Hall of Famer and former Yankee Wade Boggs is suffering from prostate cancer.
He made the announcement on social media on Saturday night, expressing his optimism by saying he was ready to take part in a bell-ringing ceremony held by cancer patients who have completed treatment.
“With the strength and support of my family and faith in God I will ring that damn bell,” Boggs wrote, attaching a picture of a guide for prostate cancer patients.
Boggs, 66, played 18 seasons in MLB with the Red Sox (1982-92), Yankees (1993-97) and then-Devil Rays (1998-99).
A five-time batting champion and 12-time All-Star, Boggs was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005 with 91.9 percent of the first-ballot vote.
The Hall of Fame sent its congratulations on social media, saying, “We are rooting for you, Wade, every step of the way!”
Boggs batted .328 for his career, joining the 3,000-hit club, and recorded 3,010 hits, 1,513 runs scored, 118 home runs and 1,014 RBIs. He also won his only World Series with the Yankees in 1996.
Ryne Sandberg, a contemporary of Boggs' and a fellow Hall of Fame inductee in 2005, announced in mid-August that he was cancer-free after undergoing treatment for metastatic prostate cancer.
“The bell rang this morning!” Sandberg wrote. “We did it, we won! What a dream team, my family, doctors, friends, nurses, fans who supported me, and [wife] Thank you to Margaret for the past eight months. We feel so blessed by all the love, prayers, thoughts and positive words we have received.”
