QDN: VJ and the Angels

Nov 4, 2002 | Q

I swear, you have no idea how much this picture warms my heart. The guy in the middle (being drowned with champagne) is V.J. Lovero, the team photographer for the Anaheim Angels and a staff photographer for Sports Illustrated Magazine. Just under three years ago, he had a grand mal seizure in his grocery store and was quickly diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer. Out of the blue, V.J.’s doctors gave him six months to live. After taking stock of his life, he decided to fight the cancer aggressively, and now he has the last three years to show for it. Early on, V.J. told me that he wanted to get to the next World Series; I think that it’s poetic that this year brought the World Series to him.

so great.

• Posted by: Moe on Nov 4, 2002, 6:50 PM

hooray for V.J.

• Pinged by anil dash's daily links on Nov 5, 2002, 9:05 AM

What a moving story!! I’m glad your friend is surviving cancer even though I don’t particularly care for the team he covers. ;->

• Posted by: Dave Winer on Nov 5, 2002, 10:33 AM

You should probably be giving a credit to the photographer who shot the photo. Kevin Sullivan. Plus, you could tell everyone that you got the photo from SportsShooter…that would make me happy.

• Posted by: Jason on Nov 6, 2002, 12:26 PM

Deeply saddened by the passing of VJ. He was a friend of mine that was a true professional who loved his work and was deeply devoted to his wife and two sons. VJ was loved by an unbelievable number of people who lives he touched through the years. VJ will be greatly missed!

• Posted by: Val Taylor on Jan 12, 2004, 2:19 PM

Val Taylor…I did not know V.J. and would love to talk to you…wondering if you could call me at 1800LATIMES ext 77145

• Posted by: lonnie white on Jan 12, 2004, 5:39 PM

My fond memory of VJ was this scranny kid who was always around baseball. I met VJ playing ball for his father Pete. As his father he was very well loved by us who played ball in Santa Ana. VJ attended Santa Ana Valley High School I remeber picking him up in the morning in the same Volkswagen I got in trouble by his father for letting him drive. VJ I know you are with Pete in heaven I will miss you.
Albert Trotter

• Posted by: Albert Trotter on Jan 13, 2004, 9:26 PM

Please note that comments automatically close after 60 days; the comment spammers love to use the older, rarely-viewed pages to work their magic. If comments are closed and you want to let me know something, feel free to use the contact page!