Giants hitting coach Alonzo Powell hits important medical milestone

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.–Before the Giants took the field for a pregame workout at Scottsdale Stadium Thursday, a thunderous cheer erupted inside the clubhouse.

It came after hitting coach Alonzo Powell told the club he finished his 40th and final radiation treatment for prostate cancer.

The successful treatment was a milestone for Powell, 54, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer Jan. 2, 2018. The diagnosis came shortly after Powell agreed to return to his hometown team following a World Series title as the assistant hitting coach with the Houston Astros.

Powell said he’ll meet with his oncologist in Arizona once more before the regular season begins and he hopes after another visit in two months, he’ll finally be able to say he’s “cancer-free.”

Powell lives in Peoria, Arizona during the offseason with his wife, Jana, a registered nurse who accompanied him on the road for much of last season.

Last January, Powell had his prostate removed before beginning regular radiation treatments. He said he sometimes missed a portion of morning workouts during spring training but made note of how supportive the Giants and the team’s players were of Powell throughout the process.

Hitting coaches work some of the longest hours in baseball and Powell is no exception. A model of selflessness, Powell said he never wanted to be a burden to players, but was heartened when they asked him about his treatment and extraordinarily grateful for the support they showed Thursday.

His oncologist told Powell that his active lifestyle should help him over the coming weeks and Powell added that he never felt as physically drained as he expected to throughout his radiation treatment process.

Share this: Print

View more on The Mercury News