It was one of those nights you're honored to have witness, but really wish you never had to experience. San Diego State's baseball program retired the number 19 of their late head coach, Tony Gwynn on Friday.
Interestingly, Gwynn did not wear number 19 as a player at SDSU. The number was worn by a team mate of Tony's Aztecs star and current Padres manager Bud Black. Gwynn wore numbers 3 and 28 on the Mesa.
Before the Aztecs' season-opening game against Valparaiso, the number 19 was placed permanently above the right field wall at the stadium that bears his name. Several members of the Gwynn family, including his brother and fellow Aztec Chris, son Tony, daughter Anisha and wife Alicia, were on the field for the unveiling of the permanent reminder of the lasting impact Gwynn had on his alma mater.
(I got to speak with Chris about his brother's impact, and what it was like playing with and against Tony in the Major Leagues. You can see that in the video above)
When the game started, with all the emotion in the packed stadium, it was a pretty good bet the Aztecs would not be losing.
Starting pitcher Bubba Derby threw 5.2 innings, striking out 14 Crusaders while giving up just one run. It was the kind of dominant performance we got used to seeing from former Aztec Stephen Strasburg, who was also at SDSU for the game.
Freshman outfielder Denz'l Chapman drove in the first two runs of the game and the season with a single to left field in the second inning. The Aztecs had nine hits, one by each member of the starting lineup, to win 5-4.
Local
The perfect ending to an emotional night.
