Cancer is biggest
foe for SJSU coach
Sam Piraro is the winningest baseball coach in San Jose State history, but more important than any baseball victory is winning the battle with bone-marrow cancer.
Piraro was diagnosed with multiple myeloma last fall and began chemotherapy Dec. 9.
The 51-year-old learned recently that his body is cancer-free after four months of chemotherapy, the first stage in his treatment.
When first diagnosed with the disease, Piraro said in a press release, "This condition is very treatable. My doctors have been very thorough explaining my condition to me and my family. There is a well-conceived plan in place to treat what has recently occurred."
Although he has attended the Spartans' practices and games when he felt able, the day-to-day running of the team is handled by assistant Doug Thurman.
San Jose State athletic director Chuck Bell has told Piraro to just concentrate on completing his treatment, that the team will be there for him when he is completely recovered next year.
Piraro is undergoing a two-step treatment program at the Clinical Cancer Center at Stanford that involves a stem-cell transplant and eventually a bone-marrow transplant from his brother Stuart. This phase will last well into the summer.
Piraro didn't miss practice during chemotherapy, but, because his immune system is weakened, he has to avoid crowds, which keeps him away from baseball.
His 16-year record at San Jose State is 536-384-4, including a trip to the 2000 College World Series.