OT: RIP Tony Gwynn

[chris6net]

Shocking. I didn't even know he was sick
RIP Tony!

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by chris6net

Shocking. I didn't even know he was sick
RIP Tony!

Wow! I didn't know that either. So sad.

[the 'stache]

Friggin' cancer.

RIP Tony. Great hitter, and an even better man.

[packs]

Truly sad. Great hitter and always enjoyed his commentary and personality. Seemed like such a likeable guy and helped a lot of kids at SDSU.

[clydepepper]

I will remember his laugh! He truly loved the game.

[Exhibitman]

The death of an all time great is never, ever OT.

I am so saddened by this one. He was not just a great player but a great role model: integrity, loyalty, hard work. He and Ripken were the bright lights of the PED-infected, mercenary era...RIP

[Kenny Cole]

What a hitter and what a person. RIP Tony. You will be greatly missed by many.

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

The death of an all time great is never, ever OT.

I am so saddened by this one. He was not just a great player but a great role model: integrity, loyalty, hard work. He and Ripken were the bright lights of the PED-infected, mercenary era...RIP

I'd include Yount in there, too. Three Hall of Famers that stayed with their original team even when they were offered more money to leave.

[the 'stache]

I was just watching HBO's documentary on Ted Williams a few nights ago. They interviewed Tony about the 1999 All Star Game in Boston, and how all the players, past and present, all circled around Williams. Tony said Williams asked Mark McGwire if he ever smelled burnt wood when he was hitting, and Gwynn was laughing his butt off. He had the kind of personality that you just gravitated towards.

He was more than just a great hitter. He stole 300 bases, and won five Gold Glove Awards. And as was previously mentioned, he almost hit .400. If just three of those outs had made it through for hits, he'd have done it.

[bn2cardz]

My dad's favorite player growing up my dad would buy anything Gwynn related. Whenever birthday's or father's day would come I would attempt to find a Gwynn at a card shop and sell or trade cards from my collection to get it for him.

I have so many childhood memories focused around Gwynn, including meeting him at a local grocery store signing in Omaha NE. Also learning how to hit and field by watching his instructional videos constantly.

[nebboy]

There is a tread for worst HOF, well Tony can easy be said BEST HOF you can't ask for a nicer guy.

Short story - I walked into my local food store in 91 and I saw Tony sitting at a card table by front door. With no signs or anything saying who he was or what he was doing there. I walked over and started talking, we talked for 1/2 hr. No one even stopped but me. I went home got some cards to be sign and came back, still no one had stopped to talk but me. Store didn't do right with their promotion but for me I got a one on one Q&A with a further HOF.
Truly priceless.

He will be missed!!

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by nebboy

There is a tread for worst HOF, well Tony can easy be said BEST HOF you can't ask for a nicer guy.

Short story - I walked into my local food store in 91 and I saw Tony sitting at a card table by front door. With no signs or anything saying who he was or what he was doing there. I walked over and started talking, we talked for 1/2 hr. No one even stopped but me. I went home got some cards to be sign and came back, still no one had stopped to talk but me. Store didn't do right with their promotion but for me I got a one on one Q&A with a further HOF.
Truly priceless.

He will be missed!!

Interesting. I see you are from Nebraska, so I wonder if that was the same time I got to meet him.

[ethicsprof]

I loved watching this great one play.
my condolences and deepest sympathy to all,

barry

[joeadcock]

Originally Posted by ethicsprof

I loved watching this great one play.
my condolences and deepest sympathy to all,

barry

I agree Barry. Great hitter and always seemed a gentleman.

[rhettyeakley]

RIP Tony.

Probably the best pure contact hitter I ever had the pleasure to watch on a regular basis, baseball lost a great one today.

[DeanH3]

Agree that Gwynn was a great person. Met him once to get his autograph and he was awesome. RIP Mr. Gwynn.

[Luke]

Wow, I just read a few days back that SDSU had extended his contract for another year. I thought he was getting better

He is one of my favorite players, and was extremely nice to me the few times I came in contact with him. Really sad news. RIP.

[donmuth]

going to a card show in Memphis where Tony was signing (at Christian Brothers University I think). One of my high school friends was helping some other high school and college baseball players set up the show. They all sat right up by Tony during the entire autograph session chatting with him - he with a big smile on his face the whole time. He was one of my favorite players and one of the best-of-the-best from the time when I was collecting as a kid back in the mid-80's to early 90's.

RIP Mr. Gwynn