Gwynn, Not Bonds, Owns Spotlight

This is Tony’s town. Barry Bonds arrived here, chasing history, but Gwynn’s face was the one splashed across the front page of the sports section. San Diego State hired Gwynn as its next baseball coach Thursday, and Bonds strolled by Friday to extend congratulations and jokingly offer to join Gwynn’s staff.

“I’ll show ‘em how to play against a Punch-and-Judy hitter like you,” Bonds said with a grin.

Gwynn laughed, then launched into a mock diatribe against how opposing coaches will scare off potential San Diego State recruits by warning that Gwynn will transform them from sluggers into singles hitters. Gwynn and Bonds, each bound for Cooperstown, shared another smile.

Bonds did not hit a home run Friday, but he did drive in a run in the San Francisco Giants’ 2-0 victory over the San Diego Padres. Bonds singled, walked, grounded out and flied out. With 64 home runs, Bonds remains six shy of Mark McGwire’s record, with 14 games to play.

The first game of “Thanks Tony” weekend, honoring the retiring eight-time NL batting champion who played his entire 20-year career in San Diego, attracted a sellout crowd of 60,066 to Qualcomm Stadium. The Padres placed two commemorative logos in foul territory, stenciled Gwynn’s uniform number (19) on the grass in his position, right field, and stenciled 5.5 on the dirt between shortstop and third base to recognize his favorite hole through which to poke a line drive.

The crowd showered Gwynn with ovations, including before and after he grounded out as a pinch-hitter, and before the game when San Diego State athletic director Rick Bay presented Gwynn with an Aztec jersey and said, “Coach Gwynn, welcome to our staff.”

As Gwynn retires from the Padres, Bonds heads into free agency. Not long ago, Gwynn said, a 37-year-old like Bonds would be “looking at a one-year deal for 500 grand.” But, with players staying in better shape, Gwynn said Bonds might well merit a five-year contract.

“If A-Rod is worth 25 [million dollars] in the American League, Barry is worth 25 in the National League,” Gwynn said. “But he might think I’m shortchanging him.”

Coach Gwynn laughed again. No agents to worry about in college ball.