Yankees cinematographer Pete Stendel, who was hospitalized due to a miscarriage, reveals he was also diagnosed with cancer earlier this year
- Pete Stendel was carted off the field during the Orioles Yankees game on July 5
- The YES Network cameraman was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January
- offers the latest international sports news
The cameraman, who was hospitalized in July after being hit in the head during a mistaken baseball throw, admitted his recovery has been difficult and he underwent cancer surgery just days after the incident.
Pete Stendel, who works for YES Network, had to be carried off the field during the July 5 game between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium.
Over a month after the incident, Stendel told The Athletic his recovery had been “difficult”.
He said his eyesight was still impaired and small flashes of light came into his left eye when he opened it.
However, according to The Athletic, Stendel has also had to battle another medical recovery this year after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in January.
Pete Stendel (left, pictured at a Mets game) was hospitalized at a Yankees game in July
The cameraman received medical treatment after being hit in the head by a stray throw
The report adds that a month later the cancer became aggressive, prompting Stendel to undergo surgery to remove his prostate rather than radiation or chemotherapy.
The procedure was scheduled for July 24, just 19 days after he was stationed at Yankee Stadium. However, despite his eye injury, Stendel was able to perform the surgery, Stendel said.
Despite his struggles this year, Stendel thinks he’s lucky, telling The Athletic: ‘I beat cancer.’ And I haven’t lost my sight.’
A friend started GoFundMe to help Stendel deal with the rising medical costs with the aim of raising the funds. $25,000. As of Monday, the fundraiser had already surpassed that number, totaling more than $30,000.
The worrying scenes at Yankee Stadium came after Os shortstop Gunnar Henderson’s loose throw, which sailed over first base – where Ryan O’Hearn tried to catch him – and hit the cameraman at the end of the fifth inning.
As YES later revealed, Stendel stepped in as a cameraman at first base and wasn’t originally planned to be there.
At YES, he is best known as the outfield cameraman who walks alongside a player circling bases when they hit a home run.
Shortly after he was taken off the field and taken to the hospital, the players resumed their positions and play resumed.
YES Network tweeted after the Yankees game that Stendel, who raised his hand in the air and made a peace sign to the cheers of thousands of fans as he was being transported away, underwent tests and was discharged from the hospital the following day.
Stendel – pictured on his own website – works both as an artist and as a cinematographer
Stendel was taken to the hospital for further tests after being treated in the field
Stendel, who works for YES Network, held up a peace sign as he was carried off the field
The total stoppage lasted about 15 minutes, and Yankees fans chanted “MVP” as the car drove through the outfield.
After the game, which the Orioles won 6-3, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said, “Very scary.” I’m definitely praying for him. It was nice to see him coherent and raising his hand.
“I saw it pretty well right away and it was very scary.” I didn’t see him fall back but I knew what was possible, in addition to the speed at which the ball hit him.
“And then to see him move for the first time — a tough scene there and just hope he’s ok.”