Arizona Diamondbacks’ Hall reacts to Curt Schilling news
Feb 6, 2014, 6:11 PM | Updated: 6:11 pm
On Wednesday it was released to the public that former Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Curt Schilling was diagnosed with cancer. Diamondbacks President and CEO Derrick Hall is a cancer survivor himself, and said that the first few days are some of the hardest.
“It’s a frightening time for anybody, having gone through it myself,” Hall said. “You really have to stay positive and look for the support of your loved ones.”
Hall was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had surgery in 2011. In early 2013 a blood test came back cancer-free for the first time, and he has been in remission since then.
Cancer is something the Schilling family has battled before as well. Schilling’s wife, Shonda, was diagnosed with stage two malignant melanoma back in 2011.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. He’s a hero who has had a terrific career, but everybody is vulnerable,” Hall said. “Everyone, unfortunately, can be impacted by this terrible disease. Now he’s got to fight it.”
Schilling has not released what type of cancer he was diagnosed with, but said in a statement he vows to fight the disease.
As for what Hall would say to Schilling about his diagnosis?
“This is just one more big win you’ve got to get,” he said. “And I’m sure he can do it.”