ANTHONY KEITH “TONY” GWYNN, SR.
(May 9, 1960 – June 16, 2014), nicknamed “Mr. Padre”,
Tony played both college baseball and college basketball for the San Diego State Aztecs. He was selected by the Padres in the third round of the 1981 MLB Draft as the 58th overall pick.
He played with the team for 20 seasons. It a Rare for any superstar with a tremendous fan base to play for one team his entire baseball career.
He played in the World Series in both 1984 and 1998, the only two World Series appearances in San Diego’s franchise history. He had a .338 career batting average and never hit below .309 in any full season, in addition to batting .371 in World Series games. Gwynn accumulated 3,141 career hits as a contact hitter, one of just ten players to reach the 3,000-hit club while only playing for one team. and entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007 which was his first year of eligibility. His unsurpassable statics show he was one of the best hitters in the history of Baseball. He won eight batting titles in his career, tied for the second-most in MLB history. He was a 15-time All-Star, recognized for his skills both on offense and defense with seven Silver Slugger Awards and five Gold Glove Awards.
Tony Gwynn retired in 2001 from the Padres with his jersey number 19 .
in 2004. He became the head baseball coach at his alma mater, and also spent time as a baseball analyst. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2010. He went under treatments including two surgeries one to remove a tumor on his cheek. In April he left the coaching position for this reason none other.
During his career he met and was married to Alicia Gwynn they had two children rhythm-and-blues singer Anisha Nicole and major league outfielder Tony Gwynn, Jr. whose major league debut with the Milwaukee Brewers and first major league hit on July 19, 2006, came 24 years to the day of his father’s first major league hit—each Tony hit a double. Gwynn also had four grandchildren. His brother, Chris was also a major league outfielder. Both Chris and Tony, Jr. played with the Padres during their careers. Until Gwynn’s death, he split time between homes in Poway, California, and Fishers, Indiana.
At the age of 54 on Monday. 16 Jun 2014 the week of Fathers Day Hall of Fame and Icon Tony gwynn passed away of salivary gland cancer.
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His legacy will live on through his family.
His son, Philadelphia Phillies player Tony Jr. has stated when interviewed This has been the hardest of the four years he’s fought it, by far.”