Curt Schilling warns of chewing tobacco use in open letter

Curt Schilling discussed his addiction to chewing tobacco and subsequent health issues in an open letter to his younger self on The Players Tribune website.

Curt Schilling discussed his addiction to chewing tobacco and subsequent health issues in an open letter to his younger self published Saturday on The Players Tribune​ website.

Schilling, 48, was diagnosed with cancer of the mouth last July. In August, he announced the cancer was in remission and attributed having it to his use of chewing tobacco.

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His letter, titled, "Letter to My Younger Self," is addressed to "16-year-old Curt" and details the temptations Schilling felt to try chewing tobacco and, in graphic detail, the health issues he suffered as a result.

If you say yes tomorrow, you will begin to kill yourself from the inside out. It’s difficult for you to understand in this current phase of your life, but by chewing tobacco, you are jeopardizing your participation in what will be some of your most important moments.

Schilling also discusses the numerous milestones achieved by his four children that he risked missing out on by chewing tobacco.

[daily_cut.mlb]His wife, Shonda, will run in the Boston Marathon on April 20 as part of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team to support the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where Schilling received treatment for his cancer last year. Shonda's team is fundraising at Rundfmc.org.

Schilling pitched 20 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros, making six All-Star teams, winning three World Series and winning one World Series MVP in 2001.

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Schilling began a broadcasting career with ESPN in 2010, and after taking time off following his cancer diagnosis, returned to his role on Sunday Night Baseball last September.

- Mike Fiammetta