Gwynn, Tony (1960-…), became one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. Gwynn played for the San Diego Padres of the National League for his entire major league career. He was an outfielder who batted and threw left-handed. Gwynn led the National League in batting eight times, including four consecutive seasons beginning in 1994. He was known as a superb “contact” hitter who rarely struck out. He holds the National League record for most seasons leading the league in singles. Gwynn was also a skilled fielder and won five “Gold Glove” awards.
Anthony Keith Gwynn was born in Los Angeles on May 9, 1960, and attended San Diego State University. He was selected by the Padres in the third round of the 1981 amateur draft. Gwynn played minor league ball in 1981 and split the 1982 and 1983 seasons between minor league teams and San Diego. He played his first full season with the Padres in 1984 and led the league in batting with a .351 average, helping San Diego reach the World Series for the first time in the franchise’s history. His league-leading .394 average in 1994 was the highest in baseball since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941. Gwynn retired after the 2001 season with 3,141, career hits. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.
