Santaluz resident pens book for Padres fans

A new book that shares behind-the-scenes details, memorable events and a bit of advice for die-hard Padres fans has been written by a Santaluz resident.

Kirk Kenney, a sportswriter for The San Diego Union-Tribune, will discuss his first book, “100 Things Padres Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die” at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17 in the 4S Ranch Library, 10433 Reserve Drive. Signed copies of the paperback will be available at the event for $15.

The book is part of a series Triumph Books is publishing. Kenney, like other writers in each of the 30 Major League cities, was asked to write “the ultimate resource” for their hometown team’s fans. His book debuted in May.

Writing a book that within a couple pages per chapter highlights some of the Padres’ most memorable moments was a natural fit for Kenney due to his background.

“I was born and raised in San Diego and have followed the Padres since 1969,” he said. “I knew a lot of the stories because I worked at the stadium (during high school and college) ... and been at the newspaper since 1985. So I drew a lot of the stories on what I have written in the past.

“I’ve also covered a lot of college baseball in the past 15 to 20 years, known (Tony) Gwynn and had a lot of conversations with him over the years and at San Diego State University,” he said. “I had a lot of the background that I needed to write and then filled it in with research and talking with people.”

Kenney said he first met Gwynn when both were SDSU students in the early ‘80s. Gwynn was on the baseball team that Kenney covered for The Daily Aztec.

His first chapter explains how that easily might not have happened, had it not been for a chance encounter Gwynn had with Bobby Meacham, which led to the latter mentioning to SDSU baseball coach Jim Dietz that Gwynn was a great baseball player. At the time, Gwynn was at SDSU on a basketball scholarship. A year later, Meacham advocated for Gwynn to play on the Aztec’s baseball team.

With 100 chapters on well-beloved events and little-known moments, Kenney said he does not have just one favorite. “It would (include those) with Tony Gwynn since I was close to him and covered his career (with the Padres) and after (while coaching at SDSU),” he said.

Writing the book also let him recall special memories, especially the “older stories from the ‘70s and ‘80s,” he said. “It was part of my childhood.”

As for what Padres fans reading the book might find surprising, Kenney said, “That the team never had a no-hitter. That is one of the things (I say for them) to watch for. Because the Padres have thrown 7,600 games without one. It’s the one team in the major league (with that distinction).”

He said readers will also likely enjoy reading the off-beat moments, like when a woman attending a game last year gave birth at Petco Park, plus some of his favorite memories, like watching fans catch a foul ball. Kenney said some intentionally seek the souvenir and others have had it literally fall in their laps. That has led to some special interactions between players and fans, he said.

Other highlights include special moments in the franchise’s history, like the 1984 and 1998 World Series and when Gwynn 3,000th hit. Memorable personalities involved with the team that he wrote about include Ray Kroc, Jerry Coleman, Trevor Hoffman, Ken Caminiti and the San Diego Chicken.

Kenney said 60 to 70 chapters were easy to come up with and his final list featured a little over 100, so some were combined to whittle down the number. As for the rankings, they are not from most to least important. Instead, some chapter numbers reflect the subject. For example, Chapter 19 is “Tony’s Number” and Chapter 9 is “Hoffman in the 9th.”

Kenney said he has been interested in writing a book for awhile, has an idea for another baseball-related book plus some non-sports topics, including a children’s book. However, he has no plans to write another book for at least a year.

Those not attending the event on Wednesday in 4S Ranch can purchase “100 Things Padres Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die” as a book or e-book online through any major bookseller.