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| What a series. | 10.08.07 at 6:26 am ET |
They may have been banged up, no denying that, but regardless of the 3-0 result that’s a good team. To say anything else diminishes the incredible job done by a lot of people, some not wearing uniforms.
Regular season or post season the guy that starts a series on the mound has a chance to set a tone that opponents can’t shake off, or that gives momentum to his team that carries over. Josh’s effort in game 1 certainly did that for me. I still think that was one of the most dominating games I’ve ever seen pitched at any level. I think that game put them on their heels (which any loss will do in game 1 of a best of 5) in ways that a 7-5 or 5-3 game might not have.
Not only did he win, but I’ve been on the other side of games like that and in addition to thinking about game 2 you realize you’ll be facing the guy who just did that, at least one more time if you are going to win.
This series was littered with different things that I think are now, or will be soon, trademarks of this organization. Starting in 2004 this has been the most thorough and well prepared group of advanced scouts I’ve ever had the privelage of working with. While I’d love to claim yesterdays game as my own, it was as far from that as it could have been. The game plan we executed was as much Tek’s feel and calls, Dana’s hitter by hitter scouting reports and John easy style of coaching as it was anything. They came together to work perfectly yesterday. Add to the mix our video guy, Billy Broadbent, who’s about as good at what he does as anyone I’ve ever met and as a player you will never be allowed to offer up any excuse except you just didn’t get the job done. We’re provided with any and everything you could ever want or need as players, to be prepared to play the game, on the field and off.
The 1-2 fastball in to Willits was all Dana and Tek. I probably would have had a fastball in, in that situation, as my 6th choice out of 5 pitches. It was Tek’s first instinct and Dana talked at length about his troubles handling balls inside later in counts.
Manny and David were just unreal for three straight games. Since I’ve been here I’ve never seen nor heard Manny look and feel this locked in. In a season he made it clear he struggled in, from day 1, to see him find it now is incredibly reassuring. David? Well he just keeps being Big Papi. His ability to ease back and relax when it seems everyone else’s tenses up has to be one of the reasons he’s become that go to guy.
The effort Josh gave us in game one gets backed up by 4 1/3 hitless innings from the bullpen and a mammoth walk off from Manny. I felt good that there were a lot of people thinking that getting back to Anaheim, where they were better at home than I think any team in the game, would be something that might cure their ills. I certainly know there weren’t many people expecting me to pitch well.
What I feel will go overlooked and in some cases not even thought of was the fact that for the most part we completely eliminated their running game. We spoke in the pre series meeting about it and I thought it could be a series winning tactic if we managed it. When you eliminate a teams running game, especially a team that has as one of it’s principal weapons, the ability to bunt, hit and run, steal and basically cause chaos on the bases, it’s almost like taking players out of the lineup. When a team that wins that many games has the ability to manufacture runs literally with no hits, and they lose that ability, I think you gain a massive advantage. It would be like taking away our ability to take pitches and draw walks. I thought our staff did a great job of stopping them from doing just that. When we didn’t it showed and had an effect.
One last thought. I guarantee someone will make a big deal out of this and it’s not meant to be. It’s something that I would guess only affected me but that’s why I mention it. I was stunned yesterday as I walked to the pen to warm up, that the Angels took no BP outside. I am walking to the pen and they were doing the ‘on your own’ routine that teams will often do in Spring Training for oddly timed games or during the regular season when you get an early day game after a late night. Now I would bet they didn’t think twice about it, they were ready for the game and all that, but as I am walking to the pen I couldn’t help but think that as high as I was adrenaline wise, with the series on the line, and my nerves on edge, there was no way they could be anywhere near as ready for this game as I was when it started. Sounds stupid I guess, but I know it got me fired up and excited about being able to grab a hold of this game and win it. They were obviously ready to go as Jared looked very good early on and they swung the bats well.
Thankfully I think I made 99% of my mistakes within the first 2-3 innings, all pretty much bad location misses, and when I did they took or fouled off the pitches. I thought after the 3rd we executed a lot more consistently.
All in all none of it matters other than we won. Mike Scioscia is a class act and always has been. I don’t want to say I feel bad but when you hear the losing team tip their caps after a short series on the heels of a 162 game schedule you ‘feel’ for them, especially when you’ve been there yourselves. Being banged up didn’t help them but no one on that side made any excuses and that speaks volumes about the character of that organization.
145 Comments for “What a series.”
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Josh Beckett's K Total: 172
Josh Beckett's Win Total: 12
$$ Raised for the Boston ALS Chapter: $29200
Daisuke Matsuzaka's K Total: 149
Daisuke Matsuzaka's Win Total: 18
$$ Raised for the Japan ALS Chapter: $32900
Brandon Webb's K Total: 176
Brandon Webb's Win Total: 22
$$ Raised for the Arizona ALS Chapter: $39600
Cole Hamel's K Total: 196
Cole Hamel's Win Total: 14
$$ Raised for the Philadelphia ALS Chapter: $33600
TOTAL $$ RAISED FOR ALS: $135300
October 8th, 2007 at 6:53 am
I missed last night’s celebration but am glad the team enjoyed themselves. Hope you can do it again really soon!
By the way, I, too, have a Lowell 25 tee-shirt (red) which I purchased either at the Souvenir Shop on Yawkey Way or at a Bob’s store in Enfield, CT. So they’re around.
I’m really proud of all the players, especially Pedroia and Ellsbury. Crisp has earned respect as a center fielder, Lugo’s a great base stealer and has come around as a hitter, and even Drew is finally contributing. I have to say, though, that when Gagne comes in I get the feeling I used to have last year when they went to Tavarez: “Oh no, there goes the game.” Right now, I’d much, much rather see Tavarez come out of the bullpen than Gagne.
The rotation is fantastic, although I’m kind of worried about Matsuzaka. I wish they’d give Bucholz or even Tavarez a chance. I know they pay him the big bucks, but his performance has been inconsistent.
By the way, after the victory parade in Boston, do you think there’s a way the team could come out to Westen Mass for another? A lot of politicians forget we’re here, but we really want to be included.
Hope you’re back in a Red Sox uniform next year…
October 8th, 2007 at 6:59 am
Well, that was enjoyable!
No question, everyone is tall enough to ride this ride.
Thanks for bringing us along.
Onward!
October 8th, 2007 at 7:34 am
Curt -
Congratulations on a terrific performance yesterday. I couldn’t agree with you more about Manny being locked in. And maybe it’s rubbing off - because I can’t remember a time when I saw a post-season Red Sox team this focused on what’s at hand. This even feels different from 2004 in that respect.
It’s been interesting to watch you kind of reinvent yourself as a pitcher since coming from from the DL. If you get some time to do some Q&A while waiting for the next round of the playoffs to begin, it would be interesting to hear your thoughts on why and how you’ve done that.
October 8th, 2007 at 7:34 am
Series was great, Everyone did their jobs. I even thought DiceK looked OK, just a little nervous. He’ll be fine. I did like the decision to start you in game 3 and DiceK in game 2. That way he would start at home and pitch in more familair surroundings, knowing pitching away wouldn’t effect you at all. Do you agree? Do you think the formula for the Indians/Yanks will be the same with maybe Wake in game 4? Or do you think you deserve to start game 2 given your performance on Sunday? Your thoughts?
Jim, Nashua
October 8th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Congratulations Curt and the entire 2007 Sox team!! What a series.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:25 am
Congratulations to you, Curt, and the entire team… this is so fun to watch.
3 down, 8 to go! Good luck to you all!
October 8th, 2007 at 8:28 am
Great, great work yesterday. For any pitcher to change the way they approach things as much as you have is impressive. To do it after a decade and a half as a fireballer is pretty amazing. And to do it mid-season… well, I can’t remember seeing anything like it. Except maybe Pedro Martinez in the 1999 playoffs, though that was more guts than months of planning.
Also, I thought that when Pedro lost a few mph, he made up for it mostly with movement, while you’re relying on control.
As far as the Angels’ lack of BP, Michael Jordan used to flat make stuff up about how the other team had disrespected him to get himself fired up. So don’t forget, the Indians and Yankees all think you’re washed up, and that your kids have funny names. Even Clemens.
It’s been a great year to be a Sox fan. Great game, and thanks for posting today.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:31 am
Congratulations on pitching so well. I agree, the Angels are a class act-players and manager. And their fans are too.
I was just reading an article online, is your middle name really Montague? That is so cool. I never knew that.
I am wishing all the Sox players all the best, it has been so much fun.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:32 am
What a series. This whole season has been so much fun. 8 more to go!
October 8th, 2007 at 8:42 am
Hey Schill, nice game. Just a quick question. Who would you rather face, personally…the Yanks or the Tribe? Thanks for updating the blog, I’m always checking it hoping it’s been updated. P.S. If you ever want to send me your autographed game jersey, let me know :).
October 8th, 2007 at 9:15 am
AMAZING!!! Congratulations to you and the rest of the team…3 down, 8 to go!
