There was only one Tony Gwynn — and there may never be another like him. Mr. Padre batted over .300 an NL-record 19 times, never hit below .309 in a full season and ended his sterling career with a .338 career average that ranks supreme among all post-WWII players. He won as many batting crowns as Honus Wager (8) and was eclipsed only by Ty Cobb (12), had an unprecedented four 5-hit games in '93 and struck out just 434 times in 10,232 plate appearances. Mix that in with five Gold Gloves and the rest is inevitable: election to the Hall of Fame with the seventh-best voting percentage in history (97.61 percent).
Presented here then is a game-used jersey from his remarkable 1997 season, one in which he won his final batting title with the second-highest average of his career (.372), and tacked on career highs in hits (220), home runs (17) and RBI (119). That's some historical oomph right there, but markings on the jersey also link it directly to a 9/13/97 contest against the Cardinals, Nos. 2,760 and 2,761 in Gwynn's relentless pursuit of 3,000. He went 2-5 with two runs and two RBI in the Padres' 8-3 win that afternoon in St. Louis. Getty images from that game are attached.
The rare, midnight-blue alternate jersey sports a Russell Athletic Diamond Collection main label Size 50, with the handwritten notations of the date and hit numbers. A "100% Polyester" flap tag is attached.
The navy button-down features "Padres" across the chest in navy-on-white-on-orange tackle twill, with white piping accents on the button-path and sleeve openings, plus a monk logo patch on the left sleeve. Jersey shows moderate wear. It was framed for several years in Gwynn's Poway home.
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.