Yanks' Strawberry has colon cancer

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Posted: Thursday October 01, 1998 10:40 PM

In his third year with the Yankees, Strawberry hit .247 with 24 homers and 57 RBIs in just 295 at-bats AP

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Darryl Strawberry learned Thursday he has a cancerous tumor in his colon and he will undergo surgery this weekend -- possibly as early as Saturday.

The 36-year-old outfielder, whose career has been beset by personal problems and injuries, did not travel with the Yankees, staying in New York for tests at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.

"Because of the location and his good health, prognosis for a full recovery is excellent," Yankees spokesman Rick Cerrone said.

Yankees manager Joe Torre closed the clubhouse before practice for an impromptu team meeting, then delayed his scheduled news conference.

Players went through pre-workout stretching in virtual silence. Torre joined them late, walking onto the field slowly and quietly.

Colon Cancer Facts Colon cancer is the second-leading cancer killer in America. Still, most people know little about the disease. Only 7 percent of colon cancers occur before age 50, but "high-risk" candidates: • have a family history of colon cancer; • prior experience of cancer or precursor neoplastic polyps; • a history of chronic digestive disease condition; • the presence of any appropriate gene markers for colorectal cancer; • or other predisposing factors. For more information on colon cancer, visit The American Cancer Society

David Cone, already saddened by Wednesday's death of former Kansas City teammate Dan Quisenberry, said the team was "extremely worried" about Strawberry.

"It supersedes baseball," said Cone, who will start Game 3 against Texas on Friday night.

"It shakes you up. He's of our leaders, a well-respected veteran who is part of the personality of our team," said Cone, a teammate of Strawberry on the New York Mets in the 1980s. "He symbolizes the resilience of our team, all that he's been through in his career and his life."

Tino Martinez said the Strawberry situation is 'a little nerve-wracking.'

"He's a big part of our team, a great guy and great friends with everyone here," Martinez said. "He didn't let anybody in on anything. He didn't say anything about it until the last couple of days."

Strawberry, who has had stomach pain, spoke with his boyhood friend, Orioles outfielder Eric Davis, when the Yankees were in Baltimore last month.

Davis, who returned from colon cancer surgery in 1997 to lead Baltimore to the AL playoffs, said the first symptom of his illness was severe stomach pain, and that prompted Strawberry to seek medical attention.

"I think the fact he's so close to Eric Davis will help," Cone said. "In some way, Eric having been through this may help Darryl. I think what happened to Eric raised Darryl's awareness level. He wanted to go get it checked out."

Strawberry, who has overcome a cocaine addiction, was one of the Yankees' top power hitters this season, batting .247 with 24 homers and 57 RBIs in 295 at-bats, primarily as a designated hitter against right-handed pitchers. The homers tied Paul O'Neill for the third most on the team behind Tino Martinez (28) and Bernie Williams (26).  

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