October 8th, 2007 at 9:22 am
Awesome Series, Curt, I cannot wait until the next one, everything is clicking right now, and I see the three games off for you guys as hugely positive too. The Nation is behind you guys!
October 8th, 2007 at 9:50 am
Hey Curt, I ran into you today at Logan Airport and wanted to say that I am very thankful that you took the time to take a photo with me. You could have easily ignored me and walked away, but I commend you for giving me a story to tell my friends and family for the rest of my life. I smiled ear to ear the whole way home to Maine. Congratulations and thank you once again for fulfilling this fan’s dream.
-Sam
October 8th, 2007 at 9:55 am
Awesome game yesterday, Curt! We all knew you had it in you
I hope that Francona takes a look at the Division Series and starts you in Game 2 of the ALCS instead of Dice-K. Now that both of you will have sufficient rest, it should be a no-brainer to pitch the seasoned veteran who pitched great in the ALDS instead of the MLB-rookie who gave up 3 runs in 4+ innings of work.
That’s just my opinion…either way, I’m sure you’re gonna pitch amazing! I can’t wait!
GO SOX!
October 8th, 2007 at 10:01 am
Your post is, as always, informative in a way that helps those of us who can’t play, understand the game better and what you do to get people out.
I can’t deny the first few innings were unsettling for many of us on this side of the field. As you point out, you were missing spots and they were whacking it, though fortunately mostly at people, and there was no damage. Offensively there was another of those maddening squanders where the team can’t help but score a run, but don’t.
But you righted the ship, and the greatest 3-4 I have seen in about 50 years of Red Sox fandom did their thing.
Although I was born in Boston and injected with Sox serum early on, the bulk of my childhood was spent in the New York area. As a Red Sox fan, I adopted the Mets as my number 2 team: a local team to follow, and remember may appearances by Seaver on their tv post game show with Ralph Kiner, where Ralph would ask questions to which he did not expect answers but instead would listen as Seaver dissected every hitter he faced in the game just ended. You could not help but learn so much about the game and pitching, except Seaver did not have the video guy and Dana Lavagine’s (sp?) scouting reports to decide, for instance, to throw a fastball to Willits late in the count.
Loved it. Good luck on Saturday (or, I guess, Monday, if we stay with the LDS rotation….)
October 8th, 2007 at 10:09 am
What an amazing performance yesterday…it was fun to watch. Not only is Manny locked in, it seems the entire team is locked and loaded!
Can’t wait for Friday!
October 8th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Mr. Shilling,
That was one of my favorite Shilling games. I loved watching it. 100% mental and physical effort. A nail bitter at times, but that just makes it even more special. I appreciate the intensity you bring to the games. I feel a sense of desperation. Maybe that’s not the right word, but whatever it is, that’s baseball.
Every team will now be taking BP.
What’s next, Shilling at Yankee stadium?!?!?!?!?
Wishing you and your team continued success.
John
October 8th, 2007 at 10:19 am
Thank you Curt! What would we EVER do without you? A question that I do not have an anwer to…….Peter N. from Farmington, CT.
October 8th, 2007 at 10:33 am
Great job yesterday, Curt. After the first couple of innings it seemed like you really got the ball where it needed to be, and the Halos were just bamboozled.
And I agree with dylan2146, and probably many other people: would you rather play Cleveland or the Yankees in this next series? We know New York’s playing style much better, but they’ve dominated us the last couple (er, six) times we’ve played them. What do you think?
Congratulations on the sweep, and pass it on to the rest of the guys!
October 8th, 2007 at 11:21 am
“Sounds stupid I guess, but I know it got me fired up and excited about being able to grab a hold of this game and win it.”
Glad to see Josh helped you and the rest of the team stoke that inner flame (though I think Gagne still didn’t deliver considering the hype and his pre-Sox record). I was a little worried it was lost forever.
Here’s hoping for a repeat performance throughout your organization against the Indians or Yankees.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:26 am
The series was brilliant because it showed the power of baseball — when compard with football. You had the ability to control the game — and cut back on mistakes. Your comment about stopping LA’s ability to run was most telling. This amount of strategizing will always pay off — if you are working from the kind of talent foundation as the BoSox enjoy.
I like the question above — which team do you want to face? The fans have only one answer. But do you?
Thanks for putting your thoughts into words — as always, they are compelling.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:29 am
Hey Curt, I just saw that you made a comment about how you weren’t sure that anyone was expecting you to be on you game last night. Well I for one knew that you were going to be dominate. After seeing Beckett own the Angels in such a way, with Dice-K doing well enough, the bull pen pitching brilliantly, Manny being Papi, I knew that you were going to come out with your game face on and show them that you can still control the game.
Just a fantastic performance and a series. Congrats,
GO SOX!!
October 8th, 2007 at 11:43 am
You Guys Rocked! Keep it up all the way to the WS!
Go Sox!!
October 8th, 2007 at 11:48 am
Superb performance yesterday, Curt. You proved to be a big money pitcher, not like that washed-up has-been in The Bronx last night. Thanks for letting us here in NY celebrate long into the night last night.
Good luck to you and the boys in the ALCS!
John
The Mighty Quinn Media Machine
October 8th, 2007 at 11:48 am
What a great outing you had Curt. A true seasoned Vet. One of the best performances I have seen. You certainly made a huge statement to the rest of the playoff teams. One a side note, I truely hope you do sign with us next year. Your a true Red Sox. Also belong in Boston. Well done. Were not finished. Finish it off. “In Curt We Trust”
October 8th, 2007 at 11:57 am
As an Angels fan, I must say congratulations to the Sox on a well played series. With hindsight being what it is, how would you have handled Guerrero if Anderson was still in the lineup instead of Willits? Anyways, good luck with the rest of the season, hope to see you take it all the way.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
I thought your splitter was fantastic all day and you used Runge’s strike zone to perfection, while the Angels either refused to or could not adjust. I’m convinced you could bounce a pitch to Vlad and he could still put wood on it.
One big play for me was Tek’s block of a 2-2 splitter on Napoli in the 7th with a runner on third and two out. You then get the K and the team pounds out 7 runs in the next half inning.
Nice work, stay sharp working out this week.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Thanks Curt, for your insight, and for your superb effort on Sunday. Thinking about the rotation, I was initially annoyed you weren’t #2, and then realized it was perfect — there was no one else better equipped to go pitch game 3, no matter what was going on in the series. That you got to clinch it, it just icing.
Keep up the great work, take that house off the market, and come back next year!
October 8th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Tek’s block was in the 8th, not the 7th. My mistake.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Hey Curt!
Great job pitching yesterday’s game! We’re one step closer to getting into the World Series now! You guys have done such a great job this season. Thank you for making it such a great time to be a Sox fan! Best wishes to you and your family!
-Viki
October 8th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Congrats Curt! You looked very confident and composed out there yesterday. Once we were up 2-0 is truly felt like the game was over, that’s how well you, Tek, et. all looked yesterday.
Great post too, it’s cool to hear ballplayers give the scout and video guys some just desserts.
Keep that train rollin’ into the ALCS baby, GO SOX!
October 8th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Curt, I just discovered this page, and from reading your eloquent description, would wonder why with a series on the like that the Angels would not do BP outside…. Anyway, great performance, and much appreciated buy us season ticket holders. Would have like to see you in the 2nd game since you play so well at Fenway, but it all works out in the end! Good luck!
October 8th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Words just can’t describe how awesome those three games were. Watching Dice-K was a little…well…Dicey, but wow Beckett and Schilling. All I can say is how AWESOME! It was pure joy to watch. I hope we can keep the momentum going. I would love to see Cleveland pull the trigger on the Yanks. Yankees/Red Sox games are always fun, but it would be a nice change to see Cleveland in the mix for a change.
Rest up Schill, and fasten your seat belts, we’re in for a wild ride!
October 8th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Curt -
FYI - the anaheim gazette reported the real reason the angels didnt take BP was they all had to get their fantasy football lineups in order first…
October 8th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Ok, Tek’s block was in the 7th and the 7 runs were scored in the 8th.
One big key to the series I thought was Francona using the quick hook on Dice-K. That game could have got out of control quickly, but going to the pen early kept this series at 3 games.
October 8th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Curt,
What a great series. You were all incredible!!! Looking forward to the rest of the playoffs and the world series. You guys have been incredible to watch and also a lot of fun. It has been a great year for RedSox fans and the team. Pappi and Manny seem to have hit their usual stride for post season play and also the pitching has all seemed to be there as well. Congratulations to the 2007 RedSox. I pray tha we see you in a
RedSox uniform next year. I’ll be watching and rooting during the rest of the post season.
October 8th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
“The effort Josh gave us in game one gets backed up by 4 1/3 hitless innings from the bullpen [...]“
Holy hell, is that an elephant? Now, how did HE get in the room?
Please tell Tito and the Trio to pitch you second in the ALCS.
