Program History 1999-2008

Since the program’s inception in 1999:

• More than 19,000 players, trainers, coaches and staff members have been screened for skin cancer.

• Of these 19,000 screened, Academy dermatologists have detected almost 600 suspicious lesions and there have been more than 9,000 presumptive diagnoses.

• More than 1,400 media stories have been generated, resulting in more than 136 million media impressions.

2008
The program’s 10th year is an exciting one with new components helping to raise its visibility. For 2008, the Academy and MLB officially changed the name of the program to Play Sun Smart™. In celebration of the 10th year of the program, MLB is expanding its commitment to help strike out skin cancer by releasing a new public service announcement (PSA) which will be played at ballparks across the country featuring past and present spokesmen, urging the public to Play Sun Smart™. In addition to the PSA, MLB will be distributing sun safety tip cards at guest services in all ball parks and sun safety messages will be made by the game day announcers. A full page Play Sun Smart™ ad also will run in USA Today prior to June 21, MLB’s Skin Cancer Awareness Day.

2007
In 2007, there were a total of 34 screening events, screening more than 2,300 Players, coaches, trainer and staff members. Of those screened, there were 113 suspicious lesions detected, including 82 suspected basal cell carcinomas, 18 suspected squamous cell carcinomas, and 13 suspected melanomas.
Johan Santana was personally touched by skin cancer this year. He experienced firsthand how deadly melanoma can be when the wife of his New York-based agent, Ed Greenberg, passed away at the age of 42. Lynne Greenberg and Santana were close; she was present at family events to celebrate his successes and was considered part of Santana’s extended family. Melanoma first appeared on Lynne’s scalp in 1996. After successful treatment, he was clear from the cancerous disease until 2004, when the melanoma returned and spread. Lynne’s death has inspired Santana to take time to help raise awareness about the seriousness of this cancer.
Major League Baseball continues to show its support for and dedication to this important health initiative and has dedicated June 21, the first day of summer, as Play Smart When It Comes To The Sun^® sun-safety awareness day. For the third year now, MLB placed an ad in USA Today on June 21st, the first day of summer for the program which was also mentioned on ESPN baseball telecasts. The Academy was invited again to participate in the MLB FanFest in conjunction with the All-Star Game in San Francisco on July 6 and 7, 2007. Academy members provided skin cancer screenings to attendees of the FanFest, screening more than 50 fans.

2006
In 2007, there were a total of 29 screenings held on behalf of the Play Smart When It Comes To The Sun^® program with more than 200 Major League Baseball players and staff members participating in the screenings. Major League Baseball continues to show its support for and dedication to this important health initiative and invited the Academy to participate in the 2006 MLB FanFest in conjunction with the All-Star Game in Pittsburgh on July 8 and 9, 2006. Academy members provided skin cancer screenings to attendees of the FanFest, screening more than 70 fans.

With the Boston Red Sox, the Academy hosted a media event to promote the Play Smart When It Comes To The Sun^® program, melanoma and sun safety on May 12. The event featured Academy member and Red Sox team dermatologist Bonnie Mackool, MD, Red Sox second baseman Mark Loretta and Shonda Schilling, wife of Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling. Several Boston print and broadcast media outlets attended the event and ESPN featured an interview with Loretta about his skin cancer experience. The team held a pre-game ceremony, recognizing the importance of sun safety with a plaque presentation and the ceremonial first pitch thrown by Dr. Mackool.

2005
In 2005 with all 30 teams, the MLB Headquarters and MLB Production office screening more than 2,400 players and staff members. The campaign launched on Melanoma Monday, May 2 with a press event featuring the San Diego Padres All-Star second baseman Mark Loretta and Academy member Larry Eichenfield, M.D. Loretta was diagnosed with melanoma following the Play Smart screening in 2004

2004
More than 1,800 Major League Players and staff members were screened. Media relations activities surrounding the program secured 105 stories to reach an audience of more than 8.3 million. An event was held on Melanoma Monday (May 3) with Cleveland Indians First Base Coach Jeff Datz and General Manager Mark Shapiro.

2003
A total of 1,927 Major League players and staff members were screened and 29 teams completed screenings in addition to screening events held at Major League Baseball’s Headquarter and Production Offices.

2002
More than 2,300 Major League Baseball players, coaches, office staff, and their family members were screened for skin cancer during the 2002 Play Smart When It Comes To The Sun^® campaign. The program led off with a screening of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Melanoma Monday, May 6.

2001
During the 2001 baseball season, more than 2,000 Major League Baseball players, coaches, office staff, and their family members were screened for skin cancer. The Play Smart When It Comes To The Sun^® campaign led off with a screening of the San Francisco Giants on Melanoma Monday, May 7.

2000
Throughout the 2000 baseball season, more than 1,900 Major League Baseball players, coaches, office staff, and their family members were screened for skin cancer during the Play Smart When It Comes To The Sun^® campaign. The program led off with a screening of the Chicago White Sox on Melanoma Monday, May 1.

1999
During the inaugural year of Play Smart When It Comes To The Sun^®, 2,154 Major League Baseball players, coaches, office staff, and their family members were screened for skin cancer during baseball season. A screening of the New York Mets at Shea Stadium kicked off the program on Melanoma Monday, May 3. Mets first baseman John Olerud served as the official spokesperson of the program. In addition, the AAD produced a video news release featuring David Cone of the New York Yankees on the importance of skin cancer detection and prevention.