MLB Network Presents: Mr. Padre

MLB Network Presents: Mr. Padre, the story of Tony Gwynn, and his infectious personality that connected with fans, teammates, media members and rival players. This originally aired January 30, 2018.

[@MCastleberry1980]

I don't usually cry when sports heroes pass away. I get sad, sure, but I move on. When I saw that Tony died, I broke down in tears, and didn't expect that. It was more of a baseball thing, as a native San Diegan, born in 1980, Tony WAS the Padres. He WAS San Diego for me. It was the Zoo, Wild Animal Park, and Tony Gwynn. He could have played anywhere and made more money , but chose to stay in San Diego his whole career. That meant a lot to a kid growing up that your favorite player loved the city and team so much, he took less money to stay loyal. When people talk about guys like Mike Trout "wasting" his career in Anaheim, I think of guys like Tony, where city and team loyalty are rare with guys.

[@foe11191969]

Mr Casteberry, we have a similar connection in that I was born in 1969 in San Diego and so were the MLB Padres. I listened on my AM radio for the Padres radio broadcasts when I was little. When I was 5 years old, I saw Randy Jones at San Diego Stadium before it was renamed and the Padres won. It was all so loud and big, but I remember it. When I grew up, I realized that the Padres didn't win that many games, but I always listened, hoping for a win. Then Tony Gwynn came along. Sometimes I didn't care about the Padres winning if at least Tony could get 2 or 3 hits.

[@ivangamez9773]

I feel you. I was born in 1982 and a native Texan. When Nolan Ryan dies I will probably break down too. #TexasRangers

[@stephenquinto2561]

I remember June 16, 2014 very vividly. Cried like a baby in my office once I got into work after the news broke. Literally the first time I ever wept for someone I didn't know personally. However, because Tony was so much more than just a ballplayer and was so embedded as an adopted son of San Diego, you couldn't help but feel like you've known the guy like he's part of your family. I also remember listening to the Padres flagship radio station that entire morning and there were SO many people calling into the station in grief, the new radio morning show host at the time (Dan Sileo) was directed by management to stay on air well past his slot to field as many calls as he can.

[@55giantsfan22]

Jr sounds just like pops

[@aicofrena505]

I remember when he passed away the Padres were playing in Seattle I was in San Diego so I had to honor him somehow I looked at the angel schedule they were in Chicago and then I looked at none other than the enemy lines dodger stadium I went there with my Tony Wynn jersey Padre to all out and they showed my jersey on the jumbotron and the ovation was tremendous I'll never forget that

[@gmann67able]

Wow thanks for sharing that it gave me the chills.

[@Therichieking]

I grew up in San Diego. I had the honor of seeing Tony play through my childhood. Especially in 1998. I probably went to 30 games at home. He was the reason I played baseball. There will never be a day where I don’t think about him. I will be a padre fan forever.

[@patrickkerin9445]

This is the baseball payer and the game i miss

[@BaddogSports]

One of the most underrated players EVER! One of the sweetest swings you’ll ever see! I absolutely LOVED Tony Gwynn! He was amazing

[@MarcoLopez-dt7lq]

its crazy because he’s considered one of the best ever and is still a little underrated when you look at the numbers and the era he played in

[@erikbrantly4015]

Underrated? Ha. Ask Greg Maddox how he feels about facing Tony.

[@cornpop3954]

15 time all-star. Hardly underrated.

[@louisvelez40]

Mr. Padre was one of a kind. One of the greatest hitters ever. Can hit to all fields and the fact that he never hit below .300 after his rookie season. One of the sweetest swing and high IQ Amazing R.I.P. Mr. Gwynn

[@jockoadams3377]

Tony Gwynn represents everything that's great about baseball.

[@jefflafond4618]

I love keith David. What a great choice for narrator.

[@michael-grandpamoses2571]

I'm from L.A. and grew up with the Dodgers of course yet Tony Gwynn is my favorite player all time, and that's for any sport. No better human and the greatest hitter ever. God bless you Tony, may your soul be in peace~

[@rivzy]

San Diego misses you just as much now as we did then. Thank you, Tony.❤

[@stevem8983]

him and junior have the exact same voice.

