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| Not a thing in the world to be upset about. | 06.20.08 at 10:36 am ET |
22 years ago January the Boston Red Sox picked a Freshman Pitcher from Yavapai Junior College (the best JC team in the nation btw!) in the 2nd round of the (Last!) January Draft.
3 World Series rings, 3k innings plus later, there’s a chance it’s all over.
UPDATE: As much as I dislike even acknowledging CHB, when his personal issues get in the way of reporting actual facts (which seems to happen much more often with me than others) I for some reason, right or wrong, feel a need to clarify and allow people to form their opinions on actual facts surrounding events he deems worthy enough to cover. If he can’t get his facts straight I figure I’ll be the good guy and help him out. It is after all, a matter of confirming things before you print your story right? Or does that step get skipped when in doing so part of your story disappears?
This quote
“Without telling his bosses ($8 million for not pitching doesn’t buy loyalty the way it used to), Schilling last Friday broke the news of his upcoming surgery on his paid radio gig (yes, the money goes to charity, but Schilling would not be talking to WEEI if the financial arrangement didn’t exist, and he knows there will be no tough questions)”
Is a lie. It’s not the first time he’s lied or misrepresented something, and knowing him it surely won’t be the last. The Red Sox did know that I was telling WEEI about the surgery and it was discussed with them the night before it happened. There was no desire on either side to call a press conference or something like it, but rather Theo and Tito would take questions off this morning announcement. Everyone knew, no one that needed to be informed was left out. It appears that CHB feels he’s in the “need to know” camp, when he in fact isn’t, and never has been.
The easy part is that this is just another example of why so many athletes feel disdain for certain members of the media, who, when facing declining readership and losing their relevance and impact, force themselves into their stories rather than sticking to just writing them.
And as for the paid radio gig, ya, WEEI donates and helps raise a ton of money for SHADE and for ALS, it’s why we do the show, to create awareness and raise money for charities. Poo on us. I do agree though, that not having someone as ethically pure and talented as him around means no one can ask a ‘tough question’, need to have someone of his HOF skill set for that to happen…..
To all of the well wishers, thank you. To all of the anti-Schilling people, thank you. Both sets of you were inspiration and motivation to be whatever it is I was for 19 some odd years on a major league mound.
I am set to have what could be extensive and potentially career ending shoulder surgery on Monday. The result of that surgery could be waking up and being told “It’s been a nice run big man, but you’re done” or “It wasn’t THAT bad, but it’s going to take serious time and effort to ever pitch again”.
The first one was what made this decision much easier because if I do not have surgery my career is over today, right now. That’s probably the case anyway, but I’d rather find out and know, than I would ponder. Even if the 2nd option happens it’s not clear cut. Coming back from this surgery at 31 would be an enormous challenge, at 41 more so. BUT, if that is an option at least I’ll be able to make that decision with all the cards on the table, and it will end on terms I choose. I won’t come back throwing 85 with so-so crap. If there is not an option to come back and be good, I won’t.
For anyone happy about that I’d recommend going to someone else’s blog. For Sox fans and fans that have supported me understand and please comprehend this much. I have not one single solitary thing in any way shape or form to be unhappy about. There is a world full of people suffering far more and far worse than my shoulder, not to mention I’ve been given and been blessed with far more than any one person deserves, far more.
To you fans, thank you, thank you, thank you. If it is all over, every single moment and memory I’ll take away from my career comes with your involvement and support. More athletes than you know recognize this and appreciate it. The 4 years I was allowed the honor of wearing this uniform I would hope you believe I did so with honor, integrity and respect, for the game but more importantly for my manager, coaches and teammates.
The game was here for well over a hundred years before I came along, and will be for that and more after I am gone, it owes Curt Schilling absolutely nothing, it gave me far more than I ever gave it.
If this was my last shot, and it is over, I wouldn’t change a thing (ok well that’s not totally true because I WOULD push rewind, go back to a few instances and shut my mouth, but hey we can’t all be perfect) that happened to me, with me or on any teams I played on. In 22 years I would say I had the honor of playing with some of the greatest of all time, and at most 3-4 really bad people, that’s not a bad thing.
Once this all clears up I’ll check back in to let everyone know that cares to know, how Monday went and what the prognosis and decisions are going forward, here.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Thanks for everything, Curt. Good luck with your surgery.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Thank you for all you given us sox fans!
June 20th, 2008 at 10:49 am
It has been an honor and a privilege watching you pitch over your career. I sincerely hope to see you don the Red Sox uniform once again and pick up where you left off last October. If not, I look forward to your Hall of Fame induction and will definitely make the trip up to Canton to see the ceremony.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Curt, I’m a Red Sox fan in Singapore, and this is my first comment on your blog although I’ve followed it for a while.
I was stunned to read this earlier today. Best of luck, Schill, and thanks for those famous appearances in 2004. Hope to see you back on the mound next year.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Thanks for all you’ve done for the Sox, Curt. It was a pleasure watching you.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Best of luck Curt. Hopefully the surgery is successful and you can be pain free in your shoulder. That should be priority #1 at this point. If you get the added bonus of pitching again next season, wonderful.
You helped accomplish a life long wish for me, to witness a Red Sox championship. I never thought I would witness 2 within 4 seasons, but hey, who’s complaining?
Good luck and work hard! Don’t be a stranger around the Red Sox. Keep helping out the young pitchers as well.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Thank you Curt. I appreciate your update. I was and am genuinely concerned for you. But I feel like you summed it up pretty good. My thoughts are with you for your surgery and I hope you make it through with flying colors. You have had an amazing career, but here is hoping you can squeeze out a few more seasons! Take care Schill!!
June 20th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Whichever way it turns out, Curt, congratulations on a phenomenal career. If you get to add another chapter to that career, so much the better - but if not, it’s a pretty darned fantastic read exactly as-is.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Thanks for everything, Curt. It has been a pleasure watching your career many years. I hope you get good news with your surgery. If it’s over, please take a national media job as your honesty is refreshing. Wish you the best!!
June 20th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Curt,
My family and I have enjoyed watching you pitch throughout your career, and we thank you for those times. We will also be praying for your surgery on Monday, and look forward to seeing you back in action next year!
Thanks!
