Farewell, Big Schill

Say what you want about the man – and most people do – but I’ll tip my cap to Curt Schilling as he rides off into the sunset.

The big guy was always outspoken and some people didn’t like that. But he was honest, candid and most importantly: he delivered.

He came to Boston amidst much hoopla, including commercials where he said he was coming to Boston to “help break and 86-year-old curse.”

And what did he do? He helped break it. The Red Sox don’t win the World Series in 2004 without Curt Schilling. And who knows, in they lose to the Yanks that year, do they win in 2007?

I’ll never forget sitting my Boston-based BU apartment, watching the television during an agonizing rain delay (a storm that would inevitably cancel that night’s Red Sox-Yankees ALCS game). Only a few days before, Schilling was hammered by Sheffield, A-Rod, ant Matsui in the Bronx. By about the 5th batter you knew something was wrong. Schilling was dominant that year, second to Johan in the Cy Young voting. He’s usually lights out in the playoffs. He’s getting ROCKED. Something had to be wrong.

Turns out his ankle was shredded, an injury he suffered in the ALDS. But that night in Boston, even with the game called, all eyes were on Fenway. Schill was attempting to throw off a soaked bullpen mound and weird stories of clandestine medical procedures began to leak. We watched the news and heard Sox Doc, Bill Morgan was experimenting with a unique procedure on cadavers and had to think: “You’ve got to be kidding me?”

But it worked. Morgan sutured Curt’s tendon to his ankle, holding the damaged ligament in place so he could pitch another game or two. Think about that for a second. He had his frayed tendon artificially stabilized so he could pitch one, maybe two more games. He risked his health (and as it turns out, his 2005 season) because he had to deliver on his promise. How many people do you think would do that? JD “Nancy” Drew sits out with back tightness. Manny can’t remember which knee is hurt. Only a very select group of people would do what Curt did.

And that’s why, no matter your opinion of his politics, his blogging, his relationship with certain players, you have to give Big Schill credit. He told you what he was here to do – “help break an 86-year-old curse” – and he delivered.

In a day where athletes sit out with baby injuries, play for the name on the back of their jerseys, and give standard “no-answers” when talking to the media, Curt was one of kind.

Big Schill, WKFTB salutes you, and thanks you for some of the best memories of our lives.

--Nick