[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 131 (Wednesday, October 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1785]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING TONY GWYNN ON ANNOUNCEMENT OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM 
                                BASEBALL

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 2, 2001

  Mr. WALSH. Madam Speaker, I also rise in support of House Resolution 
198 sponsored by Representative Susan Davis honoring Tony Gwynn for his 
numerous achievements to baseball and his community.
  Tony Gwynn has a career batting average of .338 placing him 15th on 
the all-time leaders list. This amazing feat puts him in company with 
great Hall of Fame players like Ty Cobb, Rogers Hornsby and Tris 
Speaker. In fact, he is second, only to Ted Williams amongst players in 
the Major League after the Second World War. Gwynn's consistent hitting 
rewarded him with eight Silver Bats for the eight batting titles he has 
won. Four of these titles came consecutively in the years of 1994-1997.
  Gwynn is a 16-time all-star with 3,127 career hits and is seventeenth 
on the all-time list behind such greats as Hank Aaron and Stan Musial. 
Gwynn achieved the 3,000 hit milestone faster than all but two players: 
Ty Cobb and Nap Lajoie. Gwynn's success has not been limited to 
offense. His incredible defense has earned him five Golden Glove awards 
in his career.
  Gwynn is among the all-time San Diego Padres careers leaders. He is 
first in batting average, hits, runs batted in and runs. Throughout his 
career Gwynn's sportsmanship has placed him on a highly respectable 
list of players that consistently conduct themselves with great 
dignity. By staying with the Padres, Gwynn has given his fans a 
consistent and stable hero.
  Gwynn, though, is a hero off the field as well. Despite his 
reluctance to speak on his numerous community service activities, they 
continue to emerge as amazing acts of selflessness. Gwynn is the first 
to help out with local baseball clinics for youngsters. He is the 
principal force behind the Padres' scholarship program. Gwynn's 
foundation actively serves the needs of physically and sexually-abused 
children. Tony and his wife, Alicia, also routinely open their home to 
troubled youth and have paid for numerous funerals for victims of gang 
violence. Madam Speaker, I believe Tony Gwynn is fully deserving of the 
honor of this resolution.

                          ____________________