Happy Birthday, Tony Gwynn!

On May 9, 1960, a baby boy named Anthony Keith Gwynn was born to parents Charles and Vendella in Los Angeles, California. "Tony" Gwynn would go on to win eight batting titles, matching a National League record. This July 29, Gwynn will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, along with Cal Ripken Jr., as part of Hall of Fame Induction Weekend.

Spending his entire career with the San Diego Padres, Gwynn was a hitting machine, producing 3,141 hits in a 20-year career that stretched from 1982-2001. In only one season - his rookie year - did Tony fail to hit .300 or better. He batted a career-best .394 during the 1994 season, the highest batting average in the major leagues since Ted Williams topped .400 in 1941.

Gwynn's eight batting titles tied the NL mark held by Honus Wagner, and his .338 career batting average was the highest posted by a player since Williams. In addition to being a tremendous hitter, Gwynn earned five Gold Glove Awards for his play in right field, and swiped 319 bases, pilfering as many as 56 in a season. Gwynn also produced in the clutch, batting .352 with runners on base during his career, and .349 with runners in scoring position. Amazingly, Gwynn, who was a magician with the bat, was even effective when he was behind in the count - posting a career average of .313 in those situations. In two World Series, the sweet-swinging left-hander hit .371 with one home run.

Gwynn and Ripken will be center stage during Hall of Fame Induction Weekend at the end of July. Make your plans to join them and be a part of history in Cooperstown.

Want to incorporate Tony Gwynn into your curriculum? Sign up for the Education Department's "Batter Up: Tony Gwynn" program. All math content relates to Tony's Hall of Fame career in a fun, interactive educational program (available via videoconferencing only, and no, Tony will not be present for your program. Sorry.)