(Andres) Galarraga beats cancer, wants to play again

[Champ]

Galarraga wants to return to reach 400 HRs

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Andres Galarraga has beaten cancer for a second time and is hoping to get back to the major leagues.


Galarraga said Tuesday that he recently underwent two three-week periods of chemotherapy and was hospitalized for 23 days for additional treatment for the same non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that sidelined him in 1999 when he was with the Atlanta Braves.


"It was very difficult. I had a lot of nausea," he said. "But I always was optimistic. Thank God it worked, and I feel better than ever."


He said he was pronounced fit last week after a checkup at a Chicago medical facility.
"The news was excellent," he said.
Beaming and looking healthy at a news conference, the 42-year-old Galarraga said he wants to get back to the majors so he can reach 400 home runs. In 18 seasons, Galarraga has 398 homers. The first baseman known as "The Big Cat" hit .301 last season with 12 home runs and 42 RBIs for the San Francisco Giants. He also played for Montreal, St. Louis, Colorado, Atlanta and Texas during his career.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1808973

[BlackVelvetElvis]

1. The Big Cat. A class act.

My favorite athlete. I wish him the best.