Tony Gwynn, one of Major League Baseball's all-time great hitters, died Monday at age 54 after more than three years struggling with cancer.
Gwynn attributed his cancer to a longtime habit of chewing tobacco. Throughout his career, he had several growths surgically removed from his mouth, and was officially diagnosed with cancer of a salivary gland in 2011.
Gwynn played 20 seasons in the league, during which he became the face of the San Diego Padres--both for his incredible hitting streak and his work in the city.
The Padres confirmed their former star's death on Twitter.
We are terribly sad to say goodbye to our teammate, our friend and a legend, Tony Gwynn. Rest in peace, Mr. Padre.
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 16, 2014
Gwynn's bat connected with a pitch in 75% of his games during each of his final 19 seasons, according to ESPN, a record second only to hall-of-famer Ty Cobb. He recorded 3,141 hits during his tenure, notched a .338 career hitting average, made 15 all-star teams and was himself elected to the Pro Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007, the first year he was eligible. In 2004, the Padres retired his No. 19 jersey.
"Mr. Padre," as he was known, moved on to coach the San Diego State University baseball team in 2002, and had just agreed to a yearlong contract extension on June 11. He had taken a medical leave of absence toward the end of March, and his cancer had reportedly worsened in the past few months.
Major League Baseball disallowed players from conducting television interviews while "dipping" and prohibited teams from buying tobacco products for players in 2011, but smokeless tobacco is not banned. Smokeless tobacco is no longer allowed in the NCAA and in minor league baseball.
Below, we've collected some brief online tributes to "Mr. Padre."
Tony Gwynn has died, his agent John Boggs just told me. It was the phone call I've been dreading. God bless, Mr. Padre. I love you. @Padres
— Barry M. Bloom (@Boomskie) June 16, 2014
Imagine being as good at something as Tony Gwynn was at hitting. RIP. http://t.co/9HRC6fsKv4
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) June 16, 2014
RIP Tony Gwynn. Got to know him well when I was working in minor league baseball in San Diego, was gentleman. True baseball icon.
— Ronnie 2K 2K15 (@Ronnie2K) June 16, 2014
Tony Gwynn not only was one of the all-time great players, but also one of the all-time great people. RIP
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 16, 2014
Every kid in San Diego had 2 sports heroes: Junior Seau and Tony Gwynn. Hard to believe they are both gone. Sad day.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) June 16, 2014
In my years covering MLB, easily the most approachable, greatest person I met was Tony Gwynn. May he rest in peace. Heartbroken.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) June 16, 2014