My shoulder
Feb 7th, 2008 by Curt Schilling
Speculation is rampant right now. I see the Sox just released a statement.
At the time we negotiated the 2008 contract I passed all physical exams and testing, as well as the MRI the club required me to take. I knew in my heart of hearts that the extra time I was giving my arm to rest this winter would in fact be the cure for what I went through the entire 2007 season. I had a strong desire to not have to go through multiple cortisone injections in my shoulder for another year. There was absolutely no reason for anyone involved to believe I would be anything other than completely healthy and ready for the 2008 baseball season.
Things have changed since then and I contacted the team early last month with concerns and we’ve been working diligently to resolve them.
There have been disagreements these past few weeks in an effort to provide me with a solution that would allow me to pitch as much as possible during the 2008 season. At no time did I ever consider taking a course of action against the clubs wishes. In the end, regardless of who agreed with whom, I have chosen the clubs course of action and will vigorously pursue any and every option I can to be able to help this team to another World Series title in 2008.
Please understand that a lot of what has been reported is not true. When the club feels it’s appropriate to further discuss the details of this issue publicly I will elaborate but I need to make it clear that Dr Morgan did NOT diagnose me with a tear of the rotator cuff at any time during this process, nor did he recommend rotator cuff surgery.
Dr Craig Morgan is inarguably one of the most highly respected shoulder experts in the world. I’m here because 13 years ago he was the only person on the planet to actually get what was wrong with me and correctly diagnose, and then treat me. He’s been on the cutting edge of treating throwing shoulders for over a decade. Much of the stuff that’s now seen as cutting edge treatment and therapy he was doing 10 years ago. I trusted him with my career then, and always will.
After being diagnosed by the Red Sox medical staff I sought a second opinion, as anyone would, and when it became clear there was disagreement (which is not uncommon by the way), I agreed to see an independent Doctor from a list the Red Sox provided me, for the third opinion.
At this time I have agreed to abide with the clubs wishes in hopes that will provide the results they believe it will.
Dear Curt,
I will pray that God heals your shoulder completely! That way you can pitch awesome this season. After all in Isaiah 53:5 it states…”But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
It also says in Isaiah 54:17 …”No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”
So please remember have faith because our Heavenly Father can Heal and fix it quickly! Be Blessed!!
Stephanie
At what point will we have all the details? Is there a schedule to make the details available?
We all want the best for you, but you know RSN, we want the details and need a timeframe otherwise we go nuts!
Gotta say this: It’s wonderful & exhilarating to know that, whatever the situation, Curt Schilling will tell you what’s going on from his view, straight-up.
It’s one of the most fulfilling parts of being a Sox fan nowadays. No bullcrap, no spin- Curt will chime in on SOSH or on his blog & say what the story is.
Curt- thanks.
Good Luck to you Curt and I hope everything works out that you’ll be pitching for the Sox in 2008. I’m hoping you’ll be with us this coming season but beyond that I hope everything with your shoulder is well….no matter what. Thanks for your open honesty about all of it.
Oh my God! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read this this afternoon!
Oh say it isn’t so? Ugh ugh ugh!
I will pray for you Curt.
Peace
Curt: This blog has got to drive the media crazy. Thanks for remembering those of us who check 38 pitches regularly and clearing up misinformation. We will all pray that the third opinion was correct and that you’ll be back to pick up another WS win in the fall. Since I am a physician myself, I’ll be first to admit I am not always right and maybe the surgery can be avoided. Best wishes to a good person.
Ohhhh please!!
You are such a drama queen. Just go away, You are not making the HOF which is your only reason to play anymore anyway!
All these sheep will say prayers for you but overall your just a chump with a big mouth.
In followup, I want to make it clear I am not denigrating Dr. Morgan’s opinion in any way. Simply put, in medicine there are often multiple correct solutions to any problem.
Thanks for posting this, Curt. It’s great to have the most close-up view of the situation, even if it still is vague. I’m glad it’s not a rotator cuff tear, which would be terrible. Good luck on resolving this whole situation, and I do look forward optimistically to seeing you pitch this last year without any other injuries!
Thanks again,
Liza
In today’s world of spoiled kids, athletes, etc it is so refreshing to get a professional athletes opinion / comment straight up. Like it or not, your getting an opinion from Curt. Would some prefer a canned response or a “no comment.”? Curt gives you an answer without filter or abbreviation. To me he is a “throwback” to the athlete of old. Love him or disagree with him, he is true to his word. I don’t know him personally but I see him around town. He strikes me as a family man who “gets it”. His priorities appear to be well in check. His God given talents are not only as a professional athlete but as a great humanitarian. My sense is that he gives far more than he takes. To me that is far more important than any strikeout or victory.
Cut him some slack and wish him luck with his shoulder. I say let his opinions roll. I look forward to reading his views on politics, RSN etc.
Good luck Curt and remember it’s your body, you do what your comfortable with.
We all know you are willing to sacrifice your own health, you have proved that beyond a shadow of a doubt. You will always have our support no matter what you decide!
I hope you feel better soon!
Good luck, Curt. Godspeed.
Unbelievable. Curt, maybe Im jumping ahead of myself, but Im guessing this occurred because you have had to overwork yourself to meet Theo’s “clause” in your contract? I hope this is not the case, but I feel as though you were alright in November, all of a sudden your basically forced to put everything you have into getting back into great shape. I tore my rotator cuff (not saying you tore yours) over someone who forced me into working that much harder in order to make a team. I really hope that this is something that was hurting either way, not a result of being overworked to meet contractual needs.
Curt, The reason I have held you in such high regard as my favorite Sox player for the last several years isn’t bacause of your performances, as great as they have been, what has made you an idle of mine is your character.
I don’t know all sides of the story of course but if the news of your shoulder injury is true and prevents you from pitching the majority of this year, the righ thing to do and what I hope to hear from you is that you would retire and void your contract.
You have had an amazing career, only closely followed by what I would consider amazing character and a guidance in your life to do what is right. I hope that I can always view you in that way.
Really the Boston media just sucks. They aren’t happy if they aren;t starting trouble with someone.
Truly wish you the best and hope that you get back to full health; not just for baseball but for you. And thank you for telling the true story
Crossing fingers for you Curt!
