On a warm October afternoon in Norfolk, Va., the sun was shining a little brighter at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex. Joey Benitez toed the rubber on the pitchers mound for the first time since beating thyroid cancer.
Joey was part of the Old Dominion Baseball team as a freshman and pitched in some critical situations for the team. He notched his first collegiate win at East Carolina. An injury in the middle of the spring kept Joey out for the rest of the 2014 season. Although it was a tough way to end his freshman season, Joey solidified his spot in future Old Dominion pitching staffs. Benitez finished his freshman season with 10 appearances, 12.1 innings pitched and a 3.00 ERA.
Still dealing with the blow of his injury, Benitez, from Crofton, Md., also noticed a cyst protruding from his throat. He knew something was not right, so he went to Dr. Young Kim at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, Md., to seek a professional opinion. After numerous tests, Joey was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. After receiving the heartbreaking news from his doctor, the 18 year-old Benitez realized that being back on the baseball diamond from his injury would become the least of his worries.
Cancer can scare the strongest of men, but to Joey, this “set back” didn’t seem to phase him much at all. Benitez was not just someone fighting a terrible disease but also a friend, teammate, and a brother. He attributes the strength he found mostly to the support from all his teammates, family and friends.
“All this support was a major contribution in helping me stay strong through this trial,” said Benitez.
Joey’s mindset going through this trial went far beyond what you would expect from an 18 year-old kid going through something as serious as this.
“It’s one of those things you need a tough mindset going into or it will break you.”
Many around the ODU baseball program were in shock when the news broke about Joey’s health. The first one to pass the news onto his ODU teammates was Head Coach, Chris Finwood.
“To see Joey beat cancer and get back on the mound after going through that tough time, having all his teammates support him, is one of the best feelings I have had as a coach,” recalled Finwood.
Joey kept reiterating that his support system was what got him through this tough time. Along with Finwood and the ODU baseball program’s support, his parents were there for him every step of the way. Rick and Lisa Benitez were in fact, the rock of his support. Rick, his father, had bracelets made for Joey that read “Quitting is Not an Option.” Positivity, encouragement, and role models like this are what drive athletes to persevere on the field and in this case, in life or death situations.
On Sept. 22 at 9:30 A.M., a huge weight was lifted off Joey’s shoulders. He received a phone call from his doctor that he was cancer free. Joey’s positive mindset and “Quitting is Not an Option” attitude through these obstacles had paid off.
The inspiring comeback would only get better. This attitude not only helped him beat cancer but also led up to the day the sun shined even brighter at the ballpark. Joey had set a goal for himself when he began his fight against cancer; it was not only to beat cancer and stay alive, but it was to get back on the mound. He did just that by making his first appearance in an ODU Baseball fall scrimmage.
His story is one that really inspired ODU Baseball. As a teammate, watching him persevere not only inspires you, but it puts things in perspective. As a student-athlete, it’s common to feel like quitting because you are tired, sore, and stressed out. Seeing Joey go through an injury and then beating cancer while saying “Quitting is Not an Option,” really makes you feel lucky to have your “problems”. This is one of those trials that makes teammates become family and brings a program closer.
By Victor Diaz