Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
August 6, 1999 after the Padres Tony Gwynn singles off Expos pitcher Dan Smith in the first inning to get his 3,000th hit, umpire Kerwin Danley (his college teammate at San Diego State), Vendella Gwynn (his mom who is celebrating her 64th birthday), and 13,540 fans at Olympic Stadium rejoice in the milestone. “Mr. Padre” finishes the game 4 for 5, passing the legendary Roberto Clemente and into 21st place on the all-time career hit list. Padres also won the game, 12-10. Of the hit, Gwynn said, “The relief that you feel is the first thing that hits you. And then I started to feel emotional and then all these guys started coming over to me. When I got back to the dugout I could not sit down.” As the 22nd player to reach the milestone, Gwynn achieved his 3,000 hits in fewer games (2,284) or at-bats (8,874) than any other hitter born after 1900. He was the 11th player to hit all 3,000 hits with one team. Gwynn reached 3,000 in 2,284 games, third fastest behind Ty Cobb and Nap Lajoie. Gwynn is also the only player to reach the 3,000-hit milestone on foreign soil. Gwynn donated his helmet, spikes, pants, and bat from the game to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Exactly six years prior on August 6, 1993, Gwynn tallied his 2,000th career hit.
August 6, 1999 after the Padres Tony Gwynn singles off Expos pitcher Dan Smith in the first inning to get his 3,000th hit, umpire Kerwin Danley (his college teammate at San Diego State), Vendella Gwynn (his mom who is celebrating her 64th birthday), and 13,540 fans at Olympic Stadium rejoice in the milestone. “Mr. Padre” finishes the game 4 for 5, passing the legendary Roberto Clemente and into 21st place on the all-time career hit list. Padres also won the game, 12-10. Of the hit, Gwynn said, “The relief that you feel is the first thing that hits you. And then I started to feel emotional and then all these guys started coming over to me. When I got back to the dugout I could not sit down.” As the 22nd player to reach the milestone, Gwynn achieved his 3,000 hits in fewer games (2,284) or at-bats (8,874) than any other hitter born after 1900. He was the 11th player to hit all 3,000 hits with one team. Gwynn reached 3,000 in 2,284 games, third fastest behind Ty Cobb and Nap Lajoie. Gwynn is also the only player to reach the 3,000-hit milestone on foreign soil. Gwynn donated his helmet, spikes, pants, and bat from the game to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Exactly six years prior on August 6, 1993, Gwynn tallied his 2,000th career hit.
