July 14th, 2016 at 6:04 pm 
by Ron Cervenka Those who follow this site with any regularity know that I try to avoid posting ‘me’ or ‘I’ articles. Those are stories best told over a cold beer or a Dodger Dog at the ballpark. But every now and then something happens that really strikes me emotionally. Don’t get me wrong, I still get very emotional during the National Anthem before every game and I get incensed by those who do not stand or remove their hats during it; or at those performing it who choose to alter it from the original and make it about them instead of what it represents. I also get emotional during flyovers and whenever our military and law enforcement heroes are honored and the like. But before Tuesday’s All-Star Game in San Diego I got very emotional – choked up even – over something that was perhaps a bit odd to get emotional over.
Prior to the game Hall of Fame broadcaster Dick Enberg, who stands second in my book to only Vin Scully as the greatest broadcaster of all time, was given the honor to reveal that the annual American League and National League batting title awards will now be call the Rod Carew and Tony Gwynn awards respectively. As silly as it may be, I actually got a lump in my throat and watery eyes over this announcement.
Why, you ask?
Because I was blessed to have personally witnessed both of these Hall of Famers play the game from their MLB debuts until their respective retirements and lived through their greatness. I fully realize just how important both of these great men were and still are to our beloved national pastime.
I am convinced, as my father professed to me many many times when I was a boy, that Ted Williams is and will always be the last major leaguer to hit .400 or better during any one season, having hit .405 in 1941 – more that a decade before I was born. Yet during my lifetime, Rod Carew and Tony Gwynn both came as close as anyone ever has to that incredibly magic number when Carew hit .388 in 1977 and Gwynn was hitting .394 when the 1994 season abruptly ended due to a players strike.
Obviously, we will never know if Gwynn might have made it to .400 had the season not ended on August 12, 1994, but with only six weeks left in the season, it’s hard to argue that he didn’t at least have a legitimate shot at it. In the words of soon-to-be (next weekend) Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., “We picked a bad season to have a good year.”
This is the main reason why Tuesday’s announcement was so emotional for me and presumably for anyone else who was blessed to have personally witnessed Rod Carew and Tony Gwynn actually play the game. It also brought back my single-most vivid memory of Tony Gwynn – horrible at the time but so very precious to me now.
The date was April 28, 1985. The city of Los Angeles was still buzzing from the Dodgers remarkable come-from-behind World Series win in 1981 and in the height of Fernandomania. The Dodgers were playing the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium and I specifically wanted to see this hotshot kid named Tony Gwynn who, in only his fourth major league season, had already been to one All-Star Game and had already won a Silver Slugger and NL batting title for hitting a Ted Williams-esque .351 the year before in only his third season in the big leagues. In fact, many were already pegging the then 24-year-old Los Angeles, California native to be that guy – the guy who would indeed one day hit .400 or better in a season.
Truth be told, I was more interested in seeing the (then) greatest Dodgers left-hander since Sandy Koufax put young Tony Gwynn in his place. Yes, on the mound that day for the Dodgers was none other than 1981 NL Rookie of the Year and Cy Young award winner Fernando Valenzuela going head-to-head with the guy who would eventually come oh so close to proving my father wrong nine years later.
It was the 18th game of the season for the Padres and Gwynn had already amassed six multi-hit games and was already hitting .310 on the young season. And even though Fernando was 2-2 through his first four starts, he had yet to allow an earned run on the season, with his two losses the result of unearned runs on errors by his defense.
It was a warm but comfortable spring day at the Ravine and I had been given the tickets from a friend for seats in the Loge Level about midway down the right field line. Goods seats, good weather and one of the best pitchers in the game facing one of the best hitters in the game – as good as it gets.
Fernando struck Gwynn out on one of his signature screwballs to end the 1-2-3 top of the first inning. He then got Gwynn to pop out to shortstop Bill Russell in the top of the third. Now keep in mind that Gwynn, even in only his fourth major league season, rarely went 0-fer and was always a very dangerous hitter. As such, I was getting a little nervous in the scoreless ballgame.
When Gwynn stepped to the plate in the top of the sixth, I was relieved when he grounded out sharply to Dodgers second baseman Bob Bailor (now there’s a Dodger name I bet you’re not too familiar with), who tossed to first baseman Pedro Guerrero for the final out of the inning.
