A professional baseball player lost his heartbreaking battle with cancer and unfortunately passed away.
The Philadelphia Phillies revealed on Thursday that pitcher Corey Phelan, who was in their Minor League organisation, passed away tragically at the age of 20.
“The Phillies family is extremely saddened by the tragic passing of Corey Phelan,” the baseball team said in a statement.
“Corey’s positive presence and selflessness influenced everyone around him.
“While he was incredibly passionate about the game of baseball, his love for his family and his strong faith superseded everything else.
“We extend our deepest condolences to his family as well as his teammates and staff who were by his side, providing emotional support throughout the courts of his courageous battle with cancer.”
Phelan was born and raised in New York and, according to the MLB, joined the Phillies as an undrafted free agent in 2020, just after graduating from high school.
During his debut professional season, he pitched nine relief innings for the Florida Complex League’s Rookie-level Phillies while only allowing one run.
Phelan received his cancer diagnosis in April of this year.
The rookie visited the Phillies at the New York Mets’ Citi Field just one month after the heartbreaking diagnosis and left a lasting impression while spending time with the squad in the clubhouse.
“It was awesome,” Phelan said after the game.
“I can’t put into words how awesome it was. Every time I can watch them on TV, depending on what channel they are playing on, I watch them and I root for them every game.
“He is going through some hard times right now,” Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola said after his visit.
“The hard times that we go through in baseball doesn’t compare to what he is going through.
“The positivity that he showed – his faith and belief that God has it under control.
“Obviously, it shows what kind of person that he is, what kind of man he is. The guys in the clubhouse saw that.”
The Phillies director of player development Preston remembered the gone-too-soon rookie saying: “Corey is and will always be a special person.”
“His smile lit up a room and anybody who came in contact with him cherished the interaction.
“His memory will live on, especially with the Phillies organization.”