Comments on: Schilling on his way back to Philly? http://umpbump.com/press/2007/10/31/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/ In-your-face baseball commentary Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:33:22 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Coley Ward http://umpbump.com/press/2007/10/31/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/comment-page-1/#comment-53735 Coley Ward Thu, 01 Nov 2007 18:09:05 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/#comment-53735 First of all, if we're talking about guys who are distractions, I think the difference between Schilling and A-Rod is pretty minimal. We're calling one guy a "clubhouse cancer" and the other guy outspoken. But really, it's a fine line. The only reason Schilling isn't a "cancer" is because his teams win. There's no doubt that Schilling has had a great career. He was awesome in Philly and I loved watching him pitch. But Schilling talked his way out of town, badmouthing the front office and stopping just short of calling the organization incompetent. Later in his career, when an Arizona Republic columnist called Schilling a "con man", it's reported that more than a few of Curt's teammates congratulated the writer for telling it like it was. But whatever. I'm not here to prosecute Schilling. I'm simply saying that he's not my favorite player. In fact, he may be my least favorite player. I don't have to defend that. It's just my preference. And because I don't enjoy rooting for Schilling, and because we are talking about signing the old, fat, oft-injured Schilling, rather than the 93 version, I have some reservations. First of all, if we’re talking about guys who are distractions, I think the difference between Schilling and A-Rod is pretty minimal. We’re calling one guy a “clubhouse cancer” and the other guy outspoken. But really, it’s a fine line. The only reason Schilling isn’t a “cancer” is because his teams win.

There’s no doubt that Schilling has had a great career. He was awesome in Philly and I loved watching him pitch. But Schilling talked his way out of town, badmouthing the front office and stopping just short of calling the organization incompetent. Later in his career, when an Arizona Republic columnist called Schilling a “con man”, it’s reported that more than a few of Curt’s teammates congratulated the writer for telling it like it was.

But whatever. I’m not here to prosecute Schilling. I’m simply saying that he’s not my favorite player. In fact, he may be my least favorite player. I don’t have to defend that. It’s just my preference.

And because I don’t enjoy rooting for Schilling, and because we are talking about signing the old, fat, oft-injured Schilling, rather than the 93 version, I have some reservations.

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]]> By: Rich http://umpbump.com/press/2007/10/31/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/comment-page-1/#comment-53743 Rich Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:34:45 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/#comment-53743 Paul, I was simply reminding Coley of his own reasoning. I'd be the first to say that W's are a terrible measure of a pitcher. Schilling made 14/24 starts in the regular season, including the no hitter he missed by one pitch. He had an additional 5 starts where he went 6 or more, but gave up more than 3 runs. 3 of those were against the Yankees, and the other two were against the Angels. Not exactly slouch clubs. I'd like to see Schilling come back to the Sox for another year, given his stated preference for a 1 year contract. Still, if I were his friend, I'd reccommend he retire now, at the top, coming off a solid October with a ring in hand. Paul, I was simply reminding Coley of his own reasoning. I’d be the first to say that W’s are a terrible measure of a pitcher.

Schilling made 14/24 starts in the regular season, including the no hitter he missed by one pitch. He had an additional 5 starts where he went 6 or more, but gave up more than 3 runs. 3 of those were against the Yankees, and the other two were against the Angels. Not exactly slouch clubs.

I’d like to see Schilling come back to the Sox for another year, given his stated preference for a 1 year contract.

Still, if I were his friend, I’d reccommend he retire now, at the top, coming off a solid October with a ring in hand.

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]]> By: joe http://umpbump.com/press/2007/10/31/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/comment-page-1/#comment-53742 joe Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:21:31 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/#comment-53742 I'd love see him play in Philly for a year or two. Sure he wasn't the most popular in that clubhouse, but he was no Scott Rolen to the fans. I think most have positive memories of Shilling. I'll never forget the NLCS game against Atlanta where he struck out the 1st inning side. (Each fastball got faster and faster while the crowd got louder and louder, good times.) Certainly that Shilling wouldn't be coming back, but I think the Phils can use all the pitching help they can find. I’d love see him play in Philly for a year or two. Sure he wasn’t the most popular in that clubhouse, but he was no Scott Rolen to the fans. I think most have positive memories of Shilling. I’ll never forget the NLCS game against Atlanta where he struck out the 1st inning side. (Each fastball got faster and faster while the crowd got louder and louder, good times.) Certainly that Shilling wouldn’t be coming back, but I think the Phils can use all the pitching help they can find.

