Tony Gwynn Talks Tough on How to Overcome Challenges, Like Cancer

Hanging tough and having the the “right mindset” were key to his beating cancer, Poway’s Tony Gwynn told a chamber audience Wednesday evening.

“When I found out I had cancer, we took the same analogy as baseball and said: Let’s attack it,” said Mr. Padre. “I fought the fight and here I am a year later. I’m still standing.

“Knock on wood; God is good.”

Addressing a crowd of about 230 at the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce’s monthly mixer, the Baseball Hall of Famer shared how he faced the biggest obstacle of his life.

Gwynn, known for his 20-year career with the San Diego Padres and his .338 career batting average, said dealing with parotid cancer—which hit the salivary gland—was his life’s biggest challenge.

Gwynn, 51, said when one is “tough,” a challenge is easier to overcome.

“If you have the right mindset, it’s not as difficult,” he said. “In order to be successful, you got to be tough. It’s having a mindset of wanting to be the best you can be.”

Gwynn, who spoke at the Maderas Golf Club for about 25 minutes, received a standing ovation and told attendees that after playing major league ball for two decades, he feels he’s currently doing what he’s best at—coaching baseball at San Diego State University.

“I think that’s what I do best. I teach these guys how to do the right thing,” he said, adding that he sees his players the same way he sees his son and Dodger player Tony Gwynn Jr.

“I always think my son is doing great, and I see my Aztecs the same way.”