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HARTFORD, Conn. -- Former pitcher Curt Schilling announced Wednesday that he is battling cancer. The 47-year-old Schilling divulged the news in a statement released through his employer, Bristol-based ESPN. It did not indicate what type of cancer Schilling has, when he was diagnosed or what his prognosis might be. "With my incredibly talented medical team Im ready to try and win another big game," said Schilling, who retired in 2009 after 20 years in the major leagues. "Ive been so very blessed and I feel grateful for what God has allowed my family to have and experience, and Ill embrace this fight just like the rest of them, with resolute faith and head on." ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys said Schilling is taking a leave of absence. He recently signed a multiyear contract extension with the network and was to be part of the "Sunday Night Baseball" broadcast team, as well as contribute to the networks studio coverage, including its spring training coverage, Soltys said. "Our thoughts are with Curt and his family during this challenging time," the Bristol-based network said in a 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 hes ready". Schilling played for five teams during his Major League career. He won three world championships, with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2001) and Boston Red Sox (2004, 2007), sharing the World Series MVP award with teammate Randy Johnson in 2001. He won 216 games and struck out 3,116 batters during his career, but is perhaps best known for pitching in the 2004 ALCS and World Series after having stitches to mend an ankle injury. His bloody sock was later put on display in Cooperstown. Schilling has been in the news recently after the failure of 38 Studios, a video game company he owned in Rhode Island, with the help of a $75 million state loan guarantee. The company went bankrupt last year, leaving Rhode Island taxpayers on the hook to pay back tens of millions of dollars. Schilling said he invested and lost as much as $50 million. This is not the first time he and his family have battled health issues. Schilling recently revealed he suffered a heart attack in November 2011. His wife, Shonda, successfully battled melanoma in 2001. His daughter, Gabby, took to Twitter on Wednesday to ask for prayers for her father. "So i guess the word is out, if everyone could just keep my dad and family in their prayers it would mean a lot!" she wrote. Chris Kunitz Jersey . MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also will attend the session, which was announced Monday. The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta. Mark Recchi Jersey . Philbin said Thursday he wants players to treat one another with civility and he wont tolerate anything less. In taking questions for the first time since Ted Wells released his report into the bullying scandal that rocked the league, Philbin made it clear things would be cleaned up. https://www.cheappenguinsjersey.com/1711...y-penguins.html. -- The taxing preseason, which included two games in China, is finally over. Mike Bullard Jersey . The actual winners on transfer deadline day are those clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City who were well prepared and managed to get their main incoming business done well ahead of the transfer window closing. Tottenham were able to add seven players by spending over 100 million pounds and also ensured maximum return for the Gareth Bale transfer to Real Madrid by managing the move superbly. Jay Caufield Jersey . Messier, who had been a special assistant to Rangers general manager Glen Sather, announced Thursday in a statement that he is resigning in order to "expand the game of hockey in the New York area by developing the Kingsbridge National Ice Center. LONDON -- Manchester United is one of several teams to have made an offer for Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen as the Belgium international prepares to leave Emirates Stadium after five years. Vermaelen has lost his place in Arsenals team to Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, and manager Arsene Wenger wont stand in the centre backs way if he decides to move on. United is on the look-out for defenders after seeing Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra leave in the off-season. "Are Man United one of the teams to have made an offer?" Wenger said of the interest in Vermaelen. "I think they could be in the group." Wenger said he would prefer to sell Vermaelen, who was once Arsenals captain, to a foreign club. British media have reported that Barcelona have lodged a bid. "He needs to play now," Wenger said. "He has shown ann outstanding attitude but he is in a position where we wouldnt stand in his way if he finds an interesting opportunity.dddddddddddd" Vermaelen, who joined Arsenal from Ajax in July 2009, has had problems with his form and fitness over the past two seasons. With just over a week to go before the start of the Premier League season, Arsenals trio of World Cup winners -- Mesut Ozil, Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski -- are close to returning to training. None of them, however, will be playing in the first game of the campaign, against Crystal Palace on Aug. 16. "You either bring them back quickly and then you lose them in October," Wenger said, "or you give them the needed rest and build them up again." England winger Theo Walcott, who missed the World Cup because of a knee injury, is expected to return by the start of September. ' ' '