Philadelphia Phillies minor league baseball player Corey Phelan has tragically passed away at just 20 years of age after losing his battle with cancer.
The New York native signed with the Phillies organisation as an undrafted free agent in August 2020. He found out he had contracted non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in April 2022 after he passed out in the shower.
Phelan underwent scans, which discovered he had a nine-inch mass in his chest. The Phillies franchise announced the unfortunate news on Thursday evening prior to their playoff clash against the Atlanta Braves, describing how Phelan’s ‘positive presence’ radiated throughout the franchise.
“Corey’s positive presence and selflessness influenced everyone around him,” Phillies director of player development Preston Mattingly said. “While he was incredibly passionate about the game of baseball, his love for his family and his strong faith superseded everything else.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 course of his courageous battle with cancer.
"Corey is and will always be a special person. His smile lit up a room and everyone who came in contact with him cherished the interaction. His memory will live on, especially with the Phillies organisation.”
The pitcher received chemotherapy treatment at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York after the diagnosis and even went to visit the team when they played the Mets at Citi Field in May. Talking about the visit, Phelan said: “That was one of the best nights ever getting to be able to talk with the guys in the locker room, Joe Girardi took me on the field, everyone supportive and nice.
“The whole Phillies organisation has been nothing but amazing to me and my family.”
Phelan appeared in nine games with an 0.93 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. He made his final Instagram post two weeks ago, writing: “Can’t wait to get back out there.”
The Phillies defeated the Braves 9-1 to move into a 2-1 lead in the Division Series.
