Legend of the Fall

That fateful morning I got home from my girlfriend’s house around 10 am. I did the usual stripping down to comfortable clothes, turning on the TV (to ESPN of course), grabbing some food and drink, then plopping into my satchnel. Today was different than normal though, the bottom line read that Curt Schilling announced his retirement on his blog, 38pitches.

As per usual, Curt was his outspoken self and already started his Hall of Fame campaign within his retirement speech:,

Four World Series, three World Championships. That there are men with plaques in Cooperstown who never experienced one — and I was able to be on three teams over seven years that won it all — is another ‘beyond my wildest dreams’ set of memories I’ll take with me. 

And why not?! Yes, I am a bit biased for McGurt to get to the HOF because he won two World Series with our beloved BoSox, but be honest, a man with his post-season achievements has to get into “the Hall”. If Curt doesn’t make it to Cooperstown, he will be the only man in the world to not make it over his own pair of socks. Referring of course to the bloody sock from the 2004 World Series where Curt showed more grit and determination than any other man in Red Sox history throughout my entire journey through life.

Hall of Fame Career

I don’t know if a post-season career, a bloody sock and the most in your face-don’t hold anything back attitude are enough to get Curt Schilling into the Hall of Fame, but I sure damn hope so. All morning on SportsCenter they kept bringing up the fact that he fell well short of the 300 win mark (which was the standard for a four man rotation). Taking a look at his career stats I can’t see anything else that would suggest he doesn’t deserve a plaque right next to his socks. A 3.46 career ERA, 3000+ K’s, about 700 walks, 350 HR’s allowed, a WHIP of 1.14 and a BAA of under .250…all in a 20 year career! Not to mention that the peak of his career was in the National League in the Steroid Era, facing Bonds, McGwire and Sosa, among others on a more frequent basis than other pitchers hoping for a HOF bid.

Reverse the Curse

The sign no longer stands on the bridge above Storrow Drive, but for those of us who looked at it on our morning commute for years, we know it’s signifigance now more than ever.

Reverse the Curse sign formerly on Storrow Drive

What more is there to say about Curt Schilling? He came to Boston with two things in mind, “Breaking a Curse” and as he ever so elegantly stated at his initial press conference when he signed with the Sawx, “I guess I hate the Yankees now”. And he accomplished both. First in 2004 and again in 2007. Whether or not Curt makes it to Cooperstown matters not as much to us in Boston as it does that he made it here to begin with. Best of luck with the Hall of Fame run Curt, you undeniably deserve it. From every single die-hard Sawx fan up from third base to Huntington, thank you Curt! Thank you for changing our lives. Even if you are not immortalized in Cooperstown, you will forever be a hero at Fenway Park.

Thanks to Wallyg for the excellent photo.