Only Tony Gwynn Could Be Frustrated at .320

It has been a season of injury and comparative inconsistency for Tony Gwynn, who approaches the final week, a last week of preparation for the playoffs, batting a mere .320, compared to his career average of .340 and his remarkable string of .353 or better the last four years--all of which produced batting titles.

Gwynn has won eight. Only Ty Cobb, with 12, won more.

Larry Walker, the Colorado Rockies’ right fielder, seems likely to interrupt the Gwynn streak and complete a rare parlay: 1997 most valuable player to 1998 National League batting champion.

No problem. Gwynn is completing his 15th full season on what has been a roller-coaster ride with the San Diego Padres and has long insisted he would trade his silver bats for a World Series ring. That he will soon be getting another shot at it, that he can live with finishing 10th or so in the batting race, is not to say that there hasn’t been frustration this year or that he won’t be looking in the mirror when it’s over.

At 38, he knows that some people will look at those injuries, at the still-impressive but lower average, at the weight he has long carried, and wonder if deterioration hasn’t begun.

He also knows. . . .

“That at 38 there’s not many guys who can do what I can still do,” he said. “And I can tell you right now that at 39 [next May] there isn’t going to be anybody doing what I do. There’s always doubters, and there’s nothing better than to shove it in their face. That’s what motivates me, I make no bones about it.

“I mean, some people here feel I have to win a batting title every year, and when I don’t they think it’s a bad year. That’s the kind of hole I’ve dug being so successful, and I understand. I haven’t been as successful or consistent this year, but I’m confident enough to believe I can come back and win [a batting title] next year. Has anyone won one at 39?”

Yes. Ted Williams won the 1957 and ’58 American League crowns at 39 and 40.

Gwynn’s goal is consistency, but “I haven’t been out there enough this year to develop that consistency,” he said.

There have been problems with his knees, an injury to his left Achilles’ tendon (he had surgery on the right two years ago) and a sprained ligament affecting his right thumb.

He was on the disabled list for the Achilles’ injury (it’s wrapped before each game and he wears a special shoe) from Aug. 13 to Sept. 1, then injured the thumb (which is also wrapped) on a swing Sept. 8.

In July, knee problems forced Gwynn out of periodic games, possibly affecting his mechanics during the worst slump of his career (.154 over 15 games), a mild stretch that included a career-high 19 at-bats without a hit.

Gwynn now says he is unencumbered physically and about a six on a scale of 10 in terms of batting. He went into a weekend series against the Rockies with a .384 average over his last 25 games, confident he could improve on the six before the playoffs start in about 10 days. He is an important element, of course, for a Padre team with stronger pitching than the ’96 Western Division champion that was eliminated by St. Louis in the division series but which has been struggling offensively, batting .218 and averaging 3.5 runs while losing 13 of 20 games through Friday.

For Gwynn, there has been frustration in not having been able to play a more integral role, not being better prepared now.

The Achilles’ injury occurred, he said, just when he was coming back from the knee-hindered July slump, and the thumb injury occurred just when he was coming back from the Achilles’.

Does he feel that his body is telling him something? “I go home and look in the mirror at the end of every year,” he said. “Is it time? Do I have time left? I’ll ask all those questions again, but not until the season is over. I do know I can still play and that I’m going to play again next year. I know I can’t play forever, even though I’d like to. I know I’m going to have to walk away at some point, and I think I’ll be able to handle it just fine, though some people here may not agree.”

Gwynn had 2,918 hits before the weekend and should eclipse 3,000 next year. His Hall-of-Fame passport has already been stamped, but the Padres insist that their approach is designed to keep Gwynn strong and playing as long as possible.

He is relieved defensively by Ruben Rivera, his probable successor, in the late innings of many games, a jolt to his Gold Glove pride that occasionally prompts complaints. It’s also unlikely that he will get 500 or 600 at-bats again in any season because of mandated rest by Manager Bruce Bochy.

“Boch has done a great job, and I think Tony realizes we’re looking out for his health,” General Manager Kevin Towers said. “We want him to play another two, three, four years. There would be concern if his bat wasn’t still there, but it is. He can hit with anybody when he’s healthy.

“The nagging injuries have made it tough for him to get in a groove, and I know that’s bothered him mentally. We’re having an exciting year, and he wants to be in the middle of it. He’s frustrated, but any player in their late 30s can expect injuries. They’re going to happen.”

What happens to the team surrounding Gwynn this winter may depend on how well it does in October and how well it does at the polls in November, when the local electorate will vote on the financing plan for a new stadium.

The Padres have said that without the promise of increased revenue in a new stadium, it will be impossible to maintain the current team--impossible, perhaps, to stay in San Diego.

Kevin Brown, Ken Caminiti, Steve Finley and Wally Joyner are all eligible for free agency.

“Everybody is going to be raiding our kitchen,” Gwynn said in reference to those players. “You hope people here understand the importance of the vote.” Gwynn understands.

He has more than one reason for wanting to retain the core, for wanting to prosper in the playoffs.

“I want a ring,” he said, “and I want to cash in on this opportunity. I don’t know how many more I’ll get.”