Last month Dodgers’ first baseman James Loney and outfielder Matt Kemp stopped by MayorsManor to share a few thoughts on hockey.
As you may recall, Loney is eager to not only come out to Staples Center for a game, but he wants to suit up and take part in warm-ups. Meanwhile, the always laid-back Kemp indicated he was more the ‘ceremonial first puck’ type of guy.
Then, there’s outfielder Tony Gwynn, Jr. – perhaps a superfan in disguise…
Growing up, he says he spent summers in Long Beach with his grandparents. And although he never made it down to the old Forum for a game, that didn’t stop him from cheering for the local hockey team.
“I was a huge Kings fan back when they went to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1993,” Gwynn recently shared. “Back when they had Luc Robitaille and Wayne Gretzky, they had a bunch of good players. I remember watching the Vancouver series and when they won that series I was pumped up!”
Nearly 20 years later, is he still interested in the Kings?
“As I’ve gotten older, I haven’t had the chance to follow them as much. But, every time I see them on TV I root for them,” explained Gwynn.
Once the Dodgers season is over, he’ll spend his winter down in San Diego – just a few hour drive from downtown Los Angeles. So, maybe he’ll catch a game this season.
“I would love to come to a hockey game,” said Gwynn. “I’ve heard they’re one of the best games to go watch in person.”
How about getting on the ice, would he like to join Loney?
“If I did that, I’d have to be the goalie because I would need as much equipment as possible – especially seeing that puck come by as fast it goes,” Gwynn wondered aloud.
Just know that it wouldn’t be completely foreign to him…
“I’ve been on skates before. I used to try to play a little bit of hockey when I was younger. But, it was ugly,” he said, followed by a long laugh.
For some other Dodgers-Kings related articles, be sure to check out the links below.
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