San Diego and the MLB mourn the passing of 'Mr. Padre'

Hall of Fame outfielder Tony Gwynn has passed away at the age of 54 after losing his battle with salivary gland cancer.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Gwynn spent the entirety of his 20-year Major League Baseball career with the San Diego Padres, in which time he as an All-Star 15 times.

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"Major League Baseball today mourns the tragic loss of Tony Gwynn, the greatest Padre ever and one of the most accomplished hitter that our game has ever known, whose all-around excellence on the field was surpassed by his exuberant personality and genial disposition in life," said MLB Commissioner Bud Selig in a statement.

Gwynn had 3,141 hits over his career, as well as a .338 batting average. Back in 2007 he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame with Cal Ripken.

"He was beloved by so many, especially the Hall of Fame family, for his kindess, graciousness and passion for the game," said Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the board of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. "Tony was one of baseball history's most consistent hitters and most affable personalities. He was an icon for San Diego Padres fans, never more evident than on Induction Day of 2007, when tens of thousands of Tony's most appreciative fans filled Cooperstown for his Hall of Fame speech. We extend our deepest sympathies to Alicia and the entire Gwynn family."

"I am deeply saddened to learn that Tony Gwynn has lost his courageous battle against cancer," said the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, Tony Clark. "Since his diagnosis, Tony displayed the same tenacity and drive in his fight against this horrible disease that he brought to the plate in every at bat of his Hall of Fame career."

Known as "Mr. Padre", the team retired his No. 19 jersey in September of 2004. In 2005 the street which Petco Park stadium sits on was named Tony Gwynn Drive in his honor. There is also a statue of him located at the stadium, unveiled back in 2007.

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