Schilling becomes a baseball god
January 30th, 2007Yesterday, Curt Schilling forever secured his place as a baseball god in Boston.
The 40-year-old, in talking about his plans for the future, said he plans to pitch through the 2008 season. He had previously indicated he might retire after 2007, when his contract with Boston ends.
But Schilling said he would pitch in 2008. He would like for it to be with Boston, but he said he would pitch for another team if it didn’t work out for him to return to the Red Sox. It just wouldn’t be the Yankees.
This is a man who understands baseball. This is what Johnny Damon should have done when he left the Red Sox after the 2005 season. Damon didn’t have to return to Boston in order to remain a Red Sox icon for the rest of his life. All he had to do was spurn the Yankees. But he chased the money, and now he’s forever a pariah in Beantown.
Not so with Schilling. He said the right thing. He understands the meaning of a rivalry. And even if he doesn’t retire as a member of the Red Sox, he just earned the undying affection of an entire city.
Well, to be honest, Schilling’s bloody sock earned that 2 1/2 years ago. Seriously, the man could run a busload of nuns off a cliff and I’d think, “He deserves our support. I forgive him.”
I disagree, Jeff. If Schilling would go pitch for the Yankees in 2008, the city of Boston would hate him.
Tim,
I agree with you. Smart move by Schilling and one that as a baseball fan I’m very happy with (even though I’m not a Red Sox fan and don’t necessarily hat the Yankees).
Think of how highly Roger Clemens would be regarded in Boston right now if he had stayed.
Speaking of rivalries, how about the Cardinals and Cubs. I don’t think any of us who are Cardinal fans are sorry to see Jason Marquis sport the Cubs Jersey. Ofcourse, he is no Johnny Damon or Curt Shilling though.
I don’t think Johnny Damon really cares. And 20 years from now when Bostonians are celebrating the anniversary of their World Series win, he’ll still be a hero to them.
A good example of that is Jim McMahon. He went on to play for both the Vikings and Packers–hated Bears rivals–and he’s still a king in Chicago.