Tony Gwynn, considered one of the greatest hitters in Major League Baseball history, has died, it was announced Monday. He was only 54 years old.
Gwynn was a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee who banged out 3,141 hits over 20 seasons with the San Diego Padres. He reportedly died from complications due to cancer. Earlier this year, ESPN reported that Gwynn was diagnosed with cancer of the parotid gland, a slow-moving but very aggressive malady.
The lefty-swinging Gwynn had a career .338 batting average, won eight National League batting titles, and played in the franchise’s only two World Series.
The quiet, unassuming, modest man had recently signed to a one-year contract extension as the baseball coach for San Diego State on June 11. He had been on medical leave since late March while recovering from cancer treatment.
He took over the program at his alma mater after the 2002 season when he retired the same season as Cal Ripken Jr.
Gwynn, nicknamed “Mr. Padre” for his service to both the team and the city, was inducted into the Pro Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2007. His No. 19 was retired by the Padres in 2004.
He hit safely in 75 percent of the games in which he played during his career, and he batted .300 in each of his last 19 seasons, a streak second only to Ty Cobb.
He also was named to 15 All-Star teams, won seven Silver Slugger Awards and five Gold Glove Awards. His eight batting titles tied for second-most in MLB history.
About Post Author
