The late Tony Gwynn was the foundation for the San Diego Padres’ franchise for 20 seasons. A career .338 batter, the left-handed hitting perfected the art of slapping singles through the left side of the infield. In all, he wrapped out 2,378 singles, representing 76% of the hits he collected on his way to 3,141. Beyond his well-publicized hitting prowess, however, Gwynn was also an exceptional rightfielder who collected five Rawlings Gold Glove awards (1986-87, 1989-91) during his Hall of Fame career. Presented here is a special edition from the baseball glove manufacturer: the rare "career" Gold Glove only issued to those players who won the award four or more times in their careers.
Rawlings created the Gold Glove Award to commemorate the best fielding performance at each position. Initially, only one Gold Glove was awarded to the top fielder at each position in all of Major League Baseball; however, separate awards were handed out for the NL and AL beginning in 1958. Featuring a player-specific commemorative glove made of gold lamé-tanned leather affixed to a tapered wood platform (approx. 6.5" x 5" by 4.5"), the award sits on a larger wood base measuring 6.5" by 17". Two gold lamé-tanned Rawlings-branded baseballs reside on both ends of a 15" long middle platform. There are two plaques, one with a portrait of Gwynn and the other reading, “1986, '87, '89, '90, '91 RAWLINGS GOLD GLOVE AWARD Presented to TONY GWYNN Honoring His Selection As THE FINEST IN THE FIELD!" Rawlings script logos appear at each end of the bottom plaque. This award (18" tall and 10 lbs.) comes in immaculate condition, celebrating one of the greatest careers in baseball history, and was originally sourced from an important associate of Tony's.