Tony Gwynn finally leads San Diego State to regional

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It took Tony Gwynn only three seasons to win the first of his eight National League batting titles during a Hall of Fame career with the San Diego Padres.

So Gwynn was understandably frustrated that it took him seven seasons to lead San Diego State to an NCAA Division I baseball regional.

‘I really thought this was going to be an easier gig than it’s turned out to be,’ said Gwynn, who became the coach at his alma mater in 2003.

San Diego State (41-20) plays Virginia (43-12-1) today in the opening game of a regional at UC Irvine. Junior right-hander Stephen Strasburg, regarded as the probable No. 1 pick in the major league draft, is expected to start for the Aztecs, who are in a regional for the first time since 1991.

‘It’s a good feeling to finally get here,’ Gwynn said. ‘I’ve got Aztec fans calling me singing my praises where just a year ago I was a bum.

‘ ‘When are you going to get there? He doesn’t know what he’s doing. Great players don’t make great coaches.’ You hear all those anecdotes.’

Gwynn’s coaching record is 213-211 heading into a regional that also includes top-ranked Irvine (43-13) and defending national champion Fresno State (32-28).

‘I still have a lot of learning to do,’ Gwynn said.

-- Gary Klein