Gwynn Wins Clemente Award

Tony Gwynn, who surpassed the 3,000-hit mark this season, was given the Roberto Clemente Man of the Year Award on Tuesday night before Game 3 of the World Series.

"I can't begin to describe to you what a big thrill this is," Gwynn said. "As a kid, you hear about Roberto Clemente. I sat right behind him in right field at Dodger Stadium and was able to realize this guy doesn't get as much credit as some of the other guys do."

Gwynn, who played for San Diego in last year's World Series against the New York Yankees, received the award for his work on the field and in the community.

"Coming back to Yankee Stadium tonight sent chills down my back again," Gwynn said. "It's nice to be recognized not only for what you do on the field but what you do off. My wife and I try to make a difference."

Gwynn became the 22nd member of the 3,000-hit club on Aug. 6 at Montreal and is in 18th place all-time with 3,067 hits.

Even though he has not won a World Series, Gwynn is not looking to leave the Padres, the only team he has played for, to go to a team that has a better chance of winning.

"When you love a place as much as I love San Diego, it's going to be really hard to leave," he said. "It's really going to take something of some kind of magnitude to make me want to go somewhere else. So I doubt if I will."

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