Worried about the message it was sending to young fans , MLB collaborated with the Major League Baseball Players Association to prohibit teams from providing tobacco to players . Tony Gwynn died at age 54 after battling salivary gland cancer . The San Diego Padres outfielder was diagnosed with the disease in 2009 and underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his left salivary gland. MLB implemented rules in 2011 but has n't banned tobacco use on the field .
Tony Gwynn died at age 54 after battling salivary gland cancer . The San Diego Padres outfielder was diagnosed with the disease in 2009 and underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his left salivary gland. MLB implemented rules in 2011 but has n't banned tobacco use on the field .