EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

	SAN DIEGO PADRES
	2000 Spring Training Schedule
	2000 Regular Season Schedule

1999 Record: 74-88 (4th, NL West, 26 GB)

1999 Payroll: $46.5 million (15th)

1999 Team Statistics (NL rank) Batting Avg. .252 (16th)         Opp. Average .266 (8th) Runs Scored 710 (15th) ERA 4.47 (8th) Home Runs 153 (15th) Fielding Pct. .979 10th)

1999 Recap: A year after reaching the World Series, the Padres took a giant step backwards last season, finishing 24 games worse than their 1998 record. San Diego headed into the 1999 season without Greg Vaughn, Steve Finley and Ken Caminiti. To make matters worse, Tony Gywnn, Wally Joyner, Randy Myers and Reggie Sanders all missed significant time because of injuries. Only the Marlins and Twins scored fewer runs and the Padres owned the major's lowest team batting average. The year's only saving grace was the emergence of Phil Nevin and the continued excellence of Trevor Hoffman, who converted 40 of 43 save opportunities.

1999 Highlight: Former No. 1 pick Phil Nevin, acquired to be a role player, ended up leading the club with 85 RBIs. Nevin outperformed the departed Ken Caminiti, achieving career highs in every offensive category.

1999 Lowlight: On July 23, the Padres were 49-46 and heading into a four-game series in Houston. Three weeks later, San Diego emerged with a 50-57 record, surrendering more than five runs a game while scoring an average of less than three during that span.

Manager: Bruce Bochy (409-383 in five seasons with San Diego)

Coaches: Ben Oglivie (hitting), Dave Smith (pitching), Alan Trammell (first), Tim Flannery (third), Greg Booker (bullpen), Rob Picciolo (bench)

Camp Site: Peoria Sports Complex, Peoria, Ariz.

Reporting Dates: Pitchers and catchers Feb. 18; full squad Feb. 23

Additions: OF Al Martin, 1B Ryan Klesko, 2B Bret Boone, 3B Ed Sprague

Subtractions: 2B Quilvio Veras, OF John Vander Wal, RHP Andy Ashby, OF Reggie Sanders, 1B Wally Joyner

Spring Cleaning: With the loss of Quilvio Veras and Reggie Sanders to the Braves, one of the Padres' top priorities during spring training will be finding a suitable leadoff hitter. The most obvious choice is Al Martin, who batted first in 115 games for the Pirates last season. Martin has stolen at least 20 bases the last five seasons and should top the 100-run mark this season. The team will have a strong power-hitting lineup if Ryan Klesko (21), Bret Boone (20), Ruben Rivera (23) and Nevin (24) can match last year's home run totals. More important, Tony Gywnn has come to camp relatively healthy.

Putting On The Hits Most career hits -- all with one team Player, Team  Hits  Stan Musial, STL  3,630  Carl Yastrzemski, BOS  3,419  George Brett, KC  3,154  Robin Yount, MIL  3,142  Cap Anson, CHC  3,081  Tony Gwynn, SD  3,067  Al Kaline, DET  3,007  Roberto Clemente, PIT  3,000

At 40, Gywnn may no longer be an effective outfielder, but few can question his effectiveness at the plate. Last season Gywnn had his fewest at bats (411) since the 1983 season, yet still managed to hit .358 and drive in 62 runs. One year after losing Kevin Brown, the Padres' pitching staff took another major hit with the departure of Andy Ashby. Sterling Hitchcock (12-14, 4.11 ERA) assumes the role of staff ace, though his days might also be numbered as the cost-conscious Padres look to clear salary. After Hitchcock the starting staff is projected to be Woody Williams (12-12, 4.41), Matt Clement (10-12, 4.48), Brian Meadows (11-15, 5.60) and Brian Boehringer (6-5, 3.24). Reliever Randy Myers (28 saves in '98) looks to make a comeback after missing last season with an injury, while Trevor Hoffman remains one of the top closers in baseball.

Key Acquisition: The Padres hope Al Martin, obtained from the Pittsburgh Pirates for clubhouse favorite John Vander Wal, can replace the speed they lost at the top of the order. While Martin stole 20 bases and scored 97 runs last season, he struck out 119 times and hit only .277. The 32-year-old veteran hit a career-high 24 home runs in '99.

Pivotal Player: Ryan Klesko has battled injuries and skeptics his whole career. Now the Padres will rely on the lefthander to be their top offensive weapon. Klesko's main problem has been his performance against lefties. He has a.208 career average against southpaws and hit only .102 against them last year. Only 10 of his 139 career homers have come off lefthanders. Bochy will test the former Brave's capacity against lefties during the spring.

The Future is Now: Despite hitting 23 home runs, Ruben Rivera had an uneven '99 season. The Padres' starting center fielder fell into deep slumps, hitting only 48 RBIs, striking out 143 times and managing only a .295 on-base percentage. Rivera, touted as a five-tool talent during his minor league days, also possesses considerable speed (18 SB) and is an above-average centerfielder. At the age of 26, however, time is running out -- and Rivera will need to produce early to keep his starting spot in a crowded outfield.

Opportunity Knocks: Eric Owens was one of the biggest surprises for the Padres last season, appearing in a team high 149 games. Owens, who was used primarily as a utility player last season, can play all outfield positions and first base. With a strong camp, the speedy 29-year-old will have a chance to play either behind Klesko and Rivera on a regular basis. As a leadoff hitter, Owens batted only .170 last season, but if Martin falters, Bochy might use him at the top of the order.

Prospects to Watch: 3B Sean Burroughs, RHP Buddy Caryle, OF Mike Darr, RHP Adam Eaton, C Wiki Gonzalez RHP Junior Hemdon, OF Gary Matthews Jr., SS Kevin Nicholson

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