Chris Gwynn

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Chris Gwynn
1987 Albuquerque Dukes Police - Chris Gwynn (cropped).jpg
Gwynn with the Albuquerque Dukes c. 1987
Outfielder
Born: (1964-10-13) October 13, 1964 (age 60)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
August 14, 1987, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Last MLB appearance
September 29, 1996, for the San Diego Padres
Representing Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Men's Baseball
Summer Olympics
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1984 Los Angeles Team

Christopher Karlton Gwynn (born October 13, 1964) is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. He is the younger brother of Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn and the uncle of former Major League Baseball outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr.

Contents

Early Life

Gwynn was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Long Beach, California. [1] [2]

Career

The California Angels drafted Gwynn in the fifth round of the 1982 Major League Baseball Draft. However, Gwynn did not sign with the Angels, opting to attend San Diego State University, where he played college baseball for the San Diego State Aztecs baseball team. Gwynn played for the United States national baseball team in the 1984 Summer Olympics, winning a silver medal.

Gwynn was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round (tenth overall) of the 1985 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his MLB debut in 1987. While with the Dodgers, Gwynn made the final out in Dennis Martínez's perfect game on July 28, 1991. [3] After that season, the Dodgers traded Gwynn with minor leaguer Domingo Mota to the Kansas City Royals for Todd Benzinger. He played two seasons with the Kansas City Royals (1992–1993). Gwynn signed with the Dodgers as a free agent after the 1993 season, and he played with them in 1994 and 1995. He joined his older brother Tony on the San Diego Padres for his final season in 1996.

On September 29, 1996, in the final game of the season, Gwynn hit what would prove to be the game-winning, two-run, pinch-hit double in the top of the 11th inning against Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chan Ho Park to complete a three-game sweep of the Dodgers and clinch the Padres' second National League West division championship in team history. [4] It was the final regular season at bat of his career, however he also pinch-hit in each of the first two games of the subsequent Divisional series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, garnering hits in both of those at bats, ending his career on a 3-for-3 streak. Gwynn hit two pinch-hit walk-off home runs during his career.[ citation needed ]

In a 10-year career spanning 599 games, Gwynn posted a .261 batting average (263-for-1007) with 119 runs, 17 home runs and 118 RBI. An excellent outfielder playing at all three outfield positions and several games at first base, he committed only one error in 382 total chances for a .997 fielding percentage. His only miscue in the majors occurred on September 28, 1993, as a member of the Kansas City Royals against the Cleveland Indians.

Post-playing career

Gwynn became a scout for the Padres once his playing career ended. In 2011, he was the Director of Player Personnel for the Padres. After the 2011 season, Gwynn became the Director of Player Development for the Seattle Mariners. [5] He lives in California with his wife JoAnn, his son and his daughter.

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References

  1. ↑ "Relatively Upset With the Situation : Chris Gwynn: With a name like his, it hasn't been easy to make a name for himself in baseball". Los Angeles Times. March 28, 1991. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  2. ↑ Hudson, Maryann (April 12, 1994). "BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Chris Gwynn Is Happy to Return". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Montreal Expos at Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score, July 28, 1991". Baseball-Reference.com.
  4. ↑ Nightengale, Bob (September 30, 1996). "Dodgers Must Gwynn, Bear It : Former Dodger Chris Gwynn Leads Padres to Division Title". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on July 7, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Mariners Ink 3, Will add Wilson, Big Unit to HOF".
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