Tony Gwynn: From "Sockball" Player to N.L. Batting Champion in 1984
This page of the 1984 World Series Program features a profile on Tony Gwynn, the San Diego Padres outfield player, highlighting his trajectory from playing "Sockball" as a youth to winning the National League batting title. The article discusses Gwynn's early baseball experiences and acknowledges his connection to Rod Carew, lauding his impressive skills. Gwynn reflects on the pressure of achieving 200 hits in a season, emphasizing the difficulty and significance of that milestone. His natural athleticism, initially developed through baseball and basketball at San Diego State University, contributed to his success in the major leagues, where he was promoted to the Padres in 1982. The article notes Gwynn's determination to become the best player he could be, both offensively and defensively, as well as his interactions with teammates, demonstrating his commitment to excellence.