Published by
The San Diego Union-Tribune
The San Diego Union-Tribune
SAN DIEGO — Perched atop a dugout bench at Petco Park on Monday, Angels manager Phil Nevin smiled when asked about a 2002 phone call that quietly cemented him into Padres history. Wheeling, dealing San Diego GM Kevin Towers had been burning up the phone lines with the Reds, trying to scoop up All-Star Ken Griffey Jr. Cincinnati was open to the conversation as long as it involved Nevin, a 2001 All-Star. The deal lacked only ink. “That’s true,” said Nevin, with a knowing grin. “Thanksgiving Day. (Former Reds manager) Bob Boone called me. I thought he was going to say Happy Thanksgiving because I…