The San Diego Padres paid tribute to baseball legends Tony Gwynn and Mark Hoffman during the opening of Petco Park for the 2021 MLB season. Jake Cronenworth delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning, securing a victory for the Padres in their home opener. Fans and players gathered for a pre-game ceremony to honor Gwynn and Hoffman, both of whom spent significant time with the Padres and made lasting impacts on the organization. Gwynn, a Hall of Famer, spent his entire 15-year MLB career with the Padres and is considered one of the greatest players in franchise history. Hoffman, a former Padres pitcher, lost his life in a car accident in 2020 at the age of 56. The team paid tribute to both men with a video presentation and a moment of silence before the game. Cronenworth’s walk-off hit capped off an emotional day for the Padres organization and their fans.
