A curious thing didn't happen during last week's All-Star Game. Not a single mention of Tony Gwynn's passing took place, and at least one media entity is speculating that Gwynn's outspoken stance against chewing tobacco could be the reason.
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Huffington Post questioned the explanation by Fox Sports and Major League gave in a mysterious joint statement that was first reported by Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal on his Facebook page:
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, an extraordinary individual whose memory we have honored in numerous ways in recent weeks. The Baseball family has sadly lost a number of people this year - including Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner, Frank Cashen, and former All-Stars Jerry Coleman, Jim Fregosi and Don Zimmer - and did not want to slight anyone by singling out one individual."
So Fox Sports couldn't squeeze in six names in a three-hour telecast? Sometimes an occurrence that seems a tad odd turns into a conspiracy theory when an explanation so absurd is used in connection with the slightly odd occurrence.
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Huffington Sports suggested Tony Gwynn's recent and outspoken stance about the dangers of chewing tobacco was the reason for his snub. The Washington Post was one of several outlets to not that the most popular San Diego Padre of all time and one of baseball's best hitters "believed that his lengthy habit of using smokeless tobacco was to blame for cancer of the mouth and salivary glands that took his life."
According to Huffington Post, "Major League Baseball has a long connection to smokeless tobacco. Chewing tobacco companies used to provide free samples to teams. Baseball cards and bullpens owe their origin to chewing tobacco. Acknowledging Gwynn's death and why it happened might actually lead for calls to ban the substance in MLB."
Huffington Post then overextends its argument, giving examples that Fox Sports supports smokeless tobacco. An article by Fox Sports' Loren Grush addresses Gwynn's claims, saying, "But does the science back up that claim? When it comes to the origins of most cancers, many experts are hesitant to attribute the development of tumors to one cause in particular."
That's what Huffington Post uses for its argument, but it ignores the rest of the Fox Sports article that provides proof that yes, science does back up that claim.
A simpler explanation for Fox's involvement could be its partnership with MLB. MLB may have asked Fox not to say anything.
The Post's logic about Fox Sports' pro-tobacco stance seems far-fetched.
Just as far-fetched as the joint statement saying MLB and Fox didn't want to slight any of the six major leaguers that died since the 2013 All-Star Game.
Do you believe the conspiracy theory that Major League Baseball and Fox Sports didn't talk about Tony Gywnn because they didn't want to lose revenue from tobacco companies? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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