June 20th, 2008 at 10:57 am
good luck curt hope everything goes well keep us posted it aint over till the fat lady sings hope to see you pitch again in 2009 if it is over that would be so sad for every true red sox fan you have done plenty to make any fan of baseball so proud of you again best of luck to you
June 20th, 2008 at 10:58 am
I love you Curt. Thanks.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Curt,
Congratulations on a great career. Your 2004 postseason will be a thing of legend. One suggestion though:
Some Red Sox fans might feel a little bitter regarding your status this year. Maybe you should donate a significant portion of your salary (5 million?) to charity.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:00 am
It has been a pleasure watching you these years. You clearly demonstrated a passion and love for the game and were an outstanding ambassador. I particularly enjoyed the open letter you wrote after 9/11. Thanks for the hard work and dedication. As we in the Navy would wish any departing Sailor, “Fair Winds and Following Seas.”
June 20th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Thank you for the update. All RSN is thinking about and pulling for you. GOOD LUCK!!!
June 20th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Good luck with the upcoming surgery Curt.
I’m sorry to hear you had to take this step. I’ve been a fan of your work for many years. My prayers are with you and your family in this difficult time.
I hope you can come back from this setback. Regardless of what the future holds, know that you have provided me years of both entertainment and inspiration.
I thank you very much for that.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Curt, as a Sox fan I’d just like to say thanks for the memories and for helping bring 2 World Championships to Boston and good luck in your future endeavors. I will miss having the opportunity to cheer for you again, but I’m glad your last game was getting the win in a World Series game not a lot of people go out on top like that.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Curt,
Best of luck with your surgery. I sincerely hope you can pitch again, but at the very least, hope it will allow you to live pain free.
It’s nice to see you have your business in Maynard. I grew up there (I live in WV now but still a die hard Red Sox fan). Not many people would take their business there since Digital Equipment Corporation left there.
Mike D.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:05 am
So Curt, you gonna give back the 8 million? I WAS a huge fan of yours, but the way you handled your negotiations back in November made me start to realize that you too are only in it for the money. Maybe Johnny Damon gave you some pointers? If you say you are at a “3″ then you for sure had pain 7 months ago. You had to have known you would never return to your top form. Shame on you Mr. Schilling to fight so hard for that contract. You make it hard to believe in real sports heroes anymore.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Curt,
Thanks for everything. As a Boston transplant living in Tucson, I thought watching you, Gonzo, Grace, Johnson, etc take it from the Yankees might be the highlight of my baseball fan life…
…until 2004. And again in 2007.
While it was a team of 25 guys, plus coaches, staff, managers, owners, scouts, fans, etc that finally ripped two titles, I won’t underestimate your help in changing the culture of the club, or your gutty contributions on the mound.
I wish you nothing but the best in your recovery and future endeavors, whether baseball or pc gaming or whatever.
Thanks again for lots of wonderful memories.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Thanks for the memories Schill. I hope to have you back with the Sox for the end of next year.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Good luck on Monday Schill…. what you’ve done for this city in your short time here will never be forgotten and one can only hope that this isn’t it, but if it is - it was a pleasure rooting for you.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:09 am
I’m a longtime fan back from the Phillies days, and I’d just like to personally say “Thank you”. For all the hard work, dedication, entertainment, and being yourself. For now, I might humbly suggest to just concentrate on the surgery and take it one day at a time, not worrying about retiring or not retiring right now. The best that could happen…you come back next year and bring the Sox (or whatever team you’re on) to the championship. The worst? You die. Wait…that would suck. Let’s just say the worst is that you retire from a hall of fame career. With millions of people who admire you and wish the best for you.
Not too shabby.
Good luck with the present, the future, and 38 Studios.
–greg
June 20th, 2008 at 11:10 am
I’m so sorry the rehab wasn’t all you’d hoped it would be. Thank you from Red Sox Nation!
June 20th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Curt –
Your tenacity and desire to win with honor was an inspiration to us all. There are not many today that youngsters can look up to in sport but one thing is for sure, you will be remembered for how you handled your career.
Whatever caused your sock to become red in 2004 was irrelevant to me. What matters was the way you fought the pain and won a championship. It was the way you held your head high. The way you used what God gave you without using the drug of choice. You are the man!
Nice job and thank you for so many memories. You are always a part of Red Sox nation and will always be one of all time great guys. When one door closes - another opens. God will help you find a way and I bet we will see you again in the public eye. Maybe we might see you just being a little league coach sharing your stuff with youngsters.
God Bless you and good luck to you and your family.
R. Lazarski - Terryville CT
June 20th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Curt,
I’ve been a Tampa Bay fan since the organization came into being, which somewhat precludes my rooting for the Red Sox. I’ve also disagreed, fairly vehemently, with some of your political and personal views. But I’ve read every single post you’ve made on this blog. I think that baseball is a better game for you having pitched in it. Your ability to recall and analyze every pitch you threw always amazed and interested me, and your passion for the game and your beliefs came through loud and clear in every sentence that you wrote. I wish you nothing but the best on Monday, and I’ll be looking for any updates that come out.
Stephanie
June 20th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Curt you have been the one of the Best pictchers in the last 25+ years and i really hope u can come back to Pitch and i hope its for the red sox but if u are really done and have to hang up the Spikes for good i want you to know that i have a HUGE amount of respect for you and i really belive that you are one of the Geartest Pitchers in Baseball history.. you have the game everything u have and them some. My god bless you and ur family and i hope we havent seen the last of U on the mound
June 20th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Thank you for everything, Curt! I hope it’s not the end, but if it is, it’s comforting to know that you’re doing what you need to do for yourself.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Best of luck with the surgery and your recovery!
I hope that everything turns out alright & you’re back pitching for us next year. If not, you’ve had a great career and I will always remember 2004.
You and your family are in my prayers.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Thank You Curt!
I look forward to seeing your number retired.
What are the chances of you stepping up as a Pitching Coach for the Sox?
-mike
June 20th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Curt:
First of all, good luck. I’ve always believed what Bill Walton once said: “Minor surgery is what happens to other people.” So, take all our goodwill into surgery with you, and do let us know how you fare.
Second, thanks. Just thanks.
You came here nearly five years ago, saying something about ending an 86-year-old curse, and you did it. You’ve been a hard-throwing pitcher, a straight-shooting observer, and you’ve been a huge part of chasing away the cloud that used to hang over Fenway Park. You showed us how to win championships, and you showed us how to *act* like a champion.
You’ve no regrets, and we’ve nothing but fond memories of your years in a Red Sox uniform.