Phew! – 0 for 3 for the Padres slugger.
Could this be one of those rare 0-fer games for Gwynn? After all, Fernando was still on the hill and had a one-hitter going (a single in the second inning to Padres center fielder Kevin McReynolds) while walking only one and striking out 10. This was Fernando at his very best.
With one out in the top of the ninth, Gwynn stepped to the plate with the game still scoreless. In my mind I knew that if Fernando could get past Gwynn just one more time, the Dodgers would probably win. But in my heart I knew that even the great Fernando Valenzuela would have a very difficult time getting past this sleeping giant a fourth time in a row.
My heart won.
Fernando left a screwball over the middle of the plate and Gwynn buried it three rows deep into the Right Field Pavilion. In spite of Fernando’s absolutely brilliant (now) two hit / 10-strikeout performance, the Dodgers went quietly in the ninth, as Padres closer Goose Gossage (yes, that Goose Gossage) retired the side in order.
From that day on I hated Tony Gwynn.
I hated him so much that I absolutely loved him … and I still love him to this day.
Tony Gwynn
(Photo credit – Chris McGrath)
Well done commissioner Manfred. You named the NL Batting Title award after the right guy.
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Tony Gwynn is my absolute favorite non-Dodger followed by Al Kaline.
I have more Tony Gywnn cards than any other MLB player.
Great name for the batting title.
Believe it or not, Tony Gwynn lived in Fishers, Indiana in the offseason for a while. Fishers is to Indianapolis as Pasadena is to LA. He used to come into my wife’s coffee shop for coffee. No one knew who he was… except me. He knew I knew, but he wanted his anonymity and I let him have it. We always nodded to each other – the words were unsaid. He liked it that way.
Wow! Nice story Mark.
Great article Ron.
Nice story, thanks. Gwynn is one of my favorite players, not only for his skill but the way he conducted himself on and off the baseball field. One of those players who I wished to be a Dodgers. I was fortunate to talk with Rod Carew several times as he was my oldest son’s hitting instructor for a series of lessons. A terrific guy. At his first lesson, my son, who was 13, addressed him as Mr. Carew (as he was brought up to do). Rod stopped the lesson and told my son, “this isn’t going to work unless you start calling me Rod, or coach…” Thereafter my son was no longer intimidated by Carew and fondly remembers to this day what a terrific coach and human being he was. That being said, I question why the awards were named after these two hitters. No doubt they were the best hitters of my sons’ generation (although Wade Boggs had almost identical stats as Carew) but the NL lifetime best hitter (statistically) is Rogers Hornsby with lifetime BA of .358 and hit .400+ three times in his career, with a ML best of .424 one season. For the AL there is no doubt that Ty Cobb was the best hitter, but his well documented prejudice would not be acceptable for such an award, nor would Joe Jackson’s stats be acceptable to MLB considering his banishment. But that still leaves Tris Speaker at .345 well ahead of Carew’s .328 (same as Boggs) which is tied for 30th best lifetime BA. For me, naming awards after players only raises questions of why him rather someone else (although little doubt that no one will ever surpass Cy Young’s incredible number of wins).
While I have no issue with naming the awards after Carew and Gwynn, both more than deserving, I understand your point with others who may and should be considered with the honor. It is my contention that we live in an ESPN era. Most kids and adults who do not follow baseball or its history as closely as those of us on blog sites do, do not know who Tris Speaker or Rogers Hornsby were. They do not know what kind of hitter Joe Jackson was, only that he allegedly threw a WS. They see the HRs and great catches from today’s players, and they become the icons. But the lives of both Carew and Gwynn have been chronicled by the likes of ESPN for more than just baseball. The fight for his life and unfortunate demise by Gwynn to cancer was discussed on ESPN, and his baseball prowess came back to life in the various story lines. The same for Carew who is now being chronicled because of his battle with heart disease. They were once great baseball players who later became bigger than life because of off the field struggles for life. Wade Boggs does not have that battle, and Hornsby, Speaker, and Jackson will remain is the history books, but not idolized by today’s ESPN icon makers.
