Mancini entered HR Derby to show 'there's life after' cancer, chemo

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Trey Mancini will be swinging for far more than just the fences when he steps up to the plate in next month's Home Run Derby.

Mancini, who survived colon cancer last year, accepted an invitation to participate in the Derby at Coors Field to try to inspire others who are battling the disease.

"The biggest reason why I wanted to do it was to show people that there's life after a cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy," Mancini said Tuesday, according to Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun. "I was in a hospital last year, 12 times, for three or four hours at a time getting infused with chemo drugs. I want those people who are going through that right now to know that you can get through it and still live a normal life and try and compete after that. So more importantly, it's kind of a duty that I feel to them as well."

Last spring, doctors discovered a malignant tumor in Mancini's colon. He had surgery to remove the tumor but still required six months of chemotherapy and missed the 2020 season.

After being declared cancer-free in November, the 29-year-old reported to this year's camp in good health. He was in the Orioles' Opening Day lineup and has appeared in all but three of their 80 games, hitting 14 homers with a .789 OPS.

"What he's done so far this year has been beyond unbelievable," Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said.

Mancini doesn't think the toll of participating in the Derby will hurt him, saying that he "feel(s) good physically" and likely won't need the full All-Star week off before the second half.