Christian High's Tony Clark eager to "come home" and play with Padres

By JOHN PHILIP WYLLIE  

At 6'7" and 245 pounds, newly acquired Padres infielder Tony Clark towers over the opposition and his teammates alike. It doesn't seem possible that the former Christian High baseball and basketball All-American will soon be turning 36, but that is what his birth certificate says. In his lengthy and impressive major league career Clark has blasted 244 career home runs on behalf of the Tigers, Red Sox, Mets, Yankees and Diamondbacks.

A year ago, in his final season with the Diamondbacks he launched 17 homers and had 51 RBIs despite an injury-shortened season that was limited to 113 games.

It appears from his impressive showing this spring that Clark has plenty of gas left in his tank. At the midway point of spring training Clark was hitting .444 after going 12 for 27 with two doubles and a home run. Clark will spell Padres superstar Adrian Gonzalez at first base on occasion and will make plenty of late inning plate appearances when the often anemic Padres attack needs a little pop. He is also being counted on to bring additional leadership to the clubhouse and be the team-oriented guy that he has always been.

≥It feels like I have been here for 10 years. It has been tremendous how comfortable everyone has made me feel. These are not just talented guys, they are good guys and we have a solid group of believers on this team. They have received me with open arms and they are strong in their faith and how they go about their business. I feel very fortunate to be here,≤ Clark said prior to a mid-March exhibition game against the Chicago White Sox.

Clark was aware of the Padres reputation as being one of the teams that have a strong Christian presence before he ever set foot in their Peoria training camp.

≥There were events during the off-season where you have the opportunity to spend some time with guys from different teams including guys from here. That being said, I have learned a lot of new names and meeting a lot of new Christian brothers that I didnπt know has made it a blast.≤

With so many of the teams clustered in Southern Arizona each March, there is a unique opportunity during spring training for Christian players on opposing teams to rekindle old friendships and share their common bonds of fellowship.

≥On any given Sunday we have a large contingent of guys that come in to listen to the Word. We have had upwards of 50, 60, and 70 guys from a lot of the teams in the area attending the Bible studies. So it has been great to watch the Lord work.≤ 

Clark lives his faith 365 days of the year. For the past seven off-seasons he has coached the basketball team at Northwest Christian High School near his Glendale home. His wife Frances coaches Northwestπs varsity girls team.

≥We are in the gym six hours a day six days a week with an outstanding group of Christian young men and coaches that are also believers. This year, we had a tremendous amount of success. We found our way into the state final and won the state championship. So, it was a very rewarding season and I feel very blessed to be there.≤  

Clark has developed into a very polished and sought after public speaker and he is often found at the podium in schools, churches and menπs studies. Playing in Arizona where he makes his home these last three years has afforded him the opportunity to reach out to his local community. He sees coming to San Diego as an opportunity to do the same thing in his original hometown.

≥I havenπt been back to my old high school in years, so I am looking forward to renewing some old relationships in San Diego, whether at the SDSU campus or at Christian High,≤ he said.