Arizona State Coach Brock, Battling Cancer, Goes Home

Arizona State baseball Coach Jim Brock, battling life-draining cancer, was resting comfortably in a hospital Tuesday, hours after leaving his team at the College World Series in Omaha.

Doug Tammaro, Arizona State assistant sports information director, said Brock was recuperating at Desert Samaritan Hospital in suburban Mesa.

In Omaha, Arizona State Athletic Director Charles Harris said doctors felt Brock, 57, a lifelong resident of the Phoenix area, would feel more comfortable being treated at home.

Brock came to Rosenblatt Stadium Monday night but left before the start of Arizona State’s 4-3 loss to Oklahoma in 11 innings. It was only the second game Brock had missed all season, according to his players, who had expected their coach to be present Tuesday night. Arizona State eliminated Miami, 9-5, Tuesday.

Brock had surgery to remove 80% of his liver and some of his colon after last year’s trip to the College World Series.

Brock has brought 13 teams to the series in Omaha in his 23 years as coach, winning two titles.