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A Hall of Fame outfielder, best known for base hits between shortstop and third base, Tony Gwynn passed away at the age of 54 on Monday, battling salivary gland cancer for the past decade. Spending his entire career with the San Diego Padres, Gwynn was a career .338 hitter, racking up 3,141 hits throughout his 20-year professional career.
Immediately following the news of Gwynn's death, players and fans, alike, took to social media to share their condolences and fondest memory of the 15-time All-Star. With eleven games on the schedule Monday night, many teams were able to pay tribute to the greatest Padre of all-time.
Teams such as the Dodgers, Indians, Mariners, Rays, and Red Sox, among others, held a moment of silence and played a video tribute before their games in honor of Gwynn.
Dodger Stadium observes a moment of silence for Tony Gwynn following a video tribute by Vin Scully: pic.twitter.com/mlXBdnsDWu
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 17, 2014
#indians had a moment of silence before the game in honor of HOFer Tony Gwynn. #classy pic.twitter.com/Nlav3oGkvz
— Stephanie Storm (@SStormABJ) June 16, 2014
Tonight's pre-game tribute to Padres Hall of Famer, Tony Gwynn. VIDEO: http://t.co/Yw7cHCfIFX pic.twitter.com/ZvLqfI0zMr
— MarinersVision (@MarinersVision) June 17, 2014
Nice moment of silence for Tony Gwynn at Tropicana Field. Orioles vs Rays... #19 pic.twitter.com/Px6n0hkYWo
— VictoryBat (@VictoryBat) June 16, 2014
Red Sox, Twins honor Tony Gwynn with a moment of silence. pic.twitter.com/5XpXVdZHvX
— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) June 16, 2014
Others, like the Phillies, displayed Gwynn's uniform in the dugout.
The No. 19 of @tonygwynnjr hangs in the @Phillies dugout in Atlanta: http://t.co/dDqzqWu9HX pic.twitter.com/LMZJYHVF2V
— MLB (@MLB) June 17, 2014
However, the best celebration's of Gwynn were in Detroit and Seattle, where the Padres had just begun their four-game series with the Mariners. Painted in between the shortstop and third base was "TG 5.5" and "19", signifying Gwynn's patented 5.5 hole.
Tony Gwynn was famous for hitting through the "5.5 hole." The Tigers memorialized it tonight http://t.co/s7GaxRyee3 pic.twitter.com/wgj2G53SlC
— SB Nation (@SBNation) June 17, 2014
Thank you to the @Mariners for honoring Tony Gwynn tonight with 19 in the 5.5-hole at Safeco Field #MrPadre pic.twitter.com/sU6QGTER3B
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 17, 2014
The Padres, who are expected to honor their former player with a patch on their uniforms, placed a black band on their right sleeves for Monday night's game. With heavy hearts, the team dropped the series opener, 5-1.
Black arm band added to jerseys for tonight's game in memory of Tony Gwynn #MrPadre pic.twitter.com/NhFERVURLx
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 17, 2014
The head baseball coach at his alma mater, San Diego State, since 2002, Gwynn had just recently received a contract extension from the Aztecs, despite being placed on medical leave in March while recovering from radiation and other cancer treatments. The school honored Gwynn by placing his number in the outfield at the stadium that shares his namesake.
Tony Gwynn's No. 19 painted on the field and flags at half staff at Tony Gwynn Stadium at @SDSU pic.twitter.com/jh0Hm8GZYl
— K.C. Alfred (@KCAlfredPhoto) June 16, 2014
The San Antonio Missions, Double A affiliate of the Padres, also honored Gwynn, placing the Padres logo and his number behind home plate before their divisional matchup with Corpus Christi.
In memory of "Mr. Padre", Tony Gwynn. 20 years with the @Padres, .338 batting avg., 3,141 hits, & 15-time All Star pic.twitter.com/6eyyczXn3M
— Ballapeno (@Ballapeno) June 16, 2014
The Baltimore Orioles will wear throwback uniforms five times this season, but only once in Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The team wore Negro League throwbacks earlier in the year, paying tribute to the Baltimore Black Sox in Kansas City on May 18th, before honoring the Baltimore Elite Giants later that month in Houston. The team will also wear throwback uniforms on July 19th in Oakland and again on August 24th in Chicago. Although they'll be wearing the same uniform for both games, the matchup in Oakland is part of the Athletics 1989 World Series reunion, while the contest with the Cubs will honor the 1994 squads. The Orioles will also pay tribute to the franchise's first season with 1954 replicas on June 29th, coinciding with the 60th celebration of the O's move to Baltimore.
Cap for Orioles 1954 throwback uniforms: pic.twitter.com/TnaaimVLb7
— Uniform Nation (@sbnuniforms) June 16, 2014
Orioles to turn back the clock to 1954, wear throwback uniforms: pic.twitter.com/0tLy8kK7VO
— Uniform Nation (@sbnuniforms) June 16, 2014