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. Johnny Manziel Jersey . I kept my eyes focused up on the camera during each approach. I just tried to stay focused on my form, as I didnt know what the ball reaction was. I was quite emotional at the end. I did not actually see any of the shots in the game until I got home and watched the video. Randy Jones Jersey . 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The pair are expected to leave on Sunday to join the Russian selection camp. Grigorenko, 19, was selected 12th overall at the 2012 NHL Draft and has scored three goals and five assists in 43 career games with the Sabres. He has appeared in 18 games with the Sabres this season. Zadorov, 18, was taken 16th overall at the 2013 NHL Draft this past June and has appeared in seven games with the Sabres this season, registering one goal. The six-foot-one, 220-pounder should provide a physical boostt to the Russian team.dddddddddddd Joining them on the Russian selection camp roster is incumbent starting goaltender and 2012 Tampa Bay Lightning first-rounder Andrei Vasilevski. There are also some prospects from Canadian NHL clubs to look out for on the selection camp roster as Calgary Flames draftee Rushan Rafikov is among the defencemen. The Edmonton Oilers have a pair of prospects up front in Anton Slepyshev and Bogdan Yakimov. Russia won a bronze medal at the 2013 World Juniors, defeating Canada in the bronze medal game in Ufa. Grigorenko was a member of that team scoring two goals and four assists in seven games. See the related links for the full selection camp rosters for all 10 competing nations at the 2014 World Junior Championship. Wholesale HoodiesNFL Shirts OutletJerseys NFL WholesaleCheap NFL Jerseys Free ShippingWholesale Jerseys CheapCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaWholesale JerseysWholesale NFL JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '