PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla., March 27 (UPI) -- New York Mets coach Don Baylor has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow, but is expected to remain with the team.
Baylor, 53, is scheduled to undergo four consecutive days of oral and intravenous chemotherapy during the Mets' first homestand of the regular season, which begins Monday against the Chicago Cubs in New York.
"I know what I have to do and I plan to do it," said Baylor, who is in his first season with the Mets. "One thing for certain, I don't plan to miss any games. I'll get my chemo done and go to work."
The cancer, which is an overgrowth of abnormal white blood cells, is the same type that affected New York Yankees pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre.
"Multiple myeloma presents with different degrees of severity," said Mets consulting team physician Dr. John Olichney. "I am encouraged that Don's myeloma is a type that is prognostically favorable."
Doctors determined an abnormal monoclonal protein during Baylor's spring training physical. A bone marrow exam on March 12 in New York revealed that Baylor had multiple myeloma.
Baylor, who is the Mets bench coach, was fired as manager of the Cubs on July 4 after posting a 187-220 record. He also served as manager of the Colorado Rockies from the team's inaugural 1993 season through the 1998 campaign.
Baylor is part of the new staff assembled by first-year manager Art Howe.
