Curt Schilling

[MattG12]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4007993

Curt Schilling has announced his retirement from baseball.

Schilling, one of the sport's hard throwers, finishes his career with 3,116 strikeouts, 14th most in baseball history, a 216-146 record and a 3.46 ERA.

He was even better in the postseason, with an 11-2 record, the best of any pitcher with at least 10 decisions, and 2.23 ERA in 19 career starts.

Peter Gammons and Buster Olney both stated that they would be voting for him when he is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 5 years. However, both believe that he will never get in.

As a Red Sox fan I would like to thank Curt for the banners he won us. He did a lot for Boston. The Red Sox have turned into two time Champions from a team that could never win it all for almost 100 years. He did a lot off the field too. His blog posts and frequent call-ins to WEEI were very entertaining over the years. I will miss him and I hope he stays involved with the Red Sox organization looking ahead to the future.

[Finkelskyhook]

He should after getting paid millions to do nothing last year.

[yall hate]

He made great sacrifices for the team.

He will go down as one of the better post season players for the Sox ever. 

I thank him for his contributions. 


It sucks that he got injured and the team 'sunk' 8 million for 'nothing' but that doesnt taint what he did for the team. 

[KJ33]

He made great sacrifices for the team.

He will go down as one of the better post season players for the Sox ever. 

I thank him for his contributions. 


It sucks that he got injured and the team 'sunk' 8 million for 'nothing' but that doesnt taint what he did for the team. 

How about all those, including Dale Arnold, who wanted to give him a 2 year guaranteed deal since someone else surely would offer that?  The sentiment was that he had earned it from what he had already done, well, I think the 8 million took care of that.

[Redz]

A clutch performer.

When he got rocked around by the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS and appeared to be injured and finished, it was a really painful moment to be a Sox fan.  The rest is history.  Anything short of a Sox World Series would have been a huge let down.  Injury or not, Schilling recognized the degree of importance of his failure, and came through big time given a chance to redeem himself.

[Cman]

i agree with the general sentiment of posters above.
as a red sox fan, i will forever be happy for what schilling did, especially in 2004. 

[yall hate]

He made great sacrifices for the team.

He will go down as one of the better post season players for the Sox ever. 

I thank him for his contributions. 


It sucks that he got injured and the team 'sunk' 8 million for 'nothing' but that doesnt taint what he did for the team. 

How about all those, including Dale Arnold, who wanted to give him a 2 year guaranteed deal since someone else surely would offer that?  The sentiment was that he had earned it from what he had already done, well, I think the 8 million took care of that.

I am not sure I understand what you are saying...

[rondo987]

Thank you Curt, for everything.

[the_Bird]

Always love what Schill did for us in '04.  I'm not sure we get the monkey off our back without him; not just his clutch pitching, but the "hell with it, we can win this thing!" attitude he helped bring to the clubhouse.  Most Sox teams would have folded under the pressure; he, along with guys like Millar and a whole host of others, had exactly the right attitude to finally destroy the "curse."  

So, I'll always like him for that.

What I *HATED* was when, immediately post-World Series, he began using his fame to push hard for his political agenda.  Frankly, I don't give a rats' ass what ANY sports figure thinks about politics, and it struck me as so ham-handed (especially being so pro-Bush when MA is about as blue a state as they come).  Now, I would have had a bad taste in my mouth had he come out and been all pro-Kerry, so it's not the political affiliation; it's using his position as a Red Sox "hero" as a bully pulpit.

Last years' contract just felt like extortion...

But, you can't take away '04.  

[Finkelskyhook]

Always love what Schill did for us in '04.  I'm not sure we get the monkey off our back without him; not just his clutch pitching, but the "hell with it, we can win this thing!" attitude he helped bring to the clubhouse.  Most Sox teams would have folded under the pressure; he, along with guys like Millar and a whole host of others, had exactly the right attitude to finally destroy the "curse."  

So, I'll always like him for that.

What I *HATED* was when, immediately post-World Series, he began using his fame to push hard for his political agenda.  Frankly, I don't give a rats' ass what ANY sports figure thinks about politics, and it struck me as so ham-handed (especially being so pro-Bush when MA is about as blue a state as they come).  Now, I would have had a bad taste in my mouth had he come out and been all pro-Kerry, so it's not the political affiliation; it's using his position as a Red Sox "hero" as a bully pulpit.