I think we all know why…
October 8th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Curt you did great dident let a run! keep it up!
October 8th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Curt:
Thanks for posting. I was eager to hear your perspective today.
Y’know, it was just a pleasure to watch you and your teammates perform these past several days. I had the privilege of attending the two games at home — and I know I’ll never forget Josh’s pitching performance or Manny’s walkoff.
And then to see you “simply” close the door yesterday. Wow.
I’m especially pleased for you, Curt. It’s been a frustrating season in a lot of ways, I know, and Lord knows what will happen between now and Spring Training. But to see you take the ball and command the game yesterday — to see even your harshest critics get in lock-step and say “Good job, Curt” — it was gratifying for this fan. Can’t imagine how it felt to you.
Eight more wins, #38. And this time forget about curses and legacies and winning it for generations who died longing for a Sox World Series victory. Win it for yourselves. You deserve it.
best,
Tom
October 8th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Good work Curt! All of us Sox fans are so proud! Keep it up and good luck in the ALCS.
October 8th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
Congratulations Curt, to you, and the whole team..:-)
As the Yankees and the Indians continue to fight it out–who would you most like to face in the upcoming ALCS?
In any event, cannot wait for the games for the games to begin…
Good luck to one and all!
Go Sox!
Christine E.
October 8th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Hi Curt - BIG fan here in NH, and you make it easy to be one. Got a personal question: you were born in Anchorage, AL on Nov. 14, ‘66 according to your bio. Any chance it was at the Elmendorf AFB hospital? If so, I was there too, giving birth to my son, who was born Nov. 15, ‘66! (I would love to tell him about the coincidence, he’s a big fan of yours too!) Go Sox - all the way in ‘
October 8th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Curt, I expected you to give a stellar performance and you did not dissapoint. It was one for the ages. Unbelievable! Your skill and pitching smarts are without peer. Thanks for your hard work, your confidence, and skill. This team is a joy to watch, with the savvy veterans and young talent all melding into a fantastic lineup. Keep going, the Nation is with you!
October 8th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Great win. Chia pet wrote a nice article about you but he had to get his digs in.lol
Nike says.. Just do it.
October 8th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Wow- great game- congratulations.
An incredible 3 games. I’ve never seen as dominating a performance as Beckett’s- not the no hitters by Bucholtz or D-lowe, not the perfect game Bronson threw in Pawtucket. And Manny and David gave everything we wished for. Got to give props to Tito as well, for pulling this all together.
It’s a little surreal as a longtime Sox fan, to see games this one-sided in October, but we love it.
Can’t wait for the ALDS, and glad it’s at Fenway.
Hope they find a way to bring you back next year.
October 8th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Dear Curt-
I understand you have the ALCS coming up to worry about, and by all means go out and pitch the way you pitch.
But….this post is coming from another ‘nation’ that is in desperate need of your services.
Curt….please come back to Philadelphia and pitch for us and end your career here. We have the young talent, I’m sure you’ve heard of. We have a young stud pitcher…but we need that big game pitcher. The one with world series rings and big game experience. We are right there….we need you to come push over the hump so we can successfully defend our NL East crown…and win a playoff game.
Thank you-
Phillies fans every where.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Curt, I gotta tell you, you and the team took a lot of heat from the fans this season, but you guys came through in the last week of the season and you just smacked the Angels here. What a job well done. Thanks for everything.
October 9th, 2007 at 1:33 am
The Indians are gonna be tough. You’re throwing in that series i’m sure. It’s too bad more players don’t have blogs. Can you do a Q&A or FAQ blog sometime? I think that’d make a lot of people happy.
Good luck.
October 9th, 2007 at 2:59 am
Mr. Schilling,
What a gem! That was truly magnificent.
I’m currently deployed in Baghdad and had to watch the game LATE into our night here…all worth it! You’ve all got a big Red Sox Nation over here too.
It looks like you guys are firing on all cylinders (again) at the right time. I got to see Mr. Beckett pitch at Atlanta this year (the 4-0 gem he had), and I’ve got to say that you guys look even BETTER than then.
Keep it up!
Dave
October 9th, 2007 at 7:05 am
Hey Curt
Fantastic game! Congrats to you and the team. I am a huge fan, have defended you all season and knew you would be money in October. Im glad we are not playing the Yankees but Cleveland is no pushover. It should make for a highly competitive series. I love the looseness of this team, so keep that adrenaline flowing and thanks for giving us fans that great rush in October and thanks for being who you are
October 9th, 2007 at 7:25 am
Dear Curt,
I’m so proud of you and the TEAM…as you know, I’m praying for all of you.
The STEAMROLLERS (Red Sox) have come back to Boston and are waiting to move forward toward the next goal…one game at a time…Keep up the excellent work and keep looking UP. You are all loved by “this Mom.” Stay focused…you’re on a roll…You are THE BEST TEAM and I’m so happy for you all!!!
Love,
Lois (Team “Mom” to the Boston Red Sox — 12th year — 2007)
October 9th, 2007 at 7:35 am
Belated congratulations to you and the team! Great game.
Game 1 . . . Beckett . . . ’nuff said McGreevey shouted.
Game 2: Listening on the Left Coast after the Patriots win, I heard a WEEI “wonk” yelling about how Manny is not “clutch.” “When has he had a walk-off home run!” he screamed back at increasingly irate call-ins. So . . . when they walked Big Papi to pitch to Manny, I could not help thinking about this talking-head . . . then: “THERE’s your ‘clutch’ asshole!” I shouted!
Then your performance in Game 3.
Things coming together.
Go Sox!
–J.D.
@jedichris: thanks for being a good fan and a good sport. You take it better than a lot of MFY fans are taking it–or I would in the case.
October 9th, 2007 at 7:37 am
Dear Curt,
Thank you so much for your kindness towards me. You are appreciated.
“Mom”
October 9th, 2007 at 8:26 am
Mr Schilling, re today’s Globe article about Jonathan Papelbon’s migraines: my migraine symptoms are just as he describes in the article (and just as debilitating). I’ve found the quickest way to feel good again is with non-presciption Excedrin Migraine. It’s just made up of tylenol, aspirin, and caffeine. Sounds too simple to work, but it’s better than any of the prescription drugs I tried, and probably a lot safer. It alway stops my migraine symptoms within 15 to 30 mins. (It also gives me a nice little caffeine buzz :), especially since I don’t drink coffee or caffeinated beverages.) I’d highly recommend Mr. Papelbon give Excedrin Migraine a try, so perhaps you could pass on the suggestion.
Thanks for taking the time this season to keep sharing your experiences via this site. I really appreciate it, and all your good work.
regards, -michael haag
malden, ma
October 9th, 2007 at 9:41 am
Hey Curt!
It was great to see you pitch the other night. I was lucky enough to not be working while the game was televised. As you know, I look forward very much to when I can see you pitch, either live or on tv. I loved it even more since I was quite upset that the Phils didn’t make it to the next round.
I may bleed Phillies Red, but some of it is Red Sox Red and that’s all because of you. You are one amazing pitcher. You’re ablility to change things up and ‘BE THERE’ for BIG games is fantastic!
I can’t wait to see this next series. Hope to talk to you soon.
October 9th, 2007 at 10:25 am
Curt, just an outstanding performance on Sunday. Sure would like to see you back next year.
In the ALCS, I would rather see you pitch third, and here’s why. If the series goes the distance, the #2 and #3 both get 2 starts (assuming normal rest). But the #3 would start the winner-take-all 7th game. That needs to be you.
October 9th, 2007 at 10:34 am
I just saw on redsox.com that they’re pitching Dice-K in game two. That sucks, Schil. I was hoping it was going to be you…oh well, I’m sure you’ll do awesome in Game 3!!
I hope this series won’t be as insane as the 2004 ALCS but I wouldn’t trade that for anything…Good luck to you guys starting Friday…and I hope Joshua proves to Sabathia who the Cy Young really is!!
October 9th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
I hope you have room on your hand for another ring because the Red Sox will win the World Series this year. It pains me to realize that after watching my Yankees flip-flop again. Cleveland should be no problem. Great pitching, but your staff still has the edge and the bigger bats.
Congrats on a good season.
-Disappointed Yankee Fan
October 9th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
I know it sounds rather silly to say, but it’s easy to think that baseball players get into their great big SUVs with tinted windows, drive to the game, play for a few hours, and then go home (or elsewhere). But this blog does a great job at explaining the ‘behind-the-scenes’ preparation that go into what just occurred: The video guy; the advance scouts; the pre-series meetings. On and on. And you pay homage to that in your blog, and I really enjoy reading your entries. Regardless what ‘carrot-top at The Globe thinks of ‘38 Pitches,’ I think it’s fabulous that you do this. And truth be told, his anger over this blog simply reflects the fact that you are short-circuiting Shaughnessy’s reason for being. But with or without ‘38 Pitches,’ his ‘reason for being’ was short-circuited a long time ago.
