Schilling laughs off Yankee talk
Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling reiterated this morning his previous assertion that he would not consider pitching for the Yankees next season, despite comments to the contrary from his personal doctor.
"[Schilling] called me when he was angry about a month ago and was having recurrent pain, and said 'Listen, I want to pitch again next year,' and [would consider] the possibility of the [Yankees] option," Dr. Craig Morgan told Boston sports radio station WEEI 850 AM this morning. "He didn't say he was going to do it, he didn't do any of that. I think it was in part of anger."
Schilling laughed off that assertion in a follow-up interview later in the morning on WEEI.
"Me wearing pinstripes, regardless of what point of the season or my career it would have been, is not an option," said Schilling, who is currently on the 60-day disabled list with a biceps/right shoulder injury. "I can't ... think back to having that conversation specifically … it's not an option. Never has been an option."
So how could Morgan have come to that conclusion?
"He's at a distance. And, again, Craig is a friend, a very close friend, always will be," Schilling said. "But I've talked to him probably 3-4 times since January. So I'm not sure he's been kept abreast of the facts, and the conversation that, I'm not really sure what conversation he's referring to with regards to a couple of different comments that he made, but the Yankee piece, there's some misinformation going on, and I can remember us having a conversation and laughing about coming back and pitching next year ..."
More from Schilling:
"The first word that popped into my head, is a word that I think is new to the English language, but everybody understands what it means is 'misrember'. I talked to doc probably within the last week. He's called me a couple of times during my rehab, but I'm not really sure how he got to some of the conclusions he got to."
Even before he became a free agent at the end of last season, Schilling has said all along that he would not consider pitching for the Yankees.
In radio interviews earlier today in Boston and yesterday in Philadelphia, Morgan, who has operated on Schilling's shoulder in the past, caused a stir in Red Sox Nation by bringing up the Yankees as an option for Schilling next season.
"Oh that's definitely possible," Morgan said. "He told me, despite this thing, he doesn't think he's done and he wants to pitch next year. And if you read between the lines, [pitching for the Yankees is] definitely a possibility. I don't think he's going to pitch for Royals next year, if he pitches at all."
Morgan also reiterated that he thinks the Red Sox made a mistake by not allowing the 41-year-old Schilling to have surgery to repair his injured right shoulder.
"If you go back to my comments of three months ago, I felt that this guy, based on the findings in his shoulder at that time, that he had no shot of returning to pitching in a major league game this year with a conservative approach," Morgan said on WEEI. "And you know what? My opinion still hasn't changed. I think if he pitches near the end of this year or in the playoffs or the World Series, that's close to a miracle."
More from Morgan:
"I talked to Curt maybe 3-4 days ago, and you have to understand, this has been three months since the initiation of the Red Sox conservative approach, and after three months, Schilling did tell me that his shoulder is feeling better, he has much less pain, but he hasn't done anything. After three months, he's lifting light weights. I'm talking about 2-3 pound hand-held weights. He hasn't picked up a ball. He hasn't done much of anything. And this is purely just my opinion, and based on that, the baby-step kind of approach to rehab. He's looking at August-September even if there aren't any health issues."
Schilling painted a much more optimistic picture of his progress.
"From a rehab standpoint, I'm probably as surprised as anyone how well it's gone and where I'm at," Schilling said this morning. "I don't have any pain at all, which is a huge change. ... I'm still nervous about getting on the field and throwing."
Schilling, who signed an incentive-laden one-year, $8 million deal in the offseason, has been following Red Sox doctors' recommendation of rehabbing his right shoulder instead of having it surgically repaired in the hopes that he'll be able to pitch again this season. He is expected to be sidelined at least until the All-Star break.
Does he think he'll contribute for the Red Sox this season?
"Based on where we're at now, there's a very good chance that I will pitch, and be better than I was, this year, but again, there's another huge step to take," Schlling said on WEEI. "I can tell you as far as being angry with the organization, or being angry with anyone in particular ... I was not happy with the direction were taking ... but it's water under the bridge. As of today, I think that everybody's been kind of proven right that I didn't agree with early on ... I'm disappointed. The angry part for me right now is I'm traveling with this baseball team and watching these guys go on the field, and do what they do and I can't play. It's frustrating."
