Over the course of the last week San Diego State University—the late Tony Gwynn’s alma mater—paid tribute to one of its native sons.
Earlier in the week, it was the school’s basketball team that paid tribute to one of the greatest athletes in its history.
But as the week drew on, the baseball team took the cake for some of the best tributes one could possibly imagine.
And then on Friday, it was Tony Gwynn night at the stadium named after the late baseball legend and Hall of Famer.
New mural at Tony Gwynn Stadium. #Aztecs honoring Tony tonight before season opener. pic.twitter.com/3SIWwBWp62
— Annie Heilbrunn (@annieheilbrunn) February 14, 2015
In honor of the legend Tony Gwynn #AztecForLife pic.twitter.com/XsuaAydKLv
— SDSU Aztec 4 Life (@SDSUAztec4Life) February 14, 2015
Who's coming out to Tony Gwynn Stadium tonight at 6PM to help us honor #SDSUTG19? pic.twitter.com/rpBbyKA7n6
— San Diego State Aztecs (@GoAztecs) February 13, 2015
Tony Gwynn Stadium is set to honor No. 19. #SDSUTG19 #WinForGwynn pic.twitter.com/4RqGiCOmZk
— Bally Sports San Diego (@BallySportsSD) February 14, 2015
Paying tribute to Mr. Padre tonight at Tony Gwynn Stadium | @SDSU #TG19 pic.twitter.com/GDXoRI3LSe
— Lake Elsinore Storm (@Storm_Baseball) February 14, 2015
Perfect tribute by @SDSUBaseball for #AztecForLife, Tony Gwynn. #SDSUTG19 pic.twitter.com/p9GO8fNsZp
— Bally Sports San Diego (@BallySportsSD) February 14, 2015
San Diego State to retire Tony Gwynn's #19http://t.co/3visol88UM pic.twitter.com/u1LatYMXdh
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) February 13, 2015
Gwynn, who attended San Diego State from 1977-1980, passed away at the age of 54 last June after a long battle with cancer.
Following his days with the Aztecs, Gwynn went on to spend his entire 20-year career with the San Diego Padres, hitting a ridiculous .338 in what ended up becoming a first-ballot Hall of Fame career.
Needless to say, Gwynn is among the biggest legends in Southern California sports. San Diego State retiring his jersey and putting on the amazing show it did on Friday shows us—even in death—just how important of a figure he remains in that community.
Photo: MLB.com