Tony Gwynn, Hall of Fame outfielder with San Diego, dies at 54

[Denver Native (Carol)]

SAN DIEGO — Tony Gwynn, the Hall of Famer with a sweet left-handed swing who spent his entire 20-year career with the Padres and was one of San Diego's most beloved athletes, died of cancer Monday. He was 54.

Gwynn, nicknamed "Mr. Padre," had been on a medical leave since late March from his job as baseball coach at San Diego State, his alma mater. He died at a hospital in suburban Poway, agent John Boggs said.

"For more than 30 years, Tony Gwynn was a source of universal goodwill in the national pastime, and he will be deeply missed by the many people he touched," Commissioner Bud Selig said.

rest - http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_25971826/tony-gwynn-padres-hall-fame-outfielder-dies-at

[OB]

Rip

[chazoe60]

The best pure hitter of his generation. 20 years and retired with a .338 average, that is amazing. Was a great ambassador for the game and he will be missed. RIP

[CoachChaz]

Along with Ripken, Schmidt and Gary Carter...Gwynn was on my personal baseball Mount Rushmore as a youngster. Very sad day for baseball.

[Slick]

That's too bad. Hell of a player and he just exuded class. That's a bummer. Effing cancer.

[Skinny]

Damn, what a shame. So fun to watch hit. Such an effortless swinging motion. So classy as well. Such a shame.

[Nomad]

You guys have said it. He was definitely the guy I looked up to and wanted to be like as a player in high school. RIP.....Mr. Gwynn and thanks for baseball greatness.

[Dapper Dan]

It always worries me to see people pass away too soon. I always think about my parents and how that could easily happen to them.

[Slick]

It always worries me to see people pass away too soon. I always think about my parents and how that could easily happen to them.

Cancer is the worst man. My Dad was only 58. Tell them that you love them every time you see them. You never know when it's the last time.

[MOtorboat]

Very sad.

[aberdien]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqRMwutCcAErdKn.png

[MOtorboat]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqRMwutCcAErdKn.png

He was a career .429 hitter against Maddox in 107 at bats.

0 strikeouts.

[tomjonesrocks]

Heartbreaking loss in San Diego -- such a sad day. Had been rumored to have been coming, and certainly he'd had tough surgeries over the past few years -- but still seems so sudden.

[MOtorboat]

This got me.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11092918/mlb-tony-gwynn-love-hitting