Tony Gwynn, legendary Padres outfielder, dies at age 54

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Legendary outfielder Tony Gwynn, a 15-time All-Star who spent his entire career with the San Diego Padres, died Monday at the age of 54.

Gwynn had been on medical leave from his job as the baseball coach at San Diego State since late March while recovering from cancer treatment.

The Hall of Famer had 3,141 hits during his career, which spanned 20 seasons with the Padres. Nicknamed, "Mr. Padre," Gwynn's sweet left-handed swing made him one of San Diego's best-loved athletes.

"Major League Baseball today mourns the tragic loss of Tony Gwynn ... the greatest Padre ever and one of the most accomplished hitters that our game has ever known, whose all-around excellence on the field was surpassed by his exuberant personality and genial disposition in life," said Commissioner Bud Selig in a statement. "For more than 30 years, Tony Gwynn was a source of universal goodwill in the national pastime, and he will be deeply missed by the many people he touched."

Gwynn had said he believed the cancer was from chewing tobacco. He had two operations in his right cheek between August 2010 and February 2012. The second surgery was complicated, with surgeons removing a facial nerve because it was intertwined with a tumor inside his right cheek. They grafted a nerve from Gwynn's neck to help him eventually regain facial movement.

Gwynn played in the Padres' only two World Series. He retired after the 2001 season and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the class of 2007.

He is survived by his wife, Alicia, daughter Anisha and son Tony Jr., who plays with the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.