MLB names batting titles after Tony Gwynn and Rod Carew

A familiar chant echoed through Petco Park and into the streets of San Diego on Tuesday night before the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star game.

“Tony, Tony, Tony,” the San Diego faithful cheered, honoring the late-Tony Gwynn, whose family was on the field representing him in a pregame ceremony.

MLB announced prior to the game that the National League title has been renamed the Tony Gwynn National League Champion in honor of Gwynn, who spent 20 seasons with Padres and is recognized as one of the best hitters ever to play the game. The American League batting title also has a new name in honor of former Angels star Rod Carew, who was on hand with his family.

Gwynn was known as “Mr. Padre.” He died in 2014 after battling cancer. He retired with a .338 career batting average, having played in 15 All-Star games and winning eight batting titles.

Carew played his final game at the age of 40 in 1985. He was a career .328 hitter and played 19 combined seasons between the Twins and Angels. He played in 18 All-Star game and won seven batting titles.

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Kyle Ringo is a contributing writer to Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at kyle.ringo@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @KyleRingo