Stars Whove Fought Cancer
Red Sox color commentator and former Major League player Remy is taking a leave of absence from the broadcast booth while he battles cancer. Click through to see other sports figures have fought cancer.
Michael Dwyer, AP
Golf legend Seve Ballesteros was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in the right side of his brain in 2008. He underwent several rounds of chemotherapy and had four surgeries.
Marca.com
UConn basketball coach Jim Calhoun underwent 33 radiation sessions last year to battle skin cancer. In 2003, Calhoun was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent surgery to have it removed. Calhoun will be coaching in his third Final Four this coming Saturday.
Ned Dishman, Getty Images
Lance Armstrong survived his bout with testicular cancer and went on to win seven consecutive Tour de France titles. Armstrong is now making a comeback to chase his eighth crown.
Peter Dejong, AP
Former Olympic figure skater Dorothy Hamill announced in January 2008 that she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
Less than two months after his surgery for thyroid cancer, Diamondbacks pitcher Doug Davis made a triumphant return to the mound on May 23, 2008, giving up only one run in seven innings.
John Bazemore, AP
Hall of Fame basketball coach Chuck Daly is being treated for pancreatic cancer. Daly, who coached the Pistons to NBA championships in 1989 and 1990, also led America's 'Dream Team' to gold at the 1992 Olympics.
Mark Duncan, AP
Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson is undergoing treatment for melanoma.
Drew Hallowell, Getty Images
Three-time NHL coach of the year Pat Burns said in January that he has been diagnosed with lung cancer. It is the third time he has had cancer.
Richard Wolowicz, Getty Images
Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester underwent treatment for a form lymphoma in late 2006, which is now in remission. Lester went on to win the clinching game of the 2007 World Series for the Red Sox and hurled a no-hitter against the Royals in 2008.
Charles Krupa, AP
Remy missed a handful of spring training games this March as he recuperated from the procedure and has been absent from the broadcast booth since April 30 after being diagnosed with pneumonia, but the specifics of his illness were undisclosed until Wednesday.
"I hope that disclosing my bout with cancer will reinforce the dangers of smoking to every member of Red Sox Nation, especially children," said Remy, who joined the network in 1988 and has teamed with play-by-play announcer Don Orsillo since 2001.Remy is just as much, if not more, of a Red Sox icon as any current player, and his in-game fits of laughter with play-by-play man Don Orsillo have become familiar to fans across the region. Given his raspy cough and baritone voice during those fits, it can't come as much of a surprise that he is a former smoker to people that didn't already know.
Booth hysterics aside, Remy is also one of the better team-specific color guys in baseball, and a bit of a rock star in Red Sox Nation, with his own hot dog stand -- the aptly named RemDawgs -- outside Fenway Park, and scores of fan-made signs to be found at every Red Sox game, home or away, with messages directed toward him.
Dennis Eckersley and Dave Roberts are expected to fill in for Remy in the NESN booth for the time being.
Latest Baseball Images
Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez, right, is congratulated by manager Clint Hurdle, center, as catcher Yorvit Torrealba looks on as Jimenez is pulled from the game in the eighth inning of the Rockies' 11-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants in a baseball game in Denver on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval, left, applies a late tag to Colorado Rockies' Seth Smith as he slides into third base with an RBi triple in the eighth inning of the Rockies' 11-1 victory in a baseball game in Denver on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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San Francisco Giants' Pablo Sandoval pounds his helmet on the ground after flying out to end the eighth inning of the Colorado Rockies' 11-1 victory over the Giants in a baseball game in Denver on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cesar Izturis (3) chases Minnesota Twins' Nick Punto (8) in a run down between first and second during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 6, 2009, in Baltimore. Punto was safe at first on the play. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
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New York Yankees bench coach Tony Pena, left, pitching coach Dave Eiland, and manager Joe Girardi watch during the Yankees 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in a bseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Wednesday, May 6, 2009. The Yankees fell below .500 with this loss to the Rays. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
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Milwaukee Brewers' Ryan Braun hits a grand slam off Cincinnati Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo in the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 6, 2009, in Cincinnati. Milwaukee won the game 15-3. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
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Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Troy Percival winds up in the bottom of the 10th inniing in their 4-3 baseball victory over the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York, Wednesday, May 6, 2009. Percival earned the save in the game. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
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Colorado Rockies' Todd Helton, right, follows the flight of his solo home run as San Francisco Giants catcher Steve Holm looks on in the seventh inning of the Rockies' 11-1 victory in a baseball game in Denver on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Conor Jackson dives to make the stop on a single hit by the San Diego Padres' Henry Blanco during the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 6, 2009 in San Diego. Blanco was safe at first. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
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Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez, top right, is congratulated as he returns to the dugout after being pulled in the eighth inning of the Rockies' 11-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants in a baseball game in Denver on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-06-2009 @ 8:54PM
teenagerinsac said...
