Tony Gwynn says this is potentially the best San Diego Padre team he has played on, but adds, "We'll ultimately be judged by how we finish. I feel good about the way we're playing, but there's a lot of baseball left. We've won seven of nine against the Giants, but they still haven't gone anywhere. Jeff Shaw should help the Dodgers, and they're notoriously a second-half team. I still think it will be a dogfight."
Gwynn said he would trade his eight National League batting titles for another crack at a World Series "because the game is all about winning," and he knows this may be the last chance for this particular team. If financing for a new stadium isn't approved by San Diego voters, management may not choose to retain free agents Kevin Brown, Wally Joyner, Ken Caminiti and Steve Finley.
"If we don't get [the stadium], I could be the only guy left," Gwynn said. "I'm getting too old to go through another fire sale. I've been through two already. I mean, I've taken a lot of young players under my wing in 17 years, and my wings and feathers are gone."
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No question in all-star reliever Troy Percival's mind as to the key for the American League West-leading Angels in the second half.
