Mike Schmidt, former Phillies slugger, says he battled Stage 3 melanoma

Former Phillies slugger Mike Schmidt said Sunday he underwent chemotherapy and radiation last year to treat stage-3 melanoma.

The Hall of Famer said he was diagnosed with the cancer in August and recent scans show he is cancer free, CBS Sports reported.

Schmidt said he was diagnosed when he went to a dermatologist to inquire about a spot he noticed on his hand.

"Obviously the moral of the story is, everybody, get your skin checked. I think at least once a month, now that I know what I know. I caught it early. If I hadn't gone into see my dermatologist in late August, I might still have it. It might be more than Stage 3. Even though that was a tough couple months, I'm a very lucky man," he said.

“I had been in chemo-infusion centers sitting in a chair with a needle in my hand with people that are dying all around me,” Schmidt added. “I was hoping I would never see anything like that. But it became normal for more, for over a month.”

The treatment didn't prevent the 64-year-old from handling his normal duties as a spring training guest instructor this year.

[CBS Sports]