The Boston Red Sox got some heartbreaking news when manager John Farrell announced that he has been diagnosed with Stage 1 lymphoma.
John Farrell has been diagnosed with Stage 1 lymphoma. He will begin chemotherapy next week. Torey Lovullo will manage the rest of the way.
— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) August 14, 2015
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The mere whisper of the word cancer is enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine, but an optimistic Farrell stood confidently before reporters in a press conference to assure us all that he is determined to beat this disease, which he called both treatable and curable.
Farrell revealed that he found out about the condition on Monday when he had hernia surgery in Detroit. He called the last few days a surreal experience as he began to cope with his reality, but the silver lining is that by having surgery for an unrelated issue he was fortunate enough for the lymphoma to be detected before it progressed any further.
Treatment will begin on Monday, with Farrell expected to undergo 9 weeks of chemo therapy. He will miss the remainder of the season, but hopes to rejoin the Red Sox in spring training next year if the treatment goes well.
Torey Lovullo will take over as manager of the Red Sox for the remainder of the season.
Farrell appeared poised and strong as he spoke to the media, but chocked up a bit when he discussed how meaningful the support of his players has been. The hardest part of all of this he says is that he won’t get to be around this team on a daily basis. Baseball has been a huge part of his life for decades and this disease is pulling him away from it.
Farrell's voice cracked upon initially announcing news. Got emotional again when he talked about telling players. Otherwise, strong. #RedSox
— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) August 14, 2015
Several members of the Red Sox expressed their sympathy, with the veterans appearing particularly distraught over the news.
"“Your heart just stops,” said second baseman Dustin Pedroia. “Obviously anyone in that room would do anything for John.”"
The Farrell family is no stranger to facing this illness. His son Luke, a pitcher in the Royals system, beat cancer when he was in high school. Farrell knows this horrible disease can be overcome and is prepared to do what it takes to recover and get back to baseball.
The Red Sox organization has been down this road before too. Farrell was in his first year as the pitching coach here in Boston in 2007 when a young Jon Lester was making his way back from treatments for Lymphoma.
Some things are just bigger than baseball. While we all want to see Farrell return to the Red Sox dugout, his priority now is on his health. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back next season.
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