Last years' contract just felt like extortion...

But, you can't take away '04.  

I agree with the extortion part.  But I wonder if you felt the same way about all of the athletes blindly supporting the blue candidate in the last election?  I doubt it.  I wasn't crazy about what Schilling did either, actually.  At least Schilling had a learned reason for his support. 

I think Schilling is slightly less of a drama queen but a far more credible player than Clemens.  A great big game performer. 

[crownsy]

Always love what Schill did for us in '04.  I'm not sure we get the monkey off our back without him; not just his clutch pitching, but the "hell with it, we can win this thing!" attitude he helped bring to the clubhouse.  Most Sox teams would have folded under the pressure; he, along with guys like Millar and a whole host of others, had exactly the right attitude to finally destroy the "curse."  

So, I'll always like him for that.

What I *HATED* was when, immediately post-World Series, he began using his fame to push hard for his political agenda.  Frankly, I don't give a rats' ass what ANY sports figure thinks about politics, and it struck me as so ham-handed (especially being so pro-Bush when MA is about as blue a state as they come).  Now, I would have had a bad taste in my mouth had he come out and been all pro-Kerry, so it's not the political affiliation; it's using his position as a Red Sox "hero" as a bully pulpit.

Last years' contract just felt like extortion...

But, you can't take away '04.  

I agree with the extortion part.  But I wonder if you felt the same way about all of the athletes blindly supporting the blue candidate in the last election?  I doubt it.  I wasn't crazy about what Schilling did either, actually.  At least Schilling had a learned reason for his support. 

I think Schilling is slightly less of a drama queen but a far more credible player than Clemens.  A great big game performer. 

well he said he would, so i guess he would.

I agree though, but i'll extend it to all stars/athletes. I don't care about your political agenda. speak on it, thats fine, its your right but stay off the preaching pulpit.

in most cases (lets talk movie stars and athletes) your job is either to A) act in front of a camera or B) catch a ball.

I don't want to hear that the rest of the country NEEDS to do as you say or your hurting america. you people are only popular because people from all political followings watch you, so don't tell me what i must vote or not vote for.

[rondo987]

Always love what Schill did for us in '04.  I'm not sure we get the monkey off our back without him; not just his clutch pitching, but the "hell with it, we can win this thing!" attitude he helped bring to the clubhouse.  Most Sox teams would have folded under the pressure; he, along with guys like Millar and a whole host of others, had exactly the right attitude to finally destroy the "curse."  

So, I'll always like him for that.

What I *HATED* was when, immediately post-World Series, he began using his fame to push hard for his political agenda.  Frankly, I don't give a rats' ass what ANY sports figure thinks about politics, and it struck me as so ham-handed (especially being so pro-Bush when MA is about as blue a state as they come).  Now, I would have had a bad taste in my mouth had he come out and been all pro-Kerry, so it's not the political affiliation; it's using his position as a Red Sox "hero" as a bully pulpit.

Last years' contract just felt like extortion...

But, you can't take away '04.  

See this is what I dont understand... I too, do not care about what these athlete/celebrities think about politics, so I really don't pay any attention to what they have to say. However, why is Schilling so critcized for his political endorsments when almost every celebrity/athlete was publically endorsing Barack Obama during election time? My dad went to the Madonna concert back in October (the same night as Game 5 of the ALCS). During her concert, she mentioned Barack and how everyone should vote for him and blah blah blah.

And Madonna wasn't the only one to do this stuff. Celebrities and athletes were wearing t-shirts and mentioning their support for him in interviews and what not, obviously using their influence to get the guy they want elected... So where is the difference here?

[Cman]

Always love what Schill did for us in '04.  I'm not sure we get the monkey off our back without him; not just his clutch pitching, but the "hell with it, we can win this thing!" attitude he helped bring to the clubhouse.  Most Sox teams would have folded under the pressure; he, along with guys like Millar and a whole host of others, had exactly the right attitude to finally destroy the "curse."  

So, I'll always like him for that.

What I *HATED* was when, immediately post-World Series, he began using his fame to push hard for his political agenda.  Frankly, I don't give a rats' ass what ANY sports figure thinks about politics, and it struck me as so ham-handed (especially being so pro-Bush when MA is about as blue a state as they come).  Now, I would have had a bad taste in my mouth had he come out and been all pro-Kerry, so it's not the political affiliation; it's using his position as a Red Sox "hero" as a bully pulpit.

