Things couldn’t have gone much better for Chad Bettis on Monday night.
The Colorado Rockies starter was diagnosed with testicular cancer in November and underwent surgery, but doctors discovered in March that the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes, forcing him to go through chemotherapy. But you wouldn’t know that if Monday’s game against the Atlanta Braves was the first time you’d heard of Bettis.
The 28-year-old made his return to the majors, pitching seven shutout innings in a 3-0 win over the Braves. Bettis also ran onto the Coors Field grass to a standing ovation.
Welcome back, @cbettis35!#Together 💪 https://t.co/I2QuKbOfgt
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) August 15, 2017
“You try to get your mind clear because of the task at hand, and then to be hit with that emotion, it was unbelievable,” Bettis said of the crowd, per The Associated Press. “Walking in it was deep breaths.”
Bettis allowed just six hits to go with two strikeouts and zero walks, which is pretty darn impressive considering it took him a while to settle in.
“I don’t think I was in tune to what was going on until the fifth,” Bettis said. “So many emotions. I was trying to get them under control. It was taking much longer than what was expected.”
It probably didn’t hurt that Bettis had the whole baseball world on his side, too.
From fellow survivor Tony Beasley & the boys down here in Texas, good luck tonight, Chad!#TogetherForBettis #NeverEverQuit pic.twitter.com/hD32ocfDY3
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) August 14, 2017
Good luck to our friends @Rockies and @cbettis35 in his return! #TogetherForBettis pic.twitter.com/1o1ZTJnpnz
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 14, 2017
Welcome back @cbettis35!#TogetherForBettis 💪 pic.twitter.com/L6WR9nF5UG
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 14, 2017
Great to see you back out there tonight, @cbettis35! #TogetherForBettis 💪 pic.twitter.com/diGwsxgak3
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/IDesmond20/status/897141737310867456
This is incredible! Welcome back @cbettis35-you are an inspiration to so many. Fight on!
— Jeremy Guthrie (@TheRealJGuts) August 14, 2017
Pumped for @cbettis35. Idk him personally but cool to see him back on the hill tonight. Good luck
— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) August 14, 2017
Thumbnail photo via Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports Images