What a shame. So sorry to hear we’re going to miss out on seeing more of you this season. I wish you a speedy recovery and hope to see you after the All Star Break.
Just be around to mentor the young guys and pitch in the post season. Thanks for the update. It’s really crazy. I read the story on foxsports.com (who said you hadn’t posted an update) and then shoot over here and you’ve already addresed it. Class act.
Hi Curt:
Thanks for your quick reply to all the news media. We really appreciate what you’ve done for the Sox. Your signing was the key in the Red Sox exorcism.
We pray that you will recover fully and enjoy your last season in baseball (or your last several seasons, whatever the case may be).
Thank you for your openess and honesty.
My wife Marilyn and I run the Gospel School for the Deaf over here in Fiji. It is thrilling to be able to bring the Good News to the deaf of Fiji and the South Pacific. We have had a little involvement with the Fiji National (undefeated) Baseball team. (They are the only baseball team in Fiji and haven’t played any games!). If you are ever over this way, stop by. They have some great athletes. We are also home in Rhode Island during the summer baseball season.
Keep up your good work.
In His Service,
Jim from Fiji
In spite of what you and the Red Sox have done to my Yankees over the last few years, Curt, wish you a speedy recovery. Life, as you well know, is unpredictable, so none of us can chart a course/path just the way we would want for things to play out. Just be good to yourself amid all the speculation and please remember that your health matters most. You have courageously given the Red Sox your best over the years, so hopefully this recent development can be worked out as amicably as possible.
Curt,
I hope your shoulder gets better, but no matter what happens from here on out, I’ll always remember 2004 and the bloody sock (particularly beating the Spankees). Good luck and get healthy.
Whatever the outcome…….we hope its a good one…..but you will always
be a hero in this town…..
Yeah rsox38, screw the worlds problems. God needs to get on Curt’s shoulder ASAP!
Schilling is a snake oil salesman. Take the $8M and go away. The Sox don’t need the drama. Go campaign for McCain. What’s the matter, is Clemens getting too much press?
Now that the Patriots are done and the media is getting tired of tearing apart their amazing season they immediately try and put a negative spin on our other Championship team the Red Sox. I have been an avid fan of the Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots for nearly 40 years and I am getting really tired of the constant negativity and attempts to villianize our sports heros and teams. Sports are entertainment for the fan. The medias job is to report facts unless you are a journalist then you seek stories. I am just so tired of reporters printing the first words they hear so they can be self promoting and get their names out. I heard everything today from Curt Schillings career was over to he was out for the year to he tried to work one over on the Sox. From a fans point of view I waited decades to see my favorite baseball team win a championship. Curt Schilling was one of the top reasons the Boston Red Sox won not one but TWO friggin World Series!!! The Sox have won 2 World Series in 4 years dammit! I don’t care if he has no arms and one leg he will always be one of my favorite and most admired players and competitors. You broke down walls with this blog, you showed courage doing it just as you do everytime you take the mound. This guy would pitch with his left foot if he thought it would help the team. The media in Boston needs a good swift kick in the juevos for their stupid attempts to take down a man who should have his statue erected in front of Fenway forever! Take care of your health Curt. You’ve etched your legend into baseball into our hearts and Red Sox history and they can never take that away!!!
I hope the best for you. As in all things, the Sox are a business first off, so they will do what they will do. I was listening to the radio today and heard the rampant speculation that you describe, so after my shift of delivering Chinese food, I had to come straight here to hear it from the horse’s mouth. And yes i am referring to you as a horse, more specifically, a workhorse, one that would be a great blow to lose.
Whatever happens, I hope there is no sour taste left in your mouth, you are a valued member of the Massachusetts community, one as a philanthropist and the other as a business owner who gainfully employs Massachusetts residents. In this day and age, we need all the help given to charities and of the jobs created that we can get.
Thank you Curt. ‘04 couldn’t have happened without you, and ‘07 couldn’t have happened without ‘04. I hope for the best in ‘08, and will miss your presence if it comes to that.
Justin Kapust
I work for a company that provides testing for soft tissue injuries. We have in the past provided testing for professional athletes and have provided other solutions to season and/or career ending surgery. Our testing allows us to conduct our test using active range of motion. I not saying that surgery is never required, but many times it may be unnecessary. If this is something that would interest you please let me know. All the best to a great pitcher and even better role model.
Well, maybe it’s simply time to retire your shoulder already. God, who needs your belly aching. Thanks for filling our ear with your BS.
Curt, I hope you have a tremendous recovery and get ten wins in the second half.
May science be with you.
Even if you don’t pitch another game for the Sox, your spot in Boston sports history is secured for the long run. You came to town and helped us to win not one but two World Series titles. Sox fans are going to always remember that, and the huge role you played.
Don’t get me wrong, I definitely hope you are back this season for one more hurrah. But shoulder injuries are tricky things, so who knows….either way, your legacy here is golden.
Curt I really hope that you’ll be able to pitch for us this season ,you know you’r a fan favorite and we would appreciate if you could go out there and win us another world championnship (we really need one to ease the pain from the pats lost…)Anyways best of luck to you and please even its only your 5th year with the club please go into cooperstown with a B on your forehead.
Curt,
I wish the media would just take a break until all facts are released and stop all the speculation. They seem to love to sensationalize and get everybody all worked up. I know you are a straight shooter and tell it like it is. RSN loves you !
If there’s such a thing as karma, then you’ll be pitching well and pain-free in 2008.
Even my comment is misplaced here, I finally decided to get it together and tearfully thank you for your efforts to raise awareness of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and funds for its eventual cure. My dad lost his fight with ALS in 1993 at the age of 46.
It’s taken me over three years (and several attempts at typing the present comment) to tell you what your footwear in the 2004 World Series meant to me and to my mom. As cynical and often angry as I’ve become, I consider you a true hero without equal.
On a lighter note, I knew that you were alright when I read that your family was from western Pennsylvania.
As a former Tucson Toro, you’ll be pleased to know that the Tucson Sidewinders have designated their May 30th games against Las Vegas as ALS Awareness night (with post-game fireworks).
K-ALS!
Logged on here, hoping to find the real story.
Thanks for the information.
Be well, Curt. We need 38 as we look to repeat in ‘08.
