BOSTON - Former major league pitcher Curt Schilling says he has been treated for mouth cancer and blames the disease on his use of chewing tobacco for about 30 years. Schilling discussed details on WEEI-FM in Boston on Wednesday. The former Red Sox right-hander announced in February that he had cancer but hadnt disclosed what kind. He has said he is in remission after seven weeks of radiation and chemotherapy and has lost 75 pounds. "Im not going to sit up here from the pedestal and preach about chewing," he said. "It was an addictive habit. I can think about so many times in my life when it was so relaxing to just sit back and have a dip and do whatever. "And I lost my sense of smell, my taste buds for the most part. I had gum issues, they bled, all this other stuff. None of it was enough to ever make me quit." Schilling revealed the type of cancer two months after Hall of Fame outfielder Tony Gwynn died at the age of 54 of oral cancer, a disease he attributed to years of chewing tobacco. Use of chewing tobacco has been "a norm in the baseball culture," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "On the heels of the unfortunate passing of Tony Gwynn and now what Curts going through, you would think that this would be more of a current beacon for guys to take note and know that theres a price to be paid if youre one of the unfortunate ones that is stricken by cancer." Major League Baseball prohibits having smokeless tobacco in public view and imposes fines for violations. Minor leaguers cannot use it in games. Former Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester was coming back from treatment for anaplastic large cell lymphoma in 2007, Farrells first year as Bostons pitching coach. Lester, sent to Oakland at the trade deadline last month, was 4-0 that year and won the final game of Bostons four-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies in the World Series. "Any time a public figure who is, unfortunately, diagnosed with cancer, is able to come out and speak about it — I know how hard that can be — it brings awareness," Lester said after Schillings disclosure, "and maybe sheds a little light or a little hope on somebody whos struggling." Before his team faced the Red Sox on Wednesday night, Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia said the use of smokeless tobacco "is non-existent in the minor leagues during a game. ... You hope that the next generation will heed the mistakes of the prior generation." Schilling is a three-time World Series champion with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Red Sox. "Its a very serious issue," said Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter, Schillings manager with the Diamondbacks in 2000, the year before they won the World Series after Showalter left. Awareness "has gotten a lot better over the years through things like Curt is doing, but theres a long way to go." Schilling played from 2004-07 with the Red Sox, who won the World Series in his first and last seasons with them. "Hes elected to keep it very personal and I wouldnt want to betray that confidence," said Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona, who managed Boston from 2004-11. "Hes said what hes wanted to say, when hes wanted to say it." Colorado Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer said he tries to encourage young players not to use smokeless tobacco. "Anybody that thinks about it or wants to do it because its cool should realize its definitely not," he said. "Youre seeing these guys lives get put in jeopardy because of it. Young players and young kids should be aware of that. Its a disgusting habit." Schilling is being sued by Rhode Islands economic development agency after his video game company received a $75 million state loan guarantee and then collapsed. ___ AP Sports Writers Pat Graham and Janie McCauley and freelancers Patrick Donnelly and Paul Ladewski contributed to this story. . - Regan Smith had the checkered flag in sight at Daytona a year ago and a freight train of cars in his rearview mirror. . The judge sternly instructed the prosecutor to restrain himself and he apologized -- then went right back to trying to pick holes in the testimony of the double-amputee runner. It was a harsh day of cross-examination for Pistorius, challenged relentlessly about his account of the moments just before he killed Reeva Steenkamp, as well as circumstances related to several firearms charges against him, including the firing of a gun in a crowded restaurant.
http://www.officialcapitalsfanstore.com ... ls-jersey/. - The Denver Broncos kept rookie wide receiver Tavarres King from joining the Green Bay Packers by promoting him to their active roster Tuesday. . -- Oakland Athletics starting pitchers Jarrod Parker and A. . The team announced the moves before Sundays game against Houston. Shaw was 1-4 with a 4.26 ERA in 43 games for the Diamondbacks. Bergesen was claimed off waivers from Baltimore on Friday.Anaheim, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Henrik Lundqvist made 24 saves and the New York Rangers scored three goals during the third period en route to a 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. Rick Nash, Mats Zuccarello and Dominic Moore each scored in the final stanza and Derick Brassard lit the lamp in a third straight game for the Rangers, who have won three straight games and 11 of their last 12. I think it comes down to execution, said Lundqvist. I really like the way we are playing. Francois Beauchemin scored on the power play and Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 26- of-29 shots fired his way in his second start of the season as the Ducks were unable to build upon their 4-3 shootout win in Nashville on Sunday. After a scoreless first period, Brassard moved in from the point towards the left circle and blasted a shot through the pads of Bryzgalov for a 1-0 Ducks lead 9:10 into the middle stanza. New York increased its lead 2:32 into the third as Kevin Klein took a failed clear from Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen and fired a shot on net. Nash tipped the puckk, which fluttered off Bryzgalovs shoulder and into the net for a 2-0 game.dddddddddddd After Derek Stepan took a delay of game penalty, Beauchemin fired a shot from the point that deflected off Rangers forward Carl Hagelin and over the blocker of Lundqvist for a one-goal game with 9:51 remaining. Zuccarello provided some breathing room after he intercepted an Anaheim pass at the right circle and fired a shot short side for a 3-1 lead with 5:33 to play. The Ducks pulled Bryzgalov in favor of an extra attacker with over two minutes remaining, but Moore quickly sent the puck into the empty net to account for the final score. Game Notes Lundqvist has won 10 of his 11 last starts ... The Rangers improved to 5-1-1 against the Pacific Division this season ... Anaheim forward Ryan Getzlaf, who tallied an assist on Beauchemins goal, has points in 11 of his last 12 games ... New York is now 18-0-1 this season when allowing two or fewer goals in a game ... The two teams will meet again on Mar. 22 at Madison Square Garden. ' ' '