Thanks again, and good luck to you and your family.
best,
Tom
June 20th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Good luck on Monday. I heard you talking about this on sports radio this morning, and as much as I was sorry for your teammates and fans to hear the news, I didn’t feel sorry for you because I knew you’d be okay with whatever happens. I know you’re a man who doesn’t “live for his job,” so you’ll still appreciate your family, your faith, and the other things you value whether or not you’re able to pitch for the Red Sox again. So as much as I’m hoping this isn’t the end of your career, I know that all will be well regardless of what happens. And I know that you, as a man of faith, believe that as well.
So good luck, and thanks for everything you’ve already given us all these years.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:13 am
I have lurked on the blog since you started it, and felt today was a good day to register and actually post
This is sad news indeed. It has been a lot of fun rooting against you when you played against (and usually dominated, when it REALLY mattered) my Yankees. It was fun trying to explain to my GF how it was OK to root for you the player and win the games you pitched (when not playing NYY of course :)) while still rooting against the Sox. It was fun and a true honor to play with and raid with you at the helm, and even more fun to hear what happens inside the Schill household when Vent gets left on unintentionally
It has been fun watching the growth and start-up of your new career with the gaming studio, and I look forward to your first release in that arena. And lastly, it has been fun to get so many behind the scene looks into your life both on and off the field with this blog and stories in Vent. For those of us who had aspired to play sports professionally when we were younger, it is a treat to get a vicarious whiff into the life of a pro athlete.
You have left a lasting mark on baseball, inspired many, and shown that good people still play professional sports.
Thank you for all you have done, you will be missed on the field and wish you the best with the new direction your life takes.
GL on Monday, hoping for some good news.
~ narek / jv
June 20th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Curt,
You know its coming…the obvious question; Do you think things would have been different had you elected to have the surgery earlier as i believe you and Dr. Morgan wanted/recommended? No one knows the answer for sure but surely you must have an opinion on this. Its obvious that you appreciate the Sox fans, managers, coaches and teammates but you must have a sour taste in your mouth about the Sox front office/medical staff (and no, I don’t expect you to admit it here).
Anyway, thanks for 22 great years and we are looking forward to next year or beyond when you return to the Fenway mound for you first post-surgery start to a standing ovation 10 times louder than any you have ever received (and you have received some big ones). That day will come. Good luck on Monday
June 20th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Good luck Curt! I hope your surgery goes well, It’d be great to see you step on the mound for another year. I’ve always admired you, your playing style, the way you treat the press, etc. Thanks for contributing to the Red Sox and helping us bring home a world series!
-Mitche..
June 20th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Good luck, G38. And whatever happens from here, thanks.
Gary from Chapel Hill
June 20th, 2008 at 11:14 am
It’s been a pleasure watching you pitch Curt. I know that baseball is only a small portion of what makes up ‘Curt Schilling’ so I wish you continued success in everything you do. Keep up the great charity, family and business work that you do. I do hope you get the chance to pitch again but if not, then you will be missed.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Curt, I hope your surgery goes well, and I thank you for your incredible career. I’ve been a fan since you were in Baltimore, and was blessed to show up in Boston before you arrived. Your intensity and commitment are a lesson for all.
Good luck!
KLN
June 20th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Curt,
First of all, God bless and keep you whatever the outcome of your surgery on Monday. To fans like me you have been “major league” in everything you’ve set out to accomplish. It’s been a pleasure to follow your career in Boston and, as a Dad, I’ve used you as a shining example to my sons of what a ballplayer (no matter at what level) should be both on and off the diamond. Thanks for the memories, Curt.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Hey Curt,
Just read about this and I’m sad I won’t get to see you tearing it up in the postseason this year. No matter what happens, I just wanted to thank you for giving me a lot of great memories and putting some enormous smiles on my face in ‘04 and ‘07.
Plus you gave me countless opportunities to roll my eyeballs at the clown-like Dan Shaughnessy.
Best luck, thanks for being you, and I’ll always remember the bloody sock and how awesome you are at MMO’s.
yours truly,
a fan
June 20th, 2008 at 11:16 am
You are in my prayers, Curt. You mean a lot to Sox fans…not just because of your stellar performances throughout the seasons and in clutch Game 6s, but because of the man that you are.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Hey Curt,
I for one (and I am sure that there will be thousands more Red Sox fans who will join me) would like to wish you the best of luck with your upcoming shoulder surgery. I too have and have had for many years a bad shoulder and have had rotator cuff surgery (although I know your shoulder surgery is not the same, and is most likely more challenging), and I know how painful all of this can be, as it still is for me. It is not any fun - non at all! So this is best that you get this done now and at least get to know where you stand and hopefully to be able to enjoy life after baseball – pain free. Thus, I sincerely do wish you the best with the outcome of the surgery and whatever the recovery has to offer you.
Let it be known, IF you are not able to come back and stand on the pitchers mound to throw another pitch, it will be a major loss for this sport and for this Red Sox nation, that I (and many of us Red Sox fans) will always be proud of what you have done for us as a team and what you have done for many more off the field. You are a person of great integrity and courage.
Please DO NOT let any of the hateful - and downright distasteful - words from those classless individuals who simply do not have a clue on how to be humane, get you down. IMO, you were being too kind in your message to those who throw such mean, ugly and disrespectful trash out, but hey that just shows who has better character and class – that being you.
I close this message by saying again, my family and I wish you the best of luck with your surgery and whatever awaits you on the other side. Either way it goes, I know that you will do well. I just hope that we have NOT seen the last of you in the Red Sox camp, either as a pitching coach or somewhere in the office management position. IMO, you will be most welcomed in whatever capacity you choose to pursue!
May GOD bless you and your family in these next few days and months.
Regards, from someone who has been a Boston Red Sox fan forever…
June 20th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Good Luck big Schill. I am sorry to hear these words. Thanks for all you have done for our Red Sox. I will never forget 2004-2007.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Best of luck Curt.
I carry a great deal of fondness for you and what you’ve brought to our Red Sox. Thank you for all that you’ve done and all of your passion and your true love of the game and our city.
And to those who say you won’t come back from this and pitch, I say “why not you?”
June 20th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Thank you Schill for always making the game what it is, America’s Game. You always stayed true to the game and its fans, and that is what makes you a legend. No whining, no cheating, no steroids…Just a ball player…who never gave up or turned his playing time into a carnival. As a life long SOX fan, you are etched into this teams history, no matter what the outcome. You were a scholar on a team of idiots (self proclaimed) and a leader on a team of work horses. Hopefully we can see you again on the mound, if not we hope to see you in CONGRESS (ok at least on EQ). Best of luck to you and the family!
June 20th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Great, great post, Curt.
