Curt Schilling Reveals He Has Been Diagnosed with Cancer
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Six-time MLB All-Star pitcher Curt Schilling has revealed he has been diagnosed with cancer in a statement released on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
ESPN Front Row's Ben Cafardo reported on the adverse development. The 47-year-old former right-handed ace prepares to battle the circumstances with the same fervor he went after hitters with on the diamond:
I've always believed life is about embracing the gifts and rising up to meet the challenges. 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.
Alluding to a profound quote from his father, his experiences in seeing children fight through the devastating disease and analogizing the situation to winning a big game, Schilling expressed confidence in being able to beat it:
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.
There is no doubt this is a tough time, but Schilling has proven himself to be a tough person. Schilling is now an analyst for ESPN, and the network released its own statement to support Schilling, per Cafardo:
"Our thoughts are with Curt and his family during this challenging time," said ESPN in the statement. "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."
ESPN's Mike Greenberg reached out with his support on Twitter, along with Stuart Scott, who is also dealing with cancer that returned in January:
Thinking of our friend Curt Schilling this evening. Tough as they come. Look forward to seeing him back real soon. @gehrig38
- Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) February 5, 2014
Our fight vs cancer just gained a new warrior..My colleague @gehrig38 aka Curt Schilling diagnosed. HONORED 2fight WITH him! #LIVESTRONG
- Stuart Scott (@StuartScott) February 5, 2014
Unfortunately, this isn't the first health problem that has plagued Schilling in recent years, as he suffered a heart attack in November 2011. His wife, Shonda, also dealt with cancer in being diagnosed with stage 2 malignant melanoma in 2001, according to ESPN.com.
Before becoming a credible media personality with transparent and impassioned insight, Schilling established himself as one of the standout starting pitchers of his era. He is renowned for his competitiveness, power pitching and especially his clutch play in the postseason.
With the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001, he shared World Series MVP honors with fellow pitcher Randy Johnson, as the two drove the D'Backs to a championship against the perennial powerhouse New York Yankees.
Johnson sent his thoughts to Schilling and his family upon hearing the news:
Sending heartfelt thoughts to my baseball brother Curt Schilling and his family during this difficult time.
- Randy Johnson (@RJ51Photos) February 5, 2014
Perhaps what makes Schilling even more known in terms of his accomplishments on the field beyond that exceptional stretch was his famous "bloody sock" game. Schilling pitched six shutout innings and gave up one run in the seventh in the 2004 ALCS-once again facing the Yankees-aiding the efforts of the Boston Red Sox to capture their first World Series title since 1918.
It's surprising that Schilling never won a Cy Young Award in his impressive 20 years of pitching. He compiled a record of 216-146 with a 3.46 ERA, finishing with 3,116 strikeouts-15th on the all-time list. Schilling began his playing days with the Baltimore Orioles (1988 to 1990) before spending one year with the Houston Astros. He then settled in with the Philadelphia Phillies for eight-plus years (1992 to 2000).
From there, stints in Arizona and Boston closed out an excellent career, and he capped it off with a third World Series triumph following the 2007 campaign.
Here's hoping Schilling makes a complete and as speedy of a recovery as possible.