Here’s a scene straight out of a movie: You’re a rookie on the bench of a big league game when the guy at the plate is ejected for arguing with the ump after strike two!  Suddenly, you’re up, and you hit a big three run shot to help the team win.

Wacky, right?  Sure, but it’s true.  Back on July 21st, the New York Yankees faced the L.A. Angels at Yankee Stadium, Brett Gardner WAS ejected with the Yanks holding a 7-5 lead with two men on in the 7th.  Saddled with an 0-2 count, Colin Curtis came off the bench, worked the count to three balls, two strikes, then popped his first “official” home run (Curtis did hit a walk off blast in an exhibition game last March)  SINCE HIGH SCHOOL!  The dinger helped seal a 10-6 Yankees win, and drew a curtain call from nearly 50 thousand fans in The Bronx.

The folks in Hollywood will have to decide if Curtis has a future as a leading man. He’s already been a star on Survivor: Testicular Cancer!

Ten years ago, Colin Curtis was 15 years old and a member of the Issaquah High School baseball team near Seattle.  But his life as a normal, run of the mill teenager dealing with girls, sports and school was about to change.  In the spring of 2000, Colin began noticing hardness, discomfort, and a lump in his right testicle. Like many youngsters-and men in general-Colin ignored the problem.  He told me, “I was an athlete and I thought everything would be OK.  I mean what 15 year old wants to tell anyone that you have a problem with your testicles?”

Fortunately, after waiting five or six more days-during which time the lump got larger- Colin DID tell his family.  Within two days he was in a hospital in Seattle.  Possessing the guts and naiveté of a teenager, Colin played a high school game the day he was diagnosed!  The lump WAS cancerous, and was at Stage 3-meaning it had spread to other areas of the body.  In Colin’s case, his testicle, lymph nodes and veins around his stomach were removed.

Let me break in here: If you’ve read our blogs you know that testicular cancer has a 95% survival rate IF CAUGHT EARLY.  AT STAGE 3, THAT RATE DROPS TO 48 PERCENT!

No surprise, Colin was worried. “They (the doctors) weren’t sure right away, but they thought they got all the cancer. When you’re 15 years old the LAST thing you think of is cancer.  Cancer is something old people get.  It was very worrisome, but I am an optimistic person.  I was lucky.” He wasted no time getting treatment.  “They gave me the option of chemo (chemotherapy) right away or weekly blood tests. “

Wanting to get back on the field ASAP, Colin opted for blood tests, and helped Issaquah win the state championship.  More good news: no embarrassment or joking around from his high school friends and teammates. “There was no negative reaction at all.  Everyone was very supportive.”

Curtis went on to star in the outfield at Arizona State University, and was drafted by the Yankees in the 4th round of the 2006 draft-shortly after the weekly blood work to make sure he was in the clear was ended.   The lefty swinging 25 year old is now 10 years cancer free.  Dividing time between the Bronx and Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre, Curtis has been used as a pinch hitter and corner outfielder in two stints this season with the Yankees.

Colin visits his old high school and shares his testicular cancer experience openly.  His message to young men: “This disease affects lots of men. They need as much information as they can get.  I’d like to see more men aware of this disease. Guys aren’t as open about this the way women are with breast cancer.  Women are more open and honest, and there is a lot more information on breast cancer out there than there is testicular cancer. It’s important guys know about testicular cancer.”

I’d like to thank Colin for taking the time to speak with me.  I wish him well in the majors, but he’s already a winner in the game of life! His kindness was extraordinary.

Remember: testicular cancer is THE #1 CANCER in men ages 15-40.  The Sean Kimerling Testicular Cancer Foundation reminds you (and thanks Colin Curtis for the assist)-early detection and treatment is the key to fighting this disease. KNOW THIS: Be a man, self-exam-and see your doctor regularly.

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Bobby Taute joins seankimerling.org as a Contributing Blogger. Bobby spent 23 years at WPIX TV in New York, earning 4 Emmy Award nominations as a Sports Producer. In 2008 he created the station's sports blog, "Bobby vs. The World"-now known as "The Huddle." Like Sean a lifelong Mets fan, Bobby's media savvy and enthusiasm have proven invaluable to the success of the Sean Kimerling Testicular Cancer Foundation.

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