Really sorry to hear that things aren’t working out this season. But it sure seems like you have spades of perspective. It’s not like there’s nothing else going on in your life, or that you have to look back with regret.
And thanks for all you’ve done with the Sox. Your time with the team has been its golden age. People will never forget what you did in 2004.
(And with the Diamondbacks– that was still the greatest Series of my lifetime, edging out 1991).
I won’t come back throwing 85 with so-so crap.
Man, this is a really thoughtful and classy post, why’d you have to go out of your way to trash Livan Hernandez?
(Kidding).
Good luck with your surgery. Hope to see you in there next year.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Mr. Schilling, I’ve never posted before, but wanted to take the opportunity to wish you well with your surgery. I’m a Pittsrbugh gal, but became a Red Sox fan by marriage in 2002. I was thrilled when you signed with the Sox and I loved that it was the fans that swayed your decision. Your passion and precision were unmatched and you quickly became my favorite player. I was so excited when you signed on for one more year with the Sox and so impressed by your willingness to work with the organization to make it happen. To hear you may never pitch again just breaks my heart. We took my 2-year-old son to his first Sox game June 1st and I so looked forward to taking him to see you pitch some day as wel regail him with stories of the bloody sox and the greatest comeback in baseball history. I hold out hope that you’ll recover and that day will still come. If it doesn’t though, as sad as I’ll be to accept that, please know that we Sox fans have appreciated you. Beyond your obvious talents on the field, your refreshing honesty and passion for the game and its fans has is the stuff legends are made of. 2004 would not have been possible without and I don’t think 2007 would have either. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I’ll always be a big fan. Good luck with the surgery. I’ll pray for you. Here’s hoping you take the mound again someday. If not, hell I’ll wear my #38 and cheer for you anyway. God bless.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:19 am
And we thank you too, no matter what the outcome of the surgery may be. Personally, I would love to have you on our pitching staff, and winning us another World Series title. But if that’s not to be, your heroics of the 2004 playoffs alone will forever be appreciated.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Curt:
I have never posted a comment but I think this deserves one. While I am a native San Diegan and an avid Padres fan, I have always followed you since I saw you years ago at a game and was in awe at how nice and friendly you were to “us” fans and opposing players. You are a great man who had a great career and I wish you all the best in the future. You deserve it and although it is sad that we may never see you pitch again, we still have all the great memories of games past.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Curt,
Now that you are out for the year and perhaps forever, will shut your trap. In case you have not notice no one cares about your opinion. I was just wanted to take the opportunity to tell you that, but I am sure that many others have shared my thoughts with you already. By the way, I did not appreciate the comment you made about never playing for the Yankees, i dont recall the Yankees pursuing you. You are a BumB who got lucky, Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez will all be in cooperstown before you, thats if you ever make it.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Curt:
As an Astros season ticket holder for 20+ years, I’d like to wish you the best with your upcoming surgery and with whatever your recovery will entail! There are quite a few former Astros that I have enjoyed watching since leaving the Astros organization, several of them your former teammates, but few more than you! Thank you for for your talent, skill, work ethic and outspokenness…even though you did catch some flack for it! Houston professional sporting teams are well-known for letting the “good-ones” get away and I definitely put you on that list. Thankfully, it guided you to Championship Rings and a great career. Regardless of what comes next for you there will be many baseball fans, myself included, who will continue to be a Curt Schilling fan! Good luck and God Bless!!
June 20th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Curt,
Whatever happens with the surgery, you will always be remembered for the way you sealed the deal in Boston and Red Sox Nation (from fenwayfanatics.com):
“When the veteran pitcher accepted a trade before the 2004 season to return to Boston, he knew that his purpose for returning to the organization where he got his start was to help the Sox “break an 86-year-old curse,” as he remarked in an infamous Ford truck commercial shortly after signing a new agreement. Less than a year later, he made good on that promise; with blood seeping through his sock and the look of determination on every pitch he made, he made key contributions to an eventual world championship for the franchise.”
Good luck, God Bless, and thank you, thank you, thank you!
June 20th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Thank you for being who you are and for sharing so much of that with us. Your faith was an inspiration for me at a time when I needed it; your on the field success brought me happiness in a time of sadness. I wish you all the best.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Thanks for everything you’ve done over all these years Curt. You are a hero, you are a stand-up guy and there’s no way we’d have seen two World Championships in 4 years without you.
Thank you for being the Yankee-killer that the baseball world needed after their 1996-2000 run. I’ll never forget your fearlessness and competitiveness during the 2001 World Series. Still just about the greatest Game 7 ever played!
I’ll never forget the 2003 Thanksgiving vigil when I ended up forcing my poor family to still through endless hours of Sportcenter coverage to see if you were coming to Boston.
I’ll never forget all the games watched you pitch in person.
I’ll never forget when all of Red Sox nation was focused on whether or not the custom made Reebok shoe would lock down your tendon. People probably forget that now but we were analyzing shoe diagrams in the paper for days before Game 1 of the 04 ALCS. LOL
Of course nobody here will forget the greatest comeback of all time, the bloody sock, the lunar eclipse in St. Louis, and the greatest 9-month long victory hangover ever.
I know it’s easy to think ahlf of us are knuckle-heads who don’t remember anything positive. Maybe we are. I just want you to know that there are a ton of us who cherished every game you pitched for us or against the Yankees. You are hero, you are a legend and you will never be forgotten.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Good luck with the surgery on Monday, Curt. From all of us here in NYC who watch the Red Sox games at Professor Thom’s, I want to wish you and your family all the best in whatever God leads you to do next.
But of course, I want to thank you for what you and the Red Sox accomplished in 2004. You can’t possibly imagine how it made my life here in New York City so much better!
Thanks for the memories. Thanks for Game 6.
All the best
John Quinn
Brooklyn, NY
The Mighty Quinn Media Machine
http://quinnmedia.blogspot.com
June 20th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Curt,
I am sorry to see that rehab didn’t work and surgery is required. I had hoped you could have another chance to shine again in the postseason. I wish you and your family the best. To me, you epitomized what an athlete should be, and you and your wife used the spotlight to do much good for others. Thanks again.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:27 am
God Bless you Curt and thanks for providing some of the best memories I have of my beloved SOX !!!
You are a Champ on AND off the field.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Dear Mr. Shilling,
I hope the surgery is success and I wish you a speedy recovery. I know firsthand how painful shoulder surgeries can be. I hope they’ll be able to do it orthoscopically. If you need a second opinion, I’d seek out the Andrews Institute, in Gulf Breeze, FL. It was started by Dr. James Andrews, and they have some of the best orthopedic doctors in the business. They also have a great PT department for the post-op rehab.
