9/01/2006 05:46:00 PM|||Ryan Armbrust|||
While I normally cover issues affecting the A's on this site, I do, of course, watch what's happening around the league.
There has been some speculation on the health issues facing Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester as of late, including this bit by David Pinto this morning. Pinto questions the report due, in large part, to Curt Schilling's always flapping lips, but there is more than a shred of truth to the rumor.
Just a little bit ago, the Lester family released a statement confirming that Jon does in fact have "a treatable form of anaplastic large cell lymphoma."
From the Lester family:
BOSTON -- The Lester family has asked the Red Sox to release the following statement:
Jon Lester has been diagnosed with a treatable form of anaplastic large cell lymphoma and will begin treatment within the coming week.
Jon and his family wish to thank all those involved in his care at Massachusetts General Hospital. Our gratitude also extends to the Red Sox organization which has provided Jon and his family much needed support during this ordeal.
We ask that you respect our need for privacy during this difficult time.
Something like this draws attention to the fact that baseball is, in fact, just a game, and when a player has a serious health issue such as this, we should all forget our team alliances and pray for his recovery.
For those wishing to know more about the disease, here are a couple helpful medical links:
Wikipedia link
UK Cancer site
lymphoma info|||115715153261760761|||Jon Lester has Lymphoma