ony Gwynn was dressed like a spokesman - gray double-breasted suit, gold tie, commemorative blue All-Star Game cap - as he gently picked apart Juan Gonzalez's decision to boycott the game because the fans didn't elect him as a starter.
''I would have handled it a little differently,'' Gwynn said. ''By being here, I think you show the fans that you appreciate it. If you don't want to go, you can say you're hurt or whatever, but when you flat-out say that you don't want to go unless you're starting, I think it leaves a bad taste in fans' mouths.''
Gwynn is unable to play because of a calf injury that has kept him out seven of the past eight weeks, but he came to Boston anyway to represent the Game and serve as interpreter for the young players who have made this All-Star Game one of the more anonymous ones in recent memory. A combined 24 players are making their first appearance, including 17 on the National League roster.
Gwynn, 39, is 18 hits shy of 3,000 in 18 seasons with the San Diego Padres, who have returned to volatile mediocrity after last year's World Series appearance. This is his 15th All-Star selection (only Cal Ripken, with 17, has more among this year's Stars), and he has seen the game evolve from a hard-core sporting event into an entertainment spectacle in which the players are used as marketing tools.
Gwynn is uneasy about some of the changes - ''They've got us dressed up in all kinds of things now,'' he said before putting on the National League's gaudy two-toned costume during yesterday's EA Sports All-Star Workout Day - but he is still enthusiastic for the game and the opportunity to impart his wisdom to the youngsters. ''Part of my job here is to plant the seed and let these guys know that it's a great honor to make the All-Star Game.''
For some of the newcomers, being on the All-Star team seemed scarcely real. ''I'm still taking it all in,'' said Phillies catcher Mike Lieberthal, who earned a spot by hitting .308 with 18 homers and 61 RBIs in the first half.
Lieberthal was standing alone near the visitors dugout in the late afternoon, ignored by a 10-deep media horde that ringed the field. He was staring up at the Prudential building beyond right field, looking like someone who had wandered in from Kenmore Square and was surprised to find that he could go on the field.
Asked what he thought about being on the same roster with Gwynn, he laughed: ''You mean, besides being afraid to talk to him?''
''He's been through this so many times - as a young player you don't want to come off as too cocky and say the wrong thing,'' said Lieberthal, who grew up in Southern California. ''God, I watched him all the time in high school. I'm just going to take it in and watch him. If you get a chance to talk to him, that's great, but it's just great to be here with him.''
Sean Casey, the 25-year-old Reds first baseman who is tearing up the National League, said of Gwynn: ''Oh, man, I just idolize that guy.'' Casey was wandering around the field with a video camera, and as he whirled it around he found himself staring at Gwynn.
''Man, you've had that camera on all day long,'' said Gwynn, who was making his way to the batting cage. ''It's time to hit.''
Gwynn has won the batting title eight times. He has hit over .300 in 16 consecutive seasons. He was recently named as one of the top 100 players of the century and is a certain Hall of Famer. But doesn't believe he should be mentioned in the same breath with some of the all-time greats.
''There's no way I belong on the same list with Willie Mays, Ted Williams, and Hank Aaron and all those great players,'' he said. ''The fact that I'm on that list, I'm honored. I never saw Ted Williams play, but I read a lot of books and talked to a lot of people, and in my mind there's no way, there is just no way I belong on the same field.''
Gwynn's contribution to the game, he said, is ''to put the bat on the ball; that's what I do.'' He said he has barely thought about reaching 3,000 hits because of his recent injuries, but said it would be ''a validation'' of his career.
Gwynn seemed almost baffled by Gonzalez's decision to take a pass on the game. ''The negative of that is that it's not going to be any easier to be voted in,'' he said. ''You can hit 50 home runs by the break, and it's still going to be one of those things that fans are going to remember. I wish he would have reconsidered.''
