-leading Padres prepared to open a three-game series against the Florida Marlins.

Myers was obtained in a waiver deal with Toronto on Thursday, giving the Padres a lefty setup man for Trevor Hoffman, who leads the majors with 37 saves.

Myers, had 28 saves for Toronto and is fifth on the career list with 347 saves, said he was too busy to meet with reporters before Friday’s game. But Tony Gwynn, the only Padres player left from Myers’ 1992 stint in San Diego, had plenty of time to talk about the left-hander.

Gwynn recalled Myers walking around the clubhouse with his stun gun; how he’s not afraid to step off the mound and direct outfielders to move a step or two in a certain direction; and how he runs in the outfield hours before games looking like a samurai, wearing a headband and big belt, with “this Neanderthal-like jog.”

“He’s a super guy,” Gwynn said, “but completely different. But it’s a good different. When he starts going around with that Army stuff, that’s a whole ‘nother thing. But he’s a good guy.”

Myers was one of the Nasty Boys in Cincinnati’s bullpen in 1990, the year the Reds swept Oakland in the World Series. And he has an affinity for military do-dads.

“I asked him, ‘You got the goodies with you?’ ” Gwynn said.

“Because he gave me an ammunition case his last year here. It’s still in my locker. I keep batting gloves in it and stuff.”

For the time being, the goodies remained behind.

Myers said during a conference call Thursday night that he’ll accept whatever role the Padres give him in their quest for their first World Series berth since 1984.

Gwynn thinks Myers will fit in just fine in San Diego’s business-like clubhouse.

“But he’s got to get people out. It’s that simple. This team is really about going out there and doing what we’ve got to do. He’s no different. If you don’t get lefties out, believe you me, we might need some of that electric shock stuff, because these guys are not going to let him off the hook. Let’s get the job done. In my mind I think he’ll fit right in.”

The Padres made it clear that Hoffman is still their closer.

“He can only help us,” Hoffman said.

“And if people ask if it’s going to bother Hoffy, absolutely not. It’s a positive acquisition to get someone of his caliber. The bottom line is we’re trying to win the NL West and we want to get to the World Series.”

Pitching coach Dave Stewart said Myers can close when Hoffman needs a day off, or could even come in to start the ninth if a left-handed batter is up.