Yes.. the Big C comes from Winston, Salem, Kool, Lucky Strike, etc.
Too bad my 2 dead sisters can't help Rem Dawg spread the word about smoking to kids.. My sisters started puffing at 13, one died at 49, the other at 58.... So much for peer pressure, 1950's style :( Thanks
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5-06-2009 @ 9:57PM
nathalia said...
omg i didnt knew this.....this really sux..im so use2 turning on da tv nd hearing him nd don ...nd remy always saying buenas noches amigos....i hope he gets better...nd i hope he knows dat all of us who love him will b their 2 help him spread da word....love u jerry :)
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5-07-2009 @ 8:14AM
Hugh said...
Nathalia, what is this crap? You call that English? Are you just too lazy to type the "a" in front of "nd"? Or, just too stupid?
5-08-2009 @ 1:46PM
agranon2 said...
Learn how to spell idiot.
5-06-2009 @ 10:15PM
BabeRuth said...
Hate the RedSox,but hope the best for Jerry.Come back soon Rem
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5-06-2009 @ 10:55PM
Goldie said...
Oh Remdawg....say it ain't so!!! We are SO missing you in the NESN booth! Eck and Dave(Thank you!) Roberts are ok w/Don Orsillo but THEY ARE NOT YOU! You take care of yourself and beat this thing so you can come back to inform us and make us guffaw w/ laughter thru the long innings.
Buenos Tardes Amigo!!!!!!!
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5-06-2009 @ 11:23PM
Brian said...
I was shocked and sorry to hear about Jerry Remy's lung cancer diagnosis. Even though I'm a Yankee fan, no one likes to hear things like this. I hope Mr. Remy bounces back from this recent setback and is back in the broadcasting booth. Get well soon!
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5-07-2009 @ 10:29AM
heartwater said...
well said Brian, even though Ur a Spanks fan(lol)
5-07-2009 @ 10:21AM
bearlypeg said...
tell jerry that I miss him .Iam just an old lady from Rockport ma. But hes the one that makes the Red SOX for me...........
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5-07-2009 @ 10:27AM
heartwater said...
Get well soon, your in my thoughts, We miss You
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5-07-2009 @ 10:54AM
thomas c davis said...
Whenever I had the opportunity to be in the Boston area during the baseball season, I would always listen to the Red Sox broadcast, and it was with much joy and laughter, listening to Mr. Remy. My thoughts, hopes, and prayers, are with Mr. Remy today, in his battle to defeat this horrible disease.
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5-07-2009 @ 11:09AM
valerie1680 said...
your paranoid, get on some new meds you idiot
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5-07-2009 @ 11:45AM
paul said...
I was a freshman at Somerset High when you were a senior . I never got to know you but I do remember you and only wish for a speedy and full recovery!
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5-07-2009 @ 1:08PM
Kathleen said...
Fenway stands as one to wish our amigo Jerry a swift recovery and return to the booth.
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5-08-2009 @ 7:15AM
ernie said...
I think Rem just doesntwant to be the center of attention during this time. Getting his head together and letting the game move on. who knows? He could be back in a month. I really hate the way the news always adds that he was a smoker when they announced his sickness. At least he isn't a drug addict or whatever. He's a strong guy , he doesn't want people to feel sorry for him
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5-08-2009 @ 7:18AM
mikey m said...
obviously by my screenname you can tell who i root for but let me teell everybody that whenever i got the chance to listen to jerry i would- even if it meant watching a sox game instead of the yankees- i have the greatest respect for the man and i love his fierce devotion to his team.
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5-08-2009 @ 7:25AM
shaikiss3 said...
sad to hear. hope he gets enough rest and recovers well. my grandfather died from lung cancer. horrible...he was diagnosed and died like 6 months later. cancer kills so many lives. it's time for a cure.
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5-08-2009 @ 7:45AM
Sandy said...
Come back soon, Jerry. Wally looks sad without you. Watching the Sox games without you and Don is just not the same. You ARE Red Sox Nation and we miss you, Dawg...
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5-08-2009 @ 8:49AM
Da Gimp said...
As a longtime member of Red Sox Nation I am saddened to learn that Rem-Dawg isn't doing well. I hope that he comes back quick and healthy, AND continues to promote just how BAD smoking is. To kids and adults alike. Best wishes Jerry. Hurry back. Don won't be the same broadcaster without you.
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5-08-2009 @ 9:23AM
checkportorange said...
Hang in there Jerry! Even though I'm a Yankee fan, I used to watch NESN when I lived in Connecticut. You were a pleasure to watch as a player, and a pleasure to watch & listen to as a broadcaster. The prayers of all baseball fans are with you and your family.
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