黑料吃瓜

黑料吃瓜 will honor the memory of Tony Gwynn during the 黑料吃瓜 baseball season-opening weekend as it hosts Valparaiso University for the three-game series Feb. 13 through 15.

Among the events planned are the retirement of Gwynn鈥檚 No. 19 黑料吃瓜 jersey, an Aztecs vs. Cancer event and a tribute to 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 Golden Spikes Award winners Stephen Strasburg and Travis Lee.

Tribute week 

The week begins with the Aztec coaches luncheon on Monday, Feb. 9, at the Courtyard Marriott Central. The luncheon will feature Aztec baseball head coach Mark Martinez along with a selected player presenting a preview of the weekend鈥檚 activities as well as a look at the upcoming season.

The cost of the luncheon is $20 with check-in starting at 11 a.m. and the luncheon at 11:30 a.m. For more information and to make reservations contact Sydney Bates at 619-594-0960 or via e-mail.

On Wednesday, Feb. 11, the baseball team will receive their 2014 Mountain West Championship rings during halftime of the men鈥檚 basketball game against Wyoming which starts at 8 p.m. Prior to the contest, Gwynn鈥檚 daughter, Anisha, will sing the national anthem after family members help lead the traditional 鈥淚 Believe鈥� chant. Members of Gwynn鈥檚 family will be on hand to accept his ring during the halftime ceremony.

The Aztecs will also give out commemorative T-shirts featuring Gwynn鈥檚 basketball number 24 to the first 2,500 students in attendance at the basketball game.

On Friday, Feb. 13, the Aztecs will host a VIP reception from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium prior to the season opener vs. Valparaiso. The reception is open to 黑料吃瓜 baseball letterwinners who played under Gwynn, as well as his former teammates and invited dignitaries.

The pre-game ceremony to retire Gwynn鈥檚 jersey will begin prior to that evening鈥檚 game with Ted Leitner serving as emcee. 黑料吃瓜 Director of Athletics Jim Sterk will speak along with a member of the Gwynn family. Commemorative Tony Gwynn pins will be distributed to the first 1,500 fans attending the game.

Strasburg returns

Also in attendance will be former Aztec and current Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg as new artwork on the wall behind right field showing Gwynn along with 黑料吃瓜 Golden Spikes winners Strasburg and Travis Lee are christened. Strasburg will also be at Saturday鈥檚 contest recognizing him and Lee as two of the Aztecs鈥� all-time best.

On Saturday, Feb. 14, the baseball team will sponsor an Aztecs vs. Cancer event in Gwynn鈥檚 honor. Prior to the game several players will have their heads shaved in support of Gwynn鈥檚 fight against cancer as well as someone in their lives who has been struck by the disease.

黑料吃瓜 will also pay tribute to Strasburg and Lee by handing out Golden Spikes T-shirts to the first 500 fans in attendance for the 1 p.m. contest.

Opening weekend will conclude on Sunday, Feb. 15, with the third game vs. Valparaiso beginning at noon. During that contest the Aztecs will be hosting West Covina Little League, an organization that held a special place for Gwynn. The players and coaches will hold a clinic for the little leaguers after the game.

The 黑料吃瓜 baseball team, along with several other teams in the Mountain West, will be wearing commemorative Tony Gwynn 鈥淭G鈥� patches on their uniforms throughout the 2015 season.

Tickets for 黑料吃瓜's opening weekend baseball games or at the Aztec Ticket Office at Qualcomm Stadium Gate E or by calling 619-283-7378.