A’s broadcaster Ray Fosse, a former All-Star catcher, announced on Thursday that he is taking time off to fully devote his efforts toward a longtime battle with cancer.

“Along with my wife of 51 years, Carol, today we share that I have been silently battling cancer for the past 16 years,” Fosse, 74, revealed as part of a joint statement with the A’s and NBC Sports California. “Given my current medical condition, I am taking a step away from the A’s and NBC Sports California effective immediately, to focus on my treatment and to be with my family during this time.

“My wife, Carol, and I extend our gratitude to the baseball community, and community at large, for your thoughts and prayers.”

• Stand Up To Cancer

Fosse’s voice has been a staple of A’s games for decades, serving as a color analyst for the team’s radio and television broadcasts since 1986. He was a two-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award-winning catcher for the Indians, and later played for a pair of World Series championship teams with the A’s in 1973 and ’74.

“The Oakland A's and NBC Sports California send our unconditional support to Ray during this challenging time,” the team and network said in the statement. “Our priority is Ray's health and well-being. He is and will always be part of our family, and we will help him and Carol in every way we can throughout Ray’s recovery.”