Chris Gwynn

Chris Gwynn
Gwynn with the Albuquerque Dukes c. 1987
Outfielder
Born: (1964-10-13) October 13, 1964
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
August 14, 1987, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Last MLB appearance
September 29, 1996, for the San Diego Padres
MLB statistics
Batting average.261
Home runs17
Runs batted in118
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Representing  United States
Men's baseball
Summer Olympics
1984 Los Angeles Team

Christopher Karlton Gwynn (born October 13, 1964) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder. He is the younger brother of Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.

Early life

Gwynn was born in Los Angeles and raised in Long Beach, California.[2][3]

Playing career

The California Angels drafted Gwynn in the fifth round of the 1982 Major League Baseball draft. However, Gwynn did not sign with the Angels, opting to attend San Diego State University, where he played college baseball for the San Diego State Aztecs baseball team. Gwynn played for the United States national baseball team in the 1984 Summer Olympics, winning a silver medal.

Gwynn was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round (tenth overall) of the 1985 Major League Baseball draft. He made his MLB debut in 1987.[4] While with the Dodgers, Gwynn made the final out in Dennis Martínez's perfect game on July 28, 1991.[5] After that season, the Dodgers traded Gwynn with minor leaguer Domingo Mota to the Kansas City Royals for Todd Benzinger. Gwynn played two seasons with the Kansas City Royals (1992–1993). Gwynn signed with the Dodgers as a free agent after the 1993 season, and he played with them in 1994 and 1995. He joined his older brother Tony on the San Diego Padres for his final season in 1996.[6]

On September 29, 1996, in the final game of the season, Gwynn hit what would prove to be the game-winning, two-run, pinch-hit double in the top of the 11th inning against Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chan Ho Park to complete a three-game sweep of the Dodgers and clinch the Padres' second National League West division championship in team history.[7] It was the final regular season at bat of his career, however he also pinch-hit in each of the first two games of the subsequent Division Series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, garnering hits in both of those at bats, ending his career on a 3-for-3 streak.[8] Gwynn hit six pinch-hit home runs during his career, including one walk-off home run.[9]

In a 10-year career spanning 599 games, Gwynn posted a .261 batting average with 119 runs, 17 home runs and 118 RBI. An excellent outfielder playing at all three outfield positions and several games at first base, he committed only one error in 382 total chances for a .997 fielding percentage.[6] His only miscue in the majors occurred on September 28, 1993, with the Royals against the Cleveland Indians.[10]

Post-playing career

Gwynn became a scout for the Padres once his playing career ended. In 2011, he was the Director of Player Personnel for the Padres. After the 2011 season, Gwynn became the Director of Player Development for the Seattle Mariners.[11] He resigned from the Mariners in 2015.[12]

Personal life

Gwynn lives in California with his wife.[12] They have two adult children.[13] Gwynn's older brother, Tony, is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.[12] Their older brother, Charles, is in the Cal State Los Angeles Athletics Hall of Fame.[14] Tony's son, Tony Gwynn Jr., also played in MLB.[15]

References

  1. ^ "About the Gwynn's".
  2. ^ "Relatively Upset With the Situation : Chris Gwynn: With a name like his, it hasn't been easy to make a name for himself in baseball". Los Angeles Times. March 28, 1991. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  3. ^ Hudson, Maryann (April 12, 1994). "BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Chris Gwynn Is Happy to Return". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  4. ^ "Chris Gwynn - MLB, Minor League Baseball Statistics". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
  5. ^ "Montreal Expos at Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score, July 28, 1991". Baseball-Reference.com.
  6. ^ a b "Chris Gwynn Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
  7. ^ Nightengale, Bob (September 30, 1996). "Dodgers Must Gwynn, Bear It : Former Dodger Chris Gwynn Leads Padres to Division Title". Los Angeles Times.
  8. ^ "Chris Gwynn Postseason Batting Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
  9. ^ "Chris Gwynn Home Runs". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
  10. ^ "Cleveland Indians vs Kansas City Royals Box Score: September 28, 1993". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
  11. ^ "Mariners Ink 3, Will add Wilson, Big Unit to HOF". Sportspress Northwest. January 17, 2012. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
  12. ^ a b c Johns, Greg (October 8, 2015). "Gwynn resigns from post on Mariners staff". MLB.com. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
  13. ^ Seattle Mariners (2014). Seattle Mariners 2014 Media Guide. p. 10.
  14. ^ "Charles Gwynn (1995) - Hall of Fame". Cal State LA Athletics. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
  15. ^ "Tony Gwynn - MLB, Minor League, College Baseball Statistics". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
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