Two who will be missed.(Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken, baseball players)(Brief Article)

Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken play their last games this week. My perspective on them is as a player but not a peer, though you never would know that from the way they treated us, the players who fill out the rosters. Those two always played the game the right way.

In my years with the Astros, when we played the Padres, we'd show up at the park early to get used to the time change. Tony always would be out taking batting practice with his son, a few coaches and some extra guys. I remember getting my running done, dressing really fast and coming to our bench just to watch him.

When Tony was finished hitting, he'd help our guys on the tee or just talk about hitting. He would say his key for hitting was being mentally disciplined enough to do with the ball what the pitcher will let you. If the ball was away, just go with it. You can't hit a homer if the pitcher won't let you, he'd say.

Now that I look back, I think Tony was leading not only his team but our team. By getting there early, he was saying that no one was more important than anyone else. He also was saying that if you can help a hitter, even if he's on the other team, you should. He knew guys wanted to learn and he always was ...