BlackFacts.com presents the black fact of the day for May 9.

Tony Gwynn was born.

He was an American professional baseball right fielder, who played 20 seasons (1982–2001) in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, and considered one of the best and most consistent hitters in baseball history. 

Gwynn attended San Diego State University (California) on a basketball scholarship, where he set a school record for assists as the team’s point guard. He also excelled at baseball and was drafted in 1981 by both the San Diego Clippers, of the NBA, and by the San Diego Padres, of Major League Baseball. 

He chose the Padres, and during the 1982 season, he was called up from their minor league team to play. He played his entire career as an outfielder with the Padres.

Gwynn’s career highlights include setting the National League record for most consecutive seasons hitting .300 or better, tying the NL record for most batting titles, and being the 22nd player to reach 3,000 hits. 

He retired from professional baseball at the end of the 2001 season, and in 2002 he became the head baseball coach at San Diego State University.

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