Curt:
I couldn´t be happier that I may never see you pitch again in my life.
Curt:
I’m glad you’re writing on this site. It’s great to get what’s going on directly instead of trying to decipher the reports in the media.
I hope everything works out and you can pitch your best this season. Thanks for keeping us posted.
Take care of yourself.
I’m so sorry to hear that you have an injury! I hope that everything turns out alright for you. You’ve got your family (both at home and work) so I’m sure you’ll get lots of support no matter what happens.
This is a little funny - I was at work when I read the headline that you were injured, and I said “Oh Sh**”. A coworker said “Yeah, I read about Romney.” I said “No, this is my Sox!”
Shows where my interests lay.
Take care of yourself, Curt!
Curt,
This is totally off topic from your shoulder (hope it gets better), but I couldn’t figure out another way to attempt to contact you.
I was wanting to ask you about this blog. Have you enjoyed it for the amount of time you’ve had it so far? Do you generally get good feedback on your posts? Is it easy or hard to keep up?
You see, I am a NAIA college baseball player from the Midwest. Recently for some reason, I have this feeling placed on me that I need to share my experiences as a college baseball player. I really want to share my experiences with kids that want to play college baseball. I’m talking about on the field, in the classroom, and social life as a college athlete. I’m thinking about trying out a blog, and have asked a few myspace pages that are dedicated to college recruiting and high school players if they would be interested in posting a blog if I were to make one.
I just wanted to hear feedback from you on your feelings of the whole blogging experience, and if you have any tips to go along the way.
Again, I hope your shoulder heals.
Jake S.
Thank you for telling everyone the situation as it stands from your end and good luck with your rehab and everything. (I think people–not you, obviously!–forget that it’s not just pitching that is affected by an injury, it’s every little part of daily life that is affected.)
As you can tell by my username that I am not a Sox fan, but I really wish you good luck with your rehab Curt. I hope you can make a speedy recovery and that we can see you on the mound in 2008. You are, and have been, one hell of a pitcher especially when it counts most, the post season. Again good luck from a Yankee fan.
I had seen various reports today about “career ending shoulder surgery”, and knew I had to come here to get the straight story. One of the things I admire about you, Curt, is that you are a stand up tells it like it really is guy. I hope that things can be worked out to everyone’s satisfaction so we can win another series this season. It won’t be the same without you on the mound.
Take care of the shoulder, and God Bless
–Stef
(a Red Sox fan in Soonerland)
Grateful for the honesty and integrity to keep what’s behind closed doors, behind closed doors, for whatever the reason.
Hoping for the best for you in the 08 season.
Hey! Just keep your head up and get healthy! You’ve got your family.
Just keep hitting that scale and get ready for the important part of the season! ;>
Curt,
I’m sorry to hear about your shoulder. I’m sure no one is more frustrated than you are about having to postpone pitching, especially in what might be your last season. You have my best wishes for a speedy recovery.
-Josh
PS: Thank you for once again using your blog to communicate directly to fans.
Curt,
Thanks for setting the record straight for your fans. I wish you the best of luck and I really hope to see you pitching for the sox soon.
On another note, I was reading through the comments on his post and I noticed a few really disrespectful posts. This man is in pain, is that funny to you in some twisted form? If you don’t like Curt for some reason just don’t read what he writes to us and keep your twisted thoughts in your own head.
Get well soon Curt!
-wade
Curt,
It’s been a pleasure watching you perform over the years. Add my prayer to the list of people who are praying for you.
Keep your head up and your eye on the prize.
We believe in you.
Charles
Curt:
I’m not your biggest baseball fan since I’ve been rooting for the Yankees since the 1960 Word Series. And of course your politics and mine are completely at odd (I wrote a letter to the Globe in 2004 chastizing you for supporting Bush). But I identify with you on two things: your work for ALS (one of my best friends died last September of that horrible disease) and the shoulder problem. I had the fully invasive rotator cuff surgery on my left shoulder two years ago. The pain sucked. The rehab was worse. I can only suggest that you try every non surgical option first before allowing yourself to get cut. I managed to get four karate belts with a torn rotator before I had the surgery. I’m sure I made it worse but I got through it. Good luck (though not too much!).
Michael
Ah man. Tough luck.
Hey Curt. Living, as I do, in Bristol in the UK, it feels a long way from Boston, but your story and the way you’ve conducted your career have been an inspiration to me. Good luck with your and thank you for being straight with the fans about this.
Robin
Good luck getting healthy from another Yankee Fan who wants to see you pitch this season. For the Yankees to be the best, they have to beat the best. Right now, the Red Sox are the best and it wouldn’t be same without you 60′6″ from home plate every 5 days.
No worries boss. You’ll do what’s right as always.
Oh boy …
A week ago, we Boston sports fans were being heralded by all of America to be in a place, no other American city has been … we had the potential to have three professional teams as reigning champions of their respective sports … all at the same time … I repeat … potential … we all know what happened on “Super Sunday” to our beloved Pats … strike one … now we lose Curt (cmon Clay Bucholz!!!!!!!) … hopefully not strike two … and who knows how the Celtics season will ultimately develop … well I’m a Red Sox fan and tomorrow the truck leaves for Florida and spring training, this weekend the PGA plays in Pebble Beach with Tom Brady and Bill Murray … and hope “Springs” eternal … but Curt …you’re killing me … oh, where have you gone Johann????
Best wishes on this course of treatment working for you Curt. It will be great to see you roll in for the second half and another run at AL East title and another world series.
…and hopefully the rehab will keep too busy to work the campaign trail
Can’t thank you enough for the thrills you have given me over the years - it’s time to take care of yourself -
However, you do a Bobby Orr - remember what he did when his knees failed him in Chicago?
Go Sox!
Curt,
I had two rotator cuff rebuilds in the last six years, one good one bad. I had my off hand done in 2002 and it recovered with therapy in about four months. I then injured my right shoulder at work and had surgery to repair it by the same surgeon, he is about the best you would ever deal with, it took eight hours instead of the two they had told me before I went under. It has been two years since the second surgery, I am now able to toss a dart 8 feet for about half an hour. My experience with any surgery to your working arm has been poor at best and will probably lead to replacement of the joint at some point. I would hope to see you out on the hill this year and know the only way that will happen is by strengthening the muscles around it and therapy. You have been known to be stubborn in doing things the right way, you are taking the only chance you have of returning from a partial tear. You will end up needing surgery to fix it after you decide you are done to get a level of comfort to lead a normal life after baseball. You want to be able to hold up that trophy one more time and the HOF plaque that will follow it.