Last years' contract just felt like extortion...

But, you can't take away '04.  

See this is what I dont understand... I too, do not care about what these athlete/celebrities think about politics, so I really don't pay any attention to what they have to say. However, why is Schilling so critcized for his political endorsments when almost every celebrity/athlete was publically endorsing Barack Obama during election time? My dad went to the Madonna concert back in October (the same night as Game 5 of the ALCS). During her concert, she mentioned Barack and how everyone should vote for him and blah blah blah.

And Madonna wasn't the only one to do this stuff. Celebrities and athletes were wearing t-shirts and mentioning their support for him in interviews and what not, obviously using their influence to get the guy they want elected... So where is the difference here?

I would have been okay with Schilling coming out in favor of John Kerry.  What annoyed me was that not only is MA a blue state, but John Kerry, senator from MA and Red Sox fan, was running for president against GWB.  It showed a lack of tact on Schilling's part.  Did Madonna also show a lack of tact?  Probably, I just don't care much about her.

[rondo987]

Always love what Schill did for us in '04.  I'm not sure we get the monkey off our back without him; not just his clutch pitching, but the "hell with it, we can win this thing!" attitude he helped bring to the clubhouse.  Most Sox teams would have folded under the pressure; he, along with guys like Millar and a whole host of others, had exactly the right attitude to finally destroy the "curse."  

So, I'll always like him for that.

What I *HATED* was when, immediately post-World Series, he began using his fame to push hard for his political agenda.  Frankly, I don't give a rats' ass what ANY sports figure thinks about politics, and it struck me as so ham-handed (especially being so pro-Bush when MA is about as blue a state as they come).  Now, I would have had a bad taste in my mouth had he come out and been all pro-Kerry, so it's not the political affiliation; it's using his position as a Red Sox "hero" as a bully pulpit.

Last years' contract just felt like extortion...

But, you can't take away '04.  

See this is what I dont understand... I too, do not care about what these athlete/celebrities think about politics, so I really don't pay any attention to what they have to say. However, why is Schilling so critcized for his political endorsments when almost every celebrity/athlete was publically endorsing Barack Obama during election time? My dad went to the Madonna concert back in October (the same night as Game 5 of the ALCS). During her concert, she mentioned Barack and how everyone should vote for him and blah blah blah.

And Madonna wasn't the only one to do this stuff. Celebrities and athletes were wearing t-shirts and mentioning their support for him in interviews and what not, obviously using their influence to get the guy they want elected... So where is the difference here?

I would have been okay with Schilling coming out in favor of John Kerry.  What annoyed me was that not only is MA a blue state, but John Kerry, senator from MA and Red Sox fan, was running for president against GWB.  It showed a lack of tact on Schilling's part.  Did Madonna also show a lack of tact?  Probably, I just don't care much about her.

So he isn't entitled to his own opinion? Just because he plays for a team that is located in a blue state, he should be treated differently from any other athelete who wishes to express their opinion?

So here is a hypothetical... Shaq plays basketball in Arizona. Lets say in the 2008 election, shaq was publically endorsing Barrack Obama (I don't know if he was, or if even voted for him, but lets just say that happened). But wait, John McCain is a senator in Arizona. So Shaq can't do that, because the Senator from this state is also running for president? Would shaq have been as heavily criticized?

[Finkelskyhook]

I would have been okay with Schilling coming out in favor of John Kerry.  What annoyed me was that not only is MA a blue state, but John Kerry, senator from MA and Red Sox fan, was running for president against GWB.  It showed a lack of tact on Schilling's part.  Did Madonna also show a lack of tact?  Probably, I just don't care much about her.

   Okay.  The double-standard is hilarious.  I guess Rivers, Allen, and the other Bostonians who supported Obama shouldn't have because he's not a Celtics fan?  Other than the whole teary "history" thing, I'll bet you could poll every last one of them and not come up with a coherent reason for their opinion.  Schilling at least had a reason.  I'd rather have reason without tact than blindness with kindness.  

Excellent post, Rondo987.

Speaking of blindness, the same reporters who call Allen Iverson, a stathound team and coach wrecker a first ballot hall of famer are saying Schilling, arguably the best big-game MLB player of his era, will probably not be.  Sadly, they may be right.