The Washington Nationals have seen their fortunes rise in recent seasons as they’ve become a mainstay in the National League playoff picture. Through all of that, you could almost always find team co-owner Mark Lerner sitting in the first row with his Nationals cap on cheering on the team. He’s been there so often that his absence during much of the successful 2017 season has been cause for concern and questions.
Lerner answered those questions about his disappearance in a letter to The Washington Post on Thursday, in which he revealed that he had cancer in his left leg and although he is now cancer free, surgical complications required that his leg be amputated last week.
Here’s the letter than Lerner penned to Post columnist Barry Svrluga:
Dear Barry:
Thanks very much for your concern and good wishes. I know you recognize that only something really challenging would have kept me from my favorite seat at the ballpark these past months. In early January, they discovered Spindle Cell Sarcoma in my left leg above the knee. Radiation was completed in March and I had surgery in April to successfully remove the cancer. The radiation treatment eventually caused the wound not to heal properly.
With my doctors and medical team, we decided that amputation of that leg was my best choice to maintain the active and busy lifestyle that I have always enjoyed. The limb was removed in early August and I’m healing well, cancer-free, and looking forward to my eventual new prosthetic.
I’ve been very blessed with my wonderful wife Judy, who has never left my side, our great kids, amazing family and close friends. I really appreciate everyone respecting our family’s privacy as we’ve gone through this. I’m not sure of the timeline yet, but you know I’ll be at Nationals Park as soon as I possibly can. Hope all is well with you.
Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo told WaPo that he informed the team on Thursday as well during a road stint in San Diego.
“It’s been difficult to explain to players, to staff, to everybody. They want to be private about it, and that’s their right. But his absence was noticed. Not having him in the draft room; he’s always in the draft room. Not having him at the trade deadline, when you’re talking to Mr. Lerner and the group 20 times a day. I know they were keeping him abreast, and he had other things on his mind, but I missed him. It was sad. I was bummed out about it.”
Lerner, who was known to suit up in full Nationals uniform and join in on batting practice after his family purchased the team in 2006, says that he will not limit his involvement with the team or other businesses, though he has no timeline for when he’ll be back home.
Nationals manager Dusky Baker told reporters that the team will be playing with Lerner in mind for the remainder of the season.
“I remember I saw Mark about a month ago. He just said he was going to be all right and we didn’t have an idea what he was going through because we just thought he had that infection in his knee. I got a couple friends who have the same thing. But Mark has a great attitude about life and we wish him well, and the family well. And we certainly would like to win this for him.”