I injured my shoulder when I was 19 and shortly after that, it began to dislocate. 13 years later, it got to where it would dislocate about once a week and I had chronic shoulder pain. MRI showed a Torn Labram and a chipped shoulder socket. One of Dr. Andrews’ proteges, Dr. Ostrander, did the repair for my Torn Labram, and my shoulder has felt great. I’m not a pitcher but my shoulder hasn’t dislocated since and the pain that I dealt with is gone.
My arm was out of commission for about 6 weeks after the surgery though. Good news is I could type and play World of Warcraft after about 2 or 3 days after the surgery!
Good luck,
Jason
June 20th, 2008 at 11:28 am
CURT,
It is us who owe you thanks. Thanks for all the memories you’ve given us over the years we have been priviledged to watch you pitch. Not just for the Red Sox, but for all the teams you have played with. If this is truly the end, we will miss you terribly. I’m 64 and have the same bicep problem, only I won’t go through the operation. I wish you all the LUCK in the world on Monday, and pray for your quick recovery. Take care of yourself and enjoy your growing family. Family must come first.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Curt, good luck with the surgery. All of red sox nation hopes to see you pitch for us again. But if its not in the cards you’re a hall of famer to all of us, a guy who played the game the right way, and an inspiration to millions. THANK YOU.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Curt:
Thank you for all that you have done for the Red Sox. As a life-long Red Sox fan, I can say that we could not have done it without you, both on and off the field. However, your contribution to ALS and other charitable causes is what makes you a “Hall of Famer” , in my humble opinion. I witnessed your impact on Major Michael Donnelly, USAF , one of my high school classmates and close friend. Mike is now deceased but he suffered from ALS for almost 10 years after returning from the Gulf War (44 successful combat missions). When you were pitching for the Diamondbacks, you hosted Mike and his family at a game that you pitched against (and outdueled) Pedro Martinez at Fenway Park. Coincidentially, I had taken my son to that game but I did not know Mike was “in the house”. When Mike appeared on the centerfield screen in the 7th inning, I was brought to tears. You always supported fundraisers that we undertook for Mike and ALS research here in Connecticut. I know how much your support meant to Mike and his family. Once again, sincerest thanks.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:30 am
To you Curt Schilling, thank you.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Curt
As always you are a class act! Good luck to you and whatever your future holds. It has been a priviledge to watch you work!
From a die-hard Cubs fan, but even more so, a true baseball fan!
Pat Drosten
June 20th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Curt Schilling, you have been a breath of fresh air on the Boston sports scene and have done what you came to do here. From the 1st truck commercial right through last October. Thank you.
While I hope that you are able to pitch again, if it is the end of your career it is my wish that you and your family stay in Massachusetts and settle here. I have never met any of you but am impressed with all that you and your wife have contributed to our area. I do know people that have had dealings with your children and they speak highly of them as people which is a reflection of their family life. We need people like your family to continue making MA one of the best places in the world to raise families.
Best wishes for your upcoming surgery and best of luck to you and your family for the future….no matter what you do or where it brings you.
regards, bob lead
June 20th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Curt,
Good luck on the surgery. I wasn’t there from the beginning, just since the D-Backs ( I live in the AZ White Mountains) and the Sox ( I was a New Englander most of my life) and enjoyed watching every pitch! We actually will have something in common due to the fact that I am having THR (total hip replacement) surgery Monday ( the 23rd ) in Phx. So again good luck and if you have thrown your last pitch just know that you were greatly appreciated in New England - bloody Red Sox showed your courage and will to win!
Thanks for the many memories!
June 20th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Shill you’re a great ambassador for the game of baseball, both on and off the field (supporting Bush aside).
Whatever happens you’ve given Sox fans some really great memories.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Hey Curt-
I want to wish you the best of luck with your surgery and recovery. I’d love to see you take the mound again for the Sox, but if it’s not in the cards, I’m glad to see that you’re okay with that. You’ve had a great career to date and your contributions to the Red Sox franchise (especially back in 2004) will be the stuff of legend for many, many years to come.
I haven’t always agreed with some of the things you’ve said or your politics, but it has been a pleasure rooting for you and this team over the last 4 seasons. You always brought your best effort to the mound and your determination and desire to win were a real inspiration to a fan like me.
Again, best of luck and thank you.
Cheers!
Seth
June 20th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Damn Curt that really sucks bro … We need you. I hope all works out for you, and what ever happens like you said no regrets. Your going out a champ, few can say that. I hope to see you on the mound again especially in a Red Sox uniform, but if not I would like to be the 1st to say to you, Thanks for the memories. You came in like an old western sheriff, I think I even remember a new paper head line “Theirs a new Sheriff in town” referring to having two number one pitches. I loved watching you, and Pedro’s secret dual, Pedro definitely didn’t like sharing the thrown, and thank god Red Sox owner ship made the right decision in allowing him to sign somewhere else. You proved to be the better man again, and again on, and off the field. Your Curts pitch foundation is a wonderful thing you do, for that alone I say thank you. You delivered to us not one, but two world series wow ! The Bloody sock game, I hope to live long enough to tell my grand children that I may have in the future. That was a true test of a mans worth, and desire to win, So once again Cult I want to say thank you, Thank you, Thank you for all the memories.
Sincerely
A Big Fan Mike Rudy
June 20th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Curt,
Whatever happens from here, it’s been a privilege and a joy to see you play for the team I love. You wore the uniform with dignity and honor, and will always be remembered not only as one of the men that brought so much joy to Red Sox fans across the globe with the ‘04 Championship, but as one of the leading “characters” in a team that has become so much fun to watch - win or lose.
Good luck with your surgery. As long as you want to keep talking to your fans here, we’ll be here to talk back, retired or not.
I’ll have a lot more to say at some other point, I’m sure. For now, know that our thoughts are with you. If you never throw another pitch in the Major Leagues, well… you three a hell of a lot that counted.
We’re awful proud of you.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Good Luck Curt. You have a lot of fans behind you. Whatever the outcome, all of RSN thanks you for your contributions.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Curt this is really sad news, but speaking not just Red Sox fans, but baseball fans all over the country and world, that we really do appreciate your honesty and dedication to your craft and the game you love.
You truly are one of a kind, and I’ve enjoyed the good and bad, and tip my cap to a career, that in my humble opinion, certainly is HOF worthy.
