The Hot Corner

Tony Gwynn, who has gone 9 for 24 as a designated hitter in six interleague games this season, has rethought his once vehement opposition to prolonging his career by becoming a full-time DH. "I enjoyed it," says Gwynn, 40, whose wobbly left knee keeps him out of the lineup some days. Would he consider moving to an American League team to stave off retirement? "It depends on if I could still be productive," says Gwynn. "If it ever came to that, I probably would."...

Yankees and American League All-Star manager Joe Torre named Devil Rays manager Larry Rothschild, whose job security has been in question much of the season, as one of his All-Star coaches. Asked what he would do if Rothschild lost his job in the next month, Torre said, "I guess I would still have him, but wearing a sport coat and tie."...

Cuban defector Adrian Hernandez-nicknamed El Duquecito for the resemblance of his pitching style to that of Yankees ace Orlando Hernandez—was less than impressive in his first start for New York's Double A affiliate. Hernandez, who like El Duque has a high leg kick and pitches from a variety of arm angles, threw consistently in the mid-80s. "He's tricky, polished and gimmicky," one scout says. "He'll be a hit for a while, but the league will catch up to him. He may be a bust."...

What's worse: no fans in the stands, or the ones who are there cheering for the visiting team? "It feels as if we should be wearing gray uniforms," Marlins outfielder Preston Wilson said after the Red Sox received a standing ovation during the first of the team's two wins in Miami last week. "I'm embarrassed."