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Home Run Derby: Orioles’ Trey Mancini Defying the Odds

By Robert Sobus Jr. |
Jun 20, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles dugout reacts as first baseman Trey Mancini (16) rounds the bases on his first inning home run against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 20, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles dugout reacts as first baseman Trey Mancini (16) rounds the bases on his first inning home run against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Trey Mancini is less than two years removed from having surgery due to a cancer diagnosis. Despite this, he has defied the odds to reach MLB’s Home Run Derby

Baltimore Orioles outfielder/first baseman Trey Mancini has become the heart of Baltimore. Mancini is a favorite among fans in Charm City and has been one of the more impressive Orioles’ this season. When Major League Baseball extended Mancini an invite to this year’s Home Run Derby, he gladly accepted.

While Mancini, 29, is performing well with the Orioles, nobody would have been surprised if the star first baseman chose to sit this season out entirely. That is because in April 2020, after a routine physical at the start of Spring Training, Mancini was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer. The diagnosis forced Mancini to focus on his health and to miss the shortened 2020 MLB season.

Trey Mancini defied the odds in his F16ht

Less than a week later after receiving the diagnosis, Mancini underwent surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in downtown Baltimore to remove a malignant tumor in his colon. The surgery was successful. In November, Mancini reported that he showed no signs of tumor DNA in his blood work. Mancini was cancer-free.

The road to recovery was going to be lengthy, but one Mancini proved he could handle.

A triumphant return

After months of rehab and over a year removed from baseball, Mancini joined the Orioles in Sarasota for the team’s first Spring Training game of 2021. Fans and players in attendance gave Mancini a standing ovation as he walked from the dugout to home plate.

At no surprise, Mancini made the Opening Day lineup. After playing the first six games on the road, Mancini returned to Baltimore. The crowd let Mancini knew how special he was to the city.

Not only did Mancini return to the diamond, but he has played incredibly well also. So far this season, Mancini has a .254 BA, 15 home runs, 53 RBIs, a .782 OPS, and a .453 SLG in 81 games played. Mancini has earned his spot in the Home Run Derby after the way he has performed this season.

Trey Mancini was given a curveball in 2020. He made sure to knock it out of the park in 2021.

Next. Cedric Mullins’ ASG Starting Lineup Snub the Worst in MLB. dark

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