The San Diego Padres selected Tony Gwynn in the third round of the 1981 Major League Baseball Draft with the 58th overall pick. In his first season of professional baseball, Gwynn began using smaller bats while playing for the Walla Walla Padres, San Diego's Class-A Minor League Baseball affiliate. In just 42 games for Walla Walla, he hit .331 with 12 homers and 17 stolen bases, earning him most valuable player honors for the Northwest League. He then was brought up to the Padres the following year and made his MLB debut on July 19, 1982. This lot includes Gwynn’s very first professional baseball contract, the one he was given when he joined the Walla Walla Padres. The six-page document is beautifully framed and matted and includes Gwynn’s signature – “Anthony K. Gwynn” – on the bottom right of the display along with the date he signed the contract: June 16, 1981. This document represents just the very beginning for Gwynn’s stellar baseball career which would include 20 seasons with the San Diego Padres, 15 All-Star Game appearances, eight National League batting titles, two World Series appearances (1984 and 1998), and a Hall of Fame induction in 2007.
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.