Tuesday marks the birthday of a baseball legend who left us far too soon. Tony Gwynn would have turned 58. Gwynn spent his entire career with his hometown San Diego Padres, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007, and passed away at the age of 54 in 2014.
On his birthday, the baseball world paid tribute to one of the all-time greats.
Thinking of Tony Gwynn on what would’ve been his 58th birthday.
We miss you dearly, #MrPadre. pic.twitter.com/mOYhnS5O8Q
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 9, 2018
Remembering an Aztec legend in the batter’s box, in the dugout, and on the court, on what would’ve been Tony Gwynn’s 58th birthday. pic.twitter.com/drsA3c0srH
— San Diego State Aztecs (@GoAztecs) May 9, 2018
The great Tony Gwynn would have been 58 today. We miss you and thank you for the memories. #MrPadre pic.twitter.com/13N3rKUTlG
— Bally Sports San Diego (@BallySportsSD) May 9, 2018
.@Padres Tony Gwynn was a generational talent. In RF, he won 5 Gold Gloves. At the plate, he recorded 3141 H. But Tony's greatest contribution to baseball was in his relentless quest to improve himself, and those around him. He would've been 58 today. https://t.co/ByGzbsjNq0 pic.twitter.com/ajMNd0zIIQ
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) May 9, 2018
Forever a legend: Mr. Padre. pic.twitter.com/WJH89YEFn5
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 9, 2018
The late, great Tony Gwynn was born on this day in 1960.
Here’s to you, Mr. Padre. #WednesdayWisdom pic.twitter.com/2yKtGdXsEb
— MLB (@MLB) May 9, 2018
On what would’ve been my friend Tony Gwynn’s 58th birthday, my favorite photo of him, before Game 1 of the 1998 World Series. Like the fan he was, he wanted to meet the legendary voice of Yankee Stadium, Bob Sheppard. This image was the result: pic.twitter.com/h6HhJPWWow
— Keith Olbermann⌚️ (@KeithOlbermann) May 9, 2018
Tony Gwynn’s birthday is the perfect excuse for posting my favorite thing on @baseball_ref, his career numbers against Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz: pic.twitter.com/FlpxYgEA80
— Michael Beller (@MBeller) May 9, 2018
Tony Gwynn would have turned 58 today.
Career vs HOF pitchers (517 PA):
.333 BA, 36 XBH, 31 BB, 23 KAbsurd. What a legend.
— Paul Hembekides (Hembo) (@PaulHembo) May 9, 2018
On Tony Gwynn’s birthday you should celebrate it by buying his hitting book for your young son/daughter. Then treat the phrase “launch angle” as the dirtiest word in your house and it’s usage is an immediate grounding.
— Judson Richards (@JudsonRichrds) May 9, 2018
Tony Gwynn would have turned 58 today. He never struck out more than 40 times in a season. It is May 9, and already 20 players have struck out more than 40 times this season, all in 141 at-bats or fewer.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) May 9, 2018
Tony Gwynn qualified for the batting title in 14 seasons in which he had 40 or fewer strikeouts.
All active players have combined for 2 such seasons. https://t.co/5TLbWvYbmB
— Paul Hembekides (Hembo) (@PaulHembo) May 9, 2018
It’s certainly bittersweet.
Gwynn certainly left us far too soon. But days like these serve as a reminder of how great Gwynn was both on and off the field.