We all have our favorites. My favorite non-Dodgers were Roberto Clemente and Brooks Robinson (I guess that is why I am partial to Seager wearing #5). The best baseball player I ever witnessed was Willie Mays. None of the 40 and under crowd ever saw Mays play, and when he is shown on TV it is always of that one 1954 WS catch and throw. My 40 year old son would say that there were none better than Barry Bonds and Ozzie Smith. We could argue all night long, but neither of us were going to change the other’s mind.
MLB is no longer just a game, but a very expensive form of entertainment. MLB has to constantly fight for that fan, and if awards named today are named after Rogers Hornsby and Tris Speaker, what fan today would know him?
I have to agree with you. Why them? Probably because they are politically correct at the present time.
I like your comparison to the other hitters, but, to me Ted Williams was the greatest hitter of all time and to my thinking he was also a HERO. Ted lost about 5 years of his prime, in the service of his country in the military. I would take him 10 out of 10 times over Carew or Gwynn. Lets call the batting championship the “Ted Williams” award, if we’re going to name it after someone.
By the way, Ted had a career .344 batting average with 521 home runs.
The “Splendid Splinter” would also be my choice, but I tried to go by stats rather than my heart. In the NL I never saw a better hitter than Musial.
“Stan the Man”, another solid choice. .331 lifetime average, 475 home runs. Missed one year, serving his country in the military.
AlwaysCompete and Bluenose Dodger make a valid point, that selecting Carew and Gwynn may resonate more with younger fans, but, both Carew and Gwynn are already getting a little long in the tooth to young fans.
Many good choices, if you are going to name batting championships after someone. I personally prefer, they wouldn’t name after anyone. I have no problem with “Cy Young” award, based on his 511 career wins, a record that will never be broken.
Good points SCB.
It does raise questions and ultimately if it is to be done someone has to make a decision to do so and to select the players. As with any “name” selection there will not often be unanimity among fans.
The Cy Young Award was first awarded in 1956 – presented to Don Newcombe – one year after Cy Young died. Maybe doing so posthumously would be a criterion. If so Tony Gywnn would qualify but I don’t think that should be the case. Also I doubt anyone could question the Cy Young Award which emerged at that time.
Certainly character should be one of the criteria. Gywnn and Carew – to my knowledge – displayed impeccable character while representing the game and both served well as the face of the game. I am not so comfortable with Boggs and Cobb or Ted Williams. Hornsby and Speaker may well be the names that should be there statistically,the same as Cy Young.
There is no doubt in my mind that if this decision had been taken in 1956, you would be spot on with Hornsby and Speaker using the same criterion as with Cy Young – best numbers. Both were still living in 1956. (Hornsby died in 1963 and Speaker in 1958)
However, this is 2016, 60 years after the Cy Young Award birth. The fan base has turned over – even pushing me – and those names are now not very current for the present generation of fans. I don’t think it’s just to honor the player – which is great anyway – but to put a name to the batting title that is more relevant to the present fan base.A high percentage of present day fans will know Tony Gywnn and Rod Carew or have heard of them. I’m not sure what percentage will know Rogers Hornsby and Tris Speaker in a meaningful way.
As mentioned, in this case, I don’t think it is just a matter of honoring the player. I think it is to put a younger face on the batting title award and in Carew’s case he is still a living face. Unfortunately Tony died two years ago but played as recently as 15 years ago after 20 seasons. I think naming the award is an attempt to make it more relevant to the fans – to connect player and fan – and help keep the game younger.
Good points. Following stats for 2 players, one started his career approx. 15 years after the other, first player with 10,550 plate appearances the other with 10,740. Slash line for first player: .328/.393/.429/.822 with 3053 hits, 1424 runs scored, 1015 RBI, and 92 home runs. Slash line for other player: .328/.415/.443/.858 with 3010 hits, 1513 runs scored, 1014 RBI, and 118 home runs. Who deserves to have his name on the award?
Just curious, what happens to the Hank Aaron award which is presented to the AL and NL player selected as best hitters by vote of fans and media? Apparently a hitter can be both a Rod Carew/Tony Gwynn and Hank Aaron award winner.
I would say yes to that. A pitcher can be a MVP and Cy Young winner as well as ROY.