Cheers,
Derek Hixon
June 20th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Curt-
Thank You. My favorite Red Sox moment was you walking in from the bullpen in game 2 of the 2004 World Series. The place was electric…and we were there because of you and your 24 teammates. I hope to been cheering you on in October again!
Thank You
Greg
June 20th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Curt,
As a Phillies fan I would like to say Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I watched you growing up and as of right now you are part of my greatest Phillies memory. The 1993 team will always hold a place in my heart. I was 13 and it was amazing to watch you guys. Now if only we could win a world series title that would be great! Good luck Curt no matter which path your life takes and God Bless you and your family.
Chris
June 20th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Curt,
I want to thank you for giving everything you had to Red Sox team and to the city of Boston. I surely hope your career is not done, but if so, what a career it was…and I’m so grateful that you spent these last years in Boston.
I hope you and your family will be a part of the Boston landscape for many years to come.
Best of luck to you with your surgery. I hope it all goes well and your recovery is faster and better than anticipated.
Sharon in NH
June 20th, 2008 at 11:41 am
its too bad curt… just remember good things happen to good people.. unfortunatly you are an #$@!#$!…. you should have given up a couple years ago, but as seeing as how you are whats wrong with baseball, and since it is all about the money, you just hung around. glad to see you go….
June 20th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Schill, all the best with the surgery. However it works out, it’s been a hell of a ride cheering for you.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Dear Curt,
I wish you the best on your surgery on Monday. I live in Philadelphia and followed you from the time you were a phillie until the present as a red sox. I hope and pray that you are able to come back and pitch. Thank you for a great 22 years of watching, in my opinion, the best pitcher in baseball. Good Luck.
Nicole Cheeseman
June 20th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Best wishes for a speedy recovery and productive rehab, big man.
The plans of the heart belong to man … you know the rest.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Curt,
When you signed with the Sox i was very excited about the news. Wow…..its been one heck of a ride my friend. I along with any fan of MLB should tip there cap to you for so many reasons. You have the heart of lion and whenever we needed support from you off or on the field you provided 100% and then some of yourself. I wish you the very best my friend in anything that comes your way in the future. From everyone in Red Sox Nation……….you are all class!!!
June 20th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Hey Curt,
I wish you the best through this surgery. You’re a class act on the mound and a thrill to watch, even though you’re always beating my Angels.
I pray that you’ll be on that mound soon.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Curt,
Can’t thank you enough for all of the great memories you have provided Sox fans over the past 4 years. If you really are done, best wishes for whatever the future may hold for you. (But I still hope to see you back out there next year…you never know!)
So good luck, and thank you for being such a stand up member of the Sox both on and off the field. The charitable work you do is amazing and I hope you are able to continue doing so whether you play again or not.
Go Sox!
June 20th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Curt - I’m sorry to hear the rehab didn’t work. I was looking forward to seeing you on the mound later in the season. I wish you the best for your surgery.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:45 am
I’m a sports fan and love my New York Yankees. I can’t say I’m a fan of yours for very obvious reasons like the 2001 World Series and your stint with those hated Red Sox. However, I have respected your work and your honesty even when it would have been better for you to shut your mouth. I would have rooted for you if you ever wore the Pinstripes. I can honestly say I would never wish your ailment on anyone, even my rival teams. I would rather my Team (Yankees) crush the Red Sox with all of its parts there and working. That way I could say, my Yankees are the best team no doubt about it. So please get better and I wish the best for you. After all, it is a game and there are more important things in the world that are so far more important. Curt Schilling will be missed as a great pitcher and a great competitor. The best to you and your family.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Schill-
I hope this is not it, but if it is THANKS for everything. I know at times you get criticized for your mouth (at times rightfully so) but it was nice to finally get someone who backed it up. I remember when you first got here and I think it was a Chevy commercial where they asked where you were going and you replied “I’ve got a curse to break”. Back then the “curse” was almost unmentionable but you did it. I know inside, and that your teammates always knew that you were in it to win it- regardless and always stepped up to the plate. I remember when Damon went over to the dark forces and the guys on YES were trying to bait him on you and dealing with you and he said he’d take you on his team anytime- you were a gamer. I also thank you for your insightful blog- whether I agreed or disagreed with your perpectives I always knew it was your true belief- not just cheap shots or false accolades. May God continue to bless you and your family and if he has it that there is a year left in that old body- may it only be in a Sox uniform, but if the Sox situation and your own differ know that true fans understand (unless of course that other team wears pinstripes!!!!!)
June 20th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Curt, you’ll always be an all star in my book!!!
June 20th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Curt, I wish you the best, you have had a great career. But I wish you’d have kept your mouth shut, too. Maybe Dr. Andrews can tighten that up a little for you. How come you go off on teammates disrespecting each other and you sat with that towel over your head in philly? 99 made everyone crazy, but that was big time dis. I hate your politics and your flapping jaw, but I will always respect your career. You are a winner and nothing will take that away from the stat books. Good luck. Rickymo
June 20th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Great way to make me cry, Curt. You are correct, though. You have been blessed - as have we in having you wear the uniform of the Boston Red Sox. You did what you said you would do… and you gave it all you had. Better still is what you and Shonda have done off the field - and that means so much more, and I am sure that will continue. You made a lot of people care about an illness about which many of us were far too unfamiliar. You have challenged many to do more for those in need and that, imnsho, means more than the two WS you brought to us. (And I cannot begin to tell you how much that means; although, I think you know.)
You know, I wish more players would leave on their own terms instead of waiting for serious injury to make the decision for them. I wish you nothing but good and hope that you, when the time comes, can make that decision to step away…
And here is a little Irish Blessing for you:
May those who love us, love us
And those who don’t love us,
May G-d turn their hearts
And if he can’t turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles
So we will know them by their limping!
G-d Bless!
Chaiah
(ToofarawayfromBoston)
June 20th, 2008 at 11:49 am
You can count me among your supporters, Curt. I, too, hope you hear the second story from the doctors, but, like you, can’t be disappointed if it’s the first…. well, a little bit, but I consider myself blessed and lucky not just as a Sox fan, but a baseball fan, in general, to have watched that amazing 2004 season, playoffs, and bloody sock - the bravest sporting act (acts, actually since you did it 2x - how the heck did you do that?!!) I’ve ever seen in my life. Thank you and God bless.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Wow, Curt, that’s rough. But hopefully it’ll make you better.
I can’t say thank you enough for helping to bring 2 World Series Champions to Boston and yes, you were definitely a factor in both.
