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Tag: MLB Hall of Fame

  • Mike Schmidt, Baseball Hall of Famer, Reveals Recent Battle With Advanced Skin Cancer

    Renowned Philadelphia Phillies slugger Mike Schmidt recently announced on Sunday that he had been diagnosed with stage III Melanoma last summer. Schmidt claimed that the cancer is gone, but the Melanoma required him to undergo continuous chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

    According to Ryan Lawrence of Philly.com, The 64-year-old Baseball Hall of Famer decided not to perform his regular duties as this year’s spring training guest instructor because of this health condition. Schmidt had been undergoing his final round of chemotherapy a day after the exhibition games commenced.

    Schmidt said that he found out about the cancer during a visit to his dermatologist because of a spot on his hand. But despite the challenges he has faced in the last couple of months of treatment, Schmidt said that he considers himself “a lucky man” for being able to detect the Melanoma relatively early. Feeling “fantastic”, Schmidt advised the public to have their skin checked by a doctor at least once a month.

    The three-time National League Most Valuable Player looked fit and healthy when he appeared at the Phillies camp in Bright House Field. Careful to avoid the sun’s rays, Schmidt selected well-shaded areas on the grounds to rest under. Although he missed this year’s camp, Schmidt said that he intends to return as an active instructor next year, if his health permits it. In the meantime, Schmidt will join the Phillies’ TV crew as they cover 13 home games this season.

    The most obvious effects of the cancer can be seen (or heard) in his voice. Schmidt said that the two surgeries he went through caused his voice to become raspy and his taste buds to lose their sensitivity. He is currently taking depression medication to aid him in the recovery process.

    Schmidt, who is considered by many as the greatest third baseman of all time, shared that his family has a history of Melanoma. His grandfather, who was also afflicted with the disease, survived it but lost one of his ears in the process.

    Watch Mike Schmidt’s 500th Home Run

    Image via YouTube

  • Frank Thomas Voted Into MLB Hall of Fame

    Frank Thomas Voted Into MLB Hall of Fame

    For many MLB enthusiasts, this moment was definitely expected. Legendary MLB star Frank Thomas is being inducted into the Hall of Fame! According to the Chicago Tribune, it was announced that the 5-time MLB All-Star, as well as Braves legends Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine were all elected to the MLB Hall of Fame.

    Thomas had a blow-out professional baseball career. Spending 16 of his 19 year career in Chicago, Thomas has long been accredited for legitimizing the White Sox baseball franchise. With a .301 career batting average, 2,468 hits, and an impressive 521 home runs, Thomas has definitely left his mark on the MLB record books. His most notable accomplishment came from his staggering home run record. His menacing swing denotes his famous nickname “The Big Hurt.” Thomas’ was ranked as the third player in MLB history to hit more than 500 career home runs.

    Thomas recently shared his sentiments of the esteemed honor on a conference call. He said that the honor “an incredible time for me and my family. I’m overjoyed, overwhelmed. It’s been an overwhelming day, but I’m just so happy and proud right now, and thank you all.”

    The Chicago White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf released a laudatory statement in reference to Thomas’ commendable feat.

    Reinsdorf’s statement read, ““Congratulations to Frank Thomas on today’s first-ballot election to Baseball’s Hall of Fame. Induction into Cooperstown is the game’s greatest honor, and to see Frank’s plaque placed alongside baseball’s other outstanding hitters brings his White Sox career full circle.  Frank is the greatest offensive player in White Sox history, a line drive hitter and on-base machine in a slugger’s body,” said Reinsdorf.

    “He now deservedly joins baseball royalty like Babe Ruth, Ted Williams and Hank Aaron, as well as Sox legends like Louie (Aparicio), Nellie (Fox) and Luke (Appling), in Cooperstown.  To have had the opportunity to see his career begin in 1990 and then end in the Hall of Fame has been a special privilege for me and for many with the White Sox, including so many fans who witnessed his greatness firsthand. Frank should be very proud today, celebrating along with his family, friends, teammates and every Sox fan who had the chance to cheer for The Big Hurt.”

    However, the congratulatory responses didn’t stop there. Former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen also tweeted his praises of Thomas.

    https://twitter.com/OzzieGuillen/statuses/420998466643722241

    https://twitter.com/OzzieGuillen/statuses/420998576735797248

    Image via Wikimedia Commons | Frank Thomas