The cancer club: How cyclist Lance Armstrong started an unlikely fraternity among MLB pitchers

Cyclist Lance Armstrong helped initiate a supportive fraternity among MLB pitchers battling cancer after reaching out to Chad Bettis following Bettis's testicular cancer diagnosis in 2016. Bettis then passed along that mentorship and guidance to fellow pitcher Jameson Taillon upon Taillon's own diagnosis in 2017. The chain of support has continued to expand across baseball to several other players facing the disease.

The informal network has reached pitchers including Liam Hendriks, Nic Enright, and Texas Rangers prospect Caden Scarborough, alongside support from Jon Lester and Carlos Carrasco. Players credit the continuous peer outreach with helping them navigate treatment, manage their careers, and embrace their roles as advocates.