Pool/REUTERS
Curt Schilling, the former Red Sox who authored the famed "Bloody Sock" game and was one of the best postseason pitchers of all time, announced Wednesday he has been diagnosed with cancer.
Schilling, now a broadcaster for ESPN's baseball coverage, vowed to fight the disease in a statement, saying, "With my incredibly talented medical team, I'm ready to try and win another big game." He did not specify what type of cancer he has.
Schilling, 47, recently was named to ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball broadcast team. He pitched for 20 years in the majors, winning the World Series with Arizona in 2001 and the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007. He was also in the news in retirement for the failure of the video game company, 38 Studios, in Rhode Island. "I've always believed life is about embracing the gifts and rising up to meet the challenges," Schilling said in his statement released by ESPN. "We've been presented with another challenge, as I've recently been diagnosed with cancer. Shonda and I want to send a sincere thank you and our appreciation to those who have called and sent prayers, and we ask that if you are so inclined, to keep the Schilling family in your prayers.
"My father left me with a saying that I've carried my entire life and tried to pass on to our kids: "tough times don't last, tough people do." Over the years in Boston, the kids at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have shown us what that means. "With my incredibly talented medical team I'm ready to try and win another big game. I've been so very blessed and I feel grateful for what God has allowed my family to have and experience, and I'll embrace this fight just like the rest of them, with resolute faith and head on. Thank you, The Schillings"
In its own statement, ESPN said: "Our thoughts are with Curt and his family during this challenging time. His ESPN teammates wish him continued strength in his cancer fight and we look forward to welcoming him back to our baseball coverage whenever he's ready."
Schilling's wife, Shonda, has also battled cancer. In 2001, she was diagnosed with stage 2 malignant melanoma.
Schilling was a three-time 20-game winner and had a career mark of 216-146 and a 3.46 ERA. He is 15th on the all-time list with 3,116 strikeouts. But he was at his best in October, recording an 11-2 mark with a 2.23 ERA in 19 postseason starts. He was the co-MVP of Arizona's '01 World Series victory over the Yankees with teammate Randy Johnson. Schilling beat the Yankees at the Stadium in Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS while pitching on an injured ankle that bled through his sock during the game. Schilling allowed one run and four hits in seven innings.
@gehrig38 NEVER QUIT man!! - Jon Lester (@JLester31) February 6, 2014
The victory forced a Game 7 in which the Red Sox completed a historic comeback by winning a series in which they trailed, three games to none. Boston went on to beat the Cardinals in the World Series, ending a championship drought that lasted 86 years. Johnson, who with Schilling was part of a potent pitching duo in the desert, reacted to the news on Twitter. Johnson tweeted: "Sending heartfelt thoughts to my baseball brother Curt Schilling and his family during this difficult time."
Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino tweeted: "Sending well wishes to Curt Schilling and his family. Always tough to see, stay strong!"
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