By Michael Griffin

Over the course of his 18-year career in baseball’s major league, Mike Schmidt stepped into the batter’s box over 10,000 times to face an enemy: the opposing pitcher. Each time he got into his hitter’s stance, he struck fear into that pitcher; yet a dread also lurked deep in the back of Schmidt’s mind — he faced danger from pitches traveling at speeds upward of 90 miles per hour. A ball could sail wide or tail in, hitting him and possibly injuring him badly.

The Philadelphia Phillies third baseman also accepted that an opposing hitter could hit a screaming line drive his way while fielding his position. Though he relied on his reflexes, third base is known as the “hot corner” for a reason. Despite the perils of baseballs causing injury, Schmidt accepted the risk as part of the deal necessary to play the game.

However, another foe actually caused him damage whenever he played a day game.  People who watched Schmidt play might remember his leathery skin and nearly perpetual tan — acquired through time as a lifeguard and ballplayer. Wary of pitched and batted balls, the avowed sun-worshiper never knew that its rays were his worst enemies.

Schmidt didn’t learn until years later that his seasons in the sun had robbed him of more than hits or victories. He’d lost his health! Diagnosed with late-stage melanoma, this baseball Hall of Famer was a battler who responded well to treatment. Now this famous batter is doing his best to pitch sun-protection.

During Schmidt’s time in the big leagues (1972-1989), pre-game preparation never included conversations in the clubhouse about skin cancer. In an e-mail interview, Schmidt recalled “no discussion about skin cancer or use of sunscreen.”

Life after baseball still didn’t include sun and skin awareness. When he retired in 1989, he bought a 43-foot Wellcraft Portifino, spending as much time as he could on the water in Florida (he now has a Viking and spends time golfing as well).

It wasn’t until 2013 when he discovered he was gravely ill that Schmidt and his doctors concluded that sustained time in the sun had caught up with him. By then, the cancer had spread to various parts of his body. This wasn’t an easy situation for the slugger — he needed multiple surgeries along with radiation and chemotherapy.

Just as he never heard chatter about skin cancer in baseball, Schmidt realized his fellow boaters were committing dangerous errors not preparing for time in the sun.

“I don’t see boaters making specific sun protection mistakes other than ignoring the damage the sun can do,” Schmidt says. “Most people just don’t take it seriously. Of course the use of sunscreen is up, more people know about skin cancer and want to use protection, but they are too lazy to stay on top of it.”

He bemoans the people on boats, at beaches, or by swimming pools who bake in the sun to get a tan. “The cost of constant sun exposure without sun protection can be devastating.”

Schmidt’s advice for boaters starts with the fundamentals. “Start by equipping your boat with shading in all possible high sun areas — I have an electric Sureshade that protects my cockpit area so we can get out of the sun. Keep a supply of sunscreen products on board, and keep long sleeve tee shirts available, especially for kids.”

His harrowing experience with melanoma ignited a passion to educate others. Schmidt’s as focused on it as he was when in the batter’s box or on the field — and he was far from being a slacker in either department. (That’s why he’s in Cooperstown, after all.)

With passion for the project, it makes sense that the former number 20 looks out for the city that made him number one. Philadelphia provided so many baseball memories for Schmidt that he wants to keep his fans safe.

“My work in the fight against melanoma is in partnership with the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation. We are doing many exciting things to promote early detection, education, and protection.” He notes, “The most exciting element is working to make Philadelphia the first Sun Safe city.”

Schmidt, whose cancer scans are now clear, also hosts charity fishing tournaments in Florida.

His fame on the baseball field helps him get his message about melanoma across to people that might not listen otherwise, but even with that advantage, this legend has had a few vexing moments spreading the word.

“It hasn’t been hard, but you can’t get everyone to buy into the idea that the sun’s rays are harmful,” Schmidt shares. “Just like global warming, people don’t have time for it, they may believe it but won’t do anything about it.”

Schmidt knows that boaters, sports fans, and ballplayers will all continue to spend time soaking up sun. To stay in the game, he’s looking forward to a time when the threat of melanoma has been ejected.

For more information, visit http://melanomafoundation.com, http://winnerscirclecharities.org/, and http://sunsafeboating.com/   

 

 

Mike Schmidt video for boaters