By Peter Qaqundah

On the first night back in AT&T Park since the tragic loss of MLB Hall of Famer and lifetime Padre Tony Gwynn, the Giants paid tribute to the legend in fitting fashion. Before the contest with Gwynn’s former team, the San Diego Padres, Bruce Bochy presented Padres manager Bud Black with a base from Gwynn’s final game played in San Francisco. In addition, Bochy hailed Gwynn as the greatest player he had the privilege to play with, coach, and manage.

Among the Giants legends who paid respects to Gwynn was Will Clark, saying “Tony and I got to be real good friends because he was always at first base–we couldn’t get him out…he was the best hitter of our era.”

Gwynn’s legacy far exceeded the game of baseball, as shown by the outpouring of admiration from members of all communities in the Bay Area. 49er great, Roger Craig encapsulated Tony Gwynn’s life and spirit perfectly: “You could go on and on about his baseball career, but he was even better as a man, husband, father and so humble…he never talked about himself and was embarrassed if you did…I loved his famous giggle…yes, he touched all the bases–in baseball and his life.”

The Padres paid tribute to Gwynn their own way, topping the Giants 6-0 behind a strong outing from Odrisamer Despaigne, who pitched 7 scoreless innings in his Major League debut.