Tony Gwynn went to San Diego State on a basketball scholarship
Tony Gwynn’s baseball exploits are well known but many fans are unaware that basketball was his first love. Earning a basketball scholarship to San Diego State, Gwynn set multiple school records for assists. In fact the basketball coach Tim Vizie did not allow Tony to play baseball his freshma
Tony Gwynn went to San Diego State on a basketball scholarship
Tony Gwynn’s baseball exploits are well known but many fans are unaware that basketball was his first love. Earning a basketball scholarship to San Diego State, Gwynn set multiple school records for assists.
In fact the basketball coach Tim Vizie did not allow Tony to play baseball his freshman year, insisting his star guard work on his conditioning. Despite this, Gwynn repeatedly asked SDSU baseball coach Jim Dietz for a chance to join the team.
The opportunity only arose after two outfielders were injured in a bicycling accident. Aztec shortstop Bobby Meacham who played against in high school and eventually became an MLB player convinced Dietz to give Gwynn a chance.
Having never seen Gwynn play, the coach trusted Meacham and afforded Gwynn the opportunity that eventually led to a Hall of Fame career.
Shown here is a 1983 Topps rookie card signed by the former college basketball point guard.
The Padres drafted Tony Gwynn in the third round of the 1981 draft
It’s a long road from college to the Major Leagues. Tony Gwynn’s started down that path after the Padres drafted him in the 3rd round of the 1981 draft. Present the whole way was San Diego scout Gary Sutherland. In this letter “Sudsy” writes about contentious contract negoti
The Padres drafted Tony Gwynn in the third round of the 1981 draft
It’s a long road from college to the Major Leagues. Tony Gwynn’s started down that path after the Padres drafted him in the 3rd round of the 1981 draft.
Present the whole way was San Diego scout Gary Sutherland. In this letter “Sudsy” writes about contentious contract negotiations with Gwynn and his father.
When asked what he felt was a fair signing bonus for his son the older Gwynn suggested $40,000. The Padres countered with $12,500.
Sutherland goes on to reveal that the 15-time All Star eventually signed for $25,000. Sudsy was among Gwynn’s first professional coaches, guiding the young buck at Walla Walla, Washington.
Sutherland writes of Gwynn thanking him more than a dozen years later. Sutherland himself spent 13 years in the big leagues as a player before embarking on a career as a scout and front office executive.
Tony Gwynn led the Padres to their first World Series appearance in 1984
In 1984, Tony Gwynn emerged as a baseball superstar. Along the way he led the San Diego Padres to their first World Series appearance in franchise history. Gwynn won his first batting championship that season, finishing with a remarkable .351 average. His 213 hits topped the league, showcasing his e
Tony Gwynn led the Padres to their first World Series appearance in 1984
In 1984, Tony Gwynn emerged as a baseball superstar. Along the way he led the San Diego Padres to their first World Series appearance in franchise history.
Gwynn won his first batting championship that season, finishing with a remarkable .351 average. His 213 hits topped the league, showcasing his exceptional hitting skills.
This year marked Gwynn’s first of 15 All-Star selections, where he dazzled fans and fellow players alike. He earned his first Silver Slugger Award, highlighting his offensive prowess.
His performance helped the Padres capture the National League pennant by defeating the Chicago Cubs in the NLCS. Gwynn played a crucial role in that victory, hitting .368 with a .526 slugging percentage.
Shown here is Tony’s 1984 autographed 1984 Topps All Star Game commemorative card.
Tony Gwynn made the All Star team 15 times from 1984-1999
Advance scouts stay one step ahead of the team they work for. They watch their team’s next opponent and report back on player performances at that moment. The information from the scouts helps the manager devise a game plan. Much like a similar formatted report on Gary Carter, this scouting re
Tony Gwynn made the All Star team 15 times from 1984-1999
Advance scouts stay one step ahead of the team they work for. They watch their team’s next opponent and report back on player performances at that moment. The information from the scouts helps the manager devise a game plan.
