Former New York Yankees great Mel Stottlemyre 'fighting for his life'

Mel Stottlemyre, the former New York Yankees pitcher who later coached the team's pitching staff during four World Series championship seasons, is in the hospital "fighting for his life," according to his son Todd.

The 75-year-old Stottlemyre announced in 2000 that he had multiple myeloma, a form of bone marrow cancer.

"Calling all prayer warriors during this holiday season," Todd Stottlemyre posted on his Facebook page on Friday. "My father is in the hospital fighting for his life. He has battled cancer for 16 years. He is the greatest champion that I have ever met. I'm praying hard for you Dad. I love you pops. Please lock arms with me and pray for all of our loved ones who are fighting."

Mel Stottlemyre was a three-time 20-game winner for the Yankees and a five-time All-Star. He played 11 seasons in New York from 1964 to 1974, and compiled a career record of 164-139 with a 2.97 ERA in 360 games, all with the Yankees.

Stottlemyre was the Yankees' pitching coach for four World Series titles (1996, 1998-2000) and also was the pitching coach on the New York Mets' 1986 world championship team.

The Yankees honored Stottlemyre with a plaque in Yankee Stadium's Monument Park on Old Timers Day in June 2015.

Stottlemyre, after getting his doctor's permission, traveled to Yankee Stadium from his home in Seattle to receive the honor.

"Today in this Stadium, there is no one that's happier to be on this field than myself," Stottlemyre said that day, fighting back tears in an emotional speech some compared to Lou Gehrig's 1939 address. "This is such a shock to me because the era I played in is an era where, for the most part, the Yankees have tried over the years, I think, somewhat to forget a little bit. ... If I never get to come to another Old Timers Day, I will take these memories and I'll start another baseball club, coaching up there, wherever they need me."