Chris Gwynn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chris Gwynn
Gwynn with the Albuquerque Dukes c. 1987
Outfielder
Born: (1964-10-13) October 13, 1964 (age 60) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Batted: Left Threw: Left
debut
August 14, 1987, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Last appearance
September 29, 1996, for the San Diego Padres
MLB statistics
Batting average	.261
Home runs	17
Runs batted in	118
Teams
Los Angeles Dodgers (1987–1991) Kansas City Royals (1992–1993) Los Angeles Dodgers (1994–1995) San Diego Padres (1996)
Career highlights and awards
World Series champion (1988)
Medals Representing  United States Men's Baseball Summer Olympics Silver 1984 Los Angeles Team

Chris Gwynn, born on October 13, 1964, is a former American baseball player. He played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball. Chris is the younger brother of famous baseball player Tony Gwynn, who is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He is also the uncle of another former Major League player, Tony Gwynn Jr.

Chris Gwynn's Early Life

Chris Gwynn was born in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in Long Beach, California.

Chris Gwynn's Baseball Career

Starting in College and the Olympics

Chris Gwynn was first chosen by the California Angels in the 1982 baseball draft. However, he decided not to sign with them. Instead, he went to San Diego State University. There, he played college baseball for the San Diego State Aztecs team.

Gwynn also played for the United States national baseball team. He competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. His team won a silver medal at these games.

Playing in Major League Baseball

The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted Chris Gwynn in the first round of the 1985 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his first appearance in the MLB in 1987. While playing for the Dodgers, Gwynn was the last batter in a special game. This was on July 28, 1991, when Dennis Martínez pitched a "perfect game." This means no batter from the other team reached base.

After the 1991 season, the Dodgers traded Gwynn to the Kansas City Royals. He played two seasons with the Royals, in 1992 and 1993. Gwynn then returned to the Dodgers as a free agent for the 1994 and 1995 seasons.

Joining His Brother and a Big Win

In 1996, Chris Gwynn joined his older brother, Tony Gwynn, on the San Diego Padres. This was his final season in professional baseball.

On September 29, 1996, in the last game of the season, Chris Gwynn had a very important moment. He hit a two-run double as a pinch-hitter in the 11th inning. This hit helped the Padres win the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It also helped the Padres win their division championship for the second time in team history. This was his last regular season at-bat. He also got hits in his final two at-bats during the playoffs, ending his career with a great hitting streak.

Career Statistics and Fielding

Chris Gwynn played in 599 games over his 10-year career. He had a batting average of .261. This means he got a hit about 26.1% of the times he batted. He also hit 17 home runs and had 118 runs batted in (RBI).

Gwynn was a very good outfielder. He played in all three outfield positions and even some games at first base. He made only one error in 382 chances to field the ball. This shows he was very reliable in the outfield. His only error happened on September 28, 1993, when he was playing for the Kansas City Royals.

After Playing Baseball

After his playing career ended, Chris Gwynn became a scout for the San Diego Padres. A scout helps find new talented players. In 2011, he became the Director of Player Personnel for the Padres. This role involves managing the team's players.

After the 2011 season, Gwynn moved to the Seattle Mariners. He became their Director of Player Development. This job means he helps young players improve their skills. Chris Gwynn lives in California with his wife, JoAnn, and their son and daughter.