Time is supposed to heal all wounds, but the loss of Tony Gwynn still hurts (just listen to the video of new head coach Mark Martinez talking about missing Tony’s laugh). This week, the team he managed for more than a decade will honor him once again.
On Friday night, the Aztecs baseball team opens its 2015 season with a 6:00 p.m. game against Valparaiso at Tony Gwynn Stadium. During what promises to be a stirring pre-game ceremony, the Aztecs will retire Coach Gwynn’s jersey (his number as a player on the Mesa is already retired) with Ted Leitner serving as emcee.
Commemorative Tony Gwynn pins will be distributed to the first 1500 fans in attendance at the game, which will be a celebration of the Hall of Famer, as well as other great Aztecs. New artwork on the wall behind right field showing Gwynn along with SDSU Golden Spikes winners Stephen Strasburg and Travis Lee will be revealed. The Golden Spikes Award is given to the best player in NCAA baseball each year.
Strasburg will be at the game, as he usually is just before having to report to Washington Nationals Spring Training. But, this will not simply be a one-night event. The Aztecs have something planned for the entire opening weekend.
On Saturday, the baseball team will sponsor an Aztecs vs. Cancer event in Gwynn’s honor. Prior to the game several players will have their heads shaved in support of Coach Gwynn’s fight against cancer as well as someone in their lives who has been struck by the disease.
SDSU will also once again pay tribute to Strasburg and Lee by handing out Golden Spikes t-shirts to the first 500 fans in attendance. First pitch on Saturday is set for 1:00 p.m.
Sunday’s game, the conclusion of a 3-game set against Valpo, starts at noon. The Aztecs will be hosting the West Covina Little League, an organization that held a special place for Gwynn, with SDSU players and coaches hosting a clinic for the little leaguers after the game.
And of course, the Aztecs, along with several other teams in the Mountain West, will be wearing commemorative Tony Gwynn “TG” patches on their uniforms throughout the 2015 season.
Tickets for San Diego State’s opening weekend baseball games can be purchased in advance online at www.GoAztecs.com, at the Aztec Ticket Office at Qualcomm Stadium Gate E or by calling (619) 283-7378.