Good luck rehabbing, let me knoe if you want to get a local sports guy to take another look at it, he does a great job, even if you just want to ease your mind of questions.
Best of luck, time to start rehabbing is here if you are not having surgery.
dsk
Curt, sorry to hear about your shoulder troubles. I can imagine that this is very frustrating for you as you were looking toward the season with great anticipation after working hard during the off-season. You will be in our thoughts and prayers as you go through the process of rehabbing your shoulder. I look forward to the day later in the season when you return to the rotation and lead the Sox to another World Series championship.
Until then, baseball is a GREAT game to watch!! Enjoy it with the rest of us. You’ll have a better seat!
See you down here at Fenway Park South..err Camden Yards… if you travel down here with the team.
Well, Curt, another sheep offering gratitude that I always know where to get the real story behind Red Sox happenings! I’ll be praying that you have clear direction about the shoulder- God’s purpose is always in play- it’ll be interesting to see what He is up to this time. Your character goes before you so the media can imply what they want- funny how there are some things in common with politics and sports and how the media slants both for their position!!! Blessings to you and your family!
I really find it hard to believe that you REALLY thought yoyur shoulder was ok when you signed..I think you know your body better than any doctor. very sad, one, that you have the injury, two that the team must put out 8million dollars for someone who WILLNOT pitch this year. How about danating the entire sum to a charitable organization.
Good luck with your rehab. and THANK YOU for the great memories I will always have of you.
We are all behind you Schill! Take care of yourself and here’s hoping you can a central player in the 2008 world championship, just like you were in ‘04 and ‘07.
Dear Curt,
I hope that you get well soon. We need you!
Rob Bastille, HyannisNews.com
Curt, there are so many reports out there stating that you have a shoulder injury and then I read that there is a problem with your bicep. You know, it doesn’t _really_ matter in that there is, obviously, a problem - and only you, the Red Sox, and the doctors can determine the best course of action. Well, truly, _you_ are the one who makes the decisions with the doctors.
You need wisdom in making your decision. Seeing you pitch again would be wonderful. However, just because that is what many would would like to see does not mean that is in your - or our - best interest. I am most certainly not saying that you should retire. However, our bodies are the way they are for a reason… and sometimes we human beings want to do more with them than was intended. Nah, scratch that, we quite often want to do that.
Not being a particularly religious person, I am not in agreement with some here regarding “healing.” I am rather agnostic, but I think that if there is a G-d who takes some sort of personal interest in how we do things and communicate with him/her - we appear very selfish at times when we ask for things, and we need to be very careful about those things for which we ask. Imo, those things for which we ask are not necessarily best for everything. It might be good for us in some manner - but the larger picture may suffer - and baseball is your livelihood, but you have made a good living… and is all this worth one more season?
I am close to your age - and my spouse is just a few months older than you, and we both question as people, not as “fans,” whether or not this is a wise decision for you… and we wish you the best as you wade through this.
No matter what decision/route you come to and take, G-d’s speed.
So you couldn’t open your FAT TRAP when THE TEAM REALLY NEEDED YOU!!! MAYBE JUST MAYBE if wasn’t all about CURT!!!!! WE would have SANTANA now!!!!!
JUST GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I quote YankyDave “Your contract contained a “don’t be fat” clause. Was there a “your arm can’t fall off before spring training” one too?”
Everyone seems to be writing your professional obituary already. I’m not willing to do that. With you positive attitude, good doctors, and a supportive team and family, I trust you’ll bounce back just fine.
Mr. Schilling, it’s definitely been tough reading all the speculation the last day or two. Whatever happens, you’re on the minds and in the hearts of Sox fans everywhere. As you’ve given us nothing but the best, in turn we hope for nothing but the best for you. Do what you can do get yourself healthy.
Come on Curt!
When you started this blog, you said you did it to communicate directly with the fans so the media would not distort you words. However, what you have written today is nothing but double talk. You have said alot about nothing! Based upon your explanation, you should face the media and answer ALL their questions. Release your medical records. Tell us when you REALLY knew you had a problem. If you cannot pitch 38 pitches this year, will you give back the money to the Red Sox? Why is it that this situation comes out just before spring training starts? If you have been “resting” this winter, why didn’t you come clean from the beginning? For a person who supports the “Straight Talk Express”, you have not given us, your fans, the same straight talk! If you are not straight with us on an issue like your pitching health, why should we believe anything you say? For all the great things you have done for the Red Sox and their fans, you are going out on a devastatingly bad note! Despite all your posturing, the truth is that you are just ALL ABOUT THE MONEY!! Time to put that house back on the market and move away!
Schill - this is my first post EVER on a blog. All I’ve got to say is - go get ‘em - we want you back on the mound. If you can’t be on the mound…we want you around anyway.
Jason
Curt,
WOW, I hope that you do what’s best for you. and I agree w/others if you can’t be on the mound, we want you around anyway. My prayers are with you.
Your the best!!!
Take care
There are different treatments besides surgery. Hope to see you pitching at some point duing the 2008 season. More than any other player, you certainly have inspired a nation…..good luck. This fan will keep you in her prayers.
Curt,
You’ve proven repeatedly that you’re a warrior and a team player. People pretty much know that if you can pitch, you do pitch and that you give 150% every outing. Hope it works out for you.
Best,
Rich in CT
Curt…always something with you! I found it a bit curious at the end of the season, when it was thought you may dip your toe in the free agency waters, but suddenly a deal was in place with the Sox.
I’ll forever be indebted to you for what you did for us in ‘04, but I believe you knew your health was questionable at best BEFORE you made this deal with the ballclub. SHAME, SHAME.
Hi Curt, I was just talking to a friend and she told me what she had heard on the news(I worked late so I hadn’t heard) so I went right to your blog to set her striaght. I am very sorry to hear your shoulder is giving you trouble again. Please do not rush your recovery our boys can hold it together until your well. they need your support and wisdom as well as your faith in the club house as much as your athletic abiliity on the mound. You are in my prays for a full recovery.
