On Tuesday, the one-year anniversary of Tony Gwynn’s death, city and college officials announced a new memorial event to remember the San Diego Padres icon.
The Tony Gwynn Classic, a 12-game college baseball tournament, will debut from Feb. 26 to 28 of next year.
Officials held a news conference on Tuesday to announce the new tournament to honor “Mr. Padre.”
“Even though it may seem like a sad day, it really is a celebration,” said Alicia Gwynn, Tony’s widow.
Alicia Gwynn said her late husband always wanted to see a baseball classic come to fruition in San Diego.
“This is what Tony would talk about after he came home from a game: a baseball clinic,” she said, noting he would tell her, “Please, don’t let this die.”
Gwynn died one year ago at Pomerado Hospital in Poway after losing his battle with cancer of the salivary gland. He was 54 years old.
Local
The famed slugger and Hall of Fame inductee led the Padres to their only World Series appearances and racked up numerous awards for his hitting prowess before retiring in 2001.
Gwynn continued his commitment to the San Diego sports community after his own professional career ended, joining his alma mater San Diego State University as head baseball coach.
“We thank you the City of San Diego for helping us continue on Tony Gwynn’s legacy,” Alicia Gwynn said.
