Gwynn was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round (tenth overall) of the 1985 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his MLB debut in 1987. While with the Dodgers, Gwynn made the final out in Dennis Martínez's perfect game on July 28, 1991.[1] After that season, the Dodgers traded Gwynn with minor leaguer Domingo Mota to the Kansas City Royals for Todd Benzinger. He played two seasons with the Kansas City Royals (1992–1993). Gwynn signed with the Dodgers as a free agent after the 1993 season, and he played with them in 1994 and 1995. He joined his older brother Tony on the San Diego Padres for his final season in 1996.
On September 29, 1996, in the final game of the season, Gwynn hit what would prove to be the game-winning, two-run, pinch-hitdouble in the top of the 11th inning against Los Angeles DodgerspitcherChan Ho Park to complete a three-game sweep of the Dodgers and clinch the Padres' second National League West division championship in team history.[2] It was the final regular season at bat of his career, however he also pinch-hit in each of the first two games of the subsequent Divisional series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, garnering hits in both of those at bats, ending his career on a 3-for-3 streak. Gwynn hit two pinch-hit walk-off home runs during his career.[citation needed]
In a 10-year career spanning 599 games, Gwynn posted a .261 batting average (263-for-1007) with 119 runs, 17 home runs and 118 RBI. An excellent outfielder playing at all three outfield positions and several games at first base, he committed only one error in 382 total chances for a .997 fielding percentage. His only miscue in the majors occurred on September 28, 1993, as a member of the Kansas City Royals against the Cleveland Indians.
Post-playing career
Gwynn became a scout for the Padres once his playing career ended. In 2011, he was the Director of Player Personnel for the Padres. After the 2011 season, Gwynn became the Director of Player Development for the Seattle Mariners.[3] He lives in California with his wife JoAnn, his son and his daughter.