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Former Major League Baseball (MLB) right fielder for the San Diego Padres and Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn succumbed to cancer of the salivary gland Monday.

Gwynn was diagnosed with salivary gland cancer in 2010 and had both of his lymph nodes removed. His cancer was due to his habit of dipping tobacco which he had since he was a rookie playing for the Walla Walla Padres, a San Diego Class A Minor Baseball affiliate in 1981.

Anthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Sr., also known as Mr. Padre and Captain Video, attended college at the San Diego State University (SDSU) where he played both college baseball and basketball. He entered the 1981 MLB Draft where he was selected on the third round, 58^th overall pick by the San Diego Padres.

During Gwynn's 20 year career as right fielder for the Padres, the leftie won eight battling titles which is the second most in MLB history. He also led the Padres to two World Series, which are the only two appearances of the franchise's history.

Gwynn was awarded the Silver Slugger Awards seven times and the Golden Glove Awards five times. He is an 15-time All Star player and was considered one of the best hitters in baseball history.

SDSU's baseball facility was renovated by Padres owner John Moores in 1997 and upon his request the stadium was named Tony Gwynn Stadium.

Mr. Padre retired in 2001 with a batting average of .338 and with a total of 3,141 career hits. He was inducted in the Padres Hall of Fame in 2002 and his jersey number 19 was retired in 2004.

In 2007, during Gwynn's first year of eligibility, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. During the same year, a 9 ½ foot bronze statue of Gwynn was erected just beyond Petco Park whose address happens to be 19 Tony Gwynn Drive.

TagsTony Gwynn, San Diego Padres, major league baseball, salivary gland cancer