Quite possibly, Dr. Morgan "misinterpreted" Schilling's comments. The good doctor seems to have much in common with his patient.
The question is, would the Yankees WANT him next season?
Talk to Wake and get the knuckler going... I'm only half-kidding. For a man that has already re-taught himnself to pitch differently throughout his career, bound by the constraints of his own physical abilities - Shill is prime for a good knuckleball.
after '04,Curt can do no wrong in my book,remember the truck commercial where he was hitchhiking and told the guy that picked him up that he was going to win a world series for the Sox?
I wish Schilling would stop making cracks about how HE would never play for the YANKEES. As if they would be graced by his presence.. the second coming.... oh yes, we bow down to thee almighty pitching GOD, and we will grovel at your feet, anything to get you to come to NY.
PUHHH LEEEZE Curt, get over yourself. The Yankees DO NOT WANT YOU, so stop flattering yourself.
Curt Schilling campaigned for GW Bush in Ohio, in 2004, and told the country to "Vote Bush".
Why would anyone now listen to anything this half-wit says?
How did Schilling hurt himself in the off season?
I thought doctors were supposed to keep all information about their patients confidential . Is this guy a doctor or a publicist for Schilling?
Dr. Morgan cannot talk about his patient's medical condition without written permission to do so - from the patient - not verbal - written - or he could loose his license to pratice. So Curt needs to tell him to stop - or Curt is fanning the fires by using Dr. Morgan as a stooge.
What I believe is that the Sox probably know he's gone for the season but do not want to let him have the surgery on their time so he can be healthy for some other team next season.
If he has the surgery now, he'll be ready for the beginning of next season probably with another team - if he has the surgery after the regular season is ended he won't be ready until the all star break. It's just sour grapes on the Sox part. The only reason they signed him is to avoid public backlash.
If I were Curt I would just quit and give back the $8 mil and have the surgery and then go at it next season with another team.
Curt.....
Please go to the Yankees. The Sox will beat the bag out of you, very much the same way we did againsy Clemens.
Oh by the way.....your not playing so .....STFU!
Get lost. We don't want you. We will not take you. We Yank fans never wanted Roger or Boggs either.
Who cares about the rumor? Curt Schilling is a straight-shooter. He has no reason to seek out New York (and who in their right mind would once you have achieved a world championship or two in Boston? Sorry Johnny Damon - you proved yourself to be a hessian mercenary and a faceless traitor.)
I would rather have Curt Schilling - with our World Championships in hand than most other players in uniform today. I hope he does comeback this year and find a way to contribute to a post-season run. Curt Schilling is a catalyst.
Schilling sets out to meet a goal and exceeds them. If he somehow does after all this injury hype and win a pair of post season games, he will become known as the greatest Red Sox pitcher ever... Not for his stats, but for his deeds.
The Sox should sign him to a deal that will make him the pitching coach after he retires. I would take him in that role in a heartbeat.
who friggin cares
Who cares what Schilling thinks? He is nothing but a washed-up blow hard who stole millions of dollars from the Sox this year. How can you go from signing an $8million dollar contract (plus incentives) one month, and not be able to lift 5 lbs the next? If he were a real man, he would give the Sox their money back. He hasn't earned a dime of it since 2004. Also, the last time I checked no team is in great need of a 40+ .500 pitcher who can't get through half a season. They never should have re-signed him in the first place. Let him go run his video game business and STFU!! He has always been an arrogant ass who stuffs his foot in his mouth every chance he gets. He needs to be told that the world does not revolve around HIM!
Remember a few years ago when Johnny Demon said he'd never go to the Yankees? Your thoughts change when someone waves a boatload of cash in front of you. Hank Steinbrenner is likely to offer Schilling a big-money deal just to see if he can tempt him into taking it and increasing the spite factor with the Sox.
