Tony Gwynn items set for auction

Items from the collection of Mr. Padre, Tony Gwynn, who passed away last year, will be put up for bid by SCP Auctions.

The auction house has secured more than 100 items from Gwynn's widow, Alicia, including three All-Star Game rings, a pair of Silver Slugger batting awards and some of the original contracts he signed, including his first professional baseball contract.

The most unusual item is a massive glass shrine made for Gwynn by former San Diego Padres owner John Moores.

SCP Auctions spokesman Terry Melia said the company already has gotten interest from the San Diego collecting community, but expects nationwide interest due to the accomplishments and the love for the man who could never seem to wipe the smile off his face.

Alicia Gwynn told ESPN.com that she decided to sell the items "in order to keep Tony's dream alive of helping today's youth." Some of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the Tony and Alicia Gwynn Foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on disadvantaged youth.

The auction begins April 8 and closes April 25.

Gwynn, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007, died last June at the age of 54 due to complications from salivary gland cancer.