MLB Hall of Fame outfielder Tony Gwynn has announced that he has had a recurrence of his cancer, this time in the form of a tumor inside his cheek. Gwynn previously had a growth removed in 2010. The former Padres’ great and current San Diego State coach has blamed the cancer on his longtime use of chewing tobacco as a player.
It’s a mystery to me why baseball players will not commit to an outright ban of tobacco use. The new labor deal that was struck last year limited some use by players, but fell short of a total ban. For example, players have agreed to not use tobacco in pre- and post-game interviews or use it when fans are on the field before games. They also agreed not to carry smokeless tobacco packages in their uniform pockets during games, so we will no longer see the formerly ubiquitous round circles in players’ back pockets.
In spite of calls for a total ban from health organizations and even some U.S. Senators and Congressmen, the MLB Players Association would not agree to Commissioner Bud Selig’s efforts to stop all use of smokeless tobacco. The fact remains that players are still free to use tobacco, so when FOX zooms in on a player in the batter’s box, he may still have a wad of chew in his mouth. A doctor who has studied tobacco use in baseball games claims that TV cameras show players using smokeless tobacco about nine minutes per game over the last 10 World Series.
Baseball has come a long way since the days before drug testing. MLB has cited player health as one of the reasons it banned steroids and other PEDs. If the union is really in business to look out for its members, why does it not take a harder stance on tobacco use? These are grown men, of course, and they can use tobacco away from ballparks if they so choose. But it’s a shame that when kids see their heroes on TV, they might still see them using tobacco.
I wish Tony Gwynn well in his most recent fight with cancer. I’d rather not read any more stories about baseball greats fighting cancer. All tobacco use is banned in college baseball and in the minor leagues. It is well past time that ban was also applied to the major leagues.
Brad Boeker has been an avid MLB fan for over 40 years. He lives in Illinois and roots for the Cardinals.