October 9th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
“BOSTON — Curt Schilling will pitch for Boston in the second game of the American League Championship Series against Cleveland, following Josh Beckett in the rotation and moving ahead of Daisuke Matsuzaka.”
Hooray!
Also, that was a nice sentiment, statekid. Good post!
October 9th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Great job Curt, congrats on beating the Angels. Three games 1,2,3 you guys really had everything together. I think that the Indians will give you more of a fight especially with their swarms of gadflies called up from the bowels of Hell. Man how do they put that in books, game delayed on account of biblical plague.
Good luck on Friday night. I’m guessing that you’re going in the two spot this time. You and Becket are a solid one and two. You guys have a great shot of going to Cleveland two games up. Daisuke is going to bounce back, for some reason he pitches better on the road. I think that he is really going to have something to prove and he is going to shut up alot of people. We all know that he is better than he’s been lately I hope that he remembers that.
Hopefully this time around you won’t need to amputate any limbs to get your win!
And before you go to Cleveland be sure to pack your Deet. Maybe you can set up a few of those anti-bug tiki sticks around the mound.
October 9th, 2007 at 9:02 pm
yay game 2 starter! GO SCHIL!!
October 9th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Well, I was hoping to see you in the ALCS, but just as I feared the whole year, Yankee pitching was not good enough for postseason baseball. Hitting alone won’t get it done, and the Indians proved to be too much. Good luck in the playoffs, Sox have a great team and it’ll be tough to beat them especially with #38 pitching as incredibly as he has been.
October 10th, 2007 at 12:46 am
“One last thought. I guarantee someone will make a big deal out of this and it’s not meant to be. It’s something that I would guess only affected me but that’s why I mention it. I was stunned yesterday as I walked to the pen to warm up, that the Angels took no BP outside.”
I was thinking the exact same thing. I took my dad to game 3 of the ALDS - his second postseason game ever (first at Fenway, a big loss, back in the day) - my first. We lined up outside from 9:00 until the gates opened at 10. Not only were there seemingly ONLY Red Sox fans up that early - but when I *ran* down to the right field line (to get some prime photo opportunities), I was amazed that there were no Angel players warming up for the entire hour time. We wondered if maybe they had batting practice beforehand.
In the regular season I was able to watch the Angels’ batting practice, then the Red Sox. Sunday was not the case. While it was so great to welcome you all back, (my dad and I shouting like kids), and really take part in the experience, it still amazed me that there was very little Angel presence.
Not to mention that all their merch was marked down 30% off BEFORE the game even started! Now, what kind of karma is that!
Anyway - it was awesome watching you pitch on Sunday. Thanks as always for the blogs and being so great to Red Sox Nation.
October 10th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Curt, what a game on Sunday! Your ability to make adjustments within the game, within an AB, is just awesome and that’s what makes you so lethal as a pitcher! Can’t wait for the ALCS!
I must be thinking about baseball too much. I had a dream the other night that the whole team was driving cars to their next game, and of course, I was driving with some of the team. I think I was driving with you and Papi. Francona met us in the parking lot of a grocery store and told us to get what we wanted in the store, it was on the team! The team stormed the grocery store and Papi was insistent on checking out and bagging his own groceries. He also ran the store amuck looking for pistachios.
Hmmm…maybe I won’t be having that Chinese food again. It certainly makes for interesting and entertaining dreams though!
Kick butt in the ALCS! Can’t wait for the pitching match up. I’m climbing the walls…
Your biggest fan in SC,
Christina
October 10th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
So Curt - can you dance as well as Pap and Youk?:) Shades of 2004 with those two. I love it. Good luck in the ALCS!!
October 10th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
The last few days seems like it is taking forever.lol
This should be a good series. IMO are starters are better then the Indians but it doesn’t seem like ESPN feels that way.
October 10th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Why can others keep their link to their blog but you delete mine.?
I have supported this site from the start and I have always posted. Unlike the #@# kissers that show up here during the playoffs.
It isn’t fair.
October 11th, 2007 at 6:13 am
Curt,
Nice job taking care of business and showing the Red Sox Brass that you will be a hot commodity during the off season. Being that as it may, I’d like to see you stick around for another season if you can pitch at a high level (by your standards).
I do have a question, if you have time; I know Boston can be a tough town with the fans and the paparazzi, but do you really think that you would be a good fit someplace else? I mean, I do not think George S and the guys in NYC would pay for your services, but would you really feel comfortable someplace else? Plus, Massachusetts needs a decent Republican.
Vinnie in Japan
October 11th, 2007 at 7:44 am
This week is agonizing. When is the next game gonna be? It’s like the football season where you have to wait a whole week for the next game, and endure stories that re-hash the last game, season, medical reports, or humane intrest until we all keel over.
Come on. My 2004 DVD is starting to wear out. The ‘67 vinyl is long gone. Does anybody know if the ‘67 record is on the net anyhere?
I hope you guys are staying shape. I’ll be watching the NLCS tonight just to see if I still remeber the rules.
October 11th, 2007 at 8:44 am
@ FireDannyAinge,
first of all, i agree with you, they SHOULD fire Danny Ainge. Guy single handedly ruined my 3rd favorite Boston team.
Secondly, i also agree with you at these past couple of days are taking forever! Almost every series ended in a sweep. No post season to watch all week. And now I have to watch the NLCS tonight against two teams i could care less about. I suppose I want to see AZ in the WS so the two Drew’s can face each other. That would be cool.
Its gonna be a great ALCS, good luck Curt. Don’t fall off the mound this time.
October 11th, 2007 at 9:03 am
Also Curt,
I love hearing when players/coaches can tip their caps, to the tipping of the other teams caps. If that didn’t make any sense, the last couple of paragraphs when you point out that the Angels made no excuses, they didn’t talk sh1t, they just said they got beat by a better team. the end. you don’t see that much today, esp in baseball. i would like to see it more in football considering the less games they play. a lot of players make excuses and talk trash, like LT and TO. I NEVER wanted Moss on my team when i heard about the trade. But it almost was like a switch went off in his head, and he sat down with himself and said: “im going to an organization where they will bench me if i start trouble…no matter who i am, or how much money i make, i think i better shape up” and he did.. and i NEVER thought it would end up like this. anyway, im a bit off topic, but i admire you pointing this out about the Angels. They are my second favorite team in the American League.
October 11th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
It was awesome watching you pitch the last game. It’s funny, I think it was that morning - or the day before, I forget now - that you had a quote in the paper regarding the differences in pitching between you, Josh and Dice K, and you used gun analogies. It was one - a great analogy, and two - so very cool watching you “snipe” and position your pitches.
I’m really hoping the weather is cooperative this weekend, and good luck with Game 2.
I’ve said it a million times before and I’ll say it again…you guys are really a great “team” — no matter how much money is spent on a payroll, or how much talent presides, without comradery and team cohesiveness - you can only get so far. You win as a team - you lose as a team.
And I’m looking forward to watching you guys win as a team…tough series, but you guys can do it. Tomorrow can’t come fast enough!!!
October 11th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
In all fairness, FDA, I think even Curt would admit that Carmona has had a much better, consistent and dominating season that any other starter on the Sox roster aside from Beckett. Traditionally, the Sox also have a hard time dealing with lefties - not a great scenario, considering Sabathia, the likely Cy Young winner, starts game 1.
No, I agree with ESPN - Cleveland has a slight edge in pitching.
BUT, when Beckett and Schilling pitch in October, you can’t rule anything out.
Should be an awesome series.
October 12th, 2007 at 7:13 am
I see Sabathia getting lit up tonight! He won’t even get though 5 innings, it is going to be his worse nightmare. Good luck in Game 2. Also thank you for signing my nieces guestbook. Quick reminder, she is 4 now, diagnosed 2 years ago with Leukemia. She just went through another round of chemo this week. She loves having people sign her guestbook and having us read all the comments and where everyone is from. To the fans who are reading this, please click on her webpage and leave a quick hello and tell her where you are from- http://caringbridge.org/visit/hannahw
I am participating in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk in her honor tomorrow. Anyone wishing to sponsor me (even a dollar helps) can do so here:
http://www.active.com/donate/riltn/2128_UncaBob
Thank you!
SOX in 6!
October 12th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Hey Curt!
It was thrilling to watch you in the ALDS! Congrats to you and the boys on an outstanding performance. It has been painful not having a game all week… I’m sure Yankee fans feel the same way
I can’t wait for tonight’s game. Best of luck in game 2.
Go Sox!
~Holly
October 12th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Curt,
1st time writing in to a blog here!
Congratulations to you and the team!
I have a suggestion for the team when playing in Cleveland — just in case the Canadien Soldiers return.
Get a bunch of those Personal Electronic Mosquito REPELLERS — Sunbeam makes one and I’m sure there are others out there!
I know the weather is getting cooler — BUT JUST IN CASE
Best of Luck — You Guys are Gonna Win It All!
