The Yankees announced Wednesday afternoon that longtime athletic trainer Gene Monahan will retire at the end of the season.

Monahan is the longest-tenured employeed in the Yankees organization, having worked for the team for 49 years. Monahan has battled throat and neck cancer over the last few years.

He received a long ovation on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium in 2009 when he returned from a short time away from the team.

“Gene Monahan embodies all the very best virtues that this organization strives to uphold,”  Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement. “His devotion to his craft, passion for the game of baseball and tireless work ethic are only a few of the qualities that have made him a bedrock within this franchise for nearly 50 years. Gene has made a lifetime’s worth of sacrifices and contributions in order to best serve the Yankees, and our entire organization will always be grateful.”