Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, United States
Fast Facts
Was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007
Tied Honus Wagner for the most batting crowns in National League history when he won his eighth in 1997
Attended San Diego State University on a basketball scholarship, and didn't start playing collegiate baseball until his second year at the school
In 1981, he was drafted by both the MLB's San Diego Padres and the NBA's San Diego Clippers
In high school, he was best known for his skill on the basketball court as a point guard
Quote: "Baseball was just something to do in the spring and summer․ I told my mom I didn't think I would try baseball in college․ She and my dad told me it was something I might want to fall back on․"
Quote: "I love to hit․ I can't wait until it's my turn․ Sometimes, I think that's al baseball is․ I rot for the other team to go down 1-2-3 so I can hit again․"
Spent his entire 20-season MLB career with the San Diego Padres, and at the time of his Hall of Fame induction, he was one of only 17 players to have played for 20 or more seasons and spent their entire careers with one team
An outfielder who played for the San Diego Padres
Was an early advocate of using videotape to study one's swing