Mark mgolick@cox.net
October 12th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Schilling made David Ortiz great and made him a better player. Schilling’s very smart pitcher and knows tendencies of each opposing pitchers. He knows what opposings pitchers throws.
For Example , When Schilling was on Dbacks, Luiz Gonzales hit 57 homeruns in 2001 . When Schilling was traded , Luis Gonzalez becomes a contact hitter and singles hitter all over again. His homerun production dropped off since Schilling was traded. Gonzalez has never been the same player since Schilling was traded Any coincidences?
October 12th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
beckett piched another great game tonight against the Indians to win the first game. He should get the cy young hands down.
mickmck707.wordpress.com
October 13th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
So far, so good…GO CURT!!!! GO SOX!!!
October 13th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Here we go again, it’s just another night that Schilling pitched like the old man he is. Hope he doesn’t whine about his performance tonight and realizes that this game is for young men. He can play golf with Roger. At the start of Spring Training he wanted the respect, don’t you have to earn respect on the field not from the past but with what you can do today. Wish Francona wouldn’t give him so much respect and start to take to old man out. The Sox need to win this with young strong arms. You had a great career but you should know when you should walk away. Thanks for 2004 but lets face it, it is now 2007!
October 13th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
Hey Curt!
Awesome series against the Angels! That was a great game three! Anyway, my friends and I (we are all big sox fans) are currently watching your start against the Indians and we were looking at Tek’s big red socks pulled up over his pants, and we suddenly wondered, do all of you wear red socks? Is it part of the uniform? If it is, is there a reason you were wearing white socks during the 2004 ALCS? It looks like you are wearing white socks now too. We aren’t stalking you we promise! We are just curious! (That series against the Yankees, with your huge starts, will always be our favorite moment in sports!)
Love,
Three Wonderers
PS We love you!
October 14th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Curt,
Thank you very much for what you’ve done for the sox….
With all due respect….
I think its time for you to play golf now though.
Last nights performance should make that clear.
Go out proud!
Sincerely,
a sox fan since about ‘78
October 14th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
I will speak honestly when I say last nights game, game 2 ALCs, was a joke as a sox fan. I feel like I just watched a couple of multimillionaires make fools of themselves on national tv. I saw sox players not run out balls, not even make an attempt for some balls, and just plain play a lazy outfield. Yes, I am a diehard fan, but I simply don’t understand how a group of men can’t work hard on every play for, what, like 4-5 hours. thats a joke to me, and anyone else who works 40 hours weeks for what these players make in a few games. Hell, if you don’t want to play hard, maybe the angels should have whupped us, at least they would be running out every play. Playing baseball in front of millions of viewers comes down to more that just looking good on tv. There are kids out there watching with their fathers, looking up to you guys as idols, and you can’t even run out a grounder. To me, that’s not being a idol, that’s being a clown. I am a true fan, but I think we all need to take a step back and realize the opportunities we are given. 4 hours of hard work, thats all I ask. Thank you and God Bless Red Sox fans.
October 15th, 2007 at 7:57 am
Nice work handling Anaheim. It was quiet a different stunt you pulled getting your doors kicked in by Cleveland with a lead and a chance to put a stranglehold on the series. This garbage has to stop. you have a team like them down and you have to put them away. No we go back there with them energized and Dice K and Wakefield on the mound with the prospects of being down 3-1 before we get Beckett back on the mound. Even if we get back from Cleveland, then you have to pitch Game 6….another potential abortion waiting to happen.
October 15th, 2007 at 11:55 am
The Angels are all home tucked in their little MLB beds by now. Now we are at the next level of play with those pesky Indians. Also in the back ground we got the Rockies high on altitude and tons of caffeine ( the young and the reckless / & on fire) all ready done, bouncing around in the batters box .
Our Sox pitching really needs rise up and become majestic if we really want that ring. Now the time, Curt ! Wax on, Wax Off…
We don’t want to see you at Tampa Bay with the demonic RAY fur ball.
—-> Sox in 5
October 15th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
As bad as game 2 made me feel, I can only imagine how bad it made you feel. Some of the reactionary comments on this site notwithstanding, rest assured that there are many fans who have followed your career over the years who have come to value you for much more than the mph on your fastball or the drop of your split, and who really are with you, win or lose.
We’ve all read about how you are trying to adapt to the changes in your body as you get older, so how about a little Tennyson for inspiration along those lines?
“Old age hath yet his honor and his toil.
Death closes all; but something ere the end,
Some work of noble note, may yet be done,
Not unbecoming men that strove with Gods.”
October 15th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Hi Curt,
Tough loss. I was lucky enough to be able to make the trip from San Francisco for game 2, and I was even luckier to bump into Luis Gonzalez in the stands during BP. He and his son (dressed from head to toe in sox gear) said they were excited to watch you pitch (along with the other 37,103 of us). I can’t imagine many ball players coming to sit in the stands — congratulations on inspiring the same respect and dedication in former teammates as you do in your fans. And good luck in game 6.
October 16th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Sorry about all these idiots, Curt. We love you (in case you didn’t believe us before. We’re on your side).
Love,
Three (still) Wonderers
October 17th, 2007 at 5:33 am
Hello Curt & the rest of the beloved Red Sox Team
Here is my theory…. The last three games have not gone your way, or our (red sox nation) for that fact. But I am (and I think many many of Red Sox Nation fans and members are) A REAL FAN!!!! I know that my beloved Red Sox team is capable of sweeping a team in the post season, however that is not quite as dramatic as coming back from behind and winning the series right at home with your personal friends and family as well as all ticket holders at Fenway Park, the streets filled with fans in downtown Boston, and most of the people in New England households and bars cheering from their television. If you could hear us roting for you from Cleveland it may be different. Every time the stands in Cleveland shout BOO! All of the fans here at home are shouting WOO!!!! Each time they say AAAAHHHHH, we here in New England are saying HA! When Youk comes to bat there is a low rumble of YYYYOOOOUUUU through the night here back home. I can here the voice of Jerry Remy cheering for Pedie when Pedroia makes yet another great catch and throw. We are all still here through this final game in Cleveland and we will be waiting to cheer you to victory over the course of the final 3 games!
To my favorite team the Red Sox….. We do STILL BELIEVE!!!!
October 17th, 2007 at 7:02 am
I hope that champagne was tasty in September. 2007 AL East Regular Season Division Champs! Congrats on a highly successful REGULAR season, $@!Q$!$$%. It really showed that you and Gagne were influential veteran pitchers that really helped to get the best out of Manny Delcarmen this postseason. I have an idea, instead of spouting off at the mouth in your last press conference, just go gag yourself with a sock soaked with your $!$$$^#$ blood. Your pathetic fans above that rode the Phony Express all season and drank your cool aid with the main ingredient of %#@$#@% are going to go puke now. When are you going to close this forum for public masturbation you refer to as 38 pitches, before or after you sign with the DRays? I can only hope the Rays treat you as nicely as they did Steve Irwin.
Edit: Dude, just go away. No one’s forcing you to come here and read this. You’re either obsessed with me, or you’re a miserable boy who needs to try and make everyone else feel as bad as you do. No need to waste your time posting here, really.
October 17th, 2007 at 8:22 am
Anyone else feel like we’re getting punked? I am waiting for Ashton Kutcher to run out from behind Asdrubal Cabrera and start dry humping Big Papi (like Pedroia does) yelling like a buffoon saying he got us. I would say I am embarrassed, but after Manny’s display of idiocy last night after his home run to trim a 5 run lead to 4, I no longer feel embarrassment is the right emotion. What a joke we have become. We lack class, we lack the ability to pitch, we lack the ability to hit with RISP, and somehow Youklillis now lacks the ability to field a routine pop up in foul territory.
The Indians bailed us out in the biggest way by beating the one team we couldnt beat in the ALDS……and we thank them by laying the biggest egg we could lay.
PS - Tell Manny DelCarmen to shave his face, he looks like a dbag.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Curt,
You are the best.
Evan
October 18th, 2007 at 3:08 am
What a tough 3 games. Cleveland is taking advantage of opportunities. You guys can’t hit and can’t pitch, not a good time for that!!!
Oh well, many changes next year… Wake gone, you gone, Timlin gone, Gagme gone, maybe Crisp gone.
It will be interesting next year with a couple of kids starting in the rotation behind Matsusucka and Beckett. Oki Chokey hopefully will be strong next year along with Pappy. The ROY is COLD in the playoffs, he looks like A-Rod.
Maybe he(A-Rod) can join Francoma’s team next year, as long as Manny is back. Lowell has to be back!!!! If Ortiz, Manny, and Lowell weren’t hitting, the playoffs would be even worse with NO runs scored. As it is they are the only offense. 1 and 6-9 are horrendous in the lineup!
Matsuzaka was brought in to win a big game/games and it hasn’t happened yet. Mr. Schilling(You) and Wake have been hard to understand this year.
Maybe you can come back as the #5 and not ask for much money as you had a down year. I see the Sox offering a 2 year deal for 5 mill. per season.
