RIP Tony Gwynn

[khkco4bls]

RIP Tony Gwynn. sad news about his passing today with cancer.was a fantastic hitter.

[ethicsprof]

very sad news.
one of the truly great hitters for the ages.

my condolences to family,friend,fans

barry

[Scott Garner]

I'm very sad to hear this news.
Tony Gwynn was certainly one of the classiest ballplayers that I ever met.
I'll never forget him getting so many hits in that 5.5 hole that he loved so much.
RIP Tony, I hope that heaven has it's own 5.5 just for you. ;)

BTW, here is a link to the story that was on msn.com:

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/hall-of-famer-tony-gwynn-dead-at-54-061614

[perezfan]

Not just one of the nicest and classiest ballplayers.... but one of the nicest men I have ever met. For one of the greatest players of all-time, there was not one iota of pretentiousness about him. Just a down to earth guy, and world-class Hitter.

He is without question, the greatest figure in San Diego Sports history. He had many chances to leave SD for greener pastures (and more money elsewhere). But he stayed loyal to the city and the fans.

A rare breed who will be fondly remembered for eternity.

[gashouse34]

Gwynn was my favorite player as a kid. His work ethic and dedication to being a great hitter was inspiring...he was truly one of a kind. RIP Tony.

[HOFautosChris]

Total class ball player the few times I was fortunate to have met the man. Here are pics of my in person items and one that sadly I will not be able to finish.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/ROCKCITY24/884108F4-83E4-4D82-A339-CBE09C15B15B-209-00000041AE2EE198.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/ROCKCITY24/media/884108F4-83E4-4D82-A339-CBE09C15B15B-209-00000041AE2EE198.jpg.html)


http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/ROCKCITY24/023ee85c.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/ROCKCITY24/media/023ee85c.jpg.html)

[autograf]

Saw him in Louisville at Hunt Auction in Nov 2012. He was getting a lifetime achievement award from Louisville Slugger. He looked in pretty bad shape then. Had had a number of surgeries on the neck for the cancer. He sat in a chair and greeted everyone but did a fantastic speech standing up. A completely class act from a different time in baseball. Wild how much baseball and players have changed in such a short time. They gave out autographed 8x10's to people there of his. I gave mine to a great friend of mine who was a life long Padres fan. Such a shame to lose such a good person so early. RIP Tony Gwynn.

[irishdenny]

I'm Very Sad right now... My Heart goes out to His Family!
I 1st saw Tony play for the Hawaiian Islanders in the early 80's.
I use to go to games at Aloha Stadium by myself, the only Baseball
in Town!

By the Mid to Late 90's I was Stationed in San Diego.
I went to as many games as possible with my New Family,
And In Laws! My Mother Law was a Huge Padre Fan...
She was Even part of the Madre's! She Met Tony quite a few times!
He was such a Gentle~man! To take time and have lunch with
a Bunch of elderly woman... Nothin but Love came from Him!

He Will Be Missed By so Many!!!

[baseball tourist]

What a hitter! Class act too. Very sad.

[71buc]

I had to share this. Tony Gwynn loved the game, its legends, it's journeymen, it's history, and we the fans. I am absolutely certain he counted himself among us. He was supremely talented yet amazingly genuine and approachable. I had the privilege of speaking with him on a couple of occasions. He was the epitome of class. His laugh and love for the game were infectious. Watching him interact with people and spreading his unique brand of joy was even more fun than watching him hit. He always left smiles in his wake. What a tragic loss.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHkhMLSn74c

[Scott Garner]

I had to share this. Tony Gwynn loved the game, its legends, it's journeymen, it's history, and we the fans. I am absolutely certain he counted himself among us. He was supremely talented yet amazingly genuine and approachable. I had the privilege of speaking with him on a couple of occasions. He was the epitome of class. His laugh and love for the game were infectious. Watching him interact with people and spreading his unique brand of joy was even more fun than watching him hit. He always left smiles in his wake. What a tragic loss.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHkhMLSn74c

Nice tribute, Mike! Thanks for sharing this.

[khkco4bls]

I met tony gwynn years ago with a signing in New York. I had a 36 inch tony gwynn bat that I found in my mothers shed. I bought it to a show in New York City and ask Tony Gwynn if he ever swung a 36 inch model. he stood up and started to swing it. he sat back down and said nah I never used a 36" . it's not the great signature on the bat that I remember but its Tony Gwynn standing up and swinging that bat that I remember most and that big smile on his face

[UnVme7]

I remember watching this a while back. An autograph seeker giving Gwynn crap. It's great...

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QNs-LIaY1gg