Roberts has lymphoma

Published 11:48 pm Monday, May 3, 2010

Dave Roberts, whose stolen base for Boston in the 2004 playoffs sparked the Red Sox to an elusive World Series championship, is being treated for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Roberts was diagnosed in mid-March. He said the cancer was detected early and he’s undergone two sessions of chemotherapy. The prognosis is “good,” he said.

“I expect to beat this and be fully recovered,” Roberts said.

The 37-year-old Roberts, who is working for the San Diego Padres as a special assistant, said he wanted to keep his illness private.

Roberts said he began feeling soreness in his neck before spring training, then discovered a lump that began to grow.

“It was a challenge,” he said. “I had to kind of balance it and try not to do too much throughout spring training. But you know what? I wanted to continue with spring training and help this organization any way I could. Also, it was good for me. I didn’t want to take the focus away from the players.”

Roberts said he informed a handful of players about his illness.

“Just going to the ballpark and working with players, or going to a minor league affiliate and seeing the guys stimulates me and keeps me going and keeps me positive,” he said.

Roberts has worked with players on outfield skills and baserunning, something the Padres stressed in spring training.

“He’s handling it great,” San Diego manager Bud Black said. “He’s going to continue to do whatever he can for the Padres. We love having him around.”