Gwynn reportedly joins group in bid for Padres

ST. LOUIS -- Padres Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn announced on Monday that he will partner with Thomas Tull in an effort to purchase the club, according to The Associated Press.

Tull, chairman and CEO of Legendary Pictures, met with Gwynn last week in San Diego, according to the AP. Tull is heading one of several groups vying for ownership of the team.

Gwynn, who spent two decades playing for the Padres, is currently the head baseball coach at San Diego State University.

"I'm throwing my hat in with Thomas. I think he's the right guy," Gwynn told the AP. "I'm the coach at San Diego State and plan on continuing doing that. But I really liked what he had to say. I'm excited. And believe me, it takes a lot to get me excited. He definitely has some ideas about what he wants to do and how he wants to do it. The biggest thing is, he wants to win. He ain't getting this to say he has the club. He wants to win."

Tull told the AP that he wants Gwynn on his side because of Gwynn's passion for baseball and the city of San Diego.

Gwynn, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007, hit .338, with 135 homers and 1,138 RBIs during his career. The club retired his No. 19 in 2004.