Stay in the
Game!
21
By Michael Griffin
Over the course of his 18-year career in baseball’s major
league, Mike Schmidt stepped into the batter’s box over
10,000 times to face an enemy: the opposing pitcher. Each
time he got into his hitter’s stance, he struck fear into that
pitcher; yet a dread also lurked deep in the back of Schmidt’s
mind — he faced danger from pitches traveling at speeds
upward of 90 miles per hour. A ball could sail wide or tail in,
hitting him and possibly injuring him badly.
The Philadelphia Phillies third baseman also accepted that an
opposing hitter could hit a screaming line drive his way while
fielding his position. Though he relied on his reflexes, third
base is known as the “hot corner” for a reason. Despite the
perils of baseballs causing injury, Schmidt accepted the risk
as part of the deal necessary to play the game.
However, another foe actually caused him damage whenever
he played a day game. People who watched Schmidt play
might remember his leathery skin and nearly perpetual
tan — acquired through time as a lifeguard and ballplayer.
Wary of pitched and batted balls, the avowed sun-worshiper
never knew that its rays were his worst enemies.
Schmidt didn’t learn until years later that his seasons in the
sun had robbed him of more than hits or victories. He’d
lost his health! Diagnosed with late-stage melanoma, this
baseball Hall of Famer was a battler who responded well to
treatment. Now this famous batter is doing his best to pitch
sun-protection.
The avowed sun-worshiper never knew that
its rays were his worst enemies
During Schmidt’s time in the big leagues (1972-1989), pregame
preparation never included conversations in the
clubhouse about skin cancer. In an e-mail interview, Schmidt
recalled “no discussion about skin cancer or use of sunscreen.”
Continued on p22