You Yankee fans are so ridiculous. You never wanted Roger or Boggs? Ok... what about Babe? That is a blantant lie, especially if you remember Roger in Steinbrenner's box last season and the reaction at Yankee stadium.
Schilling has principle and he stands by it. He is no mercenary like all of the free agents that go to NY for ridiculous cash. (Not to say that the Red Sox have never had those kind of free agent signings, but none that fly in the face of the greatest rivalry in sports)
In "reading between the lines" which is what the Doctor reported how does this translate into HE SAID? I know we have been fooled for the past few years by the public relations approach to our public life but It just does not seem correct to suggest that the good Doctor actually heard Schilling say that he would pitch for the Yankees.
Ryan maybe the dumbest thing I've ever heard
I'm sorry, but I would like to call BS on the fact that the Yanks never wanted Clemens either. You guys hyped having 'the rocket' so much, and I think everyone in NY knows that if Schilling were to go there and put up some W's, the perspective would change fast. Not that I want the Yankees to take him, because I don't mind Schilling myself, but I don't think that he's truly considering the Evil Empire as his next career move.
What the devil is Schilling's "doctor" doing talking about his patient in public? Friend or not, as long as he's Schilling's doctor he has an obligation to maintain confidentiality. Besides that, it's counterproductive to any patient's healing process to repeatedly hear that the course of action the patient has chosen isn't going to work.
THat would be great if the Yanks got him because it would downgrade the quality of thier rotation. although in the playoffs......
I would say if he joined the Yankees, he could compete for the janitor job but that is about it.
Jeeeeez. For once this isn't about Curt needing to shut his stinking trap. This is manufactured controversy and Sawx fans bite every time. Say the word "Yankees" -- as The Nation does every second, regardless of what sport they're yapping about and regardless whether they're actually supposedly enjoying being the fans of the "World Champions" of the baseball world -- and the chorus sings. Curt's done. No way he pitches effectively for anyone again. No way the Yankees, regardless of a track record for loving injured freaks (see: Pavano, B. Unit) and ex-Sawx (see: Bogger, pre-Hair Club, Mr. Splitty, midst-Roid Rage, Spike Owen, consistently jacked-up, Johnny D., pre-delousing...), would ever want that creaky d.b. in their clubhouse. Cashman would sooner trade for Youk's goattee (yes, just the goattee).
Curt Schilling is being paid a lot of $$ for rehabbing. This whole episode diminishes the greatness of his career. I work my ass off as a teacher and you know about the inequity when it comes to salaries. He should take this opportunity to be a role model to others and turn the salary he does not deserve while he is not pitching to the Jimmy Fund.
Morgan and Schilling are idiots. I am sick of listening to the both of them. If Curt wants surgery, put the $8 Million back on the table where he only collects it if his surgery is proven to be successful. As for the Yankees, have fun in NY Curt.
I'm always amazed at the vitriol against Schilling. I suspect (and some of the thread comments bear this out) that his views on religion and politics are why some people don't like him, or are at least, a significant contributing factor. I would allow that some of his fans probably have the same biases in that they share his opinions.
But as for baseball, I hope that Red Sox fans never forget that without his Bloody Sock performance in Game 6, the 2004 season becomes an almost as painful redux of the 2003 season. No pennant, no World Series, maybe no 2007 WS, and Dan Shaugnessy still talking about "the Curse." Of course, people are free to say that his poor performance in his previous ALCS start contributed to the problem, etc. etc., but if you all remember how confident the Yanks were going into Game 6 and how defeated they were before Bucky F. Dent threw out the first pitch of Game 7. There's not much Schilling can ever do, at least for this fan, that will cause me to really criticize him after Game 6. Besides, Yankee fans LOATHE Curt (probably a combination of 2001 WS, politics, religion and 2004 ALCS) and that's enough for me.
Hey Dr Morgan
Do yourself a a favor and shut up!
Fix The Man's Shoulder and stop playing a Scott Boras wanna be!
And yet another reason not to trust the medical profession.
