As a baseball player, coach, humanitarian, husband and father, Tony has always personified consistency. A member of the San Diego Padres for his entire 20-year career, the 15-time All-Star was renowned for his patience at the plate. Tony collected 3,141 career hits and 790 walks against just 434 strikeouts. One of only four players in history to bat .350 or better in five consecutive seasons, Tony won a record-tying eight National League batting titles and seven Sporting News Silver Slugger Awards. He also collected five gold gloves as an outfielder and made 11 All-Star starts at the position, tying the major league record. Remarkable as he was as a player, Tony’s off-the-field accomplishments are perhaps even more impressive. Tony has been nationally recognized for his commitment to community service in the San Diego area. He and his wife Alicia established the Tony Gwynn Foundation to help fund charities supporting children in need. Organizations such as Casa de Amparo Child Abuse Shelter, Neighborhood House, YMCA, and the Police Athletic League have all benefited from the foundation’s efforts. In 1995, Tony was presented the Branch Rickey Award as the top community activist in Major League Baseball. In 1999, he was named the Roberto Clemente Man of the Year for combining sportsmanship and community service, and was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. That same year, he also received the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, presented to the major league player who best exemplifies the character and leadership of the Hall of Fame first baseman both on and off the field. A graduate of San Diego State, Tony returned to his alma mater in a volunteer role in 2001 before becoming head baseball coach in 2002. He was named the Mountain West Coach of the Year in 2004. Tony’s steady swing and reliable nature have made him one of baseball’s brightest stars and best role models. Nearly unanimously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first appearance on the ballot, Tony will be enshrined alongside Cal Ripken Jr. on July 29 in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Tony Gwynn is the recipient of the Major League Baseball Career Achievement Award.