Arizona's Luis Gonzalez Finds Late Success Rewarding.

Left-handed hitting outfielder has stepped up his play, and at 33 is at the top of his game

CALLED A JOURNEYMAN TYPE player when he arrived in Phoenix, Luis Gonzalez has become one of the game's best hitters in the three seasons he has played left field for the Diamondbacks.

"Everybody always says when you're in your 30s, your game starts to go down," Gonzalez said. "Well, I've reached my 30s and my game has gotten better."

Gonzalez, called "Gonzo" by his teammates, landed in Phoenix in exchange for Detroit's Karim Garcia after the '98 season. Since then, he has compiled a club record 30-game hitting streak, hit for the cycle (single, double, triple and home run in the same game), led the N.L. in hits in '99 and tied Ken Griffey Jr.'s April home run mark of 13, set back in 1997.

Stop a fan on the street in downtown Phoenix and they'll tell you the trade for Gonzalez was like sticking up a "brinks truck." Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. just smiles when the subject is brought up.

Gonzalez reached 20 homers faster than any player in major league history this year when he needed just 40 games to reach that plateau. In 1998, when Mark McGwire hit 70 home runs, he hit Nos. 18, 19 and 20 in the Cardinals' 43rd game.

"It was a bit overwhelming with all the attention it brought me," Gonzalez said of the early season home run spurt. "The fans in Phoenix have been great. It was a lot of fun but at the same time we were winning ball games. That made it extra special."