Please win 3 in a row!!!!
October 18th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
You guys still rock…
Let’s go, Red Sox!
October 18th, 2007 at 6:36 pm
I sincerely hope we win tonight for two reasons:
1. Not ready for our season to end
2. Unwilling to accept that you may have pitched your last game in a Sox uni.
If we are overtaken by the Tribe tonight, sincerely, thanks for everything you’ve given our team and our fans.
Thanks for the memories, I hope your HOF induction will be with a Sox logo.
October 18th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
Looking forward to Saturday!
Bring it home Curt!
October 19th, 2007 at 12:05 am
Ignore the naysayers, though I’m sure I don’t need to say that to a MLB pitcher who has accomplished all that YOU have. It’s been an amazing season, and what’s a playoff series without a little adventure? Nothing like coming from behind to make the victory all the sweeter.
October 19th, 2007 at 3:25 am
Here we go Curt, it’s up to you again, and I know you love that. These are the situations that seperate the good(Carmona, Indians) from the great (Curt, Red Sox), the Boys from the Men, the Pretenders from the Contenders. Game 6, facing elimination in the ALCS yet again. The NLCS, A clean sweep just like in 04. Call the Hall and get your Socks overnighted to you, as well as your 96mph fastball! Come on Curt, you know you still have that 94-97mph fastball hidden away to compliment your legendary split for one special moment, well here it is. The crowd will come back alive after being non existent in the first 2 games of this series, as we finally have some pressure on us after completely coasting the whole season. Even after we lost game 4, I haven’t second guessed this team once. In the ALCS in 04, our starting pitching struggled the first 3 games. This year, take away Beckett and it’s the same story. Does it have me worried? Not at all. Win or lose saturday, you’ve still brought this city what we had waited longer than a lifetime for, and all of the true fans are so thankful of that. Please stay with the Sox until you decide to retire, you bring so much more to this team than most people realize.
Do NOT pitch contact to this Indians team, I beg of you. They are very prone to striking out, which Beckett exploited in game 5. Unless you’re throwing in the mid 90’s, do not use the split as your out pitch unless you feel early on that it is breaking hard, as they weren’t fooled by it at all in game 2. First pitch fastballs is a big no no unless you reach back and find your pre-2007 heat. I know you said back in the spring that coming out after 5 innings is a failure no matter what, but that’s only true in the regular season. Okajima and Paps are rested enough to go atleast 2 innings each and 5 innings with the lead/tie is all we need.
Bring back the power pitching style Curt Schilling for game 6 and it will bring back the best memories in Red Sox history.
Kick some ass Curt!
P.S Feel free to plant a fastball or 2 in between Lofton’s #’s for what he did to Beckett. All series long he’s been using dirty tactics to try to screw over our pitchers. His pathetic attempt to get Beckett tossed last night was extremely dirty and shows his true cheating colors. He knew exactly what he was doing last night to Beckett, just like the crap he did to Dice-K. He flipped the bat on that 3-0 strike on purpose just to get Beckett off his game. After that failed he started screaming ‘F*** You’ to Beckett when he was jogging down the line while flying out to Manny. He acted like he was provoked into saying it by Beckett, when Beckett clearly yelled “UP!” telling his fielders that the ball was a fly ball incase they couldn’t find it. Once Beckett said something back to Loser Lofton, Lofton charged at Beckett trying to get Beckett thrown out because they knew they couldn’t beat him. He knew that even if he hit Beckett first that Beckett would still get thrown out when he snapped Lofton in half in self-defense (See Chris Young and Derek Lee’s incident.)
Lofton may think he’s helping his team by using these dirty ‘tactics’ to help his team win, but all he’s really doing is bringing his team bad karma.
October 19th, 2007 at 8:55 am
curt, we need you on saturday!! good luck! have another bloody sock
October 19th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Curt, Pansearedmeatus here. Listen, I am energized from the win last night, but as the old saying goes, momentum is only as good as your next days pitcher…..i am a believer in that motto……thus, any chance you will be scratched for Saturday? Think about it, more time to prepare for fantasy football, more time to do interviews and radio call ins, more time to blog……just think about it, thats all I am asking.
Whatever happens Saturday, you are still my guy, my main man, and my friend. And whatever happens Saturday, JD Drew will be back next year as will Julio Lugo and Dice Kei Igawa, so our window of opportunity is huge.
By the way, I am loving this whole “little engine that could” concept that Larry Lover dreamt up last week about the team…..its even better than “why not us”, which I also love. I dont know if he means “little engine that could buy the rest of the playoff teams” or what, but its great. Keep pluggin big fella, keep pluggin.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Hi Curt, Just want to say good luck tomorrow, we’ll be cheering for you and the Sox up here in NH!
October 19th, 2007 at 10:09 am
Kenny lofton….is he even real anymore……40 yr. trying to prove something. He is coming through in the post season for them, but he needs to realize he’s prob. had his best fighting days…i don’t know…like 20 years ago. CURT, BEST OF LUCK TOMORROW, AND TAKE SOME NAMES.
October 19th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Good Luck in Game 6 tomorrow. We’ll be cheering for you!
October 19th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Is anybody else getting tired of those ‘Rally Towels’?
Since you’re scheduled to pitch on Saturday, how about if everyone showed up with a (fake) bloody sock and waved it for the Rally? It may be a (bit) gross, but , hey couldn’t hurt, right? You’ll certainly know that ‘we’re’ out there.
October 19th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Curt:
With a baseball series — a season — on the line, I can’t imagine anyone I’d rather have out there pitching that 6th game tomorrow night.
Good luck, go get ‘em, and no matter what happens in the game, offseason, whatever … thanks for all the seasons of baseball entertainment.
I’ll never forget walking into the Boston Garden the night after Thanksgiving four years ago. The news had just got out, and some loud-mouthed fan yelled back into the crowd “WE GOT SCHILLING!!”
Yes, we sure as hell did.
Thanks.
best,
Tom
October 19th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Woo Hoo! Game 6 is on…..
And with a little run support which looks like might happen, you just might have the buffer you need. Listen, no one likes to pitch a beautiful game - or even just an okay game - and have no run support. That’s been half the battle with games 2-3 & 4. Never mind umpires not having a clear strike zone. (Have they been all over the map or what?)
Can not wait for Saturday.
October 19th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
Aside from the fact that I am astounded that there are people who would come to your blog specifically to bash you or the Sox, I wanted to wish you the best of luck tomorrow night. And while I’m hoping for a win (2, actually!), regardless of what happens tomorrow night, thank you so much for an amazing season. I hope that you will be back in Boston next year, right where you belong.
October 19th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Hello Curt,
No one needs to tell you the task that is yours tomorrow night. Beckett is a tough act to follow. But if anyone can do it, I know you can! I also know that you will be giving it your all.
Remember, you’ll have the whole of Red Sox Nation living and dying with every pitch you make. No pressure BTW. Oh we all know you thrive on this kind of challenge! You will more than rise to the occasion.
All you need to do is give the bats a chance to work their magic. There is nothing like home cooking to get the bats warmed up again!
Good luck Curt! Go Red Sox!!!
-Diane.
October 20th, 2007 at 4:35 am
GOOD LUCK TONIGHT (10-20-07)!
Win or lose, I am grateful that you, Curt, are the starting pitcher tonight. When we were down 3-1, there was no one better than Beckett to get us to 3-2, and there is NO ONE better than you to get us to 3-3. I was at the Angel ALDS game you pitched about 2 weeks ago, and you were fabulous as usual. You are one heck of a pitcher, and more importantly, a classy guy. Thanks for being part of this great Red Sox team.
Ed
October 20th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Schill,
Good luck tonight! We’ll be rooting for you out here in the San Francisco Bay area.
October 20th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Dear Curt,
There is NOBODY I would rather have out there tonight, including our awesome Josh. YOU Have the “winningest percentage” in postseason play and you are the man of the hour. And you have the COURAGE to step in and want the ball - enough confidence to be cocky enough to say, “”Good outing or not last night, give ME the ball….”
You are my pick for tonight. So happy your family can be there!! Wish I COULD BE THERE!!!!!!!!!! Believe me, I won’t miss a second of it and I will be pulling and praying all the way.
Give it your #38 best and remember we love you and appreciate you no matter what….
You go, Curt!!
MA
October 20th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
I’m an American living in Europe now since I left St. Louis, the best baseball city in the country, around the time Bush seized control of the country. Up until the Red Sox won the Series they were consistently my second favorite team behind the Cards. The 2004 ALCS was without a doubt the most inspiring sports event I have ever witnessed. I am convinced that if I live another 100 years I will never see anything close to it. With the 6 hour time difference I watched the extra inning masterpieces with joy until long after the sun had risen here. My sleep schedule was obliterated but it left me so fulfilled I wished it would have continued forever. It was so amazed that I was even cheering for the Red Sox as they demolished my beloved Cards. It was meant to be. This is where my Red Sox, or should I say Curt Schilling “love” ended though.