I miss watching you pitch, but enjoy your conversation on ‘EEI. You’ve been a wonderful addition to us MASSHOLES:)
Good luck and hopefully everything works out in the end.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:50 am
hey curt. No matter what happens you will always be a hero in my eyes.
Thanks for all the wonderful years and hopefully we will see you on the mound one last time
God Bless
June 20th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Well, like it or not, many of us will be extremely upset if this turns out to be the end. Even as a lifelong Mets fan, I’ve pretty much worshiped you in a baseball sense for 15 years. We’re not exactly on the same page politically, (just being honest here) but that’s another thing entirely. In terms of your job and the way you’ve always done it, I admire and respect you like few others who have ever taken that mound. It has been a privilege to witness your career.
I’m fervently hoping you buck the odds. But if you don’t, thank you for everything. Thank you for your guts, your candor and your breathtaking talent. Thank you for respecting the game and its history. And perhaps most of all, thank you for 2004. You and your teammates brought life-affirming joy to even more people than you realize.
Good luck on Monday. Whatever happens, I know you will be fine… and we’ll see you in Cooperstown.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Godspeed, Curt…You are one of the class acts in our world today and it has been amazing to watch from afar and see the positive example you’ve set for us all during the highs and lows of your professional career. Godspeed, Curt…Godspeed!
June 20th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Curt,
I think I speak for every sox fan when I say I wish you the very best in your surgery and recovery.
I don’t think any fan would argue that you are one of the greatest assets to our team over the last decade and your contributions to this team will never be forgotten.
Thanks for everything! Without you ‘04 never would have happened. You’ve given hope back to sox fans everywhere and for that we should all be eternally grateful.
Good Luck!
June 20th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Greetings Mr. S -
I was sure hoping to see your return this year and a chance to make the strong exit I think everyone would like to see. Good luck with the surgery and rehab and here’s to, at least a pain-free future.
I can’t help but think back to that Truck commercial, hitch-hiking back East to End the Curse. Sports fans in the Hub are pretty spoiled these days (and I think we can live with that) but it wasn’t so long ago when no matter how many banners hang in the Garden, or down in Foxboro - nothing would ever mean so much as 2004 - ever - and to top it off with the 2007 win was - well Wicked (my other favorite commercial of yours).
We’ve drove to Cooperstown (from VT) just to see The Sock. Your place in Boston lore is forever. Good luck with everything the Lord brings and thanks again.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Curt,
Thanks for everything, regardless of the outcome. We all know that pitching is just a part of who you are.
Someone who does not have people hate and love them hasn’t made any difference.
Good job.
-C
June 20th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Curt,
I wish you the best of luck with the surgery. It’s too bad the Sox wouldn’t allow you to have it earlier in the season like you wanted to. But hey, they know more about your body than you do, so it’s a good thing you did what they wanted.
I look forward to reading the updates after your surgery.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Curt,
I hope your surgery goes well and that we will see #38 on the mound again. You sound very realistic and seem to have found peace with your decision which is a great way to approach it. I am sure there are hundreds of former players you have played with who will tell you there is life after baseball and with the love of your family and friends you will be fulfilled…All the best and thanks for all the great memories…hope there will be more!
June 20th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Hey Curt,
It was enjoyable watching you during your career, especially since you were traded to the Red Sox. I hope the surgery goes well and you have a quick recovery. I wish you nothing but the best moving forward in the next chapter of your life.
Bob J, Detroit, Michigan
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
June 20th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Schill, as a long time loyal fan, I along with all of Red Sox Nation, we wish you the best on Monday. I hope it goes well and that the prognosis is that you can return to pitching.
If not, as you said, you’ve given your all and it was appreciated by all who saw you do it.
Good luck and God Speed.
Irv Arons
June 20th, 2008 at 11:58 am
If thats the case Curt, thanks for all the memories! Between you and Roger Clemens I’ve had the leasure of watching two of the best pitchers of all time play at Fenway Park!
June 20th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Curt,m
Best of luck on Monday!
You take care of yourself and worry about getting yourself back to normal. if all goes well and they tell you that you can throw again, then go for it. Otherwise you owe us nothing. What you did in 2004 for this team, the city of Boston and the members of Red Sox Nation will forever go down in history as one of the most courageous moments in sports history. Right up there with Willis Reed and Tigers performance last week. The “bloody sock” will forever live in the hearts of Red Sox fan for years to come.
On a more personal note, just because you may potentialy not pitch another ball for a MLB team, doesn’t mean you can still touch the lives of people. The work you have done and continue to do with your charitable work will continue. The opportunites to meet veterans, sick children and those fans that respect and admire you will still be there. We’ll still be there for you when you’re recovering. So don’t think you’re in this alone. Once a member of Sox Nation, always a member of Sox Nation.
God bless and get well soon!!
Derek (Barkhamsted, CT)
June 20th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Curt,
I have been an avid reader of your blog and a die hard Sox fan my whole life. I have never posted anything in your blog before, but feel it is time to do so. I do not always agree (most of the time I do though!) with your ideas and opinions, but I must say with that aside, I have always enjoyed watching you pitch. Be it in Boston, Philly or even AZ. You have always been a real credit to whatever organization you were with and your profession as a whole. Your dedication and sacrifice are something young people should take notice of and we all applaud you for it, even some Yankee fans! If we have seen you throw your last pitch…well so be it and good luck in the future. If a comeback is in order, also good luck. I know that you are a man of great faith and I know that you will accept whatever the good Lord has in store for you. I, for one, really hope to see you back on the mound in Fenway. And not to just throw out a cerimonial first pitch. I will be praying for you Curt.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Best wishes with the surgery–and many thanks for the great baseball in Philly–if anyone can come back from this surgery , I am sure you will do what rehab will do–you have many fans in Boston but also Az–and from way back those of us in Pa
June 20th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Curt, all the best on Monday. As a fan of the game and fan of the Red Sox, I have truly enjoyed your competitiveness thru the years. Your performances in the playoff’s were second to none. I hope it’s not over and you do pitch again but if it is, the game was just a little bit better because you were a part of it.
Thanks for the memories thus far. And for all you do, this Bud’s for you.
All the Best
June 20th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Awwwwwwww that’s awful !!!
btw, Kobe says your not a true leader unless you can play with an injury…
like he did all year.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Curt,
Best of Luck on Monday . . . . my family wishes you only the best!
