Monday, August 14, 2006
Tony Gwynn Jr.'s Callup to Brewers a Certainty
Tony Gwynn Jr. -- son of future Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn Sr. -- is an absolute, stone-cold lock for a September callup to the Brewers. After going 7-15 in a brief appearance as a bench warmer in Milwaukee, and hitting at a better than .300 clip in Nashville, Gwynn's days of struggle at the plate appear to be behind him. Gwynn also has stolen 25 bases for the AAA club, and is described as a textbook copy of his father both in psychology and form, with superb work habits and a positive clubhouse presence. What remains to be seen is how much playing time he will get at the expense of youngsters Gabe Gross and Corey Hart, who have usurped floundering veteran Jeff Jenkins, 32. In any case, Gwynn's appearance only further buries Jenkins, whom the Brewers would gladly trade if there were any takers.
Doctor X -- the 'Baseball Medic' -- is an anonymous U.S. government trauma specialist with a Duke University sports medicine background and more than 20 years experience in emergency medicine. From time to time he considers MLB rumors, events and news reports as they pertain to baseball players' injuries, illnesses and various other disabilities, both on the field and off.
MLB Rumors editor Greg Fieg is a former sports news editor and award-winning writer whose bylines have appeared on the wires of the Associated Press and in numerous publications, including San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio Light, Houston Chronicle and Philadelphia Bulletin. He formerly was posted in various positions on the U.S.-Mexican border with Freedom Newspapers, and was a regular, independent contributor to United Press International.