HARTFORD, Conn. cheap jerseys . -- 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. wholesale nfl jerseys . The Eastern final, however, still rankles Toronto quarterback Ricky Ray. jerseys from china . Horford left Thursday nights 127-125 double-overtime win at Cleveland in the first overtime with the injury and did not return.GUELPH, Ont. -- C.J. Gable and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats took a huge step towards securing a home playoff game Monday. The rookie rushed for 118 yards and a TD as the Ticats held on to beat the Toronto Argonauts 24-18 and sweep an important home-and-home series with their arch rivals. Hamilton reached the 8-7 mark through 15 games for just the second time since 01 and pulled to within two points of first-place Toronto (9-6) in the East Division. The Ticats moved four points ahead of third-place Montreal (6-9), which lost 34-27 to Winnipeg (3-12) on Monday, heading into a crucial home-and-home series with the Alouettes. "It means a lot to us, we need this as motivation for the next game," Gable said "We know we have a good team here . . . some games we show it, some games we dont but now were putting it all together." But Toronto, which struggled with consistency and penalties all game, made it interesting. Ricky Rays 13-yard TD to Jason Barnes cut Hamiltons lead to six points at 6:43 of the fourth before an enthusiastic season-high Alumni Stadium gathering of 13,362. "These fans were loud as heck," Ticats quarterback Henry Burris said. "The fact we didnt have Labour Day, Thanksgiving made up for it in proper fashion, especially with what was on the line with us two being in the top two slots in the East. "The fans definitely rose to the occasion and were very thankful for that." Ray then took over at Torontos four-yard line with 4:02 remaining and drove the Argos to Hamilton 37 before being picked off by Hamiltons Arthur Hobbs in the end zone. That was Rays first interception this season. "Just really proud the defence got a turnover at the end of the game," Ticats coach Kent Austin said. "A couple times this year weve not been able to close teams out on that side of the ball but they were able to do that tonight against a really good football team. "Great teams string football games together. They dont have one good game, then are off for a week then another good game, then off a week. All we focus on now is stringing the next one together." Hamilton also beat Toronto 33-19 at Rogers Centre on Oct. 4 to clinch the season series 2-1. That earned the Ticats the Ballard Trophy but, more importantly, the tiebreaker should the two finish tied in the standings. Burris was 27-of-36 passing for 350 yards and an interception. Rookie Luke Tasker had seven catches for a game-high 113 yards while Gable added five catches for 46 yards. "We knew at some point they were going to make a run and they definitely did there in the fourth quarter," Burris said. "But to see our defence go out there and put the game away and make a huge stop when the pressuure was on, that gives our team a lot of confidence. cheap jerseys from china. "Right now, were going after that home playoff game and were going to continue moving forward and do what we can to make sure we get a home playoff game at least, then go for first after that." Ray finished 26-of-34 passing for 303 yards with two TDs and the pick in his first start after missing six games with a shoulder injury. Toronto was 4-2 over that span under sophomore Zach Collaros. But Toronto was lucky to still be within striking distance following a sloppy first half. The Argos mustered just five first downs and 137 net yards and were flagged 10 times yet only trailed 16-8, thanks to Rays 32-yard TD strike to Spencer Watt at 13:41 of the second. "Were a good football team but were not good enough to beat ourselves and get away with it," said Argos head coach Scott Milanovich. "We need to play better football . . . you need to play your best football when you enter November and right now I guess it would be safe to say we are not doing that. "He (Ray) felt like he had made good decisions. It was a weird game, hard to get a feel with how he was playing." Toronto also fielded a defence that featured five players in new positions. That included Neiko Thorpe making his first CFL start in place of all-star cornerback Pat Watkins (personal issues) while offensively the defending Grey Cup champions were without receiver John Chiles (hamstring) and tailback Chad Kackert (shoulder). Toronto still remains in the drivers seat for top spot in the East. It plays a home-and-home series with Winnipeg before finishing against Montreal. Hamilton opened the second half impressively with a seven-play, 69-yard scoring march capped by Gables two-yard TD run at 4:01 of the third. The Ticats then went 69 yards on 10 plays but Brett Lauther missed a 28-yard field goal that went for a single and a 24-8 advantage. Toronto drove to the Hamilton 11-yard line late in the third, resulting in Swayze Waters 18-yard field goal at 14:47 to cut the Argos deficit to 13 points. Waters also had two converts and a single. Dan LeFevour ran for Hamiltons other two TDs. Lauther added the converts and a single with the other points coming on a safety. NOTES: Mondays game was a homecoming for Argos special-teams coach Mike OShea, who played at Guelph (1989-92) and is a member of the schools Hall of Fame . . . Chiles has a team-high eight TD catches for Toronto . . . Kicker Luca Congi and running back Chevon Walker were among Hamiltons scratches . . . Ray came in with a 78.3 per cent completion average and if he maintains that pace hed break the CFL single-season mark of 74 per cent held by Calgary offensive co-ordinator Dave Dickenson. ' ' '
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