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Tag: Phillies

  • 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

  • Michael Young Retires After 14 Years

    Michael Young announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on Friday afternoon at the Rangers Ball Park in Arlington.

    Young played for the Texas Rangers from 2000 to 2012. His struggles in the 2012 season led the Rangers to trade him to the Philadelphia Phillies in December of that year.

    In August 2013, Young was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

    In both cases, Young waived his no-trade clause in order to allow the trades to be made.

    Over the past few weeks, rumors of his retirement had been circulating. On Friday, Young confirmed that he would indeed retire versus remaining with the Dodgers or signing with a new team.

    Young had nothing but good to say about the Rangers. He said he loved Los Angeles and Philadelphia, but called the time in Texas 13 of the best years of his life.

    Post by Texas Rangers.

    The 37 year-old said he was confident, stubborn, immature and had a lot to learn when he came to the Rangers at the age of 23.

    “I figured it all out here,” Young said.

    “There wasn’t a day went by that I didn’t feel like I was valued. That may sound like a small thing, but to a baseball player, that’s a big deal … Even when we hit some bumps in the road here, at no point did I feel like I wasn’t valued,” he continued.

    “Everything that happened here in Texas made me a better person.”

    Young called Rangers manager Ron Washington the “best in the business.” He said the two have always enjoyed a “fantastic, honest relationship.”

    Post by Texas Rangers.

    Washington returned the praise, calling Young the ultimate team leader. He told the gathered press that Young was a “person that came to the ballpark every single day and performed to the best of his ability … the things that he was taught, he was not afraid to pass it on.”

    “Character to me overrides everything,” Washington said. “If you look up character in the dictionary, I think you’ll see Michael Young’s face there.”

    Several questions at the press conference involved Young’s plans for the future.

    Young said that baseball is “in his blood” and he’d like to return to the game in some capacity. When asked if he was interested in becoming a manager, Young replied “Managing is not in my plans.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Philadelphia Phillies Announcers Are Stepping Down

    The Phillies have signed a new contract with NBCUniversal and Comcast SportsNet that is supposedly worth $2.5 billion over 25 years. According to the Associated Press, the network has made the decision for broadcaster Chris Wheeler and color analyst Gary Mathews to step down from their current positions.

    The team released the following statement:

    As the longest-tenured member of the Phillies broadcasting team, Chris Wheeler will return to his club roots after stepping down from his role as a Phillies broadcaster. With 37 years of broadcasting experience, combined with his front office background where he began his Phillies career, ‘Wheels’ will take on a new role allowing the organization to continue to benefit from his knowledge, experience and dedication to the game. Additionally, Gary Matthews will continue to work with the Phillies bringing his exceptional background as a major league ballplayer, broadcaster and commenter to new roles at the Phillies.

    Wheeler says that he is excited for the new role that he will be taking on. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to be a part of the Phillies broadcast team for 37 years,” Wheeler said in a statement. “I certainly respect the decision that was made and I look forward to my new role in the Phillies organization.”

    Mathews had a similar reaction, and says that he is excited to be staying with the Phillies. “I enjoy working for the Phillies and want to retire as a Phillie,” Matthews said. “This is a great opportunity for me to remain in the area and also do my charity work.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons