Statue of Mr. Padre Tony Gwynn unveiled in his hometown

Paste BN Sports

A statue and memorial of Hall of Famer and San Diego Padres great Tony Gwynn was unveiled Tuesday morning in his hometown of Poway, Calif.

The ceremony took place at Lake Poway Park on what would have been Gwynn’s 57th birthday. He died nearly three years ago of throat cancer.

"That we're here on Tony's birthday is bittersweet but what better day to remember and honor a life well-lived but far, too far, short," said Poway Mayor Steve Vaus.

The 11-foot bronze statue, created by artist Seth Vandable, shows Gwynn in uniform, waving his hat with his daughter, Anisha, in his arms.

Gwynn, who played with the San Diego Padres for 20 seasons, retired after the 2001 season with 3,141 career hits and a .338 batting average.