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NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 20: Former New York Yankee player and coach Mel Stottlemyre poses with his plaque that will be placed in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium prior to a game against the Detroit Tigers on June 20, 2015 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Mel Stottlemyre’s health improving

According to John Harper of the New York Daily News, former Yankees pitcher and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre‘s health is improving as he continues to battle multiple myeloma. Stottlemyre was diagnosed with the blood cancer in 1999, and has battled against the illness ever since.

On Old-Timers Day this past season, the Yankees honored him with a plaque in Monument Park. Stottlemyre addressed the crowd on that day, saying that he was “ready to coach in heaven.” At that point, many fans and people within the Yankees organization started to expect the worst with regards to his long-term health.

According to the New York Daily News report, a change in medication has helped the 74-year-old make drastic health improvements over the past few months.  As he continues to battle strong against the disease, doctors have told him that he can start to live a regular lifestyle once again.

Stottlemyre is definitely considered a Yankee great. The right-hander spent his entire 10-year big league career in the Bronx from 1964-1974, as he won 164 career games and was named to five All-Star teams. As a pitching coach for the Yankees from 1996-2005, Stottlemyre was crucial part of four World Series championship teams.

If you’d like to read the entire New York Daily News story, with statements from Stottlemyre included, you can do so by clicking here.