Charley is right. Just read the article. Schilling said he wanted to pitch and his doctor said read between the lines. I agree that he is not worth that much anymore and I don't care for his politics either. He was hired as a baseball player to help win the World Series and he did it twice. He did everything we had any right to expect from him. He's earned the right to do what he wants.
I think personally that what Juan Damon did was unforgivable; especially in a town like Boston where baseball is more than a sport its a way of life. And I wish we could have some loyalty between the players and the fan base. Schilling, I hope, after being in Boston for 3 years now knows better than to go to the Yankees. He has become an sports idol in the city. And from his roots I think we can estabolish that he wouldn't go to the Yankees; he left Arizona to come to the Red Sox for less money. If he still sports that kind of mentality he will stay with or retire as a Red Sox. And thought the $8 million is a bit much for an injury prone pitcher over 40 I think he has earned the gratitude of the fans and deserves it. He is one of the lone players which I think should be paid decent money for past seasons. I hope Schilling will stay with us and hopefully retire so he can forever be a memorable sports figure. But if he goes to the Yankees or almost any other team in the AL he will most surely lose the respect he has worked so hard to earn. And thought he may not be an asset to the Red Sox anymore in terms of wins I think he can still contribute with his experience and attidute.
lol, sounds like clemens..must be a pitcher malady this forgetfulness, misrembering etc.
I don't agree with Schilling's politics at all, but he's been an awesome pitcher and teammate, and was a major reason Boston has won two World Series in four years.
Bad-mouthing him is ridiculous. Give the guy a break!
Yankee fans in 2008: We never wanted Boggs or Clemens
Yankee fans in 2010: We never wanted Johnny Damon.
I wonder how many of them hated A-Rod after he opted out and now "love" him again.
Curt needs to hang his spikes up. He is washed up.
Yankees SUCK bottom line
Jeeeeez. For once this isn't about Curt needing to shut his stinking trap. This is manufactured controversy and Sawx fans bite every time. Say the word "Yankees" -- as The Nation does every second, regardless of what sport they're yapping about and regardless whether they're actually supposedly enjoying being the fans of the "World Champions" of the baseball world -- and the chorus sings. Curt's done. No way he pitches effectively for anyone again. No way the Yankees, regardless of a track record for loving injured freaks (see: Pavano, B. Unit) and ex-Sawx (see: Bogger, pre-Hair Club, Mr. Splitty, midst-Roid Rage, Spike Owen, consistently jacked-up, Johnny D., pre-delousing...), would ever want that creaky d.b. in their clubhouse. Cashman would sooner trade for Youk's goattee (yes, just the goattee).
if it weren't for curt schilling, the redsox may still be waiting for a world series win. I hope dan shaughnessy is happy. his constant bad mouthing of schilling has payed of. shaughnessy has made of living off the curse and stirring up trouble.
I don't get it "The Truth", what's so dumb about what I said? Seriously. I do not have a Curt Schilling jersey but am a loyalist to the team. Why shouldn't the man who helped us bring two modern world series titles end his career as a Sox player?
You certainlty didn't elaborate or offer any of your own profound concepts. Blogging is about sharing ideas - not just shooting down other people's thoughts. Say something bright and thoughtful or just keep your inane mouth shut.
I respect Curt. Why on earth would he want to go to the yankees? He's already won the biggest World Series of anyone's life. Look at Johnny dearest-all down hill once he sold his soul to the devil.
Any Red Sox fan who doesn't appreciate Schil should really consider becoming a Yankee fan. What a bunch of ingates. The dude pitched on a bloody stub after experimental surgery that was like a field dressing in Vietnam to win our first championship in 86 frickin years. Guys like Boggs and Clemens went to the Yanks to get their rings, running from the pressure. Schilling adopted it and is a legend. Then to top it off he comes back on early to be a closer in '05 (anything to help!) and a junk baller in '07 and again wins key games to bring a another series. He deserves a statue on Yawkey when he's done. It's the jealous Dan Shaugnz reporter types who are ruining this guy's image for no reason. He's a straight shooter and a Sox hero.
