The Associated Press

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Bench coach Don Baylor is back with the New York Mets after successful treatment for cancer.

Baylor joined the team for the first time this spring on Sunday. It was almost a year to the day since the 54-year-old coach was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, cancer of the bone marrow.

"This is the first spring training in 36 years that I have not been on time unless there was a strike or lockout," said Baylor, who was pronounced cancer-free three weeks ago. "My energy level is as high as it's been in a long time. I feel great."

Baylor, the 1979 AL MVP with the California Angels, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma on March 23, 2003, but he didn't miss any time with the Mets last season.

He underwent stem-cell replacement surgery on Feb. 3. The procedure calls for a six-week recovery period, which is why Baylor didn't join the club when camp opened this year.

"I'm back full-time, I just wanted to be sure," Baylor said. "I talked to Mel Stottlemyre and he said not to come back too soon."

Stottlemyre, the New York Yankees' pitching coach, missed part of the 2000 season and the entire postseason after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

Baylor said the two talked six times after the 2003 season and spoke as recently as two days ago, when Baylor told him he was headed to Port St. Lucie.

Baylor said he thought of Stottlemyre for inspiration during his treatments.

"I told him that I wanted to be a success like he was," Baylor said. "He was somebody that I looked up to. He was my model."

After the Mets' season ended last year, life changed for Baylor. He hasn't been on an airplane since. He even drove to Port St. Lucie from his home in La Quinta, Calif., because he's trying to avoid confined spaces.

He hasn't gone out to eat in a while, either, because there could be people that have viruses or colds. His immune system couldn't have handled it before and he's trying to be careful now.

Baylor said he wasn't scared when he was in the hospital, but the experience was difficult.

There were the blood tests, urine samples and blood pressure checks that had to be done between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. so his doctor could see the results when he came in at 7 a.m.

"It was all the sticks and needles I had to do," said Baylor, who lost 17 pounds. "I don't want to go back."

Although he said he was a little nervous when he arrived Sunday - at one point he said he felt like a rookie again - he was anxious to get back to work.

Since camp started, most of his information about the team has come from Internet reports.

"I try to keep up with that, but there's nothing like going to see it for yourself up close," Baylor said. "It was hard, it really was."