On March 7, 2020 Trey Mancini left the Baltimore Orioles Spring Training facility to have a non-baseball medical procedure. Five days later it was revealed that the then 28-year old had a malignant tumor removed from his colon. Just a month later, Mancini was diagnosed with colon cancer and would have to miss the season to have his chemotherapy treatments. By November, Mancini was cancer free and ready to play again for the Baltimore Orioles for the 2021 season.
Trey Mancini was back in the lineup for the Orioles first Spring Training game in March. The former outfielder even made the switch to first base to help him get back on the field. #16 would make the Orioles final roster and start Opening Day. In his return to Baltimore, Mancini received a standing ovation before his first at bat. Teams and their fans have welcomed back Mancini as he makes his way back to every MLB stadium.
If that was your happy ending, then what’s happened since is a fairy tale. In May, Trey Mancini led all of Major League Baseball in RBIs. He has been hitting so well this year, .258/14/52, that the MLB sent an invitation for the Home Run Derby. Mancini accepted to become the 4th player confirmed for the event. He is hoping to have a great performance July 12 at Coors Field.
When Mancini reveled that he had cancer, I hated it and was worried for him as a person. I would never wish cancer on anyone, I have lost family members to it and know how much it sucks. For Trey to not only beat it, but come back and play at the level he is, that’s amazing. I know he is an in-division rival, but I can’t help but to root for the guy. Come July 12, he may be the guy I want to win the Derby.