I wish you the best, Mr. Schilling, as a RedSox fan and a Schilling fan! Good luck with whatever course of action you and the team choose and I really hope you’re back on the mound at Fenway ASAP.
Hey Curt,
Literally almost fell off the treadmill at the gym last night doing a double take when I saw the Schilling May Need Season/Career ending Shoulder Surgery story come on ESPN. I live in NC and Sox headline stories are rare down here, especially this time of year with Tarheel basketball in full swing. My first thought was “say it ain’t so! and I gotta go check 38pitches and see whats really going down”
Would love to see you on the mound this year, but you’ve already spilled enough blood on our behalf, make sure you do what’s best for yourself beyond one more year of pitching for us!
Thanks for keeping the fans informed about what’s really going on with you and best wishes for a speedy recovery!
I would have to believe that the majority of RED SOX NATION as well as baseball people alike realize that you, Curt, would not be trying to pull a fast one on the organization or its fans. No matter the “hows” or “whens” or “whys” this shoulder is barking out at you, this is one of the battles of baseball…HEALTH. Is this something that we all hoped not to happen, yes, but it is now something to deal with and we should collectively wish for your well-being and figure out a path that allows you to finish your career with guts and glory and oh yeah, some pride. After all, it was only 4 short years ago when you gave it all for this team, this game.
Lets wait and see and trust our docs.
misterG
Curt,
My thoughts are similar to toofarawayfromboston’s.
Many people wondered at the wisdom of trying to come back one more time after the amazing run of 2007. After all, what better way for an athlete to go out than with an excellent postseason run, padding their near-legendary postseason statistics and lore, followed by a World Series Championship?
You staggered through the 05-07 seasons, fighting injuries and their lingering effects all the way. You do not appear to be getting healthier, nor younger. You’d thought earlier in this offseason that you’d found a perfect new training regimen that would put more life back in your fastball; instead, we’re going back to the drawing board.
I’m not religious, so I’m not giong to go into what any supposed god might or might not be trying to tell you. However, what your body seems to be screaming at you seems pretty plain from this vantage point.
Also, I’m curious. You’re saying that surgery was never an option, but it seems well established both by outside reports and this post that there was a difference in opinion on how to treat the injury. I’m certainly no doctor, but the only two methods I’m aware of for treating soft tissue injury are 1. rest and rehabilition, or 2. surgery. So I’m confused; if apparently only rest and rehab were on the table, why did a neutral party need to get involved? What else was on the table? Acupuncture? Voodoo?
It sure smells like someone’s being disingenuous, here.
Good luck, Curt. Maybe Clemens could give you some tips to speeding up your recovery?
calvins86
You should check out shockwave treatments. We treated Magglio Ordonez’s knee. There are numerous articles about it. Check out our website trtllc.com. Magglio gives us credit for saving his career. It is a non surgical treatment that last five minutes or less.
Curt,
Just listened to Dr. Morgan on WEEI and he stated that if you stick with your current course of treatment, there is “close to 0% chance” that you will be able to pitch this year, if not ever again. His opinion is that if you had the surgery, that there was a good chance you would be back after the All-Star game. Given that this man is “one of the most highly respected shoulder experts in the world” and he has saved your career in the past, why would any other opinion matter? Is there something we are missing?
I also thought personal medical records are supposed to be confidential. Did you give him permission to talk so openly about your condition?
Puck the Sox. I am a lifetime fan of the Sox, the team that is, not the front office. Shoo I can even remember Ted Williams still playing, I remember Yaz’s rookie year, Tony C etc. All of the great Sox of the past, and present.
You helped to make the Sox what they are today (again, the team, not the front office). You do what YOU need to do.
This is the Sox second chance to do right by you (they sure messed up when they traded in 86,lol). Let’s see if they’ll do the right thing and lighten up.
Steve A in NH
Curt,
I just wanna say if it turns out that 2007 was your final year I hope you have no regrets. I know you wanted to come back and defend the title and go out on your own terms, but you don’t need to prove anything more to your fans. With the condition of your bicep and your past efforts, it’s obvious to anyone that you have always left everything you had on the field. Enjoy your baseball immortality Schill, you will always be a god in Boston.
We’re with you, Curt. The most important thing is your health!
Once again, I’ve come here for the real story.
Thank you Curt, for cutting out the middleman. I sincerely hope that more athletes (or even celebrities) follow your lead.
Curt,
Thank you for bringing not one, but TWO World Series Championships to Boston. It’s been a pleasure watching you pitch. No true member of RSN would think less of you if you retired. Why possibly ruin your shoulder for the rest of your life to play one more season when you can retire as a champion?
Maybe you can take a part-time position to help mentor the younger kids in the rotation. Otherwise I feel your injury is going to be too big of a distraction on and obviously off the field in the media.
- Tom
Hey Curt,
That’s what you get for turning your back on Philadelphia, a city that loved you. Suck it Curt!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep up the hard work curt, things will fall into place. And for the love of god please impart you’re wisdom to the likes of Buchholz. As far as I’m concerned he’s our future. Pass on the torch!
go sea dogs!
hey schill - good luck getting better. FWIW, I saw the headline only, and came straight here for the straight dope, before looking at the papers. Still haven’t read ‘em. Get well soon! We need ya!
Curt,
Please add my voice to those thanking you for the forthright approach to dealing with your fans. Best wishes as you move through yet another challenge with courage and dignity.
My shoulder vs. My team
hmmph, let’s see…
::holding my hands palms up, like a scale, as if weighing two things::
::Curt’s hurt shoulder or the health of the Boston Red Sox::
Comes out heavily weighted on the side of the Boston Red Sox.
It’s a no-brain-er. The question is, “when did he know or think that his shoulder was suspect?
I don’t trust hurt Curt. In fact, I never had trusted Schilling.
Why?
Because, it is all about Curt. He talks team player, but Curt’s all about Curt.
KKK, YOU”RE OUT OF HERE !!!
