San Diego Padres history: The 10 best games of Tony Gwynn's career

San Diego Padres: Tony Gwynn’s five best postseason games

5. Game 2, NLDS, Oct. 3,  1996, Padres 4, Cardinals 5. Gwynn’s sixth-inning single scored two runs and pulled the Padres within one run of the lead. The Cardinals would hang on for the victory and sweep the series. Gwynn Win Probability Added: 0.148.

4. Game 1, NLCS, Oct. 7, 1998, Padres 3, Braves 2. Gwynn’s fifth-inning single off John Smoltz drove in the tying run. San Diego would win on a 10th-inning Ken Caminiti home run. Gwynn Win Probability Added: 0.219.

3. Game 3, World Series, Oct. 20, 1998, Padres 4, Yankees 5. This was San Diego’s best hope of averting a sweep at the hands of one of the all-time greatest teams. Gwynn’s sixth-inning single drove in two runs and put the Padres ahead 2-0. Moments later, he scored the inning’s third run. He singled again in the eighth, setting up a fourth run that pulled the Padres within a run at 5-4. Gwynn Win Probability Added: 0.259.

2. Game 1, World Series, Oct. 17, 1998, Padres 6, Yankees 9. Gwynn’s second of three hits that night was a fifth-inning home run that scored Quilvio Veras ahead of him and gave San Diego a 4-2 lead. His eighth-inning single eventually led to a run but, by that time, the Yanks were too far out front. Gwynn Win Probability Added: 0.301. 

1. Game 5, NLCS, Oct. 7, 1984, Padres 6, Cubs 3. Gwynn starred in what may rank as the greatest game in Padres history.  With the Cubs leading 3-0 and Rick Sutcliffe seemingly in complete command of the decisive NLCS game, Gwynn’s sixth-inning single touched off a two-run rally.

One inning later, Gwynn’s double to center scored Tim Flannery and Alan Wiggins and turned a 3-3 tie into a 5-3 Padres edge. One batter later, Steve Garvey’s hit scored Gwynn with an insurance run as the Padres reached the World Series for the first time in franchise history. Gwynn Win Probability Added: 0.323.