New York Mets TV analyst Ron Darling announced on Monday that his bout with thyroid cancer had “stabilized” and that he’d be returning to the SportsNet New York booth on Tuesday when the Mets welcome the San Francisco Giants into town.
Outstanding news, no doubt. Hearing the news that Ronnie was sick was a gut-punch to the denizens of Mets fans who consider a man we’ve likely never met a part of our extended family. The news he’s coming back to work induced a polar-opposite feeling — I audibly woo-d when I heard.
For six months out of the year, a rotating, but always top notch combination of Ron and/or Keith Hernandez with best-in-the-business, play-by-play analyst, Gary Cohen enter our homes, ears, and hearts on a nightly basis. Who else could take us through the peaks and valleys of Mets fandom better than Our Three Kings? No one, that’s who.
Before I go on, Todd Zeile has filled in admirably over the last few weeks. That first night, as weird as it must have been for all parties involved on the broadcast, was just as odd for the fans.
Hearing a new voice in the booth, when so much hung in the balance for one of our own (we all heard Ron’s exclamation when Johan Santana closed out his no-hitter in 2012 — he’s just as big a Mets fan as we are), made it even stranger.
Todd’s dry humor and baseball knowledge quickly won me over, as I’m sure it did for many other fans. But, now, the boys are back in town. And the Mets could certainly use the added positive energy around Citi Field this week.
All of us know someone who’s been directly affected by cancer. Whether it was you, a parent, a child, a sibling, an extended family member, a friend, a co-worker, whoever, we’ve all seen the drastic highs and lows this affliction brings along with it.
The life-altering ordeal that the Darling family is going through is about as real as it gets, folks. And our ongoing thoughts and prayers go out to them as they continue to beat this thing.
Ron Darling returning to work is a great sign of his progress. This fight isn’t over until it’s over, but, for now, Ron’s family, friends, former and current teammates, and an entire fanbase can breathe a little easier knowing someone we all care very much about is on the mend.
From the staff and editors at MMO, as well as our readers, welcome back, Ronnie.
