Famous Athletes

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Friday, June 20, 2014

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Tony Gwynn was born in San Diego, California on May 9, 1960 by the name of Anthony Keith Gwynn. He went to Long Beach Poly High School and he played both basketball and baseball. He was highly recruited as a point guard and went to San Diego State on a basketball scholarship. He didn't play baseball for San Diego State until his sophomore year, and became a two time All-American outfielder. After being drafted by the San Diego Padres, Gwynn played in the minor leagues for one year. He was called up to the big leagues in 1982. Over his career, he hit for a .338 batting average, and is considered one of the best contact hitters of all time. His number nineteen was retired by the Padres, the only team of his career, in 2004. In 2007, he was inducted into the baseball hall of fame. Sadly, Tony passed away due to cancer on this past Monday, June 16, 2014.

With a career .338 batting average, Gwynn only had one season out of his twenty where he didn’t bat over .300.

Tony Gwynn finished with 3,141 hits in his career, nineteenth on the all-time list.
Gwynn was a fifteen time all-star, five time gold-glover, and seven time silver-slugger.

Gwynn led the league in hits seven times in his career.

In ten seasons of his career, Tony Gwynn led the league in at-bats per strikeouts. That means he averaged the most at-bats in between strikeouts.

Gwynn turned four double plays as an outfielder in 1984, leading the league.

Gwynn mainly hit singles. He led the league in singles seven times in his career, but the highest he finished in extra-base hits was tenth in 1997.

Some interesting stats of Gwynn’s is he finished with more triples than home runs seven times in his career. Gwynn reached 3,000 hits in fewer at-bats than anyone born since 1900. There were eight seasons in Gwynn’s career where he struck out fewer than twenty times. The amazing thing is that ninety-seven players struck out more than twenty times just last month. Tony Gwynn hit over .400 off of eight Cy Young winners (best pitcher in the league). They were Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, Bret Saberhagen, Vida Blue, John Denny, Dennis Eckersley, Mark Davis, and Doug Drabek. Tony’s son, Tony Jr, plays outfield for the Philadelphia Phillies.

R.I.P. Tony Gwynn- Mr. Padre

Pictures: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/article560458/Padres-Hall-of-Famer-Tony-Gwynn-dies-at-54.html

http://www.veooz.com/photos/qHGdMc5.html

Articles: www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gwynnto01.shtml

espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11092617/mlb-late-tony-gwynn-incredile-hitting-numbers

www.ltimes.com/sports/highschool/la-sp-gwynn-bio-box-20140617-story.html

http://www.veooz.com/photos/qHGdMc5.html

roberto clemente

Roberto Clemente
A True Hero

August, 18, 1934-December 31, 1972

Professional baseball player
Played right field for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Played 17 seasons, from 1955-1972
Height- 5'11 Weight-175 lbs
Career batting average- .317
Averaged 13 home runs a season, 240 total
On base percentage- .359
One of 28 players to have 3000 hits- his 3000th was his last regular season hit ever 3000th hit
Won 2 world series
Received 12 Gold Gloves
Inducted into baseball hall of fame in 1973
Honored with Presidential Medal of Freedom
2 MVP awards
Babe Ruth award
Holds record for most Gold Gloves won with Willie Mays
Roberto Clemente Award created in his honor- given to a player who has been exceptional on the field while showing the quality of sportsmanship and has given back to his community

Roberto Clemente was not only an over-achieving baseball player, but

a true hero off the field. He is widely known for his humanitarian acts,

mostly pertaining to his efforts with the Nicaragua earth quake victims.

On New Years Eve in 1972, Clemente flew to Nicaragua to help with the effects of the earthquake personally. The plane malfunctioned and crashed. Roberto Clemente died on his way to give his time and money to those who had nothing.

A Hero off the Field

>http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/community/clemente_history.jsp
>http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/clemero01.shtml
>http://voices.yahoo.com/roberto-clemente-baseball-playerhumanitarianhero-255959.html
>http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1149087-21-facts-you-may-not-know-about-roberto-clemente-on-the-anniversary-of-his-debut

Willie Mays

"If somebody came up and hit .450, stole 100 bases, and performed a miracle in the field every day, I'd still look you right in the eye and tell you that Willie was better. He could do the five things you have to do to be a superstar: hit, hit with power, run, throw and field. And he had the other magic ingredient that turns a superstar into a super Superstar. Charisma. He lit up a room when he came in. He was a joy to be around."

-Leo Durocher

Willie Mays a true five tool player could do it all, throw, field, hit for average, and hit for power. he is known to be one of the greatest baseball players ever and one of the greatest center fielders ever. He was born on May 6, 1931 in Westfield, Alabama and became 170 pounds and 5 feet 10 inches tall proving great players don't have to be big or tall. he began his professional career in the negro leagues at 16 and made his major league debut on May 25, 1951 for the New York Giants (later the San Francisco Giants). He retired in 1973 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He is alive at the age of 83 and is recognized to today by professional baseball players as one of the greatest players of all time.

Awards
Rookie of the Year
11 gold gloves
24 all-star games
1954 World Series winner
Hall of Fame

Statistics
3283 career hits
1903 RBIs
660 home runs
338 stolen bases
302 career batting average
384 On Base Percentage
557 Slugging Percentage
7095 put outs
195 assists
60 errors

Fun Facts
Bats and throws right
Played for the Birmingham Black Barons in the negro leagues.
Famous catch

Missed two years in the MLB because he was drafted in the military
Graduated from Fairfield Industrial High School
Played center field
His father taught him how to play baseball
His parents got divorced and when he was ten they moved to a company-owned house in Fairfield with his dad, a co-worker, his two aunts, and many cousins.
He was a quarterback and a star basketball player in high school, but didn't play baseball because they had no team.