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]]> By: Sarah Green http://umpbump.com/press/2007/10/31/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/comment-page-1/#comment-53741 Sarah Green Thu, 01 Nov 2007 02:10:11 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/#comment-53741 I can see being concerned about clubhouse chemistry (A-Rod = clubhouse kryptonite, in my opinion) but I can't see not wanting a good player on your team (especially a clutch, Mr. October-type) just because you don't like him. I would never, EVER date Josh Beckett, but boy do I love watching him pitch. I can see being concerned about clubhouse chemistry (A-Rod = clubhouse kryptonite, in my opinion) but I can’t see not wanting a good player on your team (especially a clutch, Mr. October-type) just because you don’t like him. I would never, EVER date Josh Beckett, but boy do I love watching him pitch.

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]]> By: Nick Kapur http://umpbump.com/press/2007/10/31/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/comment-page-1/#comment-53740 Nick Kapur Thu, 01 Nov 2007 01:44:56 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/#comment-53740 Well, Coley, Schilling *did* bring the Phillies some of their last positive World Series moments... Well, Coley, Schilling *did* bring the Phillies some of their last positive World Series moments…

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]]> By: Coley http://umpbump.com/press/2007/10/31/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/comment-page-1/#comment-53739 Coley Thu, 01 Nov 2007 01:14:02 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/#comment-53739 I just don't like him. It's a personal preference. I just don’t like him. It’s a personal preference.

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]]> By: Sarah Green http://umpbump.com/press/2007/10/31/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/comment-page-1/#comment-53738 Sarah Green Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:48:13 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/#comment-53738 Coley, I don't know why you find him insufferable. I would rather have a guy who occasionally puts his foot in his mouth---just like the rest of us---than someone who only spouts platitudes or, even worse, someone who never talks to the press at all. Coley, I don’t know why you find him insufferable. I would rather have a guy who occasionally puts his foot in his mouth—just like the rest of us—than someone who only spouts platitudes or, even worse, someone who never talks to the press at all.

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]]> By: Coley Ward http://umpbump.com/press/2007/10/31/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/comment-page-1/#comment-53737 Coley Ward Wed, 31 Oct 2007 21:30:46 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/#comment-53737 See, here's the problem. The argument in favor of signing Schilling is, "You'll love him when he's winning 15 games." But the reality is that the more Schilling wins, the more insufferable he gets! See, here’s the problem. The argument in favor of signing Schilling is, “You’ll love him when he’s winning 15 games.” But the reality is that the more Schilling wins, the more insufferable he gets!

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]]> By: Doogan http://umpbump.com/press/2007/10/31/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/comment-page-1/#comment-53734 Doogan Wed, 31 Oct 2007 21:27:15 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/#comment-53734 As a Philly sports fan, I would go back to the mode I was in when the Eagles had Terrel Owens. I hated the guy, but if he can help my team win a championship, it's worth it. And Schilling is no T.O. as far as obnoxiousness goes. Believe me, I would have no problem just focusing on the other 24 guys on the floats at the championship parade. (And just to be clear, I'm not saying Schilling makes the Phils champs, but he certainly helps) As a Philly sports fan, I would go back to the mode I was in when the Eagles had Terrel Owens. I hated the guy, but if he can help my team win a championship, it’s worth it. And Schilling is no T.O. as far as obnoxiousness goes. Believe me, I would have no problem just focusing on the other 24 guys on the floats at the championship parade. (And just to be clear, I’m not saying Schilling makes the Phils champs, but he certainly helps)

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]]> By: Sarah Green http://umpbump.com/press/2007/10/31/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/comment-page-1/#comment-53733 Sarah Green Wed, 31 Oct 2007 21:24:48 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/schilling-on-his-way-back-to-philly/#comment-53733 The man does produce quality starts. I want him back in Beantown, where we have no problem cheering for him. The man does produce quality starts. I want him back in Beantown, where we have no problem cheering for him.

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