Whatever you decide to do, my family and I back you 100%. If everyone was as straight forward and truthful as you, there would be no problems and reports in Babeball right now. Godd luck and God Bless
Curt,
Wanted to cry when I heard the news. Was so happy you resigned for another year, and I am still looking forward to you taking the mound to get the standing O for another WS championship. I really hope that this will work out and you will be pitching this year, but if not don’t worry about it, RSN will always love you. Thank you for all you do and get well.
Any chance you could pitch the June 25th game would be great. Taking my kids to Fenway for the first time, and you on the mound would be awesome. But get healthy, and any contribution to the team will be great, from the dugout or the mound.
Thanks for the real info also. Take care…
BALL !!!
Hurt Curt said,
“There was absolutely no reason for anyone involved to believe I would be anything other than completely healthy and ready for the 2008 baseball season.”
Really Curt? That’s bold! Are you trying to throw one past us? “Absolutely…no reason to believe” You expect us to believe this statement?
I don’t. So, I call your pitch a “ball.”
Dear Curt,
What a shock to hear about your shoulder problems! I literallly sat glued to ESPN last night with my mouth open hoping I had misunderstood the news.
Thanks for your honesty in what must be a most difficult time for you. While RSN would be deeply saddened with the loss of you not playing, the true issue here is your health. Whatever happens I wish you the best. I hope and pray that you’ll be back for one final farewell, whether that be half the season, a month, or just the Series. You have to do what works for you. But gees, I’d sure love to see you pitch just one more time.
Take care and we’re all praying for you!
Kris
“I contacted the team early last month with concerns”
OMG, we could ‘ve had Santana!
Who’s team are you on?
____________________
“…disagreements these past few weeks in an effort to provide me with a solution that would allow me to pitch as much as possible during the 2008 season”
SEE! It is all about Curt, not the team.
___________________
” At no time did I ever consider taking a course of action against the clubs wishes.”
PAYDAY!!!
Curt
Get well soon and I hope we still see you the the ballpark. The kids will need you now more than ever.
If you pitch again for the Sox, GREAT. If not, THANK YOU for the 4 years you’ve been here. Perhaps #38 will be up on the right field facade in the future.
If this is the end, and you have a sense of humor, may I suggest 2 commercials that will complement the two you made when you got here in the 03-04 off season.
(a) Dunkin Donuts. It’s been 4 years, let’s see if you can sound like a native.
(b) Ford Trucks — you road into town promising to break a curse. You did along with 24+ other guys. Now, you’re leaving Fenway Park for the last time and as you exit the park to Yawkey Way, a Ford truck picks you up and you ride out into the sunset.
“I’m here because 13 years ago he was the only person on the planet to actually get what was wrong with me and correctly diagnose”
Hmmph, HGH ?
Hurt Curt made a REMARKABLE recovery.
________________________
“After being diagnosed by the Red Sox medical staff I sought a second opinion, as anyone would, and when it became clear there was disagreement (which is not uncommon by the way), I agreed to see an independent Doctor from a list the Red Sox provided me, for the third opinion.”
Curt throws pitches at a backstop, and practices the art of defence.
“We need a pitcher, not a bellyacher.
THREE STRIKES< YOU”RE OUT OF HERE!!!
As a Yankee fan, I feel for Curt. Having a pain in your shoulder is bad and I hope you can resolved it. But being a Yankee fan and having all the hurt people we did in 07′ and lost alot of games I don’t feel sorry for the whole Red Sox nation. Curt needs to do what he needs to do for himself no matter what. It’s his body and he has to take care of it. The Red Sox fans will just have to deal with it like the Yankee fans last year did. Good luck to you Curt. May you take care of your body and do what is right, but Sox get over not having Curt if it’s in the cards!!!!!!!!!!!
I never post, but my irritation with some of the posters here compelled me to say speak my litttle piece:
For all you pathetic commentators about Curt’s character: sorry, but you’re way off base. I think it’s very clear if you read between the lines with all the info Curt HAS given us: Curt wants surgery, on the advice of the doctor he most trusts, yet the Red Sox do not want him to have it since they realize if Curt gets surgery, he’s probably not coming back to pitch this year, and therefore probably ever. (P.S. Curt, if you DID end up having season-ending surgery, would you come back for one more year in 09, or just call it quits?)
So Curt takes the high road, does the right thing for the team and just expresses that there is a difference of opinion and agrees to a 3rd party intervention, per the rules of baseball. And further, he agrees to abide by that decision, even though it’s not what he really wants. He won’t come out against the club and say that’s just not what he wants to do. How does that make him disingenuous??
All you fools who now have the gall to question it being all about the money, or selfishness, or that Curt is being misleading in what he has said — just think about it for a moment, read between the lines just a little, and step back a moment. Kicking at a man of integrity when he’s down just a little is disgusting.
Curt: good luck with the rehab !! I just listened to Dr. Morgan on EEI, and just hope he is wrong, and the other doctors are right!!! I also noticed that Matingly1 left a nice comment what ever happened to STEROIDFAN22, I miss his thoughts. Think about calling in to Dale and Holly, so we can get your side!!!!
Good luck with your shoulder Curt. See you on the mound
Mick
I could sound religious and all but I won’t….For C.. oops
Curt! You’ve been great for the game your entire career. I applaud your accomplishments even though I’m not a fan of your team now and then but this is too much. So many others prolong their career and for what….WHAT! Just to say they could, come on. What is this gonna prove? That you can still pitch! and possibly mess the arm up more than it is. It can’t be for the money and I sure hope it’s not.
If you TRULY love the game…TRULY. Admit to yourself that the body cannot continue to punish itself. The arm somewhere down the line will come back to haunt you more than what you’re trying to do now.
For the LOVE of the game and to the team that you admire so much. Let the Sox have the freedom to continue to grow and be able to have a replacement that can fill your shoes, tuff call there, but let THAT player have as bright a future as you had a career.
If you knew you had this problem and kept it a secret just to have the team pay for the surgery you’re no better than the rest. No better than those you publicly bash. Look yourself in the mirror and retire with grace, dignity, with your arm still working and with pride.
GO HIT DAMN GOLF BALLS
Die hard Yankee fan here. You have said that you love Boston. If so, why not return the contract and retire? (opening up a roster spot for the team) Then in the 4 months you need to rehab, if you are ready to rock and roll resign another contract with the team. That way your beloved Red Sox would not only have the roster spot but the money you signed for, because you love the team and area so much.
