Farrell’s cancer in remission, Red Sox say

Printed from: https://newbostonpost.com/2015/10/22/farrells-cancer-in-remission-red-sox-say/

Boston Red Sox Manager John Farrell may be winning his battle with lymphoma cancer. The team announced late Thursday that tests conducted Wednesday showed the disease was in remission after months of treatment.

Farrell, age 53, was diagnosed with stage 1 Non-Hodgkin’s Burkitt lymphoma on Aug. 14. He stepped away from the dugout to deal with the potentially deadly disease, handing over management duties to Torey Lovullo on an interim basis. The team finished the season in last place in the American League East division with a 78-84 win-loss record.

The recovering manager was upbeat.

“I am extremely thankful for the outpouring of support I have received from the Red Sox, my family, friends, and fans throughout this process,” Farrell said in a statement released by the team. “I am also especially thankful for the talented doctors who cared for me in Detroit and here at MGH.”

Red Sox organization leaders also sounded an upbeat tone.

“We are thrilled to hear the great news about John today,” said David Dombrowski, the team’s president, in the statement.  “Foremost, we are extremely happy for him and his family, knowing what he has gone through over the past two months.”

Dombrowski said earlier this month that Farrell would be back as manager provided he was fully recovered. Lovullo has signed a contract to stay on as a bench coach, according to MLB.com. Farrell took the team from a last-place finish in 2012 to a World Series title the next year, only to tumble back into the basement in 2014 and last season.

But the team had a winning 28-20 record from the last half of August until the end of the regular season, as some veterans returned from injuries and younger players improved on the field.

“I look forward to getting back to work and bringing another championship back to Boston,” Farrell said.

“We all admire him for his strength and courage, and look forward to having him back as our manager,” Dombrowski said.