Tony Gwynn dies

[jacksonianmarch]

Only 54 years old from salivary gland cancer. Just awful. Seemed like an awfully nice guy and was probably the best pure hitter since Ted Williams

[a700hitter]

This is so tragically sad. RIP. It was a joy to watch him play.

[jacksonianmarch]

And a joy to listen to his interviews, his commentary, etc. The guy was a rare athlete who was so insanely good, yet so incredibly humble. Nowadays, if you're good, you're told to flaunt it. Not this guy. He just showed up, dominated, and went home to his family.

[mvp 78]

That sucks. He was a good guy. One of the game's best ambassadors.

[jacksonianmarch]

If he played in NY, Boston, Chicago or LA, this would be lead story news with ESPN videos of people wailing in the streets. That he slogged away for two decades in SD kinda hid how amazing he was. The guy hit .340 for his career over 20 years in an era where you faced specialists and dominant relievers. Teddy Ballgame did his facing the same pitcher 4 or 5 times a game. Tony didn't. He was definitely the best pure hitter I have ever seen

[Thunder]

And a joy to listen to his interviews, his commentary, etc. The guy was a rare athlete who was so insanely good, yet so incredibly humble. Nowadays, if you're good, you're told to flaunt it. Not this guy. He just showed up, dominated, and went home to his family.

 

So, a poor man's Jeter?

[mvp 78]

So, a poor man's Jeter?

He was a much better hitter than Jeter.

[mvp 78]

@Joelsherman1: Gwynn’s career coincided with prime of #Braves big 3 and he hit .381 (101-265) v. Maddux/Smoltz/Glavine with 19 BBs, 3 Ks

[Station 13]

@Joelsherman1: Gwynn’s career coincided with prime of #Braves big 3 and he hit .381 (101-265) v. Maddux/Smoltz/Glavine with 19 BBs, 3 Ks

 

Crazy.

 

Crazier: Pedro never struck him out.

[Northern Star]

Just awful. I had no idea he was sick. Absolutely ridiculous hitter and one of the all time greats. R.I.P.

[seabeachfred]

Just awful. I had no idea he was sick. Absolutely ridiculous hitter and one of the all time greats. R.I.P.

 

He contracted cancer of the mouth a few years back. It was most likely from chewing tobacco, and if you saw pictures of him you could see the scars from where he had two serious operations. No matter what took him it is still a miserably sad day for baseball and for the world of good guys. Never heard a negative word about this man who grew up in Long Beach and was a two sports star at San Diego State and who turned out to be the best hitter in the last 50 years. Good team player, great person, and classy gentleman all the way. I know I will miss the guy.

[Navafan29]

According to the bit on ESPN about him, he could have hit .400 in a season if the MLB strike didn't happen.

[jacksonianmarch]

He was way better offensively than jeter

[Northern Star]

Didn't watch the ASG, but I heard there was no mention of Gwynn. Despicable.

[a700hitter]

Didn't watch the ASG, but I heard there was no mention of Gwynn. Despicable.

it was hard to mention anyone while the announcers had Jeter's cock in their mouth.

[Spudboy]

It's the power of playing in New York.

 

By all accounts, Gwynn was a really nice guy and an ambassador of the game. Certainly one of the best hitters of all time.

 

The snub was inexcusable.

[seabeachfred]

Aside from the fact that I possessed not a shred of power or control over the game's proceedings, I think I'd better admit I never once thought of Gwynn during the ASG so at least I can't look in the mirror and call myself a hypocrite. Thank goodness for that because if I did have some say over the game and it went down as it did with nary a mention of the best hitter in the last 50 years I would have been eligible for a ride out of town on a rail. Excuse for my negligence in this matter? There was so much of Jeter this and Jeter that, it was hard to think of anyone else. Unlike some of you, I do not resent Derek in any way save for all the times he inside outed a ball to RF and gave us fits in that regard. Barring some unforeseen circumstances like the Yankees trading for Lee and Price it looks at this time that Jeter is not going out as a WS winner. So I suppose that is of some consolation for those of you who resent the guy because of the team he plays for. Certainly his conduct and composure during his career can't be anything to criticize.