San Diego Padres GREAT Tony Gwynn Dies at Age 54...

[Blue Meanie]

I was completely stunned when I heard this morning that he passed away. I have never seen a better hitter in my 40 years of watching baseball. He definitely was my generations Ted Williams. Here's the article from CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/16/sport/gwynn-baseball-death/

One season on the way to another batting title he played in 160 Games and had over 600 at bats and struck out....NINE TIMES!!! That's unheard of. Baseball has lost one of the true GREAT PLAYERS and great person's that will ever grace it's stage/field. RIP Tony Gwynn.

[ScottA]

Totally agree. One of the real greats of the game.

[megowgsh]

Funny you would mention Ted Williams. Years ago, when asked what modern day player reminded him the most of himself, The Splendid Splinter, replied, "Tony Gwynn".

RIP

[megomania]

Heard tonight he could have gone something like
1100+ straight at-bats without a hit and still had a .300 avg. Amazing hitter

[starsky]

followed his career as a teen growing up. definitely a true gentleman, legend and an ambassador of the game. RIP Tony Gwynn

[megocrazy]

Was truly one of the great people in baseball. RIP

[Donkey Hoatie]

Interesting stat that I uncovered while looking at Gwynn's career numbers. In his 20-year career, he struck out a total of 434 times. In contrast to that, Mark Reynolds of the Arizona Diamondbacks struck out 434 times total over 2 seasons (2009-2010). He averaged something like 29 strikeouts per season, which is essentially once every week. How many guys average a strikeout per game?

I have never seen anyone with the ability to put the bat on the ball like Gwynn could. He was unreal. I can't imagine ever seeing that type of hitter again.