One of the best stories in baseball this year continues to get better.
Orioles first baseman Trey Mancini, playing in his first season since being diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer last year, will participate in the 2021 Home Run Derby at Coors Field on July 12.
Mancini, 29, did not play at all last year after his diagnosis in the spring, which required the removal of a malignant tumor from his colon and chemotherapy.
The first baseman was unsure whether or not he would ever play baseball again when his treatment began.
Yet, Mancini returned this year — receiving standing ovations from Orioles fans in spring training and at Camden Yards — and ought to hear a hearty ovation from baseball fans at Coors Field in a couple of weeks.
Mancini is putting together a respectable 2021 season, too. He is hitting .256/.332/.460/.792 with 14 home runs and 52 RBI in 75 games this year.
In fact, Mancini’s 52 runs batted in are tied for eighth in the American League entering Sunday.
Of course, winning the Home Run Derby would be the icing on the cake of an incredible comeback story, but the fact Mancini is playing and good enough to be there is a feel-good story in itself.
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