I am amazed at how success playing a GAME, no matter how amazing it may be, somehow gives certain people the impression that their opinions about the world outside the baseball diamond really matter. It’s baffling actually. It’s no secret that jocks are not very high up on the intellectual food chain. However, a bit of success blurs the line between reality and stupidity. After seeing you standing next to Bush, the owner of an IQ no higher than 80 and the author of the most disastrous domestic and foreign policy EVER, I was disgusted. How could you endorse a perennial loser like Bush? Why? Was that the secret to the game 6 masterpiece? Did you sell your soul to the devil? That is the only explanation I think. For me, the Red Sox have become the new Yankees and it all has to do with you. Like Andre Agassi in an 80s Nikon commercial, “Image is Everything”…you shoulda been a Yankee. It is my prediction that the curse of the Babe will be replaced by “the Cur(t)se” and Boston will wait another 80+ years for another WS Title. Your brand of egotistical self-promotion and judgmental hypocrisy will have to be atoned for and another eight decades of disappointment would be appropriate.
I’m predicting that you will get knocked out very early this evening ballooning your postseason ERA and obscuring, even further, the bloody sock masterpiece from 2004. The Indians plight is over and it will be poetic justice to have them exorcise their demons at your expense.
Good night Vienna,
Duke
October 20th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
What a game! You are amazing, simply amazing! You’re bringing us there again ……. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
October 20th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
GREAT GAME CURT…THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
October 20th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
Great job tonight Curt!
October 21st, 2007 at 1:01 am
Congratulations, Schill!! You were awesome and your postseason win record stands and is amazing. What an awesome game - was so happy for JD and for Gagne as well - it just all clicked…
Thanks for such a super year next year, and for tipping your hat so graciously to the crowd - you are a class act and I wish you and the Sox the best, both tomorrow and on Wednesday night!! Welcome back to Fenway Park….
MA
October 21st, 2007 at 2:18 am
Awesome game tonight, Big Dog. I was fortunate enough to be there and even before the game started one could just sense that you guys were gonna take it to em. Now let’s have Daisuke take us to the series tomorrow!
btw, from what I saw in game 4 I strongly suspect Westbrook is throwing the spitter. He went to his brow and cap a lot and his fastball had more movement on it than I’ve ever seen. How else does a guy who wins 6 games all year suddenly look like Carmona?
Just my theory, but I think it’s odd that not much is said about the spitter these days. With the ethical standards of today’s athletes, I have a hard time believing it’s disappeared from the game. I’d be curious to know what you think about this at some point, but for now I’d say just have the dugout keep an eye on Westbrook loading up tomorrow.
October 21st, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Hi Curt,
Wow, what a surreal experience, commenting on Curt Shilling’s blog…
Fantastic job last night, you did such a great job crushing the Indians’ hopes of reversing any momentum in that game and I am beyond excited to see the series head to a game seven. Like Eric Wedge said in his press conference, this is the way it should be. Hopefully things will go our way, right? And from what fox played of your interview last night you seem to think Dice is going to come up big; I’d be crazy if I said I didn’t trust your judgment here- you have so much experience in post-season games.
Anyway, I wanted to share a great story with you about my 8 year old little brother. I was at a race all day yesterday (Saturday) and when we were driving home my mom told me he had put some interesting decorations up on a tree in our front yard. We drive by, and I saw hanging from the tree a couple dozen white, red-stained socks, and a sign that said “Go Curt Shilling! Boston Red Sox Rock!” He had dyed the ankles of all the socks red with food coloring! It is the cutest thing I have ever seen. I know some people are critical of your pitching recently, but if you can still inspire a little boy to hang bloody socks from a tree and announce that “Curt Shilling Rocks!”, then you really are a special pitcher, and a hero to so many people for what you have done on and off the field.
Okay, so to wrap up the longest post ever, congratulations on a fantastic, fantastic game last night, and I sincerely hope it wasn’t your last start in Boston. You and your family are extremely important to the club and the city in all that you do. If you want to see a picture of the tree, let me know, I guess, and I can try to figure out how to put an image in a comment or something.
Go Sox!
October 21st, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Congratulations Curt!! Thank you for all you’ve give us here in Boston. You are a true warrior on the mound. Matt
October 21st, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Last night’s game was a prime example of how umpires can RUIN the integrity of the game even more than a blow hard, egotistical, holier-than-thou, over-the-hill “superstar”.
From the first batter on, this game was being actively thrown in the direction of Boston by the grievous and intentional sabotage of home plate umpire Dana DeMuth and his partners in crime.
There is NO way that Grady Sizemore’s blast in the first at bat of the game was foul. It would defy all laws of physics for that ball to land where it did and still be foul. If someone can show me a definitive replay showing it foul I will write an entry admitting my error and I’ll get you drunk on the best beer in the world if you ever visit Germany. Why did all the umps stand there looking at each other? This was clearly a home run.
Where was the strike zone for Carmona? It was painful to watch. I saw the slam from Drew coming. I mean, he11, if you take the entire plate away from a pitcher…they are forced to deliver the ball into the wheelhouse of a hitter…the result will be bad for the pitcher 100% of the time. Even the Fox strike zone cam proved this time and time again. It was also curious how Fox used this graphic less and less during Carmona’s outing after it was apparent the embarrassment it would cause MLB if they continued. I liken this blatant display of bias to the same feeling I felt the first time Holyfield and Lennox Lewis fought. Despite the fact that Lewis LANDED more than Holyfield THREW…it was a draw? I’m callin’ shenanigans. Umpires like Dana DeMuth will send baseball down the same path of shame and disrepute which boxing suffers under if this continues.
It was painfully obvious what Curt’s game plan was. Throw that weak @ss fast ball right down the pipe for a first pitch strike, then run the splitter in the dirt and get hitters to chase it. The whole premise of Curt’s game plan centered on this and on the few occasions that the first pitch fastball didn’t get over for a strike, he struggled pitching from behind in the count. I give part of this blame to the Indians hitters as well. They sat there and watched this minor league first pitch fastball time and time again. When they did jump on it, it yielded immediate results (see Martinez’ blast). Habitually they chased the splitter after falling behind in the count. It was excruciating to watch. The Indians definitely didn’t help their cause by doing this. I kept waiting for Eric Wedge to spot this and make an adjustment…it never happened. I sat here at my desk watching the game on MLB.com and I called Curt’s pitch selection correctly about 90% of the time. This wasn’t so much a Schilling masterpiece as it was a simply disastrous oversight on the part of the Indians coaching staff. The Indians were beaten more by the “image” of Curt Schilling than by his actual skill. The superfluous press coverage that media hog Curt received (and he ensures he always gets through his antics) got into the heads of the Indians hitters. Instead of seeing Curt for what he is, a poor man’s Greg Maddux, they got psyched out by the aura.
So this brings me to the crux of my argument. Why did the umpires influence this game to force a game 7? Simple. Baseball is a multi-billion dollar business and this playoff season has been short and subpar in terms of earnings. Think about it…Red Sox beat LA 3-0…Indians beat the Yankees 3-1…Rockies beat the Cubs 3-0…DBacks beat Chicago 3-0. With the exception of ONE Yankee win over the Tribe, MLB’s playoffs have consisted of the BARE MINIMUM number of games before the ALCS. This is NOT good for business. It is in the interest of MLB baseball to extend the ALCS by any means necessary. What is the easiest way to do this? Throw it with lying, dishonest umpires. Boston is a huge money making market for MLB and they saw, in extending this series, much the same thing that Bush sees when he blindly extends the fatally doomed Iraq War…MONEY. OK…maybe that comparison is a bit dramatic, but I am 100% certain that this is the case.
I implore someone to make a decent argument against what I have said besides just blindly blowing Curt as the second coming of Sandy Koufax. If you were watching the same game I was last night…this will be tough.
Duke
EDIT: Duke, all I can say is go away. Wah, whine, whatever. To compare MLB to the Iraq war makes you ignorant at the very least, but most likely much more. I do allow comments like yours and most others as long as they are not profane to make sure people know it’s ok to post and slam me for whatever you choose to. Fact is people like you posting makes it easy to live knowing that there are really disoriented and weird people in this world who will make sure their perspective gets out there, but they’ll state their opinion as ‘fact’ more often than not.
Not that you need a blog on the net to figure it out, but posts like yours help. You’re a dope, but I don’t need to say it since your post spells it out.
Sounds to me like you need some Zanex and a nap, and that you’re better off not coming to this site since there’s nothing here that interests you.
October 21st, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Looks like there are still people out there that will use your blog to dis you (and the president). But, what’s truly important here is that you know how awesome you pitched last night and how Red Sox Nation is indebted to you!
Thanks for the awesome game last night..