Why do I get the feeling that will not happen.
If you ever get on the field again they should play “Take the money and run” By The Steve Miller Band
Sox fan’s I look forward to the upcoming season, Good luck
deep2left
You have had a wonderful career Curt, good luck to you. I gotta say though, I won’t miss you pitching against the Twins anymore.
Listen man! Just get better! Make yourself an asset to the ballclub and its young pitchers. I know that where you’ll go.
We of course have a great shot at another run to the championship. With that comes new ways to win, new experiences over the long haul that is a MBL season.
Stick with it! the Sox FO we have a mutual respect for. They will do the best for Boston, You will do your best for Boston……..
…We will be there in October, You will feel healthy and will have contributed again. I know thats what you want as well!
Get well! Feel good! we’re with ya Man!
Does this mean that this blowhard blog will now be renamed to:
zeropitches.com?
Schill -
I just read above that some (one in particular) responding above question whether you thought something was wrong before you signed w/ the Sox.
My guess is - those people are either jealous Yankee fans or idiots. I rarely judge someone’s integrity based on what I see of them on the field, but I read your blog…and I get a true sense of how honorable you are. I disagree with some of the things you feel strongly about (politically) but I know you’re honest in your belief. Therefore, I cannot believe you would hide an injury - let alone hide an injury for profit. Shame on those who would accuse you of such nefarious conduct!
Rock on Schill - don’t let the haters get you down.
Jason
Curt -
Sorry to hear about your ailing shoulder. I had awful tendonitis in my shoulder for 3 years. I’m a big tennis player and trying to serve a tennis ball was impossibly painful.
There wasn’t a tear in the tendon so surgery wasn’t going to solve my problem and it was a very depressing situation until I discovered a practitioner of cold laser and kinesiology. This laser treatment was really amazing and my shoulder was cured in 3 treatments which is still shocking to me considering how painful the injury was. I can now serve a tennis ball as hard as I ever could with zero residual pain or twinges. There aren’t many cold laser practitioners if you’re interested. The fellow I saw I don’t even think was an MD, more a holistic practitioner but as far as I was concerned is an absolute genious. I normally place very little credibility with holistic healing but this was just amazing. He also cured my dad’s tennis elbow (tendonitis) in a few sessions too. Maybe if you research it you could find one in the Boston area, but if not you could try to see the guy who cured me. His name is Harold Briks and he practices out of New Rochelle, NY and also Manhattan. His specialty is shoulders.
If your injury is more than tendonitis and involves a tear then Dr. Briks probably wouldn’t be able to assist, but if not it might be a miraculous cure like it was for me.
Wish you the best in your recovery.
Todd
People, people, people…get REAL! All these “well wishers” mean well, but if you are truly fans of the team, you would reaize that 8 Mill would have been better spent on someone else.
I mean, come on now…….enough of these “…oh, Curt, you’re the best” and “…oh Curt, wer’re praying for you”. How about, “hey Curt, nice con job on the front office. Enjoy the money.”
I’m with you Curt, and so are the rest of the folks in the Red Sox Nation. Don’t pay any attention to the negative comments on this blog, or the bad words in the press. You passed the physical at the time of the contract and no one had any idea this injury would continue to nag you. You’ve been a work horse over the years and no one has logged as many innings, wins, or strikeouts the past 10 seasons or so. You gave us two World Series and we’re hoping you can give us a third, even if it means coming back into the rotation later in the year.
Good luck and I wish you a steady recovery. We’ll be seeing you very soon on the mound. Please check out my comments about this story on my blog. YOU’VE GOT TO DO WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
LET’S GO SOX!
Rick
the115.wordpress.com
Integrity isn’t as black and white anymore, is it Curt? You got your little end of career bonus, that’s all that matters, right?
“Everybody cheats. I just didn’t know.” ~Dave Stoller
Well I bet you guys wish you had gotten Johan Santana. This is the thing with Boston when one domino falls they all fall. Started with the Pats now Schilling, Next the Celtics all the way through the BOSOX. Secondly Curt did not bring the world series title it was a team thing so stop saying thank you Curt for bringing it to Boston you guys were over due. Just to make it clear I am a D-Backs Fan.
Hi Curt,
I’ve been a big fan of baseball and softball all my life….actually most sports. My father played in the NFL for 9 years-for the Cards and the Jets (center). I’ve seen many sports injuries, as well as, the aftermath of surgery.
This past fall I was diagnosed with a slipped disc along with a slipped vertebrae (spondylosis). The pain is terribly intense…nothing worse than nerve pain. It limited my activites with my husband and children. I was told by my surgeon to have the same injections. If this failed, onto surgery. I watched my father go through all of this, eventually to an operating table…twice. Well, no thanks. I’m 36 years old! I decided to try alternative medicine…Eastern medicine.
I was a bit of sceptic at first….chanting, tuning forks, acupunture? Come on….but I found my mind being limited to Western meds and ways of thinking. I recently visited a very well known acupuncturist, here in Frederick, MD. He has clients that travel from Arizona to see him. Long story/short….my pain I mentioned? Gone. Gone!
I am very aware, coming from a sports family, what type of care and rehabilitation you require. Search all avenues. If you are interested in the gentleman that I have seen, you let me know! Good luck…
I’m a Yankee fan but I wish you the best.
Curt,
You should just hang up the cleats now. You should’ve been smart instead
of being greedy.
You are a washed up pitcher who is hanging on to his glory day…
As a yankee fan your injury is the best news out of Boston since
the pats lost to the giants.
Curt,
I’m sorry to hear about your shoulder, but just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that RSN is praying for you. I’m hoping you won’t miss the entire season, but know that God had a plan for you. Have you had any talks with the Sox about possibly working as a pitching and development coach with the PawSox next season. I know you’re planning on staying busy with 38 Studios and a bunch of other things, but you should see if you can work something out so you can stay involved with the organization post-retirement. I would love to see you sitting on the Sox bench twenty years from now, and if you think that would serve no purpose, think about the influence of Pesky, and what his mere presence on the team has meant to everyone (fans included). Good luck with the shoulder, and GO SOX!!!
