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Tony Gwynn, Hall of Fame San Diego Padres hitter, dies at 54 Tony Gwynn, Hall of Fame San Diego Padres hitter, dies at 54
(35 minutes later)
The Hall of Fame San Diego Padres hitter Tony Gwynn died on Monday. He was 54.The Hall of Fame San Diego Padres hitter Tony Gwynn died on Monday. He was 54.
Nicknamed “Mr Padre”, the left-hander had a 20-year career in Major League Baseball, all of it with San Diego. He had been on medical leave from his coaching job at San Diego State university, for treatment for cancer.Nicknamed “Mr Padre”, the left-hander had a 20-year career in Major League Baseball, all of it with San Diego. He had been on medical leave from his coaching job at San Diego State university, for treatment for cancer.
Gwynn's agent, John Boggs, confirmed his death.Gwynn's agent, John Boggs, confirmed his death.
The mayor of San Diego, Kevin Falcouner, used Twitter to say: “Hard working, passionate and always pursuing excellence, Tony Gwynn was a true San Diegan. The only thing greater than Tony's love for baseball was his love for San Diego.The mayor of San Diego, Kevin Falcouner, used Twitter to say: “Hard working, passionate and always pursuing excellence, Tony Gwynn was a true San Diegan. The only thing greater than Tony's love for baseball was his love for San Diego.
“Our city is a little darker today without him but immeasurably better because of him. Our hearts and prayers are with Tony's family today. I ask San Diegans to join me in remembering Tony Gwynn's legacy.”“Our city is a little darker today without him but immeasurably better because of him. Our hearts and prayers are with Tony's family today. I ask San Diegans to join me in remembering Tony Gwynn's legacy.”
MLB commissioner Bud Selig said: “For more than 30 years, Tony Gwynn was a source of universal goodwill in the national pastime, and he will be deeply missed by the many people he touched.”MLB commissioner Bud Selig said: “For more than 30 years, Tony Gwynn was a source of universal goodwill in the national pastime, and he will be deeply missed by the many people he touched.”
Between 2010 and 2012 Gwynn, who said he believed his cancer had been caused by chewing tobacco, had two operations on tumours in his right cheek.Between 2010 and 2012 Gwynn, who said he believed his cancer had been caused by chewing tobacco, had two operations on tumours in his right cheek.
On Sunday, Father's Day, Gwynn's son, the Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr, was quoted by CSN Philly discussing his relationship with his father.On Sunday, Father's Day, Gwynn's son, the Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr, was quoted by CSN Philly discussing his relationship with his father.
“I always try to get in an 'I love you,'” Gwynn Jr said. “For a while that was uncomfortable for me, I don’t know why. But since 2010, it hasn’t been uncomfortable. It’s something I want to make sure I get in because you never know what’s going to happen.“I always try to get in an 'I love you,'” Gwynn Jr said. “For a while that was uncomfortable for me, I don’t know why. But since 2010, it hasn’t been uncomfortable. It’s something I want to make sure I get in because you never know what’s going to happen.
“I go through moments during the day where it’s heavy on the mind and then I get a little bit of a reprieve during the game or in the batting cage.“I go through moments during the day where it’s heavy on the mind and then I get a little bit of a reprieve during the game or in the batting cage.
“Other than that, when there’s downtime, I’m usually thinking about my dad.”“Other than that, when there’s downtime, I’m usually thinking about my dad.”
On Monday, US sports stars used social media to express their sadness.On Monday, US sports stars used social media to express their sadness.
The Baltimore Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr, who in 2007 was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame with Gwynn, said on Facebook: “This is an extraordinarily sad day.The Baltimore Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr, who in 2007 was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame with Gwynn, said on Facebook: “This is an extraordinarily sad day.
“Tony was a Hall of Fame ballplayer but more importantly he was a wonderful man. Tony always had a big smile on his face and was one of the warmest and most genuine people I have ever had the honour of knowing. Like all baseball fans I will miss him very much and my thoughts are with his family today.”“Tony was a Hall of Fame ballplayer but more importantly he was a wonderful man. Tony always had a big smile on his face and was one of the warmest and most genuine people I have ever had the honour of knowing. Like all baseball fans I will miss him very much and my thoughts are with his family today.”
A gifted two-sport athlete at San Diego State, in 1981 Gwynn Sr was drafted in two sports on the same day. He chose the Padres over the NBA's then San Diego (now Los Angeles) Clippers.A gifted two-sport athlete at San Diego State, in 1981 Gwynn Sr was drafted in two sports on the same day. He chose the Padres over the NBA's then San Diego (now Los Angeles) Clippers.
On Monday, the Los Angeles Lakers great Magic Johnson said on Twitter: “My friend Tony Gwynn had one of the sweetest swings in MLB history and he was one of the nicest men on the planet!” The Los Angeles Lakers great Magic Johnson said on Twitter: “My friend Tony Gwynn had one of the sweetest swings in MLB history and he was one of the nicest men on the planet!”
A first-ballot entrant to the Hall of Fame, Gwynn had 3,141 career hits, a .338 batting average and eight National League batting titles, a joint record. He also won five outfield Gold Glove Awards and played in 15 All-Star Games.A first-ballot entrant to the Hall of Fame, Gwynn had 3,141 career hits, a .338 batting average and eight National League batting titles, a joint record. He also won five outfield Gold Glove Awards and played in 15 All-Star Games.
He played in the only two World Series the Padres have reached, in 1994 and 1998. He played in the only two World Series the Padres have reached, in 1984 and 1998.