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Some really sad news today out of Southern California. According to a report, Tony Gywnn, Hall of Fame outfielder and father to the Phillies outfielder of the same name, has reportedly died.
Barry Bloom of MLB.com reports:
Tony Gwynn has died, his agent John Boggs just told me. It was the phone call I've been dreading. God bless, Mr. Padre. I love you. @Padres
— Barry M. Bloom (@Boomskie) June 16, 2014
Gwynn was just 54 years old.
Just yesterday, San Diego's Union Tribune did a piece on Gwynn and his son playing for the Phillies with an emphasis on Father's Day. The younger Gywnn called this the most difficult season of his career:
“It’s been probably the toughest season I’ve had in professional ball,” Gwynn Jr. said, sitting at his locker at Citizens Bank Park. “The only other season I can think of that was this tough was when we first found out he had cancer. That was difficult, but even that wasn’t as difficult as what’s been going on this season (with Gwynn Sr.). It’s been a grind. It’s certainly been a grind.”
The younger Gwynn presumably will take time away.
In his career, Gwynn batted .338 and collected 3,141 hits in a career that spanned from 1982 until 2001, all with the San Diego Padres. In retirement, Gwynn coached baseball at San Diego State University, his Alma Mater.
Gwynn leaves behind his wife, Alicia, his daughter Anisha Nicole (a recording artists) and Tony Jr.
