Batting titles to be named after Carew, Gwynn

SAN DIEGO - They couldn't play an All-Star Game in San Diego without a nice tribute to Tony Gwynn.

Gwynn, the sweet-swinging outfielder known as Mr. Padre, died of salivary gland cancer on June 16, 2014, at age 54.

After a video tribute showing some of Gwynn's many highlights, his widow, Alicia, and their two adult children, Anisha and Tony Jr. and their spouses, came out to join Hall of Famer Rod Carew and his family as the crowd chanted ''Tony! Tony! Tony!''

MLB announced that the players who post the highest batting averages in each league will now be known as the ''Tony Gwynn National League Batting Champion'' and the ''Rod Carew American League Batting Champion.''

Gwynn played his entire 20-season career with the Padres, who unveiled a larger-than-life bronze statue of Gwynn days before he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.

The statue shows Gwynn in the middle of his left-handed swing. It is located in the Park at the Park beyond the outfield at Petco Park.