BajaNomad

Tony Gwynn Memorial June 26th

Bob H - 6-19-2014 at 10:41 AM

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Padres have scheduled a public tribute to Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn for June 26 at Petco Park.

Gwynn died of cancer Monday. He was 54.

The tribute will start at 7:19 p.m., symbolic because Gwynn made his Padres debut on July 19, 1982. Gwynn also wore No. 19.

The late Tony Gwynn made hitting a science and loved to talk about it, and he was the best in the world at both, Buster Olney writes. Story

Jerry Crasnick fondly looks back at a discussion with Tony Gwynn about hitting from nearly 20 years ago. Story

No one in our lifetimes -- even those lifetimes that have already lasted a long while -- has hit the way the late Tony Gwynn did, Jayson Stark writes.


Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler said the tribute will be similar to the one held at Petco Park on Jan. 18 for Hall of Fame broadcaster Jerry Coleman, who died on Jan. 5 at 89.

Fowler said the Padres are finalizing a list of speakers. He said they will include people important to Gwynn's Padres and San Diego State careers. Gwynn played baseball and basketball at SDSU and had been the school's baseball coach since just after the 2002 season.

"I've lived through his career in San Diego," Fowler said. "I've lived through all the good things Tony has done for the community. I miss him personally. Although I knew he was ill, I was just shocked when I found out that he passed away.

"He's a special human being and I don't think we'll ever have a Padre that will be his equal again," Fowler said. "That doesn't mean we're not going to have great ballplayers, but Tony was once-in-a-lifetime. Arguably the best hitter in the last 50 years of baseball."

Prior to Wednesday night's game against Seattle, Padres players and coaches gathered around a large No. 19 painted on the grass in right field, which was Gwynn's position.

Mark Martinez, Gwynn's top assistant at San Diego State, threw the ceremonial first pitch to Padres manager Bud Black, who was Gwynn's teammate with the Aztecs for one season.

The Padres held a 19-second moment of silence for Gwynn.

The Padres are wearing a patch with No. 19 inside a home plate logo on their jerseys, over the players' hearts. They're wearing a JC star patch to honor Coleman.

Coleman used to shout, "You can hang a star on that, baby!" after big plays.

The Padres received permission from MLB to wear a special cap to honor Gwynn, with a white front and the 19 home plate logo on one side.

Gwynn played his entire 20-season career with the Padres. He had 3,141 hits -- 18th on the all-time list -- a career .338 average and won eight batting titles to tie Honus Wagner's NL record. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007, along with Cal Ripken Jr.

There was far more to the man.

[Edited on 6-19-2014 by Bob H]

Hook - 6-19-2014 at 05:52 PM

Wouldn't Tony Gwynn be the single, greatest sports figure in San Diego history?

Who really would come close?

Fouts? Hadl? Alworth? Marshall Faulk? Trevor Hoffman?

I think Tony is it.

It's disappointing there wasn't more honoring of him, prior to his death. It must have been rather sudden, with him still working in town, and all.

This guy was what Ted Williams was to Boston, what the Babe was to NY, what Musial was to StL, what Clemente was to Pittsburgh.

This is a tremendous loss for the city and for all of baseball. I mean, when you're mentioned with Honus Wagner; that's special.

I feel like San Diego and all of baseball didnt have the time to honor Tony as he deserved.

I hope June 26th is really special.

[Edited on 6-20-2014 by Hook]

woody with a view - 6-19-2014 at 06:31 PM

give it some time! legends take some time to ferment.

he is my all time favorite player.


going to the game tomorrow night with the company and looking forward to sporting #19.

bajadogs - 6-19-2014 at 06:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook

I hope June 26th is really special.

[Edited on 6-20-2014 by Hook]


It WILL be. There IS crying in baseball. Not a soul in the stadium who watched Tony Gwynn for 20 years (or more) in San Diego will be able to pretend they are not crying during this memorial. I will proudly admit that I have dropped many tears this week. Droppin' 'em now.

Baseball will never be the same for me.

I'm with you Woody, nobody greater than T. I do have a huge place in my heart for Flan though! Enjoy the game.

EnsenadaDr - 6-19-2014 at 08:41 PM

What does this thread have to do with Baja? Hook, you say you never go off topic? Well this had to be hit out of the on topic ballpark big time...I have no problem, guys, we all have interests that affect us out of the Baja area even when we are in Baja, but don't pick on others that bring up events that transcend the border and are important for them..and then do it yourself...just sayin'!!
Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Wouldn't Tony Gwynn be the single, greatest sports figure in San Diego history?

Who really would come close?

Fouts? Hadl? Alworth? Marshall Faulk? Trevor Hoffman?

I think Tony is it.

It's disappointing there wasn't more honoring of him, prior to his death. It must have been rather sudden, with him still working in town, and all.

This guy was what Ted Williams was to Boston, what the Babe was to NY, what Musial was to StL, what Clemente was to Pittsburgh.

This is a tremendous loss for the city and for all of baseball. I mean, when you're mentioned with Honus Wagner; that's special.

I feel like San Diego and all of baseball didnt have the time to honor Tony as he deserved.

I hope June 26th is really special.

[Edited on 6-20-2014 by Hook]

Hook - 6-19-2014 at 09:21 PM

BS, Doc. I never said I never go off topic, that I can recall. This is not the first baseball post I have made, nor the last.

I have very little defense on whether it is related to Baja.

