Cal Raleigh Surprises Patients at Virginia Mason Medical Center

 
Bob Bissett, 57, said today was a day he will never forget.

When Cal Raleigh, a catcher for the Seattle Mariners, walked into his hospital room, his face lit up with joy. Raleigh is having a historic season, and is arguably one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball.

“You have to be joking,” he exclaimed, smiling ear-to-ear. “I couldn’t believe it when he rounded the corner.”

Bob heard there might be a special visitor rounding at Virginia Mason Medical Center, but never in his wildest imagination did he believe Raleigh would stop by the hospital.

Adorning a Seattle Mariners shirt, Bob chatted with Raleigh about baseball, and tears welled up in his eyes.

“I didn’t want to cry in front of him,” Bob joked afterward. “But it was really special. I was just so shocked and humbled. For him to take the time to come to the hospital. He didn’t need to, but he did. It’s incredible.”

“There haven’t been many good moments since his diagnosis,” said Deidre Bissett, Bob’s wife. “Today was a dream come true. Seeing him so happy, I won’t forget that.”

Bob, a self-proclaimed sports guy, said the visit by the professional baseball player is a moment he will remember for the rest of his life.

“I’m never missing a game now,” he said with a smile on his face.

In November, Bob was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He said the diagnosis completely turned his life upside down.

“Our whole world has been shattered,” said his wife.

“It’s been really hard,” he said. “If I’m being honest, I try to be positive, but some days you just don’t know. You just have to believe, and that’s what we’re doing.”

Every two weeks, Bob receives chemotherapy at Virginia Mason Medical Center. He said he’s put his trust in the care team.

“I don’t know how long I have left,” said Bob, “and that’s really difficult.”

Today, Bob wasn’t thinking about cancer though. He and his wife were crying happy tears.

“He’s the best thing to happen to this city,” said Bob. “Cool isn’t a big enough word to describe meeting him today.”

Before leaving Bob’s room, Cal signed autographs, including two onesies for Bob’s grandkids. On the small outfits, in permanent marker, he wrote, ‘Baby Dumper,’ an ode to his nickname, ‘The Big Dumper.' He posed for photos with them and then waved goodbye before heading off to see other patients.

Every interaction was impactful, and every patient he met beamed with happiness. He even stopped to pose with staff members and thanked them for allowing him to visit.

It was a day patients and staff alike won’t forget.

“I’m already looking for tickets to a game,” Bob said. “We have to go to a game.”