Roger Mooney
Roger Mooney covers the Tampa Bay Rays for The Tampa Tribune, TBO.com and News Channel 8. He has covered the Rays since their first season in 1998, including 11 years for the Bradenton Herald. Roger has also covered Florida, South Florida and Florida State football, the Bucs and the Lightning.
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Baldelli denies report of muscular dystrophy
Posted Sep 26, 2008 by Marc Lancaster
Updated Sep 26, 2008 at 07:29 PM
DETROIT—Rocco Baldelli and the Rays today emphatically denied a report by WFTS, Ch. 28 that the outfielder has been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy.
Updating: Rays president Matt Silverman just released a statement that reads as follows:
“The report issued by WFTS-TV Channel 28 is irresponsible and erroneous. We expect an immediate retraction and an apology to Rocco and his family.”
The report, billed as an “exclusive,” quoted Dr. Allan Weiss, a physician who has been treating Baldelli, discussing the effects of mitochondrial myopathy on the player. Baldelli revealed in spring training he had been diagnosed with a mitochondrial disorder.
“The report is erroneous. It is incorrect terminology,” Weiss said this afternoon in comments relayed by a Rays spokesman. “He has mitochondrial myopathy, not muscular dystrophy. They are different diseases, both covered by MDA.”
Asked directly Friday afternoon if he had been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, Baldelli said, “No.”
Of the WFTS report, Baldelli said, “That’s awful.”
Mitochondrial myopathy is one of 43 diseases under the umbrella of the Muscular Dystrophy Assocation. Baldelli recently taped a public service announcement to help with MDA’s fundraising.
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Reader Comments
Por (michael) on September 26, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Once again false reporting, it’s starting to become contagious. You better get your media shots Marc, it could get ugly. lol
Suggest removalPor (Matthew Cox) on September 26, 2008 (Suggest removal)
BREAKING NEWS - here with an exclusive, from an unnamed source in an undisclosed location, we can now confirm that Rays player Rocco Baldelli does, in fact, have COOTIES. Make sure to tune in to our morning show as we attempt to use the Rays success to boost our sagging ratings!
Suggest removalPor (Jason James) on September 27, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Yankees beat the Red Sox, the Rays win the AL East!!!
Suggest removalPor (Kevin Scott) on September 29, 2008 (Suggest removal)
I don’t understand why they’re making this a big issue. Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases, not one specific one.
They all relate to deterioration of the muscles and are genetic.
Rocco’s disease is covered by the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
The TV station made a mistake, but it’s an easy one to make. I don’t understand the Rays’ overreaction to this story.
Suggest removalPor (Michelle) on October 19, 2008 (Suggest removal)
I was watching the game tonight and heard about Rocco Baldelli having mitochondrial disorder. I was recently diagnosed with mitochondrial myopathy and wanted to learn more about his condition because it seems his symptoms are similar to mine. I was wondering what hospital he was diagnosed at and what tests he went though to get to the diagnosis. For years my doctors thought i had asthma then they thought i had a lung or heart condition. My symptoms are muscle weakness and extreme fatigue. These conditions aren’t well known and to hear of someone being diagnosed and having the same symptoms is rare and i am interested in knowing more about him.
Suggest removalPor (Abram Taylor) on October 25, 2008 (Suggest removal)
I can relate to Rocco Bladelli. I have muscular dystrophy which consist of mitochondrial myopathy. The disease is a slow process. It started out slowly. At the time when I was diagnosed about 10 yrs ago along with my brother which suffers with this disease longer than I have. Both our parents doesn’t have the disease. Very strange. I started to notice symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, etc. Rehab is a must. Too much can make things worst. Moderation is the key. Plus a healthy diet. I also take Q10 supplements which seems to help. I pray that they come up with a cure.
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