SAN DIEGO -- Alan Zinter is the Padres' new hitting coach, according to a source, and he is bringing more to the position than a strong sense for fundamental hitting mechanics and a handle on what it takes to have a successful approach.
He comes with a suitcase packed full of humility.
Baseball is great in many ways, one being that players don't always follow a linear path to reaching the big leagues. Zinter's trying road reads more like a weathered Rand McNally map, dotted with highlights and heartache.
"I love this game so much," Zinter said the other day.