VIDEO: 1495Sports Journalist Johnny Venezia did a Zoom Interview with Baltimore Orioles Outfielder/First Baseman Trey Mancini about his battle with Colon Cancer and what the future holds.
Orioles’ stud, Trey Mancini, enjoyed a breakout 2019 season. A campaign that saw him hit a cool .291 and crush 35 long balls, while scoring 106 times and driving in 91 runs. Things were certainly looking up for Mancini, looking to cash in on a long-term contract. However, the good times he relished during that season took a turn when the calendar struck 2020.
Much like the entire world’s 2020, it’s been an absolute disaster. For Mancini, though, this year was especially difficult for him amid the pandemic, because now he wasn’t battling just COVID-19, he was fighting for his life after a diagnosis of Stage 3 Colon Cancer back in March.
The breakout Oriole quickly had a new challenge in life:
“To have something like cancer suddenly just completely dominating every other thought that was going through my head was … something I never thought I’d ever experience,” Mancini said. “I’ve just had to quickly accept this as my new reality. And I have a new challenge ahead of me now: Rather than facing Gerrit Cole on Opening Day, I’m going to have to go through chemo.”
Back in March, the 28- year- old underwent a successful surgery to remove a malignant tumor on his colon, which led to eradicating the rest with chemotherapy in April. The physical and mental toll a process like this takes on a person is unimaginable unless you’ve been through it before, but Trey found a way to stay positive throughout.
Here are some questions and answers from a Zoom Session that was held with Mancini recently:
Q: What has been your mindset throughout this whole experience, …..especially knowing so many people are behind you?
A: It’s been hitting through every day. You have your good days and bad days. That’s what everybody I talked to said before I started chemo and had my surgery said. ….Don’t get too high on good days, or too down on bad days and make your outlook a lot worse. You have to make it through the next, and I did that. And honestly, it flew by. I thought it was going to be the longest 6 months imaginable, but luckily I have the greatest support system. Sara took care of me every day, and just made my life so much easier. I am forever grateful to her for that.”
Q: Describe that feeling you had when the Orioles sent you the team picture where all the players signed a personal message for you.
A: It was amazing especially because I wasn’t allowed around the stadium for obvious reasons, so it was really tough to be away from the guys. I’ve never gone through a season where I wasn’t playing baseball or a part of a team or having the comradery everyday with those guys. To get that picture and see what they did for me throughout the year and ended on signing that picture is something I’m so grateful for.”
Q: What’s the schedule for you to start ramping up training into game shape if you are indeed 100% cleared for 2021?
A: Not long at all. When I get there in February, I really think everybody will look at me and think nothing has happened. It’s something I’m inspired by. Ever since I finished chemo, it’s been a huge milestone for me, and all my attention turned back towards baseball. I’m pretty confident in the work I’ve been doing that I’m ready to go and have another good year next year.
The team fans raised $80,000 dollars for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.
Assuming he returns for 2021, Mancini, owed $4.8 million dollars, provides a strong boost to one of the worst teams in the MLB for the past four seasons.
For more information on the Baltimore Orioles fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:
