Tony Gwynn

"Mr. Padre" played his entire career in San Diego, but he almost ended up in the NBA.
Tony Gwynn
San Diego Padres' Tony Gwynn fights back tears as he acknowledges the standing ovation prior to the Padres' game against the Colorado Rockies, Sunday Oct. 7, 2001 in San Diego. Gwynn retired after Sunday's game. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

National Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2007
Team: San Diego Padres 1982-2001
Position: Out Field
Number: 19
College: San Diego State
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Born: May 9, 1960 in Los Angeles, CA, Died June 16, 2014, in Poway, CA

Tony Gwynn – Career Highlights

Won the National League Batting Championship 8 times
Selected for the All-Star game 15 times
Won 5 Gold Glove Awards
Won 7 Silver Sluggers

Tied NL record for most stolen bases in one game – 5 against the Houston Astros on Sept. 20, 1986.
Spent his entire career (20 or more seasons) with one team, one of only 17 players to do so.
Nickname – “Mr. Padre”

Career Statistics

Gwynn had a lifetime batting average .338, including 3,141 hits over 20 seasons. Gwynn scored 1383 runs, including 135 home runs and 1138 RBIs. He also stole 319 bases during his career.

Notes & Quotes

  • June 9, 1981 – Tony Gwynn was drafted to both the MLB and the NBA on the same day! He was drafted by the San Diego Clippers in the NBA as well as the San Diego Padres in the MLB.
  • Gwynn was one of the first players to use videotape to study his swing.
  • Gwynn faced Greg Maddux, Pedro, Glavine and Smoltz a total of 323 times. He struck out 3 times.
  • Named head baseball coach at San Diego State in 2003
  • Diagnosed with parotid (salivary gland) cancer in 2010

More on Tony Gwynn

National Baseball Hall of Fame – Tony Gwynn
IMDB – Tony Gwynn
Baeball-Reference.com – Tony Gwynn
Wikipedia – Tony Gwynn

Image Credit(s):

  • Tony Gwynn: AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi

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