During the Stand Up To Cancer Moment at the conclusion of the fifth inning of the 88th All-Star Game presented by Mastercard on Tuesday night, Rockies teammates held up a card with Colorado starter Chad Bettis' name on it. The following essay was written by Bettis prior to that poignant moment.
Usually, I'm the one throwing the balls. As a pitcher, that's my job. But in November 2016, life had other plans. I was diagnosed with cancer. Testicular cancer. Yes, that is cancer of the balls, and the comedic irony is not lost on me.