Still, what once was unthinkable has become thinkable. The ovation for the great Padres right fielder when the players were introduced yesterday afternoon was loud and long, as if the fans were anticipating something other than every Jarvis pitch reaching the seats. They had to know this might be the last one for Gwynn, the greatest of all Padres, the best pure hitter of his generation. Gwynn knows it, too. In the past, he would have been reluctant to talk about such things.
Most athletes consider themselves immortal.
But now, when you ask Gwynn if this could be his Final Home Opener, he doesn't brush you off. I've thought about it, yes. If it isn't, I'll be back next year. Since the trouble with his knee, Tony Gwynn the man is more realistic about Tony Gwynn the player. Maybe if he were totally healthy, with no problems, he wouldn't be thinking about his own athletic mortality.