Details are scarce at the moment, but new ESPN Sunday Night baseball commentator Curt Schilling has revealed that he has been diagnosed with cancer. Below is a statement from Schilling and his wife, Shonda.

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.

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

ESPN also released a statement about Schilling's impending battle.

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.

There has been no immediate word on the future of Sunday Night Baseball, but that's not important in the grand scheme of things. Cancer is awful, and it's struck close to home numerous times for Schilling. In 1994, Schilling's former Phillies teammate (and future Sunday Night Baseball broadcast partner) John Kruk was diagnosed with testicular cancer. In 2001, his wife Shonda battled melanoma. In 2013, another former Phillies teammate, Darren Daulton, underwent surgery to remove a pair of brain tumors, leading to an emotional reunion between the two at Citizens Bank Park last August when Schilling was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame.

Our thoughts and best wishes are with Schilling and his family.

[ESPN]

About Joe Lucia

I hate your favorite team. I also sort of hate most of my favorite teams.

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