Adrian Gonzalez: Best player in MLB this season?

Is Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres the best player in MLB this season?

You could certainly make an argument for it.

Gonzalez leads the majors with 20 home runs; three more than anybody else.

A few items make his feat all the more impressive:

Gonzalez plays in a pitcher’s stadium at Petco Park.

Three-quarters (15) of his homers have come on the road. Nobody else in MLB is in double figures in such a category.

He’s in a weak line-up, so opposing teams certainly have the viable option of pitching around him.

Playing on the West Coast in a city than many consider a suburb of Los Angeles, Gonzalez tends to get very little attention nationally.

However, Hall of Famer Peter Gammons of ESPN calls Gonzalez and Arizona’s Justin Upton the two most overlooked players on the MLB All-Star ballot.

The left-handed hitting Gonzalez certainly isn’t going to start the All-Star game over Albert Pujols, especially with the game in St. Louis.

But it would be nice if Gonzalez, also a great fielder, was higher than his current fifth place among vote-getters at first base.

And it’d be appropriate if he was among the 10 National League players on the All-Star ballot for the Home Run Derby, but he’s not.

Gonzalez still may have a way to go in popularity polls; but he’s certainly a leader when it comes to the most feared players in the NL.

Gwynn, Aztecs seek their day in the sun

Tony Gwynn had his day in the sun in Major League Baseball, easily being voted into the Hall of Fame this year.

Now, if only he could enjoy another day in the sun as San Diego State’s baseball coach.

Gwynn is in his fifth year at the helm of the Aztecs. He has yet to lead his team into the NCAA playoffs.

But that’s nothing new around SDSU. The Aztecs, despite being in an ideal city for baseball, have not made the NCAA playoffs since 1991 as they enter the Mountain West Conference Tournament today against the New Mexico Lobos.

Collegiate baseball teams can shine in San Diego. Just look at the University of San Diego Toreros, who are ranked fifth in the nation.

The Toreros will most certainly be in the NCAA Tournament the weekend of June 1 … most likely hosting games at SDSU of all places!

Gwynn earns sportsmanship award

You probably know by now that Tony Gwynn will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 29.

You probably don’t know that the man known as "Mr. Padre" will be honored a month before in St. Louis at the 2007 AT&T National Sportsmanship Awards.

The 15-time All-Star and eight-time batting champion will receive the Career Achievement Award from the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance (CTSA) at the organization’s June 21 event.

Appearing with Gwynn (currently the baseball coach at San Diego State) will be Sharon Robinson, daughter of the late Jackie Robinson. Her father broke the color barrier in Major League baseball 60 years ago.

"Tony Gwynn and Jackie Robinson represent the ideals of the National Sportsmanship Awards," CTSA chairman Ron Stratten said. "Tony’s career is defined by his class, grace and charm; and Jackie was known for his determination, teamwork and citizenship. We couldn’t be more fortunate to have the chance to recognize these two stars, especially at such a significant time."