-Brian The Librarian
Curt, I will forever cherish you & your contributions to the Sox over the past 4 years.
That said, I think it’s time for you to retire. Take the high road. Forego the contract. Get the surgery on your arm and make sure you & your entire body are healthy for the remaining 50 years of your life.
John in Norwood
Curt,
Think its time to consider giving it up. I mean, why go through all the rehab so that you can pitch 100 more innings. Kind of pointless, don’t you think. Youve made plenty of money so i don’t think its about that, at least it shouldn’t be about that. And i dont’ think coming back for half a season is going to effect whether or not you get in the HOF. Time to move on with life after playing baseball man.
Good luck with your decision on what to do.
Hey Kurt You will heal much faster with a little hgh!!!! I wanted to thank you for being a stand up man and giving baseball some integrity when it needs it most.You are someone I can tell my 3 sons they can look up to. Someone who has paid his dues and who has earned his respect and rewards. Thank you sir
Thats a typical comment from a philly person.Nothing like fans who boo players let alone their own.Donavan Mcnabb is too good for them
Sorry to hear about it, Curt. Good luck, and hang in there. We’ll see you in there for the pennant race!
Thanks for being willing to inform and engage your fans, and non-fans, like this.
Hey Curt:
I cannot even imagine the pain you have right now–I hope your shoulder mends quickly, and that you are back in the rotation soon!
No matter what, you have a legacy in Boston that all of us in RSN appreciate, and will remember forever.
Feel better…
Christine E.
Curt,
Do what’s best for you and your family. You’ve spilled enough blood for one organization. It will be hard to say goodbye if if comes to that but no one can fault you for putting your health first. If anyone has the determination to recover it’s surely you, but always put your family and yourself first. And ignore the hate-mongers, they’re just cancers on the world.
Thanks for the memories!
Maybe a talk with Todd Stottlemyre to see how no surgery worked out for him and his shoulder might be good idea?
Curt, I was really looking forward to watching you pitch again in “08″. It seems to me like the Red Sox really have YOUR best interest in mind and not so much getting you back on the mound as quick as possible. Or they would want you to have surgery. I think you have, over the years, as well as most athletes sacrificed your body. This is why I think you guys are worth the money you get. Who knows what kind of affects you will have from this long after retirement?
I was wandering if you are going to need surgery some day for this recent injury even if you never pitch again. Then maybe it would be OK to get it done now and get back to the team in time for the September stretch. If rest will save you from not needing surgery but won’t allow you to pitch again then I don’t think anyone would think any less of you for retiring. I know I wouldn’t want to have someone cutting me open; you couldn’t pay me enough!
I’m sure what ever decision you make will be the right one, when your faith helps guide you. Thank you for everything!
Dave
My dream is coming true!!
Hey Curt, the funniest thing I read in the article I read about your shoulder was that you were consulting the players union about your options. What a nice luxury you have there. Have you ever given any thought to the millions of hard working men and women who fought so hard to give you that right. I guess not or you would not be out campaigning for Bush. You are a real hypocrite. Go to hell.
does this mean we don’t have to hear your bs comments about everything from barry bonds to politics. why should anyone care hwat you have to say about politics, really? over the years you’ve shown me that you are a self-centered egomaniac who enjoys to the nth degree shoving your self-riteous opinions down the throat of americans who basically have to listen as we wade through this type of crap on shows like sportscenter to get a few highlights. sure, espn and other media outlets don’t have to air your crap, and they are more to blame for doing so that you are for actually voicing your opionions - this is america, after all - but i am going directly to the source, hoping, oh how i am hoping, that you read this, so you are at least aware of how disliked you are in california.
please just shut up, no one cares what you have to say about anything, especially politics. we all know you are a roider, no question about it, but to make it worse you try to call out other users, but not your teammates. yea, it’s totally plausible that you’ve never been teammates with a roider, not boy scout republican curt. wiat, weren’t you teammates with clemens? randy johnson? luis gonzalez? all roiders for sure. not to mention manny - just look at some pics of him on the indians and tell me that he hasn’t put on about 60 pounds of muscle since then. which also highlights the bs-ness of the mitchell report, which didn’t finger any bosox less you count mo vaughn, which i don’t becuase he is not currently playing for the sox. is the public really supposed to believe that no one on the sox is roiding? but i digress…dude you’re so full of it that it’s coming out of your ears and spilling onto one of your civil war maps that you probably spent 8 million dollars on.
i’ll close in saying i hope your career is over for the simple fact that it may quell the media’s desire to air/ print your asinine opinions.
bleepingly,
Alex R
Berekely, CA
Curt,
Thanks for the update.
Sox nation,
Cheer up. What are the chances of Buchholz AND Lester both putting up better, or at least comparable, numbers than Schill in 2008? If Schill is out, what are the chances Theo makes a move for a comparable starter? Me thinks the chances are pretty good….call me an optimist As good as Schill is, this isn’t the end of the world. Have faith in the kids. GO SOX!
What is the definition of the injury, do you actually have damage or I believe I heard on WEEI from Dr. Morgan sometype of degenerative disease? He believes your chances of pitching again utilizing this course of treatment to be 0%?
Hey al rizzy -
the fact you are here reading this blog tells us that YOU in fact care to hear what Curt has to say… so now YOU shut up, you hypocrite, because any ignoramus who claims to speak for an entire STATE isn’t to be taken seriously.
Dear Curt,
I wish you a very slow recovery and only the worst of luck. If this is truly the end I can only say good riddance. Just please do us all a favor and do not join the baseball media. The last thing anybody wants is to have to continue listening to your opinions even after you have left the game.
Curt
I feel like you caved to the Sox demand on not having the surgery a little to fast, to me it seems like you did this because you wanted to do what they said because it appears that you may be hiding something after the contract signing that maybe you shouldnt have that effected your “diseased shoulder”
Curt,
As a Yankee fan, I will give you credit for pitching well against us. You have always been a big game pitcher. I used to have respect for you. Then came the ketchup sock and all the media attention (which you obviously LOVE). I have completely lost all respect for you as a human! Please just remember that you are not the center of the universe.
That being said, I wish you all the best in your health! Whatever the REAL situation is with your shoulder, I hope it works out for the best. I wish you the best health.