ST. LOUIS -- Hall of Fame right-hander Bob Gibson, known to most as the greatest Cardinals pitcher of all time, is battling pancreatic cancer, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Rick Hummel reported on Saturday night. The club tweeted a message in support of Gibson: "Get well soon, Bob. All of Cardinal Nation is behind you!"

“[Gibson] is such a tough dude," Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright said Sunday. "Toughest man I know, besides Yadi [Molina]. I don’t know. It’s a tie. We’re all praying for Mr. Gibson. He’s so respected around here, maybe one of the greatest pitchers of all time. He’s a guy we always look up to and continue to carry on the Cardinal tradition here because of guys like him. We wish him the best.”

Gibson, 83, received the diagnosis several weeks ago and sent a message to living Hall of Famers, notifying them of his battle, according to Hummel's report. He is hospitalized in Omaha, Neb., his hometown, Gibson's agent, Dick Zitzmann, told Hummel.

Gibson spent his entire 17-year career with the Cardinals and went 251-174 with a 2.91 ERA with 3,117 strikeouts, retiring after the 1975 season. The nine-time All-Star finished his career with two Cy Young Awards, one MVP, nine Gold Gloves, two World Series titles, two World Series MVP Awards and the ERA title (1.12) in 1968.

“Want to send our good wishes to Bob Gibson," Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. "That’s unfortunate news. We know he’s a tough competitor, so we know he’s going to fight like crazy, and our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, and we wish him utmost recovery and comfort. We’re here for him.”

Gibson was inducted into Cooperstown in 1981, and his No. 45 was retired by the Cardinals in '75.