Hall of Fame outfielder Tony Gwynn was remembered as the greatest player in San Diego Padres history and for his amiable personality.
Gwynn died Monday morning after battling cancer. He was 54.
Gwynn was surrounded by his family at Pomerado Hospital in Poway, Calif., when he died.
Gwynn spent his entire Hall of Fame career with the San Diego Padres from 1982-2001. He had 3,141 hits and a career .338 batting average (18th best all-time) in 2,440 games. He batted above .300 in 19 of his 20 major league seasons, including .394 in 1994.
A 15-time All-Star, Gwynn won eight batting titles, five Gold Glove Awards and was inducted in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.
He also played a significant role in the Padres winning National League pennants in 1984 and 1998, hitting a combined .371 in the two World Series.
Gwynn was a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He was named on 532 of 545 ballots (97.6 percent), along with Cal Ripken Jr. as the 2007 class of inductees. Gwynn also was given the 1995 Branch Rickey Award, the 1998 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award and the 1999 Roberto Clemente Award.
The following is a collection of reactions on Gwynn.
–Tony Gwynn Jr.: “Today I lost my Dad, my best friend and my mentor. I’m gonna miss u so much pops. I’m gonna do everything in my power to continue to make u proud!”
–San Diego Padres: “The San Diego Padres are deeply saddened by the news today of the passing of Tony Gwynn. There are no words to express what Tony means to this organization and this community. More than just Mr. Padre, Tony was Mr. San Diego. He cared deeply about our city and had a profound impact on our community. He forever will be remembered not only for his tremendous on-field accomplishments, but also for his infectious laugh, warm, outgoing personality and huge heart. On behalf of Padres fans everywhere, we mourn the loss of a friend, a teammate and a legend. We send our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the entire Gwynn family, including his wife, Alicia, his children, Tony Jr. and Anisha, and his grandchildren.”
–Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler: “Today, we mourn the loss of a man who shared our great pride in this city and who made us all proud to be San Diegans. For more than a generation, the only thing more dependable in San Diego than sunshine was Tony Gwynn. No player ever has or ever will put on a Padres jersey without feeling the spirit and passion of No. 19.”
–Padres lead investor Peter Seidler: “Tony was not only one of the greatest hitters the sport has ever seen, but also one of the greatest men to ever play the game. As a player who committed his entire career to one team and led the Padres to two National League pennants, Tony was admired and respected by all fans of the game. His smile will be forever etched in our hearts.”
–Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso: “We talked hitting every time I saw him. Questions after questions. A true friend. So sad to hear the passing of Tony Gwynn. May he RIP.”
–Commissioner Bud Selig: “Major League Baseball today mourns the tragic loss of Tony Gwynn, the greatest Padre ever and one of the most accomplished hitters that our game has ever known, whose all-around excellence on the field was surpassed by his exuberant personality and genial disposition in life. Tony was synonymous with San Diego Padres baseball, and with his .338 career batting average and eight batting titles, he led his beloved ballclub to its greatest heights, including two National League pennants.
“Tony loved our game, the city of San Diego and his alma mater where he starred and coached, San Diego State University, and he was a part of a wonderful baseball family. His commitment to the children of San Diego made him a deserving recipient of our game’s highest off-field honor, the Roberto Clemente Award, in 1999.
“For more than 30 years, Tony Gwynn was a source of universal goodwill in the National Pastime, and he will be deeply missed by the many people he touched. On behalf of all of our Clubs, I extend my deepest condolences to Tony’s wife Alicia, their son Tony Jr. of the Phillies, their daughter Anisha, the Padres franchise, his fans in San Diego and his many admirers throughout Baseball.”
–Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux: “Tony Gwynn was the best pure hitter I ever faced! Condolences to his family.”
–Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine: “So sad to hear of Tony Gwynn’s passing, great player, great man … Prayers to his family.”
–Hall of Fame shortstop Cal Ripken Jr.: “This is an extraordinarily sad day. Tony was a Hall of Fame ballplayer but more importantly he was a wonderful man. Tony always had a big smile on his face and was one of the warmest and most genuine people I have ever had the honor of knowing. Like all baseball fans I will miss him very much and my thoughts are with his family today.”
–Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin: “RIP Tony Gwynn. Not only was he one of the greatest hitters of all time. He was also a great competitor and a great person.”
–Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith: “Toughest hitter I ever had to play defense against. Great player who never got credit for his defensive skills that he was equally proud of. An even better human being with an infectious laugh. Will crack up heaven’s starting lineup. RIP friend.”
–Hall of Fame third baseman Wade Boggs: “Another sad day for our HOF family on the passing of Tony Gwynn. One of the greatest hitters of all time. You’ll be dearly missed my friend!”
–Jeff Idelson, president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum: “Tony will be remembered in baseball circles for his hitting acumen, as evidenced by a lofty .338 lifetime batting average and an astonishing eight National League batting titles. But it was his infectious laugh, ever-present smile and humble disposition that made Mr. Padre a favorite in San Diego and an endearing figure to a nation of baseball fans who marveled at his career accolades and celebrated his 2007 induction into the Hall of Fame in record numbers.”
–Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the board of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum: “It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of Tony Gwynn. He was beloved by so many, especially the Hall of Fame family, for his kindness, graciousness and passion for the game. Tony was one of baseball history’s most consistent hitters and most affable personalities. He was an icon for San Diego Padres fans, never more evident than on Induction Day of 2007, when tens of thousands of Tony’s most appreciative fans filled Cooperstown for his Hall of Fame speech. We extend our deepest sympathies to (his wife) Alicia and the entire Gwynn family.”
–San Diego Chargers president Dean Spanos: “I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Tony Gwynn. We all lost someone very special today. Tony was an icon and one of San Diego’s greatest sports legends. He was beloved by so many for his passion for life, his generosity and, of course, his laugh. I will always remember his laugh. He represented the Padres, San Diego and Major League Baseball to the highest standard. He impacted so many people, both on and off the field. This is a tremendous loss. I extend my deepest condolences to Alicia and the entire Gwynn family.”