Skip to main content

San Diego State's Tony Gwynn on leave of absence due to health issues

San Diego State baseball coach Tony Gwynn has won 349 games in 12 seasons at the school. (AP Photo/Bret Hartman)

Tony Gwynn

San Diego State baseball coach and MLB Hall of Famer Tony Gywnn is taking a leave of absence to address health issues, the school announced Tuesday.

There is no timetable for Gwynn's return. Mark Martinez will take over again as interim head coach. Martinez filled in for Gwynn in 2012 when he had a tumor removed from his cheek.

Gwynn said in a statement that he's "on the mend and looking forward to getting back to the team."

Gwynn has also had salivary gland cancer and had both lymph nodes removed in 2010.

Gwynn, an eight-time National League batting champion and 15-time All-Star, retired from baseball in 2001 after spending 20 seasons, compiling a .338 average, and 3,141 hits, with the San Diego Padres.

Gwynn has coached San Diego State for 12 seasons, and the Aztecs have a 28-12 record this season.

PHOTOS: The 3,000 Hit Club