Gwynn’s Son Changes Mind, Picks San Diego State Over Fullerton

A month after making a verbal commitment to play baseball at Cal State Fullerton, Anthony Gwynn changed his mind and has decided to attend his father’s alma mater, San Diego State.

The Aztecs play their home games at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The Padres’ outfielder starred in baseball and basketball at San Diego State from 1979-81.

“It’s going to be a little weird standing in the batter’s box and seeing my dad’s name on the outfield wall,” Anthony Gwynn said. “There will be pressure, but I think I can handle it.”

Fullerton Coach George Horton said he was disappointed by Gwynn’s decision but understood his change of heart.

“I’m certain he had a lot of pressure on him” to play for San Diego State, Horton said. “Part of his original decision was not wanting to follow in his dad’s footsteps. But I’m sure since he made the verbal commitment [to Fullerton] that Tony Sr. and Anthony probably took considerable flak about it.”

Gwynn committed to Fullerton on Feb. 28, and Horton said that within days, Gwynn had second thoughts. “This didn’t come out of the blue,” Horton said. “About a month ago he said he was having reservations.”