Hey, if Schill DOES end up pitching for the Skanks next year, he'd probably be their #3.
Remember, in Skankee Universe, for pitchers, life begins at 35
Is that hasbeen mouthing off again? It was aggravating enough when he was playing, from the infirmary he should just muzzle up.
Funny how 'Shill' used his doctor for a media mouthpiece when he wanted to attack Epstein, waiving any semblance of doctor-patient confidentiality - mocking the injury report privacy the Red Sox have always protected for their players.
Now the good doctor slips up and lets' oose what a traitorous heart Curt really has.
Curt Schilling.
The phony.
So fitting.
Curt Schilling helped win two World Series in my lifetime! He's done his job, and if he never comes back again, I'm good!
I love how a number of you "fans" love to throw a player, under the bus, that brought what you so desparately wanted, what a fraud you are! Kick 'em while their down, why don't you! This is exactly why so many great players left this city! You are so stupid to listen and believe everything the sportswriters (mostly from the Herald, mind you), write, it's unbelieveable that you have no minds of your own, to actually think for yourselves!?
Thanks Curt for all you have brought to this team and the fans, that desparately wanted a World Series for so many years! You helped make so many of us happy!
In baseball, where money is concerned anything is possible. Luis Tiant the penultimate Red Sox personality went to the Yankees in 1979, again where money is concerned in baseball anything is possible
come on people. The Yanks don't want Schilling any more then the sox's do at this point. In case no one noticed the Yanks and the sox's are kind of doing the youth thing these days at curt, the moron that he is, isn't welcome......see Randy Johnson.
Let's face it the sox's got taken to the cleaners by schill and they look WICKED stupid. The good doctor is doing his bidding...he's a mouth piece because the team has moved on and written him off for good.
Schilling will always be The Hero that brought Boston it's Firist CHAMPIONSHIP in 86 YEARS. If he never pitches again, He's THE MAN! SCHILLING DOES'NT NEED ANOTHER YEAR, HE WILL ALWAYS BE A CHAMPION!
Curt, you prove again you are a true Red Sox. Get better and come pitch as soon as you can. Fenway isn't the same without you!
Reading these comments sickens me...have we all forgotten what this guy did for us in 2004? There is NO way we win in 04 without Shill. What he did in the playoffs goes far beyond any comment he makes. I said it after the Series in 04 and I'll say it again, Curt can go winless with the Sox for the rest of his Sox career, I don't care because his couragous efforts to give Boston a title. He did it for us! He wasn't too bad in the 07 playoff either. Game 6 against Cleveland? He kinda battled out again if you forget. The guy has brought 2 championships to us. And to say he is like Clemens, sick. Clemens brought nothing but more heartache. Shill brought us titles and relief. He is not a Damon either, I believe when he says he would never play for the Yankees. He understands the rivlary the loyalty to a city. Morgan meant if Curt comes back, he won't pitch for a loser, but a winning team. Curt won't go to NY.
Hey...let's keep this in perspective:
- Red Sox fans: He's part of TWO teams to do something that hadn't been done in 86 years. He did it on a bad wheel and took the ball in enemy territory and cancelled NY's Christmass.
- Yankee fans: listen...just because your team is a bunch of chronic underachieving individuals (NOT a team) doesn't mean you should take it out on the one guy who has consistently jacked up your team (2001 WS and 2004 ALCS).
The guy has been DEALING in the postseason...all his life. Yeah...he runs his mouth a bit...but, who cares? He wins!
Oh....and New York: You can have Damon. Pedro too.
What happened to doctor - patient priviledge? The fact that the Mrorgan is talking so openly, not just about Schilling's condition, but about conversations they have had really hurts the doctor's credibility in my mind.
He's not making a single contribution to the team. He should just
lay low for a bit.
http://fantasyplayersedge.blogspot.com
Who said the Yankees would even want this ego crazed, washed up, blow hard. The Yankees have enough of those types already.
