Tony Gwynn: A Gem On and Off the Diamond

(Here's an article I produced on one of my favorite athletes of all time for the May 1988 edition of The Sports Journal of Calgary, Alberta. The story is just four seasons into the lengthy, 20-season Hall of Fame career of the man who barely made it to age 54.)

                                                                      (Breitbart photo)

Those who claim that all high-salaried players are self-serving primadonnas don't know Tony Gwynn.  But that unfamiliarity of personality should not be surprising considering how few people are even aware of Gwynn's on-the-field talents.

Gwynn's accomplishments are staggering! In his four years with the San Diego Padres, the 27-year-old rightfielder has compiled a .335 career batting average, including a pair of batting titles. His .370 batting mark last year was the National League's best since Stan Musial's .378 in 1948.

"He's amazing at the plate," Padres infielder Mike Flannery said. "He does everything right.  He'll get a hit on an incredible pitch; maybe one theat's busted him inside, and all of us on the bench will look at it and shake our heads.  It happens all the time."

But there's far more to Gwynn's abilities than making contact at the plate. He also earned his second straight Gold Glove and swiped 56 bases last year, second only to the Cardinals' Vince Coleman. Gwynn's seen All Star Game action all four seasons as well.

"If I had nine Tony Gwynn's suiting up every day, I wouldn't have to manage them a minute," said Padres skipper Larry Bowa. "His work ethic and every day contribution is just incredible!"

In addition to all of Gwynn's baseball accomplishments, which also included a trip to the World Series in his rookie season, Gwynn is the ultimate role model for other young players.

"I've never in my life seen anybody with Tony's work habits and dedication--and his desire to improve," teammate John Kruk said. "It's infectious!  You can't help but want to adopt his habits.  He's inspiring!"

Gwynn's list of good deeds involving the fans and the media probably even surpasses his baseball statistics.

When a couple players turned down an interview at Yuma (Arizona) Junior High School, Gwynn accepted and turned a 10-minute session into a comical half hour.  In fact, Gwynn's the man that Padres assistant public relations director Mike Swanson looks to when other teammates are unavailable to the press. 

Gwynn's love for children has led to personal sacrifices like missing a late night meal in St. Louis to satisfy dozens of autograph seekers in the streets after complaining to San Diego pitcher Greg Booker of being starved. Gwynn also suffered emotional pain while visiting a home for abused children in Las Vegas.

"That's just me," Gwynn said.  "I can't stand when people think baseball players are better than anybody else. I realize how lucky I am.  But I was raised to believe that you treat people as you'd want to be treated. That's all I do.  That's easy."