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.
