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July 29, 1999 | |
From the San
Diego Union Tribune:
Huge party awaits Gwynn after 3,000
By Kevin Acee
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
July 29, 1999
SAN DIEGO -- Looking for a positive in the increasing likelihood that Tony Gwynn will get his 3,000th hit somewhere other than San Diego, there is this: At least a game featuring the Florida Marlins will be worth attending.
Should Gwynn leave town not having gotten the nine hits that stand between him and history, he will likely complete the march during the Padres' 11-game trip that begins Monday.
After Sunday, the Padres' next home game is Aug. 13 against the Marlins, a night that will be better remembered for "Celebration 3,000."
The Padres are not certain of everything that will happen that night and want some things to remain a surprise. But the hit having happened a week or more before the celebration saps some of the drama.
"It's still a moment for the fans to show their appreciation to Tony and to connect with him," said Charles Steinberg, the Padres' executive vice president for community affairs.
A pregame ceremony will include speeches by Gwynn and others, and the presentation of gifts, including some from the 21 men who will welcome Gwynn into their prestigious 3,000-hit fraternity.
"We've gotten a lot of cooperation from the other members of the 3,000-hit club," Steinberg said. "That shows their regard for Tony."
Gwynn will likely address the fans, as will Padres owner John Moores. The team has collected video tributes from many former teammates and Hall of Famers.
While Gwynn has insisted that any celebration be low-key, the occasion calls for a certain degree of drama.
"The key to us is to show the magnitude of the achievement," Steinberg said.
Also part of the ceremony will be the unveiling of the banner honoring the Padres' first member of the 3,000-hit club. Since mid-June, banners have hung below the light rings at Qualcomm Stadium with pictures of the players who have reached 3,000.
"It will be a nonverbal moment that lets everyone get in touch with his own emotions as they see his likeness, his name and his number of hits," said Steinberg, who added that the Padres hope to keep the banners up as long as they play at Qualcomm.
Fans attending the Aug. 13 game will receive a memento -- a special-edition magazine and/or other novelty -- to commemorate their participation in the celebration.
Steinberg also said the Padres are considering opening Qualcomm to fans to view games on the large screen when Gwynn gets within a few hits of the mark.
That doesn't mean Steinberg and his staff aren't ready for Gwynn to have a Gwynn-like streak and get No. 3,000 over the weekend.
"What I figure is don't bet against a Hall of Famer," Steinberg said. "If anyone can (do it), it's Tony Gwynn. Either way. If he does it on the road, we'd love to have a grand 'Celebration 3,000' the first game back."
Story posted: 7/30/99 at 12:17 AM