Tony Gwynn, the prolific-hitting Hall of Fame outfielder who spent his entire 20-year career with the Padres, has been diagnosed with cancer of a salivary gland.
. . . Gwynn said he thought the cancer was most likely related to his use of chewing tobacco throughout his career.
"I haven't discussed that with the doctors yet, but I'm thinking it's related to dipping," said Gwynn, who said he had failed to drop the habit despite the previous mouth procedures.
Thoughts and prayers to Gwynn. He seems like a good guy, and was obviously a heck of a ball player.
It's also another reminder of the perils of smokeless tobacco. When I was in elementary school / middle school, dip was a big problem amongst the student body (I went to a K through 12 school). They showed us so many pictures and videos of the dangers of chewing tobacco, that I think it scared most kids straight. Unfortunately, a lot of folks think that if you aren't taking carcinogens into your lungs, you'll be okay, and that's simply not the case.
Topic: Tony Gwynn has cancer (Read 3468 times)