Daulton gets encouraging news in cancer fight

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Another catcher reported to the Phillies' camp Sunday morning and even though he will be unable to help the rebuilding process on the field, Darren Daulton was still the most welcome sight on these premises since spring training opened Thursday.

That's especially true because he came bearing good news at a time when his former team could use it. After visiting his oncologist for an MRI examination in Florida, Daulton tweeted this on Thursday: "I'm incredibly blessed to have a clean scan. Thank u to all of u for the continued support. I'm doing well and feeling great #RightOnFightOn."

Here's what that means in the simplest terms: Daulton is beating brain cancer.

"I just got an MRI this last week and I'm doing great," the three-time all-star said after watching the Phillies take batting practice at Bright House Field. "When the doctor walks in and opens the door and he starts smiling, then everything is cool. I can do whatever I want. Everybody has been great."

Given his past, we should not be surprised by this news. When Daulton played, he was the fightin' in the Fightin' Phils. He had nine knee surgeries during his playing career and just as many lives.

"He was over my house the other day," Phillies bench coach Larry Bowa said. "He looks good. He really looks good. I told him he's got to show up more. He feels funny about it."

Daulton, 53, has an open invitation from the Phillies to join them as one of the many on-field instructors during spring training. He lives on Clearwater Beach and still loves baseball, but even with his clean bill of health he is reluctant to put on a uniform and teach the younger players.

"I still have problems talking," he said.

Those problems were barely noticeable Sunday, which was not the case in the months after he had a 71/2-hour surgery to remove two brain tumors in July 2013.

"If I get tired, then I have problems," Daulton said. "But I feel good. I've been working out a lot."

Daulton looked great. He spent a good portion of batting practice talking to former teammate Mike Schmidt, who appears to be winning a cancer battle of his own. Schmidt revealed last year in spring training that he was being treated for stage 3 skin cancer, but he is a full-time hitting instructor at this camp after forgoing that role even in a limited fashion last year during spring training.

"Well, I'll show up," Daulton said when asked about being an instructor. "I don't know if I need a uniform. But after talking to Michael, [spring training] is a part of the season. It's fun. Everything has changed over. I really enjoy baseball still and it's fun to be around."

Daulton's battle with cancer is a reminder that there are a lot more important things in life than whether your favorite team is rebuilding or ready to win the World Series. His presence at the ballpark Sunday, however, was also a reminder of how much the game means to the men who have played it.

Regardless of his speech problems, Daulton has so much wisdom to impart about the game of baseball and life. If he just told his story of perseverance during his playing career and in his battle against cancer, it would serve as a great message for the young players who are bound to encounter difficult times during this rebuilding season.

Daulton said his main goal now is to share his story with other cancer patients.

"I've been hanging out with a lot of people from Philadelphia that have similar problems," Daulton said. "It just happens and it happens to different people. I just try to say the right things. There have been a couple that have passed away. It would be nice if everybody didn't have to deal with this cancer situation."

Cancer has hit the Phillies' family hard in the last decade. Tug McGraw died from brain cancer in 2004 and John Vukovich died from brain cancer in 2007. Team chairman David Montgomery spent last season recovering from cancer of the jawbone. McGraw and Vukovich had some good years after initially being diagnosed with cancer and Bowa believes that's because they were fighters.

"When I talk about Tug and Vuke, those two guys were mentally tough and really fought," Bowa said. "Dutch is the same way. You've got some mental toughness there that they don't give in no matter what the odds are. I guess Dutch from what I gather has gone through some experimental stuff that has worked well for him. I know he has a great attitude."

Daulton said he will continue to undergo MRI examinations, but otherwise he is living life to its fullest.

"I guess that's the only way I roll," he said. "I'm one of those guys that always says, 'I'm OK.' "

And the fact that he is OK will stand as the best news from this Phillies spring training regardless of what else happens.

@brookob