Schilling is much too classy to pitch for the Yankees. Kerry, the Yankees need somebody. Pettite will be done by the All Star break. Mussina will be lucky to make it that long and Rivera isn't much better. Nice youth program they have going.
either way-sox fans need not worry-the yankees are not interested in any more old,overweight,washed up pitchers. "table for one" will never be a yankee not only because he doesnt want to, but the yankees dont want him
I'm in agreement with the fellow who says Shill should talk to Wake (or the Niekros') and get the knuckler going-FOR THE YANKEES!!!!
Even the Giants wouldn't want Schilling at this point.
I can't believe people criticize Schill like this. the Red Sox won two World Series with him and he may have risked his own future in 2004 pitching on that ankle...yet he did it anyway. How many pitchers would have done that? And yes, sometimes he talks too much and seems arrogant, but he also does a lot of good, hosting soldiers and their families at his home, promoting charities like ALS, and taking the time to correspond with Red Sox fans who usually hear nothing more than meaningless platitudes from baseball players who are spoon-fed what to say. Ever hear Varitek say anything meaningful? (That's not meant as a criticism of Tek - he just is pretty boring to listen to, even if he handles the pitching staff well).
I can't believe some sox fans are ragging on Schilling! Aren't his anti-Yankee sentiments exactly what you would hope to hear from every sox player? When asked about playing for the Yankees, the majority of sox players equivocate because they don't want to burn bridges. Many are venal and quick to sell out for that extra million (e.g., Johnny Damon) but that is not the case with Shill. He is sticking it out with the Red Sox because he is loyal to the sox.
Shill embodies everything that is good about sports. He moved his family to Boston and endangered his career to bring us a World Series Championship. He is loyal fan, a good father, a great role model, and an on-the-field hero. He deserves the baseball equivalent of the purple heart. No one in that club house is more deserving of our respect and admiration.
-TC
shilling is the man and the yanks would never be privleged enough to get him GO SOX!!!!!
Schilling ,who named one of his offspring after a Yankee,not want to be a Yankee? No offense to red sox fans,but you can keep him.His posturing and self promoting will not go over in the Bronx.I guess thats the difference between Boston and New York.
Good...we are trying to get away from washed up pitchers near the end of their career...who wants Curt Shitting anyways
I love when Red Sox fans make the $$$ comments...considering they toss around nearly as much $$$ these days. Also in reality 95% of baseball players would LOVE to play for the Yankees...
yeah and the players hate each other so much...I guess I didn't see AROD and Manny in centerfield having a good laugh together...most of the BS is fan and media based...I think the players consider is almost laughable...but everyone loves their name in the paper
You know, its funny. Over the years, I've heard multiple stories about Schilling and the Yanks PRIOR to him being traded to the Sox. He wanted out of Arizona and one of the teams he approved being traded to was the Yanks, not Boston. Not sure what happened but I think the major stumbling block was the owners of the 2 franchises did not get along at the time and AZ would not trade him to NY. At the time, Schilling talked up NY, how he was a fan growing up, etc.
Only when Francona became manager of BOS did Schilling put them on the list of clubs he would consent a trade to. That trade worked out and the rest is history. He rails against the Yanks now as if they're beneath him but once upon a time, not so long ago, he openly considered pitching in NY. He has a legacy now to protect in Boston as being a WS hero and so on and this is why he says what he says and acts like he does against NY.
He like any other ball player will follow the money and if the Yanks and D-backs had worked out a trade back then, he'd have been a Yankee and all this talk would be moot.
And the 26 time World Champions asked you to come over, WHEN?
Give it up, and start your own talk show, you have a BIG enough MOUTH. Question is, would you allow anyone else to get a word in edge wise?
The monly thing bigger thanCurt's ego is his gut and mouth. H eres a guy who was contemplaing running for the Senate against Ted K..in Mass.He is a certifiable nut case. Go Hillary
Come on down Curt and be with a real team..You know they'll never win again without you. Roger said it was great to win here and Wade said he loved the horse ride thru the stadium after championship 23. Number 27 is just around the corner when you join us at the all star break. See tou real soon...Johnny..
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