[@davidfeltz8697]

They were always friendly snd chummy. 2 classy funny dudes.

[@11dra1]

Tribe fan here. He was always one of my favorite ballplayers.

[@user-tp6pv8br5i]

I’ve been a Padre Fan since 1989. Loved going to Jack Murphy stadium.

[@foe11191969]

What a sweet man and what a great baseball player. Loyal to one team and his family to the end. There will never be any one like him ever again.

[@gmann67able]

Can you imagine how humble this man was? He wasn't sure if he would get voted into the Hall of Fame wow I mean just wow.

[@user-tp6pv8br5i]

I miss him so much

[@kincamell2]

Stellar Peace to Tony Gwynn and his Fam

[@curronwilliams]

I met Tony in 2000ish at the In&Out on the border of Santee and El Cajon. I was a fan growing up.

[@SDPosse619]

Tony, we will win one for you soon!!

[@aicofrena505]

Real baseball back then the love of the game the love of a city One City cherished this man he knew of he went to LA or NY or Boston those fans wouldn't care like they did in San Diego California

[@erikbrantly4015]

22:36. "There should have been another league for him to go to, but the major league was the last one." Pretty sure Tony was an alien.

[@LFGSDPadres]

He went to the next league in heaven

[@amancio2446]

My favorite left handed hitter…EVER!!!

[@Yaboifatback]

WE LOVE YOU TONY!! ♥️

[@LFGSDPadres]

Pretty sweet. Thanks for sharing. Never seen this. Got to learn more about Tony. As a sdsu alum I gotta go check out his tributes at sdsu campus and the new museum at Gallagher square

[@user-ru5ie4zt9e]

What a great man, I met Tony at the 1984 world series in Detroit he was very friendly and nice to fans all alike your dad is a great man 😊

[@PetesonHoward]

Rest in Love Tony

[@shanegarry6214]

RIP legend!! ❤️

[@GVakarian195]

One of my favorite memories as a child was watching a Cape Cod summer league baseball game where Tony Gwynn Jr. was playing. Tony was there watching his son and he signed baseballs for me my siblings and cousins. He was awesome and so gracious.

[@carlosfryer3887]

THANK YOU FOR THIS. i was in tears

[@ThisIsWhereYouFindBaseball]

You're so welcome!

[@TheSassy777]

Great Player.

[@LilacCityRocker]

Thank you for uploading this. I do miss his laugh. He and Wade Boggs were the two best pure hitters I've ever seen. (As someone who didn't really start following baseball until 1995.)

[@johnmastandrea137]

too bad you started late. You missed George Brett's prime. Best hitter in my lifetime. And I'm a Yankees fan.

[@robertcrist5747]

One of the best hitters ever! I'm glad I got too witness his career. God Bless 🙏

[@ChrisHyde537]

Best guy ever!

[@davidfeltz8697]

Thank you. What a great tribute to a truly remarkable man. ❤❤❤

[@JosePerez-vz1qq]

Tony Gywnn with narration by Keith David? Superb!

[@ScottJLake1]

The only bad thing about this is Olberman’s arrogance. Their relationship was priceless and Gwynn is a great ball player and man.

[@bdesd]

Who left this bowl of onions next to me…

[@Paul_Craig]

Thank you so much for posting! Would love to see the network special on Bob Uecker as well, if you have it available?

[@rayfromphilly6969]

great video. Are you able to upload MLB Presents-Brett?

[@ThisIsWhereYouFindBaseball]

We won't need to upload a documentary available on the MLB.TV site: www.mlb.com/tv/shows/mlb-documentaries-svod-video-list/mlb-network-presents-brett

[@agentn8064]

They should do a .220 beer for Tony Gwynn Jr

[@randomname3715]

Weird that the only bad thing he ever did was chew tobacco, and it took him down.

[@ThisIsWhereYouFindBaseball]

We don't know how many young folks may have chosen to give up smokeless tobacco because of the example of his suffering and death. www.fredhutch.org/en/news/center-news/2014/06/Tony_Gwynn_death_dangers_smokeless_tobacco.html