It's hard to put into words what Tony Gwynn means to San Diego. I'm still trying to come to grips with it. Every time I'd hear about his deteriorating health, I would momentarily think about what it would be like to lose him, then force the thought out of my head in favor of optimism. Now we're all forced with the reality of his passing.
He's one of those few people that is universally loved, whether you're a baseball fan or not. For those of us that grew up in the 80's and 90's in San Diego, he left an indelible mark on our childhoods. Watching him play spoiled us on every other player. No one else could ever measure up to what he did on and off the field for this city. When he came to the plate, he was automatic. It was as simple as that.
We were young, how were we to know that we'd never see his kind again? It wasn't until he left the game that we truly realized how much of a difference he made. Now as he leaves this life, we'll again experience that same loss, but on a larger scale.
Many friends and teammates reacted to the loss on Twitter, among them was his son Tony Gwynn Jr.:
Today I lost my Dad, my best friend and my mentor. I'm gonna miss u so much pops. I'm gonna do everything in my power to continue to...
— Tony Gwynn Jr. (@tonygwynnjr) June 16, 2014
Make u proud!
— Tony Gwynn Jr. (@tonygwynnjr) June 16, 2014
Love u pops!
— Tony Gwynn Jr. (@tonygwynnjr) June 16, 2014
Today we lost the greatest Padre of all. Tony was the consummate pro and anybody who had... https://t.co/X3HCnIHlHr pic.twitter.com/UQpaXNdN8W
— Trevor Hoffman (@THoffman51) June 16, 2014
Tony Gwynn was the best pure hitter I ever faced! Condolences to his family.
— greg maddux (@gregmaddux) June 16, 2014
Sad to hear that baseball lost a true legend today in Tony Gwynn. I was lucky to play vs. him & to b a fellow #padres @MLB @Padres
— Geoff Blum (@blummer27) June 16, 2014
R.I.P to the Greatest hitter I've ever seen
— Bip Roberts (@Bipster10) June 16, 2014
Friend & fellow HOFer @BaseballHall #TonyGwynn has passed away from cancer. #19 #MrPadre San Diego icon gone too soon. We'll miss you Tony
— Dave Winfield (@DaveWinfieldHOF) June 16, 2014
Can't believe Mr.Padre is gone. Being around him in SD will always be an ever-lasting memory of mine. God bless you Tony Gwynn.
— Anthony Bass (@AnthonyBass45) June 16, 2014
I am devastated; #19, my friend and former mate passed away.....
— Kurt Bevacqua (@KurtBevacqua) June 16, 2014
To say I played with Tony Gwynn would be stretching it; a few weeks at big league Spring Training in '99. Very kind to me. #RIP Mr. Padre
— Shane Dennis (@ShaneDennis37) June 16, 2014
RIP Mr. Padre Tony Gwynn.. Those at bats he put up against cancer may have been even better than any at bat of his career #legendsneverdie
— Rico Noel (@SuaveCF1) June 16, 2014
@Padres Tony Gwynn will always be in our hearts. His smile and laugh will always be with me. My prayers and condolences to the entire Family
— Randy Jones (@RJBBQ35) June 16, 2014
We talked hitting every time I saw him.Questions after questions.A true friend. So sad to hear the passing of Tony Gwynn. May he RIP.
— Yonder Alonso (@YonderalonsoU) June 16, 2014
Sad day today. I am so hurt to hear about the passing of a baseball legend Tony Gwynn Sr. A humble… http://t.co/jaF18gtnjs
— Jerry Hairston, Jr. (@TheRealJHair) June 16, 2014
Sad hearing news on Tony Gwynn. To me he was the greatest hitter that ever lived. Can't believe both my idols are gone, RIP Puckett & Gwynn
— Pat Neshek (@PatNeshek) June 16, 2014
Heavy hearts on a sad day for all that have learned, lived and laughed w the amazing TG. Prayers go out to the Gwynn family. RIP #19
— Mark P Sweeney (@Sweendog9) June 16, 2014
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Gwynn family!! RIP Tony! pic.twitter.com/YAzBDxKRIn
— John Flaherty (@flash17yes) June 16, 2014
@tonygwynnjr I love your dad and everything he stood for. I started off his mentor then he became mine. My sincere condolences to you all.
— Steve Garvey (@SteveGarvey6) June 16, 2014
Tony Gwynn was the one ballplayer I always looked up to. I will always remember him. My prayers go out to the Gwynn family. RIP Tony.
— Adrian Gonzalez (@AdrianTitan23) June 16, 2014
Had the honor to meet Tony last year, 1 of the all time greatest ambassadors. Thoughts and prayers with Padre Nation pic.twitter.com/yIzybfBM6n
— Chris Robinson (@Robbie_30) June 16, 2014
RIP "Mr. Padre" Tony Gwynn! Truly saddened to hear the news. Was fortunate enough to have many great talks with him. #sadday
— Jedd Gyorko (@JGyorko05) June 16, 2014
My prayers go out to the Gwynn family we have lost a true icon and all around great man today! Tony Gwynn may your soul rest I'm peace!
— Cameron Maybin (@spidermayb24) June 16, 2014
Tony Gwynn told me he used to try and hit 8 balls out of 10 hard because he knew if he did that at least 3.5 of them would be hits.
— Mark Loretta (@mdloretta) June 16, 2014
Athletes are supposed to be heroes and inspire greatness. Tony Gwynn, Mr. Padre, will live beyond today in our hearts. Prayers to his family
— Huston Street (@HustonStreet) June 16, 2014
My heart aches today with the passing of teammate, and friend, Tony Gwynn. We were all blessed to know him. I love you T! RIP my friend.
— Mark Grant (@Mudcat55) June 16, 2014
RIP to one of the greatest hitters of all-time Mr. Padre Tony Gwynn. I had the pleasure of meeting him. Gone but never forgotten.
— Keyvius Sampson (@K_Samp2) June 16, 2014
RIP to one of the greatest hitters of all time Tony Gwynn. I had the honor and privilege to meet and be ... http://t.co/kT6dlXtaaS
— Casey Kelly (@JustCK3) June 16, 2014
Today has brought back so many memories and I am so thankful for all of them. So thankful for Tony. You will be missed.
— Mike Dee (@PadresMikeDee) June 16, 2014
Heaven received the best batter on their team today. You will always be in our hearts #TonyGwynn #MrPadre
— Everth Cabrera (@CabreraEverth) June 16, 2014
RIP Tony Gwynn. A true legend. pic.twitter.com/FshOXmJU5k
— Robbie Erlin (@RobbieErlin27) June 17, 2014
The thing I will remember the most is his smile ..Tony Gwynn one of the really special people, a wonderful human being. May he rest in peace
— Vin Scully (@VinScullyTweet) June 17, 2014