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. Stitched Miami Dolphins Jerseys . Second-seeded Sloane Stephens of the United States made lighter work of her day as she beat 2009 champion and Swiss wild card Timea Bacsinszky 6-3, 6-3. Two seeds fell: No. 4 Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium lost to Katarzyna Piter of Poland 6-4, 6-2, and No. Cheap Miami Dolphins Jerseys Online . Catch all the action on TSN2 and TSN GO at 9pm et/6pm pt. San Antonio took the series lead Monday night with a 122-105 home victory in Game 1. The Spurs used a balanced scoring attack and clamped down defensively late in the third quarter to claim the win. http://www.cheapdolphins.com/ . Almost 40 years to the day, the two teams will meet again, this time at BC Place, to celebrate the past and try to earn important points for the present. Wholesale Miami Dolphins Jerseys . The Jays responded to the three-spot Detroit placed on Casey Janssen the evening before with an attack on the Tigers Achilles Heel, its bullpen, tying the game in the ninth and winning the game in the 10th. The result absolved Marcus Stroman, brilliant once again, of a tough luck loss while at the same time robbing Max Scherzer, brilliant once again, of a deserved win. Miami Dolphins Jerseys Outlet . The Reds will host the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight in the opener of a four-game series at Great American Ball Park, and the debut matchup will feature a pair of pitchers whose recent resumes have included a fair number of bases-clearing hits.Rafael Gaglianone made a 29-yard field goal to tie the game with seven seconds left in the fourth quarter, then won the Outback Bowl for Wisconsin with a 25-yarder in overtime. Heisman Trophy runner-up Melvin Gordon led the way once again for the 17th- ranked Badgers, rushing for an Outback Bowl-record 251 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries in a 34-31 victory over No. 19 Auburn. Gordon ended 41 yards shy of the single-season FBS rushing record held by Barry Sanders. He finished with 2,587 yards, while Sanders record holds at 2,628 in 1988. Corey Clement carried the ball 15 times for 105 yards and also caught a touchdown pass for the Badgers (11-3), who set an Outback Bowl record with 400 yards on the ground and snapped a four-game bowl losing streak. Weve been through so much as a team, said Gordon. It feels good to leave as winners. Joel Stave completed 14-of-27 passes for 121 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions for Wisconsin, which played the game under the direction of athletic director Barry Alvarez. Gary Andersens abrupt decision to leave Wisconsin to coach Oregon State put Alvarez back on the sideline on an interim basis to coach in a bowl game for the second time in three seasons. Nick Marshall connected on 15-of-22 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns for the Tigers (8-5). Cameron Artis-Payne carried the ball 26 times for 126 yards and two scores. Auburn took a 31-28 lead on Artis-Paynes 2-yard TD run with 2:55 left in the fourth quarter. But the Badgers marched down the field and tied the game. Gordons 20-yard run coupled with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty moved the ball to the Auburn 38. Wisconsin converted a 4th-and-5 and 3rd-and-5 before settling for Gaglianones game-tying field goal. The Badgers got the ball to start overtime and Troy Fumagallis 14-yard catch on 3rd-and-8 set up Gaglianones 25-yard field goal. Auburn was unable to move the ball and lost when Daniel Carlsons 45-yard field goal hit the right upright. The Badgers needed just five plays to find the end zone on their first possession of the gaame.dddddddddddd Clement followed up a 43-yard run with a 7-yard TD catch. Auburn responded with a touchdown of its own late in the first quarter. Artis- Payne converted a 3rd-and-1 and then scored from two yards out with 2:16 left. Stave was intercepted by Trovon Reed with less than nine minutes remaining in the first half. Two plays later, Marshall hooked up with Ricardo Louis on a 66-yard bomb to give the Tigers a 14-7 lead. Wisconsin was driving on its ensuing touch when Stave was picked off by Jermaine Whitehead. However, Auburn failed to capitalize and was forced to punt. The Badgers opened the second half with a six-play, 75-yard drive that featured all runs. Gordon capped the series with a 25-yard score to make it 14-14. Carlson responded with a 51-yard field goal to give the Tigers a three-point edge. After Stave was intercepted by Whitehead, Carlson missed a 44-yard try. Gordon ripped off a 53-yard TD run on 4th-and-1 to give Wisconsin the lead back with 20 seconds remaining in the third stanza. He stiff-armed his way into the end zone. The Tigers came right back with a touchdown of their own, running the ball eight times during a nine-play drive. C.J. Uzomahs 20-yard TD catch made it 24-21 with 11:21 left in the fourth. Wisconsin went back in front on the next series, going 70 yards on seven plays with Gordon scoring from six yards out. The wild back-and-forth affair continued as Auburn took the lead back with a 10-play, 71-yard drive. The Tigers went for it on 4th-and-11 from the Wisconsin 15 and the Badgers were called for pass interference in the end zone. Artis-Payne scored from two yards out on the next play to make it 31-28 with 2:55 remaining. Game Notes Wisconsin leads the all-time series, 2-1-1 ... The Badgers improved to 12-14 all-time in bowl games, while Auburn fell to 22-15-2 in the postseason ... The Badgers, champions of the Big Ten West Division, made their fifth-consecutive appearance in a January bowl game ... Alvarez became the programs winningest head coach by compiling 118 wins from 1990 to 2005. Wholesale MLB Orioles JerseysRed Sox Jerseys From ChinaDiscount Yankees Jerseys OnlineRays Jerseys For SaleBlue Jays Jerseys From ChinaWholesale MLB White Sox JerseysIndians Jerseys For SaleTigers Jerseys From ChinaWholesale MLB Astros JerseysCheap Baseball Angels JerseysAthletics Jerseys From ChinaMariners Jerseys For SaleCheap Baseball Rangers JerseysBraves Jerseys For SaleDiscount Marlins Jerseys OnlineDiscount Mets Jerseys OnlinePhillies Jerseys From ChinaWholesale MLB Nationals JerseysCubs Jerseys From ChinaDiscount Reds Jerseys OnlineBrewers Jerseys From ChinaWholesale MLB Pirates JerseysWholesale MLB Cardinals JerseysDiamondbacks Jerseys For SaleRockies Jerseys For SaleDiscount Dodgers Jerseys OnlineDiscount Padres Jerseys OnlineGiants Jerseys For Sale ' ' '