Citations
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mayswi01.shtml
http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/may0gal-1 -Photo http://www.biography.com/people/willie-mays-9403845#awesm=~oHGxq3gFsCjYmb
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/willie-mays-makes-catch
http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/64f5dfa2 -Photo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dK6zPbkFnE&feature=kp

Julius Peppers

Defensive-End

Peppers and the Packers

From: Here

Julius Peppers is currently in a "hybrid position" as an outside-linebacker and defensive-end for the Green Bay Packers' defense. He has not played for the Packers yet, but will start and change between the two positions depending on the defensive scheme. Even though Peppers' prime has ended he remains a powerful asset for defense, and the Packers shows their understanding of this with their three year contract for three million dollars. You can find more information on Julius Peppers and his affiliation with the Packers at http://bleacherreport.com/.

Peppers and the Bears

From: Here

In the most recent four years, Julius Peppers was a Chicago Bear. and he was a force to be reckoned with. He started all 64 games he played for the Bears. He had 37.5 sacks, 139 solo tackles, 175 total tackles, 9 forced fumbles, and many more defensive plays. He went to the Pro-Bowl for his 3 first years for the Bears. Julius Peppers broke the hearts of Bears/Peppers fans when he signed up with the Packers and the fans can see, he is in it for the money. For stats and more info about Julius Peppers and the Bears, go to http://www.chicagobears.com/.

Peppers and the Panthers

From: Here

Peppers was the second player drafted and the first pick of the Carolina Panthers in the 2002 NFL Draft. He was named Rookie of the Year by many sports magazines like Sports Illustrated and Pro Football Weekly. Throughout his 8 years with the Panthers, Peppers collected a total of 81 sacks, 309 solo tackles, 381 total tackles, and 30 forced fumbles. Peppers had been a valuable asset for the Panthers and set many team records as well. He was a Panther for five of his eight Pro-Bowl years. His time with the Panthers is when he was in his prime. For more info about Peppers and the Panthers go to http://www.panthers.com/.

Peppers' Total Career Stats

12 Years of NFL Experience

186 Games

556 Total Tackles

448 Solo Tackles

118.5 Sacks

59 Pass Deflections

9 Interceptions

2 Touchdowns

192 Yards

Highlight Video Link

Peppers' Bio

Julius Peppers was born January 18th, 1980 in Wilson, North Carolina. He attended Southern Nash High School in Bailey, North Carolina and by then he was 6' 5". He only played basketball and he was a star with his height and leaping ability. His high school's football coach wanted him to play football. Peppers turned out to be a monster on the field and the coach's hunch paid off. When he was a senior he was bombarded by mail from both basketball programs and football programs. Ultimately, he played both at the University of North Carolina in 1999. The U.N.C. football program was predicted to be great, but injuries reduced their performance. Although there were bumps in the program, Peppers proved his mettle with team-leading statistics. After 3 years, he made his decision to focus on football for his final year of college. In 2002, he was drafted by the Carolina Panthers and lived up to the great expectations. After 8 successful years, he signed a contract with the Chicago Bears to provide more defensive punishment. Due to the poor performance of Peppers during the 2013-2014 season, the Bears let him go. As an aged free-agent, Peppers couldn't turn down the offer from the Green Bay Packers for a million-dollar yearly salary. Peppers will start the upcoming 2014-2015 season for the Packers.

Sources:

Image links provided at caption.

http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Peppers/Peppers_bio.html

http://www.nfl.com/player/juliuspeppers/2505010/careerstats

http://www.panthers.com/team/roster/Julius-Peppers/ed69df51-ff1c-4936-b8ea-45bd307bd462

http://www.chicagobears.com/team/roster/julius-peppers/10caef1b-c663-4ed7-a5a5-5ec030602dd4/

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2098710-how-packers-can-get-the-most-out-of-julius-peppers-in-new-position

Bo Jackson

Vincent Edward (Bo) Jackson

Born: 30 November 1962 , Bessemer, Alabama, USA

Schooling: He graduated from McAdory High School in Alabama, went to college at Auburn.

Spouse: Linda Garrett, 3 children.

The eigth child of ten, Vincent was as wild as a 'boarhog' at home, earning a nickname that stuck and eventually became Bo. He inherited a stutter from his dad and was often made fun of as a child. In highschool he had an amazing career in three sports and was even offered a contract to play professional baseball by the New York Yankees. He turned down the offer and went to Auburn on a football scholarship. He won a heisman trophy and lettered in football, baseball, and track. He ran the fastest 40 yard dash in NFL history. Bo was selected first overall in the 1986, NFL draft. he turned the offer down and went to play baseball for the Royals. The next year the raiders drafted him in the seventh round and Al Davis offered him a contract that allowed him to play the whole baseball season and then report to the Raiders when it was over. From 1987 through 1991 he was an inspiring athlete that was the first two sport all-star athlete. It was during a divisional round game of the 1990 playoffs that Kevin Walker tackled Bo and ended his career in both sports.

Baseball

G	H	R	HR	RBI	BA	SLG
694	598	341	141	415	.250	.474

Football

CAR YDS AVG TDS

515 2,782 5.4 16

http://search.espn.go.com/bo-jackson/
http://arnieskingdom.com/features/bo-knows-golf
http://www.imdb.com/search/name?birth_year=1962&ref_=nmbio_ov_2