Tony Gwynn, Jr.

This article is about the Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder. For his father, the Baseball Hall of Famer who played for the San Diego Padres from 1982–2001, see Tony Gwynn.

Tony Gwynn, Jr.
Los Angeles Dodgers – No. 10
Outfielder
Born: October 4, 1982 (1982-10-04)
Bats: Left	Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 15, 2006 for the Milwaukee Brewers
Career statistics (through 2011 season)
Batting average	.247
Home runs	7
Runs batted in	78
Hits	305
Teams
Milwaukee Brewers (2006–2008) San Diego Padres (2009–2010) Los Angeles Dodgers (2011–present)

Anthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Jr. (born October 4, 1982, in Long Beach, California) is a Major League Baseball (MLB) player, who is currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is the son of baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.

Amateur career

Gwynn graduated from Poway High School in California. He was drafted out of high school by the Atlanta Braves in the 33rd round of the 2000 MLB Draft but did not sign. He played college baseball at his father's alma mater, San Diego State University. He was a Mountain West Conference All-Star with his junior year in 2003, when he hit .359 and stole 25 bases.

Professional career

Milwaukee Brewers

Gwynn was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2nd round of the 2003 MLB Draft. After a couple of years in the minor leagues, he made his major league debut on July 15, 2006, as a pinch hitter against the Arizona Diamondbacks. His first major league hit on July 19 (against San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson) came exactly 24 years to the day of his father's first major league hit — both doubles. Towards the end of the 2006 campaign, Gwynn received more playing time, replacing Brady Clark in the lineup. He appeared in 32 games for the Brewers in 2006, hitting .260 and made the Brewers' opening day roster for 2007.

Late in the 2007 season, the San Diego Padres were in Milwaukee attempting to clinch a playoff berth. Closer Trevor Hoffman was one out away from sending the Padres to the playoffs, but the tying run was on second base. Gwynn Jr. pinch-hit for Bill Hall against his dad's former team, and dramatically tied the game with a triple. The Padres would go on to lose the game as well as the season finale on the next day, opening the door for the Colorado Rockies to force a one-game playoff with San Diego. The Rockies defeated the Padres in a wild contest, keeping them out of the postseason.

With a focus on defense, Brewers manager Ned Yost indicated in March 2008 that Gwynn and Gabe Kapler might have a leg up on Gabe Gross for an outfield position [1]; this became true when Gross was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays on April 22, 2008. Gwynn was optioned to the Nashville Sounds of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League on May 25, 2008, but recalled after rosters expanded on September 1. In 3 years with the Brewers, Gwynn hit .248 in 130 games.

San Diego Padres

Gwynn with the San Diego Padres on July 19, 2009.

On May 21, 2009, Gwynn was traded to the San Diego Padres for outfielder Jody Gerut. Gwynn was informed of the trade by a phone call from his father, who played his entire career with the Padres. In his first game with the Padres, the same day he was traded, Gwynn pinch-hit in the 9th inning. He drew a walk and then scored the winning run.

Gwynn wore the number 18 with the Padres, with his father's number 19 having been retired.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Gwynn agreed to a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 8, 2010. He played in 136 games with the Dodgers in 2011, the highest total of his career, and hit .256 with 22 stolen bases.

On December 12, 2011, Gwynn agreed to a two-year deal with the Dodgers to avoid arbitration. He will earn $850K in 2012, and $1.15 million in 2013.

Personal life

Gwynn is the nephew of Chris Gwynn, and brother of musician Anisha Nicole. On November 18, 2006, Gwynn married Alyse Mallek in La Jolla, California. Alyse and Tony have three daughters and reside in Pacific Beach.

See also

• List of second generation MLB players

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
• Minor League Splits and Situational Stats
• Resources and Links at BrewCrewBall.com