SAN DIEGO _ It has been three years since Tony Gwynn's death on June 16, 2014, and I'm still at a loss for words.
The Union-Tribune did a series last year called "The 52," which recognized the most memorable sports moments in San Diego history.
This one qualified for all the wrong reasons.
Tony's battle with cancer was well known, but the seriousness of his condition was known to only a very few. His death shocked and saddened not just San Diegans but baseball fans across the country.
More than 25,000 people gathered for Gwynn's memorial service at Petco Park to say goodbye.
U-T staff members each made a list of their most memorable local sports moments, the results were tabulated and then the events were ranked from 1-52.
This moment ranked No. 19.
All I could do was shake my head.
I choose to remember No. 19 in life, not in death.
I remember my first glimpse of Gwynn stepping to the plate at San Diego State's Smith Field in 1981 _ two days after getting 16 points and 16 assists against New Mexico in his final basketball game _ and leading the Aztecs to a doubleheader sweep against Southern California College.
I remember his major league debut on July 19, 1982, against the Philadelphia Phillies, getting a couple of hits and then a handshake from all-time hits leader Pete Rose.
I remember him scoring ahead of Steve Garvey _ on that home run _ against the Cubs in Game 4 of the 1984 National League Championship Series.
I remember him beating San Francisco's Will Clark head-to-head on the final weekend of the 1989 season to win one of his eight National League batting titles.
I remember him jumping for joy at the 1994 All-Star Game in Pittsburgh after sliding home with the game-winning run in the 10th inning, and a couple of weeks later having his batting average frozen at .394 because of the baseball strike.
I remember him crushing a ball in the 1998 World Series off David Wells for a home run at Yankee Stadium.
I remember his 3,000th hit in 1999 off Montreal's Dan Smith.
I remember his final game in 2001 at Qualcomm Stadium.
I remember his 2007 Hall of Fame induction with Cal Ripken Jr. in Cooperstown, with a record 85,000 people showing up for the occasion.
I remember the incredible enjoyment he got from returning to SDSU and coaching the Aztecs players.
And I remember so many other moments in between. How could I ever forget?
It seems I'm not alone.
I was on vacation in Utah last year and told about a Padres fan now living there who is reminded of Tony each and every day.
He named his son Gwynn.
