The San Diego Padres (26-29) rediscovered some offensive prowess tonight as they defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks (24-32) 6-4 in a game that had Padres fans remembering games of yesteryear when Tony Gwynn Sr. reached base safely time and time again.

For me, watching Tony Gwynn Jr. prepare for a game brings back memories of the first time I ever had the privilege to enter a press box. It was the fall of 1995 and Tony Gwynn Sr. was working on his sixth of eight National League batting titles and he finished that season hitting .368.

My college buddy Frank Musgrove was then the Jumbotron camera operator for Padres games and he needed an assistant to wrap up cable after he took the camera out on to the field. Gladly, for no pay, I volunteered. I showed up at Qualcomm Stadium at about 10:00 A.M. for an afternoon game and accompanied Frank to the press box for some free food before we started.

As I loaded up on a buffet of hamburgers and hot dogs, I heard a crack and then an echo through the stadium. I glanced down to the grass to discover a completely empty field with the exception of Tony Gwynn methodically placing balls on a tee and then hitting them to all areas of the field. This went on for well over a half an hour.

I marveled that the five-time batting champion would be the first one at the park to work on his swing and that he was working at the most rudimentary level, hitting balls off of a tee.

Fourteen years later I find myself back in the press box, now at Petco Park and as a reporter for SanDiego.com. Coincidentally, the Padres granted me media access only days before they traded for Tony Gwynn Jr.

Once again I arrived early to the ball park, this time in hopes of getting some quotes from the players during batting practice. When I walked onto the field at 3:30, the players had not yet arrived with one exception: Tony Gwynn Jr. Like his father years ago, he had arrived early to get some extra work in. This Gwynn was not hitting off of a tee, he was in the batting cage hitting pitches from Glen Hoffman. Behind the backstop, Gwynn’s father stood and proudly observed his son’s work ethic.

Gwynn Jr. worked on the lost art of bunting. Gwynn bunted pitch after pitch for several minutes. Then he practiced hitting the balls to all areas of the field. In three consecutive pitches he hit a ball to left field, right field, and then center.

Eventually the other players came out to start the regular batting practice session. Gwynn then proceeded to take each of his regular turns in the cage. During his final turn he hit several home runs.

Gwynn then proceeded on his own to practice other elements of his game. He went to the infield and practiced timing the pitcher for stealing bases. Then he took a lead off of second base and practiced reacting to hit balls, determining as the balls left the bat whether or not he should run.

That night Gwynn went 2-for-2 against Arizona with a double and three walks. It was the first time in his career that he had walked three times and the first time that he reached base safely in each of five plate appearances.

It is great to see Gwynn Jr. have a game reminiscent of his father. However, it is important to remember that he does not need his father’s numbers to be successful. Many men have had success wearing the Padres uniform over the years, but only one has eight batting titles and only one other, Gary Sheffield, has won a batting title. If Gwynn Jr. continues to maintain an exceptional work ethic, he too can become a celebrated San Diego Padre with or without batting titles.