As a native San Diegan, and life-long Padres fan, I'm proud to see Tony Gwynn get elected to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY today. Congratulations, Tony!

I grew up watching Tony play baseball, getting hit after hit for the Padres and he was (and is) my all-time sports hero. I remember when I got to meet Tony at a local shopping mall when I was 12. He signed a baseball and a glossy photo for me, and I was so nervous but he was really nice to me and talked to me for a bit. I'm glad I was able to see him play in person numerous times, including the playoffs and World Series in 1998, his first home-game after his 3,000th hit, and to be there for his last game. I remember being sad at the end of his last game in 2001, as they were preparing for a ceremony and I turned to my wife, Amie, and friends, Ernest and Julius, and said that Bob Costas should be here to host the ceremony. And five second later, out walks Bob Costas.

Also, congratulations to Cal Ripken Jr, the Iron Man, for also being elected to the Hall of Fame. I was fortunate to meet Cal briefly last summer and the last thing I said to him was, "See you in the Hall of Fame, Cal." And he looked at me and I think he really appreciated it and said back to me, "Thank you."

The two first ballot players will be in inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 29.

Career stats: Tony Gwynn | Cal Ripken Jr