On September 18, 1998, the, San Diego Padres were just two weeks away from making the playoffs and marching all the way to the Fall Classic. Led by late superstar Tony Gwynn, who batted .321 with 148 hits and 69 runs batted in that season, the Padres would eventually fall to the New York Yankees in four straight but winning their second National League pennant was still reason to celebrate. On this particular night, the Friars were hosting the Colorado Rockies at Qualcomm Stadium. Though the game ended 4-1 in the Rockies’ favor, Gwynn did what he seemingly almost always did: he got a hit. The late “Mr. Padre” went 1-for-4 that night with a single and scored a run. This lot features Gwynn’s game worn and signed uniform ensemble from the game including his jersey, pants, cap, batting helmet, batting gloves and wristbands.
The Russell Athletic, size 50, navy blue button-down jersey reads “Padres” across the chest in blue tackle twill outlined in orange and white and includes the proper tagging on the left front tail. The tag has been marked in black ink with the following notation: “9/18/98 VS COL #2919.” A separate flag tag off the manufacturer’s tag reads “100% POLYESTER.” The Padres embroidered “Friar” logo patch appears on the left sleeve. The back of the game worn jersey reads “GWYNN” arched across the shoulders in white tackle twill with his iconic number “19” appearing just below it in orange tackle twill outlined in white. The jersey was subsequently notated below Gwynn’s number with the following text in orange embroidery: “9-18-98 VS COL #2919.” The late Gwynn then signed the number “1” in strong black marker. The accompanying Russell Athletic white pants (size 39) show tremendous game use with dirt stains sprinkled throughout. The proper manufacturer’s tagging exists on the inside rear waistband and has also been notated in black ink with the date of the game and base hit in question: “9/18/98 VS COL #2919.” One additional sewn-on white identifier reads as follows: “19 39-41-30-98.”
Also within this lot is Gwynn’s San Diego Padres baseball cap worn that evening. The Diamond Collection New Era cap (size 7 1/8) shows light usage with the Padres interlocking “SD” white and orange embroidered logo on the front. Gwynn autographed it in silver on the top of the bill. The underside is also notated properly in black fine point marker: “9/18/98 VS COL #2919.” To go with Gwynn’s cap comes his batting helmet as well. The navy blue Diamond Collection batting helmet (size 7 1/8) shows moderate usage and has the Padres interlocking “SD” logo on the front via a white, orange and blue logo. The padding on the inside rear of the helmet has been marked in black with the following notation: "9/18/98 VS COL #2919." Next up is Gwynn’s Franklin batting gloves. The gray, black and white gloves, complete with Gwynn’s unique “TAG” callout in white, blue and gray on the blue Velcro fastener, are autographed (though the signatures have faded substantially) and show moderate wear with strips of adhesive tape wrapped around each finger as well as the right thumb. Lastly within this lot are Gwynn’s two Rawlings wristbands, which both show ample wear, and include Gwynn’s uniform number “19” embroidered in blue just below the Rawlings red logo.
Includes Letter of Provenance from the San Diego Hall of Champions.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA. Autographs on gloves deemed inconclusive by PSA/DNA.