It is so common for kids to idolize athletes and label them as their heroes. When I was growing up I was the biggest Walter Payton fan (funny, because I am a long time Chargers fan). My favorite team was the Chargers (and I could name every single player), but my favorite player by far was Walter Payton. He was the best. I remember going to the Navy Exchange every Saturday with one mission in mind - get a Walter Payton poster. After many weeks of heartache, finally the slot had one poster. I quickly grabbed it and hid it cleverly behind the display so no one could take it. I had to find my mom, who was always in the sewing section, and beg her to buy me the poster. She did.
I no longer have the Payton poster, or the Cheryl Ladd poster. A more collectible signed 8x10 of Walter Payton hangs in the spare room with all the other collectibles that a over-40-year-old nerd has hanging around.
Not far from the Payton picture is a used bat. This bat I picked up because is was a Tony Gwynn Louisville Slugger. Tony Gwynn...
Tony Gwynn wasn't my childhood hero. I was a young adult when he came on to the scene. My admiration and awe for Mr. Padre was built as I followed him and the Padres through the 1980s and beyond. His excellence with the bat was a sight to see. As his career progressed and ultimately came to a close, it was easy to take his accomplishments for granted. His first ballot election to the Hall of Fame, was the ultimate cherry on the sundae. Now everyone knew that Tony Gwynn was one of the best hitters to every play.
Well, Tony Gwynn passed away this past week. I was very sad to hear the news. In retrospect, he was probably one of the biggest reasons I am a Padres fan. Sure, I live in San Diego, but so do a whole-heck-of-a-lot of Dodger fans. Being a Padres fan isn't easy (neither is being a Chargers fan btw). I think that I continue to follow the Padres and proudly don their colors is because of Tony Gwynn. A few years ago, I took my daughter with me to a local car dealership to get my bat signed. We stood in line for 4 hours and with a dozen or so people in front of us Tony left. He stayed 30 minutes longer than he was scheduled. You could tell that he wanted to stay, but just couldn't. We were a little disappointed but I always thought next time.
Tony Gwynn. Walter Payton. Two sports icons that performed at a very high level. They worked hard. Harder than the average person would probably realize. I remember watching a story about how Payton ran up this hill to keep in top shape during the off-season. At first he started doing by himself. As years passed and other players saw his success, other players asked to join him. He worked on that hill to the point of exhaustion, all to increase his endurance so he would be the most conditioned athlete on the field on Sundays. Gwynn, spent hours and hours watching video of himself at bat. Then he would hit balls of the tee for hours to make adjustments in his swing. He also studied pitchers to make him an even more productive hitter. Both men had a work ethic that did not stop at signs of success. In addition, the two were fast to offer guidance and advice to other players. This made them better too. There was always something they could do to improve.
While Gwynn and Payton were at the top of their profession, it wasn't just their performance on the field that made fans adore them so much. They dedicated themselves to their community as well as their profession. People of their cities, Chicago and San Diego, had an icon that truly knew their responsibility to be a positive role-model for children. Each made time to connect with people and make their hometowns a better place. Payton was awarded the NFL Man of the Year Award in 1977. This award was renamed the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award after he passed away. Gwynn received the MLB Roberto Clemente Award in 1999. These accomplishments were bestowed on them for their outstanding character and contribution to their communities. Ironically, both athletes stayed with their teams for their entire career which is almost unheard of now.
I couldn't have picked any better athletes and people to honor on the wall of my home. I am glad that I can tell my daughters who they were and why I loved them so much. Unbelievable talent on the field, tremendous work ethic and caring individuals. Walter Payton (1954-1999) and Tony Gwynn (1960-2014). Gone too soon. Rest In Peace.