I was literally jumping up and down. Even without the bloody sock, you were that good. I think the 2nd run you gave up stunk (Crisp would have made that catch), but it didn’t matter because people other than David and Manny decided to show up. I hope they all show up tomorrow because I’m looking forward to some Wednesday night magic 
October 21st, 2007 at 7:21 pm
A RED SOX PRAYER
Our Father, who art at Fenway…
Baseball be thy game.
Thy Kingdom come,
Playoffs need to be won,
On Earth, then on to the Cask ‘n’ Flagon.
Give us this day, a perfect Papi,
And forgive us our losses,
As we forgive those,
Like Bill Buckner.
And lead us not, into desperation,
But deliver us from any losses.
For thine is the Power,
And the Glory,
To beat the Indians,
Forever and ever….the Yankees suck
October 21st, 2007 at 11:33 pm
For all those who doubted……enjoy the view from New York all you yanks fans starting Wed. night….RED SOX 2007 AL CHAMPS…and not done yet.
October 22nd, 2007 at 3:21 am
Curt,
Congratulations to you and the rest of the ” Red Sox” for winning game 7 of the ALCS. We are going back to the World Series. I have to admit that during game 7, I was nervous in a couple of places. Dice K seemed to pitch well the first three innings but in the 4th and 5th he had a tough time. Hideki pitched well and Papebon was amazing as always. He hardly ever disappoints in a save situation.
Everybody was amazing Dustin and Youk and everyone else stepped up and played hard and in the end broke the game wide open. Now it is time to play the Rockies. I am a little nervous about them as well. They are well rested and have been really hot since the end of the season and throughtout the playoffs. Good Luck and hopefully you will have another World Series Ring as a Red Sox. Congratulations to you and the team and Good Luck in the World Series
October 22nd, 2007 at 4:22 pm
[...] mashed those pitches all year. I wonder if the Red Sox, who have notoriously good advance scouts (check out Schilling gushing about them on his Blog) picked up something, or if his bat speed was just down at [...]
October 23rd, 2007 at 11:53 am
That was a great series. After Beckett was lights out in game 5, I had all the faith in the world in you for game 6, and the team to do the rest.
Good luck in the World Series! Bring back another championship to Boston!
October 24th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Great call about about those idiots WIP. Everyone they want out of town goes somewhere else and always wins, kinda like you and tito. You will be happy to know that they added one of your best friends to morning show, Mitch “i blew the world series” Williams, who alwas likes to mention your name & try to put you down. Well good luck in the series and take out my (the cities Phrustrated PHans) on them Rockies. They should still be in extra innings w/the padres, hoilday never touched home plate!!!!!!
October 25th, 2007 at 11:46 pm
Hi Curt GREAT GAME YOU PITCHED TONIGHT!!!!!!!!. That Was Great when the Fans Cheered for you after you left the game. What were you feelings when you got that great standing ovation? I hope you are back with the Red Sox next year. Great Postseason Curt and if you are not back next year thank you so much for being a part of the Red Sox!!!!!!!!!. Every Red Sox fans will miss you.
October 26th, 2007 at 1:13 am
You kicked some tail tonight buddy, Happy 41st!
October 26th, 2007 at 2:27 am
hi curt..
just wanna let u know ive been a great fan since u were here in philly. ..im a jersey girl redsoxfan..and totally adore you my whole family adores you!!!..any way..i totally agree with your say about managers & players..francona couldve made such great things happen for the phillies..and you were the one major player who put philadelphia out on the board..but like u say..they know it all..but in this case..im just glad the red sox have you..and no matter what the media says about your pitching style, your versatility and your ways of reinventing yourself..your still the schill to me..character is everything..and you are one true example of such …you pitched a great game tonight..so take the credit too..its was the SCHIILAJIMABON team!!!
good luck and take care and cant wait for u guys to bring it home!!!
October 26th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
As a devoted fan I have watched the Red Sox nightly every season from 2003. I was fortunate enough to be able to see a live game where we sat right behind the visitor’s dugout… you were pitiching… it was couple of years ago on a rainy damp night when you played Oakland. We were so close to Bill Miller that I could see the vaines in his hands… pretty cool! In don’t know why I am telling you this other than I think that we in Red Sox Nation get so carried away with “the game” and “the win” we sometimes forget that “you are people too”…. so I just want to tell you how much I admire you for everything you do on and off the field. I not only think you are an extraordinary athlete, I think you are a wonderful human being. Your integrity, honesty, dedication, loyalty and commitment, albeit your family, pitching, charities, your love of God, or your business ventures, is bar none . Wow what a wonderful role model you are for our youth. Thank you #38!!!
November 1st, 2007 at 12:04 am
Curt, I grew up with you on the mound with the Phillies, and I think this city is built for a guy like you. No other city would embrace your hard work ethic or incredible personality like the city of brotherly love. Not only are the Phillies going to be the front runner to get to the world series from the NL, but with you as the ace, the Phils would be the front runner to win it all. Come back to Philly and end your career where you started it, and bring a championship with you!
November 6th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Great news Curt!! So glad to have you back!!
November 6th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Curt and Family,
Thanks for staying with us. You have become such an important element of the texture that is Boston. I honestly think that by reporting to training camp at the negotiated 167 pounds is a bit on the Roger Moret side of the scale, but maybe that’s a good thing.
A Happy Day.
Thanks again.
November 6th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
Welcome back Curt! This is definitely where you belong and where you should retire. With what you did this post-season, I think you just punched your ticket to Cooperstown with the 1st ballet. No doubt you will be an integral part of bringing us our 3rd World Championship in 5 years (as will Mike Lowell)!
November 6th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Curt, you made my day! We should all be honored that you and your family consider Boston home. The team wouldn’t be the same without you!
And I’d like to thank you and Shonda for all of the wonderful work you do for the community, and in particular the ALS Association for which I have a special connection.
Onward!!
November 6th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Hey Mr. Schilling,
Welcome home to both you and your family. I don’t care about contract terms. All I care about is that you will be wearing a Red Sox uniform in 2008. Thank you and best of luck in 2008.
Now lets work on Mr. Lowell
November 6th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Hi Curt,
Happy Days are here again! I’m so happy you chose to stay in Red Sox Nation. Thank you Theo, John, Tom,, Larry and Tito for having the insight to know that Curt Schilling is part of the Red Sox organization.
My only wish is that you and some of the players come to visit Adams, MA one day.
November 6th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Curt- Thanks so much for keeping us posted and sharing the letter from the Red Sox front office, it exemplifies what makes you and the Red Sox such a class act, and a great fit. Thanks for ‘04, ‘07, and ‘08(in advance, we know you’ll deliver!!). I look forward to seeing you pitch again, and it will be like having another coach in the clubhouse. Good luck with your off-season, best wishes and God Bless to you and your family. One down and one to go…….RE-SIGN MIKE LOWELL
November 6th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Curt,
My first visit here…but the thanks is long overdo…you, along with the domican connection and the others have transformed the emotional landscape of being a Sox fan…it affects us in the rest of life as well…..I know that your sacrifice in 2004 may have harmed your career numbers….but it gave resurrection life to dead spirits……..Even here in Orlando Florida…..I watch…the emotional connection to the Sox baffles most…even those who know me best…….as a young boy, my emotional wounds were left at the fount of Sox baseball on the transistor……..the mystical tie of a team and a young searching spirit…..the tale is repeated ten thousand times over yet it is my personal journey to emotional wholeness…….my connection to the team’s ultimate success….it IS vitally important…..your part means a lot to all of us………as did pete runnels, chuck schilling, jim gosger, gary geiger…..all the names and faces that are just as truly a part……..Thanks for staying…thanks to theo for knowing how important you are to all of us and ALWAYS will be…….a man named steve
November 6th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Its nice to see that you are a man of your word. Many athletes profess their desire to stay, but few deliver. You are an inspiration to guys in their 40’s (is 40 the new 20?). Thanks for sticking around.
November 6th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Well done Curt! It’s nice to see a professional athlete actually involve some other factors into their decision making process other than money. Looking forward to seeing you pitch in Boston another year and hopefully staying here even longer.
November 6th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
You came here to “Break the Curse” and did it twice. Glad you are staying with us. We need you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 6th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Hey Hey Hey,
Look who’s back in the sox uniform after all. The best pitcher too ever put on that wonderful uniform. Curt I don’t know who is more happier that you will be staying here in Boston as a Red Sox.YOU or all of RED SOX NATION it definately is a hard call to make.What a great job you and theo did to make sure that you stayed her in Boston. Thank God that you will be here for your last season in the big leagues. So before i start rambling on like i have in the last 3-4 comments i wrote you.I want to thank you for staying in Boston fro one more year because you definately could have gotten alot more somewhere else, But your choice was to stay here in Boston with Probaly the most craziest fans in all of baseball.Thats another reason Theo signed you so quick he didnt want to have to deal with all of Red Sox Nation after letting go are True RED SOX HERO…..YOU CURT……..GOD BLESS YA….NOW spring training cant come quick enough……….
markiemark……