Wild74 Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn dies of cancer at age 54 Published June 16, 2014FoxNews.com Facebook982 Twitter203 livefyre Oct. 7, 2001: San Diego Padres' Tony Gwynn fights back tears as he acknowledges the standing ovation prior to the Padres' game against the Colorado Rockies, the final game of his career, in San Diego. The Baseball Hall of Fame said Gwynn died of cancer on Monday, June 16, 2014. He was 54. (AP/Lenny Ignelzi, File) Jan. 9, 2007: Former San Diego Padre Tony Gwynn talks about his election to the National Baseball Hall Of Fame in San Diego. The Baseball Hall of Fame on Monday, June 16, 2014 said Gwynn has died of cancer. He was 54. (AP/Lenny Ignelzi, File) Previous Next Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, who notched more than 3,100 hits during a Major League Baseball career spanning two decades, has died at age 54 following a battle with salivary gland cancer. MLB and San Diego Padres officials announced Gwynn’s death on Monday. His .338 career batting average is the highest since Ted Williams retired from the Boston Red Sox in 1960 with a .344 average. Gwynn, who won a record eight National League batting titles and played in the franchise’s two World Series appearances, retired in 2001 and later coached for San Diego State University. He signed a one-year extension as the school’s head coach on Wednesday, ESPN reports. He took over the program at his alma mater after the 2002 season. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT "We are terribly sad to say goodbye to our teammate, our friend and a legend, Tony Gwynn," the San Diego Padres posted on Twitter. "Rest in peace, Mr. Padre." Gwynn had been on medical leave since late March while recovering from cancer treatment. His battle with cancer began in 2009, according to the Padres, when a malignant tumor was removed from his right cheek. Gwynn claimed the cancer in his salivary gland was the result of his longtime chewing tobacco habit. The cancer returned twice and he again underwent radiation treatment in an attempt to shrink the tumor in 2012. "The whole experience was traumatic because I thought I had it beat, and dang, it came back," Gwynn said during a visit to the Hall of Fame in 2012 for the induction ceremony. Gwynn, a 15-time All-Star, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007 alongside Orioles great Cal Ripken. "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," Commissioner Bud Selig said. Gwynn was a two-sport star at San Diego State in the late 1970s-early 1980s, playing point guard for the basketball team — he still holds the game, season and career record for assists — and outfielder for the baseball team. Gwynn always wanted to play in the NBA, until realizing during his final year at San Diego State that baseball would be the ticket to the pros. "I had no idea that all the things in my career were going to happen," he said shortly before being inducted into the Hall of Fame. "I sure didn't see it. I just know the good Lord blessed me with ability, blessed me with good eyesight and a good pair of hands, and then I worked at the rest." He was a third-round draft pick of the Padres in 1981. After spending parts of just two seasons in the minor leagues, he made his big league debut on July 19, 1982. Gwynn had two hits that night, including a double, against the Philadelphia Phillies. After doubling, Pete Rose, who had been trailing the play, said to Gwynn: "Hey, kid, what are you trying to do, catch me in one night?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoelessjoelives Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Lost my father and a brother to cancer. Sad day for the Gwynn family and baseball fans all over the world. God will raise him up and bring him home. Godspeed, Tony. You will be dearly missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoney Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Man did he ever play the game the right way. R.I.P. Mr. Gwynn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheaptrick77 Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortal13 Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 Interesting stat on Gwynn....he hit .302 for his career on an 0-2 count. Amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red90fly Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 I got a baseball card signed by Tony Gwynn at the Astrodome right around when he got his 3000th hit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirtFalcon Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 He was one of the best hitters I ever saw play the game .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoney Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 He only struck out 3 times, 3 times against Glavine, Smoltz and Maddux. Maddux never struck him out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ettu Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 Pedro Martinez never got him either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RETIREDFAN1 Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 R. I. P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now