RIP Tony Gwynn

I knew this already, but when Will Clark kicks it, a hole is going to open up in the earth and beckon him to the depths.

 

That was hard to read for some reason.

 

If Deadspin, the one place dedicated to tearing down myths about nice guy athlete b.s., is willing to run a lengthy piece about what a first class guy you were, seems like there's a good chance you actually were a first class, no bullshit. I actually got a little bit teary reading that piece. A little human decency if the face of so many assholes goes a hell of a long way. Any there is nothing cheesy about longing for it.

 

http://deadspin.com/keith-olbermann-tearfully-remembers-tony-gwynn-1591925235?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_facebook&utm_source=deadspin_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

Hadn't seen this posted. Keith Olbermann speaks about Gwynn.

 

That was a tight fucking piece of writing and oratory. As tight and emotional and raw as it gets.

 

It really was excellent, but after I finished it I realized that as good as it was, it was as much about KO as about Gwynn. Par for the course.

 

Aye.

 

Yeah, that was the another take from the story.

 

I imagine Olbermann was also stuck by Gwynn's death as he had a close call with pipe tobacco and cigars, I believe.

 

Perhaps, but it doesn't bother me in this case. I see nothing wrong with giving some personal contest in a piece like that.

 

Tony Gwynn might be the closest thing to Ted Williams as we've seen in the last 50 years. Not the same power, but the same dedication to learning how to be a great hitter, and then working to be even better.

 

KO used to smoke cigars but said he gave them up cold turkey after Peter Jennings died.