The Best Team I Ever Saw

I was asked today, “What is an example of a great team?” My response: “The 1998 Padres.”

Tony, Trevor, Cammy, Wally, Steve, Greg, Kevin, Andy, Sterling. The 1998 San Diego Padres won the National League Pennant. The Padres had a roster full of talent, Bruce Bochy managing, and super likable. More than that, they were an exciting team to watch and energized the city of San Diego. They were the best team I ever saw in person.

And as for the World Series, Mark Langston struck out Tino Martinez in Game 1  leading to a four game sweep of the overmatched Yankees. At least, that's the way I remember it. 

Captain iAmerica

So I've been wrestling with my iMac for the last few weeks. The Apple Store eventually came through HUGE for me and all appears to be well. The important stuff ended happily ever after. But the coolest part about my Apple Store experience? I learned the proper and easiest way to carry an iMac like mine is to do it like Captain America. 

Apple Employee (Hans): “Carry it like Captain America.”

Me: “Hmmmmm...”

Apple Employee (Hans): “Trust me.”

And I did. Worked like a charm!

My Sports Hero

Tony Gwynn is my first and only Sports Hero. He passed away a month ago. Only 54 years old. Cancer isn't fair, I get that. Maybe better than some. But Tony deserved to live to 104.

The last time I got out my Tony Gwynn stuff was for his Hall of Fame induction back in 2007. Hard to believe that was seven years ago - a lot has changed for me. This stuff = growing up watching/listening to a ridiculous amount of bad Padres teams, but always having Tony. He was my Bright Light. The day that Tony passed, nothing gave me more comfort than to hear Keith Olbermann say about Tony: “What you hoped Tony Gwynn was like, he was like.”

Now that Tony is gone, what am I going to do with this stuff? New tradition. I'm displaying it every Baseball Opening Day starting next year. On one of my very favorite days of the year, I'm going to remember my first and only Sports Hero. #19. Mr. Padre. Tony Gwynn.