A recent lab analysis of the Philadelphia Phillies’ former home, Veterans Stadium, has found detectable levels of toxic “forever chemicals” in the turf. This has raised fears that these toxins may have contributed to the brain cancer deaths of six former professional baseball players who played at the stadium.
The Phillies played at Veterans Stadium from 1971 to 2003. The team was moved to Citizens Bank Park, and the stadium was demolished in 2004. The Inquirer purchased four field samples from eBay and sent them to two labs to be tested for toxins, which revealed that the turf had detectable levels of 16 PFAS ‘forever chemicals’.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that are created during the production of certain household items, from baby clothes to toilet paper, and can have long-term negative health effects. Exposure to PFAS have been linked to multiple cancers, kidney issues and more.
The Inquirer began looking into the cases after the death of David West, former pitcher for the Phillies from 1993 to 1996. He died of brain cancer at age 57 in May of 2022, making him the sixth team alum to succumb to the disease over an 18-year span.
A new investigation by the Philadelphia Inquirer connects the astroturf at Veterans Stadium, the Phillies’ former home, and the deaths of six retired MLB players.
Six former Phillies all died of the aggressive brain cancer glioblastoma before the age of 60.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) March 8, 2023
The six former Phillies players who died of brain cancer include Ken Brett, who played for them in 1973 and died from brain cancer in 2003 at age 55; Tug McGraw, who pitched for the Phillies from 1975 to 1984 and died at 59; Johnny Oates, who played catcher for the team in 1975 and 1976 and died at 58; John Vukovich, who had two stints as a utility infielder in the 1970s and died in 2006; and Darren Daulton, who was a Phillies catcher in 1983 and then from 1985 to 1997 and died in 2017.
