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January 19, 2008

Yanks Take Care Of Cancer Stricken Scout

Via the Tampa Tribune

Joe Caro, the New York Yankees scout and former high school coach, never believed he would utter such words to his male friends and old baseball buddies.

I love you.

But here's what he really can't fathom.

What took so long to state the obvious?

For nearly six months, Caro, 49, has been fighting a private war against throat cancer. And in the moments when radiation treatments practically knocked him out, when he couldn't speak or eat, when he barely could make sense of it all, he sometimes felt alone.

The friends he made during a lifetime in baseball - Yankees colleagues, fellow scouts, old teammates and his players from Tampa Catholic, Plant and Crystal River during a 12-season coaching career - have shown affection in ways that constantly amaze Caro.

"Five years from now, I hope I don't stop telling the people close to me how much I love them," he said. "I need to say it. It sounds ridiculous, but sometimes you get so busy. Sometimes, life gets in the way. Sometimes, you need to be reminded how lucky you are."

Caro hasn't worked since August.

"But the paychecks keep coming," he said. "The Yankees sent me a contract for 2008. They said, 'Here's what we'd like you to do. If you can't, we'll make adjustments.' How many jobs show that level of caring, that level of concern? I'm blessed."

Caro's goal is to work spring training. He's still using a feeding tube while re-learning how to swallow. Doctors are optimistic that the worst is over, but Caro still will undergo more rounds of chemotherapy in February.

Caro has simple wishes. To nurture his close relationships. To make a small difference each day. To once again eat rice and beans, chicken and a big, juicy steak. Another world championship for the Yankees would be cool, too.

Godspeed Coach Caro.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at January 19, 2008 11:19 PM

Comments

A very nice story. I often scratch my head at the actions of the Yankee organization, but this is a nice story, one that probably won't get as much coverage as it should.

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 21, 2008 12:26 AM