Baltimore Orioles slugger Trey Mancini was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in March 2020 right as the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, but that didn't stop him from recovering and returning to MLB for the 2021 season. Mancini then hit 16 dingers in the first half of the season to earn a spot in the Home Run Derby, where he made it all the way to the final round before getting beat out by New York Mets star Pete Alonso.

Mancini put up a hell of a fight against Alonso, hitting 22 home runs in that final round and forcing the Mets bopper to put on a huge show to win. There was a point where it looked like Mancini could win, but Alonso came on strong and dominated in bonus time to walk it off with 23 bombs.

While Trey Mancini fell just short in the Home Run Derby, his performance should be inspiring for everybody. The Orioles first baseman admitted as much afterward that he wanted to set an example for people by overcoming so much adversity and still being able to do this.

Via ESPN's Alden Gonzalez:

“I think it can set an example that you can go back to your normal life, even if you have this thing hanging over you sometimes,” Mancini said. “That's the message that I really wanted to get across. I'm still going through a battle, and there's so many people going through battles still, but you can go back to where you were before. I feel great about my health and where I am and what the future holds, but you definitely don't wanna take any day for granted.”

It's truly amazing what Trey Mancini has been able to accomplish just a year after he was diagnosed with cancer. He had to work so hard to get back and then almost pulled off this legendary upset. Even in defeat, the Orioles star should be applauded for his efforts.