Curt Schilling – MAN!

It was with a sense of sadness, yet a little bit of joy, to hear that long-time MLB pitcher Curt Schilling is retiring after 20 MLB seasons (23 years in professional baseball).

Schilling’s stats are very, very good, though some may argue that they are not “hall-of-fame good”. Of the three major pitching statistical categories, his win-loss record (216-146) and ERA (3.46) are not great. The only category that really stands out is his 3116 career strikeouts – which ranks him 14th in MLB history. In my opinion, however, Schilling is still a first-ballot hall-of-famer, because he has an almost invincible 11-2 record in the post-season. Basically, one can circle Schilling in for a win in the post-season. His NLCS and World Series MVP awards in 1993 and 2001 testify the very fact that Schilling is the pitcher you want to give the ball to when it matters the most.


And who would forget the “bloody sock” from the 2004 playoffs? Playing with a torn tendon that was basically “stapled” together temporarily by sutures, Schilling literally bled his blood on the playing field, and willed the Boston Red Sox to an improbable comeback against the New York Yankees before winning the world series against the St. Louis Cardinals. The World Series win was Boston’s first since 1918, and the image of Schilling’s bloody sock will be remembered for many, many years to come by most baseball fans.

What I respect the most about Curt Schilling though goes beyond his on-field prowess. Schilling is never afraid to speak his mind, and his criticism against baseball players who use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) has been sharp and harsh. For example, he has suggested that admitted steroids user Jose Canseco’s records “should be erased,” and that Rogers Clemens, another user of PEDs, should have his Cy Young Awards stripped.

Schilling is bash, and arrogant, and I don’t always agree with what he has to say, but I respect his honesty and frankness. His blog, 38 Pitches, is an insightful blog that is almost always an entertaining read. In his latest entry where he announces his retirement, Curt Schilling had two special thank you’s to give:

“To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for granting me the ability to step between the lines for 23 years and compete against the best players in the world.”

“To my wife Shonda and my 4 children, Gehrig, Gabriella, Grant and Garrison for sacrificing their lives and allowing baseball to be mine while I played. Without their unquestioned support I would not have been able to do what I did, or enjoy the life, and I am hopefully going to live long enough to repay them as much as a Father and Husband can.”

Curt Schilling, a man. MLB is a better league because of you. Thank you, and happy retirement!