Tony Gwynn: Hall Of Famer At Everything

Just like every Padres fan and baseball fan, I’ll never forget Tony Gwynn. When I was in middle school, my dad and I went to San Diego State Aztec baseball games sometimes. I always wondered whenever I headed to Tony Gwynn Stadium, Whom was that man sitting in the right field stands? Why does he get his own section out there? Well, those stands were taken down a few years later, because that man became the Head Coach of the Aztecs baseball team, that man, was Tony Gwynn.

Tony used to sit in right field because his son, Anthony, was playing outfield then for the Aztecs. I’ll never forget when he probably didn’t want to talk to my Dad and I, he still was friendly anyway whenever he was out there. “Your son is playing great!” Gwynn replied “Thank You.” He didn’t have to respond to us, but that’s just the type of guy Gwynn was.

Yesterday, Tony’s wife Alicia Gwynn was the co-recipient for the “Lasting Legacy” Award from the “Center for Wealth and Legacy.” Alicia authored a book on encouraging character development in children.

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“Everyone always talks about Tony’s baseball,” she said, “but what he loved the most, what he always said, ‘You know, I take pride in being a good father, a good husband. Those are the things that are important to me — and to help the kids become good citizens.’” Via Diane Bell of the U-T San Diego.

I know this is a crummy time to be a Padres fan, but it’s great knowing human beings like Jerry Coleman and Tony Gwynn donned the Brown and Orange, Blue and Orange and now Navy Blue and White. No matter what changes, they were the same brilliant human beings on and off the diamond.