Ripken And Gwynn Reminisce About The Past In A Fundraiser
By Michael Williams (3/8/2007)
Most baseball fans would remember Tony Gwynn as a rotund player during his playing days. Some things never change, or maybe they do. After retirement, Gwynn seems to be very content with his coaching job and TV analysis because he has managed to put on more weight. The final icing on the cake for Gwynn must have been when he got elected into the Hall of Fame.
In a fundraiser for Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, Gwynn joined another Hall of Famer, Cal Ripken Jr. to raise money for the foundation which uses baseball and softball programs to help and assist disadvantaged youths.
Both, Gwynn and Ripken, got elected into the Hall in 2007. They got elected in the first year of their eligibility with 97 percent of the votes. Besides this, they have other similarities. They both played for one team right through their baseball career. Gwynn played for San Diego Padres while Ripken for Baltimore Orioles.
During the fundraiser, Gwynn and Ripken walked down memory lane about their playing days together. However, Orioles and Padres did not meet in interleague games while Ripken and Gwynn were playing. Though they did spend time together as part of an All Star team that toured Japan.
Ripken praised Gwynn’s elegance and the consistency of his strokes. He said that he was always envious of Gwynn for it. According to Ripken, Gwynn always entered the batting cage exuding confidence while Ripken felt that he did not do the same as he was different each time he entered the batter’s cage.
Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation has managed to raise $1 million till now. |