Ready to know more about San Diego?

Subscribe

Remembering Mr. Padre

By San Diego | Photos by Paul Body & San Diego Padres

When we asked you to reflect on the legacy of Tony Gwynn, the stories poured in. Whether from a Major League bigwig or former teammate, a regular dad or longtime fan, a benefactor or local sportswriter, every memory goes back to his character—how, aside from the hitting, fielding, and base-stealing, he had a huge, happy heart. Tony looked us in the eye, helped us out, encouraged us, taught us lessons, and worked harder than everyone. There is no greater feeling than to be loved, and we all felt like Tony loved us. He cared about our town and our team enough to stay when most would have moved on. He made the team our team. From an entire generation of baseball fans, this is our tribute and thanks to number 19 in our scorecard, number one in our hearts.

***

Remembering Mr. Padre

Tony Gwynn – Padres Number 19

Remembering Mr. Padre

San Diego Padres Tony Gwynn

Gwynn poses for a publicity photo, circa 1990s.

Remembering Mr. Padre

Tony Gwynn – Mr Padre at Petco Park

More than 20,000 fans gathered to pay tribute to Gwynn during his public memorial at Petco Park.

Remembering Mr. Padre

Remembering Mr. Padre

Remembering Mr. Padre

Remembering Mr. Padre

Gwynn watches his two-run home run against the Yankees during the 1998 World Series.

Remembering Mr. Padre

Tony Gwynn and fans

Always generous with fans, Gwynn reaches out to the crowd on the evening of his final game in 2001.

Creating a Beer with Tony Gwynn

Creating a Beer with Tony Gwynn

Gwynn with his kids, Anisha and Tony Jr., in the 1990s | Photo By San Diego Padres

Remembering Mr. Padre

Tony Gwynn statue memorial

Fans created a memorial around Tony Gwynn’s statue at Petco Park.

Remembering Mr. Padre

Remembering Mr. Padre

Gwynn was inducted into the hall of fame in 2007, the first year he was eligible.

Remembering Mr. Padre

Tony Gwynn’s bat

One of Gywnn’s bats from the 1998 World Series. He notched a career-high batting average of .394 in 1994.

Remembering Mr. Padre

Remembering Mr. Padre

Base hits: Tony Gwynn waits for a pitch in perfect form against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1985.

Remembering Mr. Padre

Tony Gwynn with family

Gwynn with his wife, Alicia, at their daughter Anisha’s wedding in 2009.

Remembering Mr. Padre

#19: Tony Gwynn’s jersey from the 1998 World Series against the Yankees. The number 19 was retired by Major League Baseball in 2002 in his honor.

Share this post

Contact Us

1230 Columbia Street, Suite 800,

San Diego, CA