Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — Mark Langill, the Dodgers’ beloved team historian, has faced a tough battle against brain cancer, but his deep connection with the Dodgers has been his anchor throughout. The story of his path to recovery was highlighted in a recent article by Bill Plashke in the LA Times.
According to the piece, which was published in June 23rd’s edition of the Times, Langill was hit hard by the cancer. After undergoing surgery to remove two brain tumors, Langill struggled with basic tasks but never lost his grip on Dodgers history. “Ninety percent of my brain was temporarily affected, but the Dodger part never went away,” Langill said.
His recovery has been marked by remarkable instances of his Dodgers knowledge resurfacing in everyday situations. For example, during his hospital stay, an orderly asked for his room number, and Langill recalled it using Dodgers players’ numbers. He even remembered significant Dodgers events on specific dates, such as “Brooklyn Robins against the Boston Braves, 26 innings in 1920, longest game in major league history.”
Langill’s passion for Dodgers history has long made him a valuable resource for players and fans alike. Lon Rosen, Dodgers’ executive vice president, praised Langill, saying, “Mark can talk about something that happened in 1965 as easily as something that happened yesterday.” Former pitcher Orel Hershiser also expressed admiration: “Mark has always been my number-one asset to continue to understand the greatness of the Dodgers.”
During his recovery, Langill found solace in Dodgers trivia, even using it to stay calm during an MRI. He humorously shared, “I survived the MRI by playing baseball brain tumor trivia.” His extensive knowledge extends to personal touches for fans, like surprising an elderly woman with a box score from her first Dodgers game in 1954.
Langill’s devotion to the Dodgers has not only helped him through his health struggles but also solidified his legacy within the organization. “With him, we never need a fact checker,” said Rosen. His remarkable journey reached a milestone on June 17, the day he returned to work, marking another chapter in his enduring connection with Dodgers history.
