Greg Montalbano

After overcoming testicular cancer as a freshman at Northeastern University, Montalbano was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1999. However, after his breakout 2001 season, Montalbano was slated to start the 2002 season in Pawtucket. Unfortunately, a frayed labrum was detected in Spring Training and cost him the entire 2002 season.

Healthy to start 2003, Montalbano won his first two games before injuries struck again and wiped out the remainder of his season. In addition to his injured shoulder, Montalbano also had surgery to remove five non-cancerous tumors in his groin.

After he was released by the Red Sox in spring training of 2005, a finally healthy Montalbano launched a comeback with the independent Worcester Tornadoes. After a year of domination in the Can-Am League, Montalbano was receiving calls from Major League scouts when he received a phone call from a familiar number. He had cancer for a second time.

Greg Montalbano had two tumors removed in January of 2007. He had beat cancer twice, although his baseball dream was over. In May of 2008 however, doctors again delivered bad news to Montalbano. They had found six new tumors and all were cancerous.

Greg died on Friday, August 21, 2009, at the age of 31 after a courageous 13-year battle with cancer.