The 2005 World Series

Ray Knight
World Series MVP

Baseball legend Ray Knight, 51, is best known as the World Series hero for the 1986
New York Mets. Leading the team to their first title win in 17 years, Ray earned himself
the honor of Most Valuable Player and was named the National League Comeback Player
of the Year by The Sporting News. Ray is also well known for his career as a player and
manager for the Cincinnati Reds. After retiring from baseball, Ray propelled his love for
the game off the field as a major league baseball coach and ESPN commentator and
sports analyst.
In the mid-80’s, still reeling from career highs and baseball showmanship, Ray’s athletic
future was threatened by risk factors of heart disease, including high cholesterol and
hypertension. In 2003, he experienced shortness of breath and chest pain, prompting a
visit to the doctor, which revealed he suffered a heart attack.
Worried that he would no longer be able to participate in the activities he enjoyed most
–like playing baseball and other outdoor activities – he took this shocking news as a
wake-up call. Determined to take action and do all the right things for his heart, he began
to focus on eating healthy, staying active and taking the proper medications as directed
by his physician.
Upon receiving treatment, Ray began to feel healthier and more in control of his life. He
recognizes the “life saving and life extending” benefits of medication and lifestyle
changes, allowing him to “live life without skipping a beat.”
Ray intends to project his passion for preventing heart disease by educating people about
treatment, sending the important message that surviving a heart attack is not the end, it is
a second chance at life. Together, with wife Nancy Lopez of 21 years, whose family
history of heart disease also puts her at risk, they launched the “Back in Full Swing”
campaign to inspire families to get back on track after a heart attack and take pleasure in
daily activities again. Nancy and Ray will share their personal stories and provide tips
for living life after a heart attack for the nearly eight million families affected in the
United States.