A's Try To Help Polakowski

By Casey Tefertiller
July 1, 2009

OAKLAND—For two decades, Cheryl Polakowski has been the friendly face and warm voice welcoming players to spring training and instructional league at the Athletics' complexes in Phoenix. Near the end of March this year, Polakowski went absent from her job.

 

She felt back pain and went to the doctor for what she expected would be a minor treatment. The diagnosis was as unexpected as it was horrifying: pancreatic cancer, metastasizing quickly through her body.

 

"Cheryl's role is to constantly reach out to the players and coaches; to help them with all their needs, from travel to housing to passports. She does all the little things that might fall through the cracks," A's farm director Keith Lieppman said. "Our guys have come to count on her. She is part of everything that we do."

 

Cheryl, 47,  is married to Ted Polakowski, the A's director of minor league operations who oversees the A's complex at Papago Park. They have four children, Kimberly, 20, from Ted's first marriage; Matthew, 11; Krysta, 9; and Michael, 7. Cheryl is the administrative assistant for player development, and she is always working with players, often in their first time away from home, to help them adjust to life as professional athletes. Ted Polakowski started with the A's in 1984 as a trainer, hired by the late Karl Kuehl, then moved into administration. Cheryl began working with the A's in 1989.

 

"This has been devastating to all of us," Lieppman said. "We are trying to assure that Cheryl receives the best treatment available. She's always been there for us. Now we want to be there for her."

 

After consulting doctors in Phoenix, San Francisco and Houston, Cheryl Polakowski was advised to pursue treatment at the Rubio Cancer Center in Mexico, four miles south of San Diego. The first two rounds of treatments have shown positive results in controlling the spread of the cancer. However, further treatment will be needed.

 

"Ted and Cheryl need help," said Pamela Pitts, the A's director of baseball administration. "The expenses keep growing. One thing I learned long ago, when it comes time for the baseball family to pull together, we are all on the same team."

 

Tax-deductible donations can be made through the Baseball Assistance Team. Make checks payable to the: Baseball Assistance Team (or BAT); Attention: Carolyn Jones; Oakland Athletics; 7000 Coliseum Way; Oakland, CA 94621. Cheryl Polakowski's name should be in the memo section.