Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn dead at 54

**nana51** · June 18th, 2014, 11:27 PM

I don't watch baseball at all, but who didn't love Tony? Never heard one bad thing about him ever. He was kind of our "own Tony" in San Diego. Very sad, much too young.

**msdeb** · June 19th, 2014, 01:46 AM

The memorial is next Thursday. Dunno if we're going to go, and only because traffic is a nightmare for any game there since it's downtown. And parking sucks.

this is from Keith Olbermann. Love this piece on Tony. Well done.

**Honeythorn** · June 19th, 2014, 03:02 AM

Who the hell is cutting onions up in here?? I'll be going to the memorial. I don't live in San Diego anymore, but the 4 1/2 hour drive will be worth it.

**msdeb** · June 27th, 2014, 12:08 AM

Just watched the memorial. They had to open the gates up early as the line was wrapped around the block. Some estimate the crowd at 20k.

What a wonderful tribute. Reggie Jackson spoke, former Padres were there. Tony LaRussa and Joe Torre were there.

and the host Ted Leitner is a Padres broadcaster, used to be a sports reporter here (and before that, in Pennsylvania) did a wonderful job.

RIP Tony

**Honeythorn** · June 27th, 2014, 12:22 AM

I was there with my Niece, Sister and Mom. I cried so hard when they showed that little clip of Tony and Cammy. That was a greqt memorial, but so hard to get through without choking up. Damian Jackson also made a nice speach.

**msdeb** · June 27th, 2014, 12:43 AM

Originally Posted by Honeythorn

I was there with my Niece, Sister and Mom. I cried so hard when they showed that little clip of Tony and Cammy. That was a greqt memorial, but so hard to get through without choking up. Damian Jackson also made a nice speach.

i lost it when Ted said he knew Cammy and Jerry Coleman were there with him in Heaven. I loved loved loved Cammy.

**SoCalMarie** · June 27th, 2014, 12:43 AM

Originally Posted by msdeb

Just watched the memorial. They had to open the gates up early as the line was wrapped around the block. Some estimate the crowd at 20k.

What a wonderful tribute. Reggie Jackson spoke, former Padres were there. Tony LaRussa and Joe Torre were there.

and the host Ted Leitner is a Padres broadcaster, used to be a sports reporter here (and before that, in Pennsylvania) did a wonderful job.

RIP Tony

I bawled during the entire memorial. By the time they played the montage with Boyz II Men's "It's so hard to say goodbye..." playing in the background, I was can't-catch-my-breath sobbing. He was such a beautiful person. Such a cool guy.... It's just unfair that genuine, beautiful people like him leave this earth so soon... too soon.

I found a well-written article on Deadspin if any of you Tony fans have a minute (and a box of tissues handy). The author was Tony's bat boy in the early 1990's... The comment section is also filled with personal encounters and appreciation for Tony as well. All of the stories I've heard and read over the past week have all been awesome/touching, but this one has to be one of my favorites: I Was Tony Gwynn's Bat Boy

Rest peacefully Mr. Padre.