Donna from North Kingstown, RI
June 20th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Thanks for everything, Curt. Here’s to a speedy recovery, and good luck.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Curt- thanks for what you’ve given Sox fans. I hope your operation is successful and I wish you the best in the coming years!
June 20th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Curt, I’ve never left a comment although I’ve always enjoyed your blog.
I’ll be brief as undoubtedly a hundred posters have already said the same, but “thank you” is too short a phrase to express how deeply grateful I am to you and your 2004 and 2007 teammates (I admit I have a particularly special place in my heart for those from 2004). Hero is a word thrown around much too tritely and rarely does it belong in sports, but the physical risks you took to pitch in 2004 were as close to heroic as it comes in athletics. For me, you WERE the 2004 World Champion Red Sox. It still gives me chills to type that!
With you on the mound I always felt the game was in good hands. It has truly been a joy to watch you pitch. I dearly hope I will again, but if not, you’re right, it’s been a terrific ride.
THANK YOU
June 20th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Curt… I just want to thank you for all you have given to the Red Sox! Your determination allowed me to share two World Series championships with my children, something I honestly never thought would happen.
I also want to thank you for not hiding your strong faith. I am a religious ed. director and work with high school teens in my church and have often used you as an example of someone who doesn’t forget where his good fortune comes and to thank Jesus for all you have been given.
Good luck with your surgery on Monday. I will be praying for you and I know that your faith, your families faith and the love you have fore each other will see you through.
Dottie Moffitt
June 20th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Thank you Curt, you given The Nation everything you had, including possibly shortening your career for that epic 2004 season. How many starts that year did you get close to 130 pitches?
While everyone might not agree all the time with you (myself included, you been everything wed hoped for on that thanksgiving day in 2003.
You insured many could die happy……thank you!!!
June 20th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Schill, if it is all over, I think I speak for all of Red Sox nation in saying that you cannot comprehend what you have done for us fans, the team, and this city as a whole. You will go down in history with all of the other Red Sox legends and we will be telling our kids and grandkids years from now that we got to watch you pitch and will always reminisce about that Game 6 at Yankee Stadium in ‘04. Thank you for helping change the whole attitude of all us Red Sox fans and hopefully i’ll be there in cooperstown to see your acceptance speech!
June 20th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Curt, thank you for all you have done for the game of baseball. You are a classy and respected man and I have enjoyed watching you these past years in Boston. I wish you the best of luck and health with your surgery. Whatever happens, you will never truly leave the game, your impact will last for generations to come. Boston will surely miss you, but either way we know this isn’t the end of Curt Shilling. Thank you for the world series championships, memories no Boston fan will ever forget. Take care. Much love.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Curt,
Hope everything goes well for you on monday.
We’ll be praying for you WICKED HAHD!
D.P. and family
June 20th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Dear Curt,
I was so happy to see you pitch in the 2007 World Series! I had seats in Sec. 7 but we squeezed in behind a pole to see you from Sec. 14 - and kept getting moved around. But it was worth it to watch you pitch with all your heart, as always.
We’ll be praying for you - for success in your surgery, and for the peace only God can give to you and your family.
Looking forward to seeing you on the mound next season - as we celebrate another World Championship year.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Mr. Schilling,
Thank you for all that you have done. From your personality, hard work, and dedication, to the 2004 bloody sock, I have enjoyed watching you pitch. There are always those regular season games on which you dont know which to watch sometimes. But whenever I saw that you were pitching i knew that i had to watch because you werent going to pitch forever. Im definetly a die hard red sox fan and just as much a Curt Schilling fan. I grew up watching the Red Sox play and was dissapointed for so many years, but when you came to our team you created a new winning attitude and made Red Sox nation even bigger than it already was. I may be in the Air Force and serving my country but to me a true soldier will always stick to what he knows and what hes good at no matter what he has to put on the line and to me you are a soldier in the eyes of so many fans. Thank you for keeping us on our toes and good luck with whatever decision you make. Either way you will definetly have my vote as one of the greatest and hall of fame is for sure in your future!
June 20th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Curt,
This is sad news indeed. I was hoping to see you back on the mound in October 1 more time. I want to thank you for leaving it all on the field and helping to bring a starving fanbase 2 WS rings. It was a pleasure watching you out there compete. You’ve had a hall of fame career and been one of the best big game pitchers of all time.
I truly hope the surgery goes well.
Peace,
RTS
June 20th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Curt,
Well this day had to come sooner or later. As a guy who was with you at the very beginning of your big league career, and watched you open your first big league check, you sure did yourself proud! I remember all of the great times we had in Baltimore in ‘88 and ‘89….. I know your dad is real proud of you!! Hope to see you soon.
Chuck
June 20th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
You took off my comment?????
here is what i said
So Curt, you gonna give back the 8 million? I WAS a huge fan of yours, but the way you handled your negotiations back in November made me start to realize that you too are only in it for the money. Maybe Johnny Damon gave you some pointers? If you say you are at a “3″ then you for sure had pain 7 months ago. You had to have known you would never return to your top form. Shame on you Mr. Schilling to fight so hard for that contract. You make it hard to believe in real sports heroes anymore.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
You’re one of the best ever, Curt. I’ve enjoyed watching you pitch since you played in Philadelphia which is the earliest thing I can remember about you. As a former Phoenix resident (Gilbert actually) and a Diamondbacks fan since the beginning, I was over-joyed when you came to play for the Diamondbacks. You helped bring a world series to Phoenix and then rings to Boston. I must admit, even though I was sad to see you leave Phoenix, I pulled for you specifically in Boston. You deserve every thing you have gotten.
You say that the game has given you far more than you have given the game, that may be true but don’t underestimate what you have done for the game of baseball and what you have done for the fans who have loved watching you for almost 20 years. Not to mention the wonderful things you and others have done off the field for any array of causes. Your leadership in informing the general public about ALS and getting others invovled is truly something to be admired and commended.
And as far as you keeping your mouth shut on certain occasions…don’t worry too much about it, what is sportscenter or baseball tonight without a couple of witty sound bites right? Oh well, you’ve done more for the game than anyone who has the gall to second guess you or call you out anyway.
If things go well and you pitch again, well we can only hope. If not, its been a pleasure watching you. Either way, God bless you and your family. Good luck with everything in you and your familys future.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Curt,
So, now that you’re closing one chapter in your life, I wanted to wish you the very best and say Thank you for bringing a World Series title back to Boston. However, one question remains, what cap will you wear when Cooperstown welcomes you?
June 20th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
You should return the money you got from the Red Sox when you fraudently signed your new