Much like a similar formatted report on Gary Carter, this scouting report details what a team could expect when facing Tony Gwynn. Written in 1988, it was the only year from 1984-1999 that Gwynn failed to make the All Star team.
As the report says, Tony missed most of Spring Training after surgery on his left thumb. The report does say of the .338 lifetime hitter, “Nothing much he does not hit”.
As the Marlins advance scout, Joe Moeller watched Gwynn up close
The youngest starting pitcher in Los Angeles Dodger history, Joe Moeller took the hill as a fresh-faced 19-year old in 1962. After a 13-year professional playing career that included pitching in the 1966 World Series, Joe Moeller stayed close to the game. In the collection is a letter written by Moe
In the collection is a letter written by Moeller as the advance scout for the Florida Marlins. In it he praises Cal Ripken Jr., Mark McGwire, and eight-time batting champ Tony Gwynn.
Moeller writes, “Cal generated so much interest when he broke Lou Gehrig’s streak in 1995. The whole country cheered for him. Three years later it was Big Mac’s turn when he hit 70 home runs. Tony didn’t have that kind of singular memorable moment, but his quiet class during his 20 years with the Padres was equally impressive.”
Moeller’s witnessed some of the game’s greatest players up close during a career in baseball that spanned six decades.
In 103 plate appearances vs. Greg Maddux Gwynn slashed .429/.485/.585
Known as a master thinker with pinpoint accuracy, Greg Maddux won 355 games, the second since the Deadball Era. With four consecutive Cy Young Awards, Maddux knows a thing or two about pitching. When asked about the key to his success, Maddux didn’t hesitate. “Sometimes hitters can pick
In 103 plate appearances vs. Greg Maddux Gwynn slashed .429/.485/.585
Known as a master thinker with pinpoint accuracy, Greg Maddux won 355 games, the second since the Deadball Era.
With four consecutive Cy Young Awards, Maddux knows a thing or two about pitching. When asked about the key to his success, Maddux didn’t hesitate.
“Sometimes hitters can pick up differences in spin. They can identify pitches if there are different release points or if a curveball starts with an upward jump when it leaves the pitcher’s hand. But if a pitcher can change speeds every hitter is helpless, limited by human vision.”
“Except that (expletive) Tony Gwynn”
Of the 878 batters Greg Maddux faced, Gwynn recorded the most base hits. Tony hit .429 with a .485 on-base percentage an a .585 slugging mark. In 103 plate appearances against the 355-game winner, Gwynn never struck out.
Shown here is Maddux’s contract extension with Topps Chewing Gum. He was on his way to stardom when he signed this on May 3, 1988. The first year of the extension saw an 18-win season and Maddux’s first All Star appearance.
Honus Wagner was a right-handed hitter though, who also led the league more than once in doubles, triples, and slugging percentage. Not that it denigrates Tony-Honus was just a heck of player.
I moved to San Diego in Tony’s rookie year. It was a pleasure watching Tony from my right field seats until his retirement. Tony never turned down an autograph request, and he’d give his wristbands to kids all the time. He had an infectious laugh, and his love of the game was evident every time he stepped onto the field. He could have gone elsewhere for more money, but he loved San Diego. There won’t be another Tony Gwynn in my lifetime
He won as many batting titles as Honus Wagner.
And there were twice as many players to compete against.
Great way to look at it! Tony was one of the most kind individuals you could ever meet.
Honus Wagner was a right-handed hitter though, who also led the league more than once in doubles, triples, and slugging percentage. Not that it denigrates Tony-Honus was just a heck of player.
Why wasn’t Tony Gwynn voted in unamously to the bbhof?
The same reason #2 wasn’t. These BBWA think their poop don’t stink!
I moved to San Diego in Tony’s rookie year. It was a pleasure watching Tony from my right field seats until his retirement. Tony never turned down an autograph request, and he’d give his wristbands to kids all the time. He had an infectious laugh, and his love of the game was evident every time he stepped onto the field. He could have gone elsewhere for more money, but he loved San Diego. There won’t be another Tony Gwynn in my lifetime