In 1998, the San Diego Padres won the National League championship and advanced to the World Series for the second time in franchise history. San Diego featured five All-Stars: pitchers Andy Ashby, Kevin Brown, and Trevor Hoffman, and outfielders Tony Gwynn and Greg Vaughn. Brown and Hoffman were two of the premier pitchers in baseball for 1998. Brown led the staff in wins, earned run average, and strikeouts, and he also finished in the league's top five in each category. Hoffman saved 53 games and was voted the NL Rolaids Relief Man Award for best closer in the league. Ashby was the team's number two starter with 17 wins. The Padres offense was led by Vaughn, who had the greatest season of his career in 1998 and veteran Tony Gwynn, now approaching the final years of his HOF career. Their 98-64 record was third-best in the league, behind only the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros, who San Diego then went a combined 7-3 against in winning the NL pennant, only to face the juggernaut 1998 New York Yankees in the World Series and a four-game sweep.
This attractive bat commemorates that historic season. The 34-inch Louisville Slugger commemorative bat has "1998 San Diego Padres Louisville Slugger" stamped on the barrel and approximately 25 signatures from the team, all in black Sharpie, including Gwynn, Vaughn, Mark Langston, Wally Joyner and others. Bat is essentially in as-issued and problem-free condition.
Includes Letter of Authenticity from the Gwynn Family.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.
A portion of the proceeds generated by the Tony Gwynn Collection will be donated to the Tony and Alicia Gwynn Foundation. The TAG Foundation is a non-profit, 5013(c) charity dedicated to creating and supporting programs that enhance opportunities for youth to become healthy, educated, and productive citizens. The TAG Foundation was organized in San Diego in 1995 by Tony’s wife, Alicia. For more information, visit www.tagwynn2.org.