Baseball fans wish Matt Williams speedy recovery after Padres 3B coach set to undergo surgery following colon cancer diagnosis
San Diego Padres third-base coach Matt Williams was diagnosed with colon cancer earlier today, as reported by Alden González of ESPN. He will step away from the game for an undisclosed period of time and is due to undergo surgery to address the issue on Friday.
Williams, a five-time All-Star in a 17-year career, learned about his condition roughly three weeks ago when a routine examination led to further testing because of a low red blood cell count in his body.
“I don’t have any symptoms, I don’t have any issues, but at this point it’s important that we get it out of there,” Williams said Wednesday.
Williams concluded by saying that he feels "as good as I've felt in 20 years."
Prayers to San Diego #Padres 3B coach Matt Williams, who has been diagnosed with colon cancer, and will undergo a leave of absence after Opening Day.
"Prayers to San Diego #Padres 3B coach Matt Williams, who has been diagnosed with colon cancer, and will undergo a leave of absence after Opening Day," Bob Nightengale, Twitter.
Mike Shildt, a former St. Louis Cardinals manager and current senior adviser with the San Diego Padres, has been appointed to coach third base in his absence.
MLB fans penned emotional messages of support for Williams and wished him a speedy recovery.
@BNightengale He's a tough SOB....he'll beat it.
@BNightengale Prayers and Godspeed Matty W
@BNightengale Matt will be ok...a ton of men get diagnosed w/ prostate/colon cancer as they age. If you catch it pretty early, you live. He'll be fine. My Mom got it in her late 50s...caught it early...and she's doing just fine at 75. Decades after chemo, she now takes one med. (Keytruda)
@3rdandESts @BNightengale You’re assuming the caught it early. The father from Enky Boyz just died from colon cancer. He was barely 35. Internet has mad people very insensitive
@BNightengale Early detection is key. My wife was already stage 4 when it was discovered. I lost her this past December. Praying for Matt.
@BNightengale My favorite player growing up. Hoping for a speedy recovery!
🏻@BNightengale Matt Williams is a Forever Giant and my favorite third baseman, ever. If anyone can kick colon cancer, he can. 🙏🏻
@BNightengale Our best to Matty, one of our favorite Giants, oh so many memories! 🧡🖤 from Humm Baby & family. You got this! 🤩🙏
@BNightengale Give it hell. Best of luck. We are all cheering for you Matt.
@BNightengale Forever a Giant. Hang in there Matt. https://t.co/t3wf7iWubM
Matt Williams was a four-time Gold Glove Awardee
Matt Williams was taken by the San Francisco Giants in the first round of the 1986 pro baseball draft and began his major league career in 1987. Williams also played for the Cleveland Indians and the Arizona Diamondbacks in the MLB.
Williams won a World Series title with the Diamondbacks in 2001, arguably the biggest coup of his career. Individually, he made it to five All-Star teams and won four Golden Glove and Silver Slugger Awards each.
Throughout his career, Williams had an overall batting average of .268, with 378 home runs and 1,218 RBIs. He scored 997 Major League runs and accumulated 1,878 hits, 338 doubles, and 35 triples while playing in 1,866 regular-season games.
Williams' name will forever be etched in baseball history after the San Francisco Giants enshrined him in their Wall of Fame.