Even a Loss Could Not Put a Damper on A Day of Celebration for Connor Joe

Connor Joe was back in the big leagues on Tuesday night. He hit the first home run of his big league career.

Yes, the Rockies lost, the Mariners rallying for four runs off German Marquez in the sixth inning of what became a 6-4 Mariners victory.

No, it did not take away from what the day meant for Connor Joe.

Tuesday, you see, was the first anniversary of Connor Joe being declared cancer-free. The fact he was back in the big leagues, in the Rockies starting lineup and finally hit that MLB home run was a bonus.

“Obviously, I got a lot of congratulations before the game,” he said. “It was a really special moment. I can’t say enough about my support staff, my wife Kiley, my parents, my in-laws. It was a team effort.”

After Fort Collins native Marco Gonzales struck him out in the first inning, and got him to fly out to right field in the third, Joe delivered a home run in the fifth that put the Rockies up 2-0.

Joe, however, didn’t take anything for granted. He sprinted to first base and second base before becoming assured the ball was going to clear the outfield fence.

“I hit the other ball (in the third) and thought it had a chance,” said Joe. “I wasn’t taking any chances. I wanted to at least get to second base.”

He wound up getting around the bases, and getting a warm welcome from his teammates.

“These guys are amazing,” he said. “It is the way they have been since the first day of spring training. They have been supportive of me. I got congratulations and hugs.”

And he had a moment of celebration.

It was only 17 months earlier, when as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers he was undergoing the regular spring training physical that Joe knew something wasn’t right. The usually quick check-up stalled.

“It was actually a little bit frustrating because I wanted to get back on the field and play,” Joe later explained.

Then the frustration was replaced by concern. He was sent to an Arizona clinic for an ultrasound, and testicular cancer was discovered.

"At first I was in disbelief," Joe said. “I thought there’s no way this could happen to me. No way at my age or how I feel physically that it could happen. Up until that day, I had no symptoms. I probably had the best off-season of my life and my career. Physically, I was probably stronger than I’ve ever been and really excited to start Spring Training.”

After Joe’s diagnosis, his baseball career was put on hold. He went back to Los Angeles where he was treated at UCLA Health under the guidance of Dr. Mark Litwin.

“The impact Dr. Litwin had on myself alone has been tremendous,” said Joe. “The time he’s taken with me, my wife and family to make us feel comfortable before treatment has simply been incredible. His energy is off-the-charts and infectious. The fact that he sat down with us for a couple hours to explain the game plan and make sure we felt comfortable with it was really special.”

It didn’t go easy, though. After the tumor was removed a full-body scan revealed the cancer metastazied to his left lung, and chemotherapy was ordered. Joe underwent six-hour treatments for five days in a row and then get a two-week break so his body could recover. He went through the cycle four times.

“Chemo was tough,” said Joe. “I would come home feeling tired, fatigued and sick. But all the nurses there at the infusion clinic were amazing. They treated me so well and really cared for us as humans, not just patients.”

Two months of treatment, and Joe was declared cancer free.

“It was the best news I’ve had in a long time,” said Joe. “And it really felt like it was a celebration, not just for myself, but for everyone around us because it took a toll on a lot of people other than just myself.”

And now, he is back to doing what he wants to do — playing baseball.