Tony Gwynn: Baseball Player, Coach, and Humanitarian

Tony Gwynn may be known as one of the most famous baseball coaches and former players to graduate from San Diego State University, but this long-time major league player wanted to return to his alma matter to inspire the next generation of players. While at San Diego State, Gwynn played both basketball and baseball. He later went on to play baseball with the San Diego Padres from 1982 – 2001. Today, Gwynn coaches at San Diego State University’s Tony Gwynn Stadium, an honor bestowed upon him for his outstanding contributions to baseball. Another stadium, PETCO Park, has its address listed as 19 Tony Gwynn Drive, in honor of the player’s #19 on his uniform. In addition to his coaching duties, Gwynn works with the Tony Gwynn Foundation, Padres Scholars Program, and hosts the annual Tony Gwynn Celebrity Golf Classic. With his humanitarian contributions, Gwynn received the Roberto Clemente Man of the Year Award in 1999, for his sportsmanship and off-the-field unconditional giving to others.

When Gwynn first went professional after college, he did something unique: he played with the smallest wooden bats he could find. This was because while in school, Gwynn played with aluminum bats. Because wooden bats are heavier than aluminum ones, he needed the lightest wooden bat possible to help ease the transition from one form of bat to another. This must have helped him because he was named the National League Batting Champion multiple times (1984, 87-88, 94-97). In addition, Gwynn won five Gold Glove Awards, has fifteen All Star Game Team fan nominations and was recommended to be a finalist for Major League Baseball’s All Century Team. As his recognition of one of the best players in baseball, he was ranked at #49 on The Sporting News’ 100 Greatest Baseball Players list. The Sporting News also named Gwynn to their Silver Slugger Team seven times, which was the most nominations any Padre has received.