SAN DIEGO _ Even before USD's Kris Bryant lined the first pitch he saw into the second deck, Tuesday's All-Star Game at Petco Park had a decidedly local flavor, nothing more appropriate than the crowd chanting, "Tony, Tony, Tony!" as the Gwynn family joined Commissioner Rob Manfred on the field before the ceremonial first pitch.
This was fitting, too: Major League Baseball has named the National League's batting title after Mr. Padre, an eight-time batting champ who hit .338 across parts of 20 seasons _ all in San Diego. (The AL version was named for Rod Carew).
Then the starting pitcher from the 1976 All-Star Game _ NL Cy Young-winner Randy Jones _ delivered the ceremonial first pitch to the Padres' starter in the 2016 game, Wil Myers.
The official game ball was delivered by Trevor Hoffman, the NL's all-time leading closer making a much slower trek than he did in his hey-day while wearing a pin-striped jersey circa the Padres' 1998 World Series run.
Naturally, AC/DC's Hell's Bells blared over Petco Park's audio system.
