MLB Honors Tony Gwynn As Namesake of NL Batting Championship

San Diego, CA — The National League's annual batting championship award will be named for the late Padre Tony Gwynn, Major League Baseball announced in San Diego Tuesday.

The honor was announced to a sold-out crowd at Petco Park by Padres television play-by-play man Dick Enberg moments before the All-Star Game.

Gwynn, who died two years ago of cancer, won eight batting titles — signifying the highest batting average in the league — during his 20-year career. The former San Diego State player and coach enjoyed a career average of .338.

Enberg said the American League award will be named for Rod Carew, who played 19 seasons for the Minnesota Twins and then-California Angels. He won seven AL batting titles and compiled a career average of .328.

— City News Service

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