Except that it involves a sports figure important to the largest city on the border with Mexico. And that it involves a sport that is the favorite sport in five Mexican states. Yes, even more popular than futbol.

But at least my post has accuracy, unlike most of your posts, Doc.

I'll take accuracy over relevancy, any day.

bajadogs - 6-19-2014 at 10:49 PM

A few years ago I was staying at La Fonda. I bring my glove and ball with me all the time. The big security guard in the parking area saw my gloves and asked to play catch. We threw soft for a bit. I threw him a hard knuckle ball. He smiled and threw one back. He told me he played with Adrian Gonzalez in the minor leagues of Mexico. Bammm! This IS Baja related. The San Diego Padres have worked hard to embrace Mexico. Holy crap! Am I the only one who remembers the first MLB series in Mexico with Fernando Valenzuela pitching for the Padres in a standing ovation crowd in the Monterey Mexico stadium? Ken Caminiti pounding the crap out of the ball? Sweeping the Mets?
Great times!!!

EnsenadaDr - 6-20-2014 at 07:11 AM

Like I said BajaDogs, I have no qualms about talking about a Baseball team member's death in San Diego. I went to medical school with a Doctor from Mexicali who loved the New York Yankees. I do believe that anything pertinent and important events in the news should and can be brought up on the main board. Still, a Padre death is clearly not Baja related. So please, the next time I bring up a subject that no guys are interested in I would appreciate holding back the negative remarks. Nomads were throwing cyber tomatoes at my post on Edward Snowden, yet I believe his breaches of security were relevant to Mexico because of the brouhaha Mexico made about the US spying on them. And in November, there will be sure to be an ON topic San Diego Chargers thread. No problem as far as I am concerned. But give my posts the same due respect.
Quote:
Originally posted by bajadogs
A few years ago I was staying at La Fonda. I bring my glove and ball with me all the time. The big security guard in the parking area saw my gloves and asked to play catch. We threw soft for a bit. I threw him a hard knuckle ball. He smiled and threw one back. He told me he played with Adrian Gonzalez in the minor leagues of Mexico. Bammm! This IS Baja related. The San Diego Padres have worked hard to embrace Mexico. Holy crap! Am I the only one who remembers the first MLB series in Mexico with Fernando Valenzuela pitching for the Padres in a standing ovation crowd in the Monterey Mexico stadium? Ken Caminiti pounding the crap out of the ball? Sweeping the Mets?
Great times!!!

elgatoloco - 6-20-2014 at 07:27 AM

Snowden? Was he the first baseman for the old Boston Braves? I think Sal Monella played shortstop for them that year. :dudette:
Heard they used to hang at Hussong's in the offseason.



YMMV






don't sweat the small stuff :saint:

EnsenadaDr - 6-20-2014 at 07:40 AM

hahaha I wish there were as many posters interested in Snowden as in baseball but sadly it is not to be. That was very funny, thanks for the early morning laugh!
Quote:
Originally posted by elgatoloco
Snowden? Was he the first baseman for the old Boston Braves? I think Sal Monella played shortstop for them that year. :dudette:
Heard they used to hang at Hussong's in the offseason.



YMMV






don't sweat the small stuff :saint:
:(

EnsenadaDr - 6-20-2014 at 08:02 AM

Just to refresh your memory, Hook, you were quite critical of me posting about a topic unrelated to Mexico:

Hook - 2-1-2014 at 12:20 PM
Do you ever REALLY ask questions that have anything to do with Mexico?

Rarely, in my experience.


To answer that Hook, I never ask questions that have to do with Baseball and Tony Gwynn.
Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
BS, Doc. I never said I never go off topic, that I can recall. This is not the first baseball post I have made, nor the last.

I have very little defense on whether it is related to Baja.

Except that it involves a sports figure important to the largest city on the border with Mexico. And that it involves a sport that is the favorite sport in five Mexican states. Yes, even more popular than futbol.

But at least my post has accuracy, unlike most of your posts, Doc.

I'll take accuracy over relevancy, any day.

Bob H - 6-20-2014 at 08:51 AM

The only thing I can say. Shame on you Dr. for being so trivial and trashing what was intended to be a beautiful thread! Paying tribute to the great Tony Gwynn.

EnsenadaDr - 6-20-2014 at 08:53 AM

Tony Gwynn was a legend and I do like Baseball!!
Quote:
Originally posted by Bob H
The only thing I can say. Shame on you Dr. for being so trivial and trashing what was intended to be a beautiful thread! Paying tribute to the great Tony Gwynn.

BajaLuna - 6-20-2014 at 10:09 AM

whatever, Doc!

BobH, thanks for posting this!

Hook, you're right about San Diego and baseball in general not having time to honor this great man. It seems to me, and correct me if I am wrong...he has been the most under-rated baseball player?

bajadogs - 6-20-2014 at 02:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaLuna
correct me if I am wrong...he has been the most under-rated baseball player?


you are not wrong. you will not see a better hitter in your lifetime.

The Saying Goes .............

MrBillM - 6-20-2014 at 08:41 PM

It ain't over until the Fat Lady sings.

Not whines.

Hook - 6-21-2014 at 05:15 AM

Doc, if your batting average on posts related to Mexico vs. overall posts was a little higher, I'd give you a pass.

But it ain't! So, you've struck out........again!!

bajadogs - 6-21-2014 at 03:11 PM

Quote:
Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
a Padre death is clearly not Baja related.


clearly?

EnsenadaDr - 6-27-2014 at 12:46 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJpB_AEZf6U

From one great to another!!