|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Feedback: Gwynn made hitting an art form | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tony Gwynn admits little has changed during his 20-year major league career. He has the same batting stance, wears the same San Diego Padres uniform and still smacks opposite field doubles with his short, sweet swing. This consistency will make it even harder to say goodbye to Gwynn, as the career .338 hitter and eight-time NL batting champ will retire from baseball at the end of this season.
Here are your thoughts on Gwynn's retirement and memories of No. 19:
Gwynn stepping down as one of baseball's greats As someone who has watched Tony Gwynn throughout his entire career (being a San Diego native), I have had the privilege of watching one of the greatest hitters ever. I think it is time that he hangs it up -- Tony has nothing left to prove. He is a first ballot Hall of Famer without a doubt. I think among baseball's top hitters, Tony was one of the most pure single and gap double hitters. Was he as good as Cobb or Rose? I don't think so!! Tony did have to work hard at his craft, and he is among the elite group of players who you want up at the plate in a critical situation. It was a pleasure, T. Gwynn, to watch you all these years. I wish you the best at SDSU. Jason Long Beach, Calif. Gwynn's athleticism forgotten in recent years Tony Gwynn is simply the greatest hitter of his generation and among the greatest pure hitters who ever played the game. Gwynn does not get the credit he deserves for being a great athlete as well as a great hitter. Let's not forget that Tony has five gold gloves to go along with the National League-record eight batting titles. The man also stole 50 bases in a season and was drafted by an NBA team. It's easy to look at Tony today and criticize his weight -- undoubtedly there will be those who say he waited too long. Tony Gwynn earned the right to leave on his own terms, which is exactly what he is doing. The Padres benefited from having Gwynn around the past couple of seasons. His professionalism and dedication rubs off on the younger players -- it's no coincidence that Phil Nevin and Ryan Klesko are playing the best baseball of their careers. Steve New York Gwynn-Ripken duo symbolized class and loyalty As a Padres fan since '79, I want to express my gratitude to TG for the years of entertainment and enjoyment he gave us. It's fitting that he and Cal will go out together just as they came in the same year both spent their entire careers with one team. In these times of high stakes free agency -- where players change teams so often -- Tony and Cal have shown there are more important things than the almighty dollar. Things like team loyalty, respect for your fans and love of your community. I have no doubt that Gwynn will prove to be every bit as adept at coaching college kids as he was at slapping the ball through whichever side of the infield he chose. I wish him and his family all the best as he starts the next phase of his career. Thanks for the ride, Tony. It was definitely worth the price of admission. Don Hood River, Ore.
I grew up in San Diego watching Tony. No matter how badly things were going for the Padres in the pennant race, there was always the batting race. I couldn't wait to get the paper in the morning to see where T. Gwynn's average ranked him (usually first). It's a shame he toiled in the relative obscurity of San Diego -- he never got the national attention he deserved until late in his career. What if he had played 20 years in Baltimore and Cal had been a Padre? Tony would have been anointed the greatest hitter ever and Cal's streak wouldn't have generated the same national frenzy. Greg Boise, Idaho Gwynn's style is a lost art I love watching TG hit a baseball. Unfortunately Gwynn's style of hitting is a lost art. In the era of "home run derby," I would rather watch Gwynn hit his patented line drive over shortstop more than anything else. Power can be obtained in the weight room. What Gwynn has done for the past 20 years with a baseball bat is simply magical. Pure art. One of the all-time greats, no doubt. Cooperstown will welcome him with open arms. Jeremy Matthews, N.C. Gwynn's mystique captivated fans My greatest Gwynn memory came from a Padres game I attended in August of 1993. I was on my first baseball road trip and I found myself sitting in the ninth row along the first base line. The announced attendance was about 9,000 or so, but it looked like about half that number decided to go to the San Diego Zoo instead. The Padres won the game in 10 innings (thanks to two unlikely Ozzie Smith errors on one play), but when Gwynn was first announced, the applause sounded to me like "Please don't go, Tony!" Being an original Mariners fan, I wonder where I would get that kind of vibe. :) I will miss Ripken and Gwynn a great deal. After seeing what money does to players like Alex Rodriguez and Albert Belle, Baltimore and San Diego should be grateful for every day Cal and Tony swing the bat for their teams. Michael Auburn, Wash.
Tony Gwynn's retirement probably came a bit late, as he has been on a steady slide for the last few years. But I am certain if I were in the same position as he is, I would play until someone forced me off the field. It looks like those days are coming fast. Although I have never been a huge fan of the Padres, I have always been a fan of Tony Gwynn and his integrity, loyalty and dedication. If I could only teach my children these qualities ... Brian Charleston, W.Va Gwynn was one of a kind Tony Gwynn represents everything that is right with baseball. He is one of the last true gentlemen in baseball today and the sport will miss him greatly. A leader? Yes. Not by flash or hype, but with humble words and showing up to do his job. We need more Tony Gwynns in this world. Tony, you are the class of baseball and you will always be remembered as the best baseball had to offer. Thank you. Brady Edmond, Okla. Tony should go out an All-Star The greatest pure hitter of our time. Period. It is sad to see him leave the game without ever winning a ring, but his status as a legend is set. If Joe Torre is going to select Cal Ripken for the AL All-Star team, then Bobby Valentine should do the same with Gwynn and pay this hitting machine his just due. Paul Fremont, Calif.
Hall of Fame numbers don't tell the whole story of Tony Gwynn's remarkable career. His devotion to baseball is reflected not only in his studious approach to the game, but the loyalty to his team. When he first entered the big leagues, he resigned himself to winning a Gold Glove ... he won five. His team has had more valleys than peaks, but that never deterred his determination to win. It is time for him to retire ... his sweet swing simply lasted longer than the rest of his body. He will be remembered by Padres fans not simply for his heroics on the field, but his dedication to the city he calls home. Kevin Port Orchard, Wash. Gwynn's legacy will always be in San Diego I believe that this is the correct move by Gwynn for two reasons: 1) He will not taint his legacy as a San Diego Padre. ... As a Bruin fan, it pissed me off to see Ray Bourque win a championship with another team because I felt as if he sold Boston out. 2) It's time for him to move on so he can coach his son at San Diego State. Bryan Quincy, Mass. Gwynn's unique approach will not be forgotten I think Tony Gwynn is one of the game's best hitters ever. People may bag on him because he didn't hit home runs, but his swing was the sweetest thing I've ever seen and he drove in plenty of runs. He also became a very good outfielder who won a few Gold Gloves. More than anything, Tony's class and his approach to the game shines more than any accomplishments he had on the field. Baseball is going to miss Tony -- San Diego State should hire him as its coach today. Joe Verona, Wisc. |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
