Hall of Fame baseball player, Tony Gwynn, died today of head and neck cancer.  He was an avid user of chewing tobacco, which has many known carcinogens.  Gwynn was 54 years old…

Nitrosamine content is associated with the risk of developing cancer.  Chewing tobacco contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), as well, which are also carcinogenic.  Nitrosamines and PAH’s are known mutagens.  (see http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/smokeless)

Gwynn was a phenomenal hitter, amassing 3,141 hits over a 20 year career with the San Diego Padres.  He was a 15-time All Star and averaged 0.338 for his career, which is 18th all-time.  (see http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11091626/hall-famer-tony-gwynn-san-diego-padres-died)