The late, great Tony Gwynn registered 3,141 hits during his illustrious major league career with the San Diego Padres. His MLB tenure would span 20 seasons from 1982 to 2001, and it was in 1988 when Gwynn recorded one of his first of many professional milestones. This lot includes Gwynn’s 1,134th career hit baseball (off Braves’ hurler Pete Smith) which tied future Hall of Famer Dave Winfield for the Padres team club record. The hit occurred on Sept. 17, 1988, in Atlanta, in the first game of a double-header between the two clubs. The Padres won the opener, 9-4, as Gwynn went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. The game-used official National League (Giamatti) baseball includes special calligraphy in black ink to distinguish it as the 1,134th career hit ball: “1,134th Hit to tie the Club Record off Pete Smith in Atlanta 9-17-88.” It even includes Gwynn’s line score: “AB-4, R-1, H-2, RBI-2.”
Includes Letter of Authenticity from the Gwynn Family.
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.