Kirk Kenney: Padres Loyalty Endures Stronger Than Ever in Cubs Country

A Lifelong Passion for Baseball

A pitcher’s earned-run average is calculated by multiplying the total number of earned runs allowed by nine, then dividing by the total number of innings pitched. This formula might seem complex, but for Tommy Cronk, it was something he could grasp at just four years old. His sister Natalie recalls, “He’s a math genius. We knew that he was well beyond any of us in math.” Their bond began in the late 1970s when they would sit on the driveway in La Mesa, talking about baseball and the Padres.

Those conversations were more than casual chats; they were the seeds of loyalty and passion. “You don’t think about it in the moment, but that is where allegiance and loyalty are born,” Natalie says. The talks continued for a couple of years until Tommy started kindergarten, and she went to college. Despite the distance, Tommy’s love for baseball only grew.

From Cul-de-sac to the Majors

By the time an outfielder from San Diego State joined the Padres, Tommy’s fascination with the team blossomed. “I’ve just been a baseball guy my whole life,” Tom says. “Playing on the cul-de-sac. We had the bases painted on the blacktop in the street … A big part of it was Tony Gwynn. He was always my favorite.”

Gwynn became a role model for Tom, and the connection deepened through radio broadcasts and box scores. When his parents split up in the early 1980s, Tommy moved to Iowa with his mom. Now a teacher and coach in Iowa, he still supports the Padres despite the state being Cubs Country.

Loyalty in the Face of Challenges

Tom’s loyalty to the Padres is unwavering, even when it comes at a cost. “It’s ridiculous. You want to know what the crazy thing is? We watch the Padres on MLB.TV. We are blacked out of six places: Cubs, Cardinals, White Sox, Twins, Royals, Brewers. It makes me so mad,” he says. Even with the challenges, Tom stays connected to the game through radio broadcasts.

A Special Trip to Wrigley Field

Tom’s dedication to the Padres led to a memorable trip to Wrigley Field for Game 2 of a series. His family surprised him with a road trip, and ten members of the family made the four-hour drive from Iowa City to Chicago. Natalie, his sister, arranged everything, including 10 Padres jerseys from the 1980s, each featuring Tony Gwynn’s number and the initials RAK on the sleeve.

“Everything is 19,” Natalie says. “Everything. There’s all this emotional connection to Tony Gwynn as a dad and a role model.” The family’s deep connection to Gwynn is evident in their lives, from their children knowing who he was to the wedding where the story of Tom and Gwynn was highlighted.

A Chance Encounter with a Legend

Natalie remembers the day she met Tony Gwynn in person. It was the fall of 1983, and she and Tom were at Grossmont College for a soccer game. She approached Gwynn for an autograph for her brother, but Tom missed the moment. Gwynn patiently waited and even signed another autograph after misspelling her name twice.

“He finally had me spell my name out slowly, letter by letter,” Natalie recalls. As she walked away, Gwynn called out her name, leaving her feeling special. That encounter cemented Gwynn’s place in Tom’s heart.

Setting an Example Through Coaching

Tom’s passion for baseball extended into coaching. He played catcher at Iowa City West High School and later became a volunteer coach. He eventually became an assistant coach and remained on the staff for over two decades. At Iowa City Liberty High School, he took on the role of head coach and led the team to the state tournament.

His dedication also extends to teaching. Tom recently received recognition for his adaptive P.E. class, where he helped a student with impaired motor skills participate using assistive technology created by a robotics student.

Staying Faithful Through the Game

During a recent game, Tom’s excitement was palpable. He texted throughout the match, reacting to every play. When the Cubs threatened, he expressed concern, and when the Padres scored, he celebrated with joy. The final out brought a sense of relief and triumph.

“Unbelievable day,” Tom texted after the game. “Still just ecstatic about how everything happens. So surreal.” For Tom, the game is more than just a sport—it’s a lifelong journey filled with passion, loyalty, and memories.