Steve Finley didn’t churn out his first 20-plus homer season until after his 31st birthday. He was well on his way to a second when he logged the Padres first three-homer game in 25 years on this date May 19 — in 1997 — and he wasn’t done yet.
Not by a long shot.
Finley added a second three-homer game later that June and logged five more 20-plus homer seasons after spurning the Padres’ overtures following his contributions to the 1998 NL pennant-winner.
The in-person offer to the 33-year-old Finley from team President Larry Lucchino and General Manager Kevin Towers: A two-year deal with an option and an opportunity to move into the Padres’ front office at the end of the contract.