Rick Sutcliffe ESPN Baseball Analyst Has Cancer (Photos)

, a baseball analyst for ESPN, has issued a statement indicating that he has been diagnosed with cancer. The 6' 7" former ball player is 51 year old. He recently had a routine test for colon cancer during his yearly physical and the result was positive for the disease. He will undergo chemotherapy and surgery over the next few months.

Sutcliffe has been with ESPN since March of 1999 (white shirt in photo above) and has been doing game telecasts for the past 5 years. In a statement by ESPN VP Tim Scanlan (blue shirt in photo above) said in a statement:



"Rick is an integral member of our baseball team and we wish him a full recovery. We will keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers."

Prior to joining ESPN, Sutcliffe played major league ball for 15 seasons , with the LA Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles and the St. Louis Cardinals. He was the NL Rookie of the Year 1979 and made All Star status in 1983, 1987 and 1989. He was the NL Cy Young Award winner in 1984.