Curt Schilling

From BR Bullpen

Curtis Montague Schilling

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 4", Weight 215 lb.
School Yavapai Community College
High School Shadow Mountain High School
Debut September 7, 1988
Born November 14, 1966 in Anchorage, AK USA

1 Biographical Information
2 Career MLB Stats
3 Notable Achievements
4 Records Held
5 Related Sites

[edit] Biographical Information

Curt Schilling is one of the most prominent pitchers in major league baseball. He notched his 3000th strikeout in 2006. He was also one of the few major league ballplayers who spoke out against the use of steroids at time when usage was common.

He was the first Alaska native to become a major league pitcher.

Schilling was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the 1986 January draft. In 1988, he was traded at the deadline to the Baltimore Orioles and he made his major league debut later in the 1988 season.

With Baltimore, Schilling often shuttled between the big club and their AAA team in Rochester. In 1989, he led the International League in wins (13), starts (27), complete games (9), shutouts (3), and innings (185.1). This earned him a brief callup in 1989 but he was back splitting time in 1990.

Schlling was shipped to the Houston Astros during the winter of 1991 along with Pete Harnisch and Steve Finley for Glenn Davis. Schilling lasted one season in Houston, again splitting time between the major leagues and the minors, before being dealt again to the Philadelphia Phillies before the 1992 season. After the Phillies were beset by pitching injuries, they returned Schilling to the starting rotation. He flourished winning 14 games. His 2.35 ERA was good for fourth in the National League.

The following season, 1993, it all came together for Schilling and the Phillies. Schilling went 16-7 as a full-time starter. He was the staff ace as the Phillies went all the way to the World Series. Schilling was named NLCS MVP in the Phils victory over Atlanta. He is also remembered for covering his head with a towel when closer Mitch Williams would enter the game.

Injuries plagued Schilling in 1994 and 1995, as he managed only 30 starts over two seasons. He returned in 1996 and by 1997, he had regained a new form that has held for nearly a decade. Schilling was regarded as a fireballer in 1997 and 1998. He topped 300 strikeouts in both seasons. He was also named an All-Star from 1997 to 1999.

Entering the 2000 season, it was clear that Schilling was not in the plans of the rebuilding Phillies. After a half season of pandering by management and entreaties from many franchises, the Arizona Diamondbacks won the Schilling sweepstakes and he was dealt for four players at the trading deadline. As the righthanded complement to Randy Johnson, Schilling led the league in wins in 2001. In the post-season, Schilling was masterful: he won 4 games, including one in the World Series. He had an ERA of 1.69 in the Series and was named co-MVP with Johnson.

Johnson and Schilling combined for 47 wins in 2002 and they finished 1-2 in voting for the Cy Young Award. They did not fare well in the playoffs, losing to St. Louis. Schilling, however, was masterful with a 1.29 ERA in his only start. He had a pedestrian season in 2003, going 8-9 with a stint on the disabled list.

Schilling's enduring legacy was cemented when he signed with the Boston Red Sox for the 2004 season. At age 37, he was named an All-Star for the sixth time. He led the American League in wins (21) and was second in ERA (3.26). The Schilling of old had returned for an encore. As the Red Sox entered the playoffs, Schilling was the staff ace. In the first game of the Division Series, Schilling tore the tendon sheath in his right ankle. The injury was originally thought to be a relapse of a bone bruise suffered earlier in the season, or a case of tendonitis. As the pain increased, Schilling was eventually forced to undergo a minor surgical procedure the day before he pitched. The torn tendon sheath was stitched into place so it wouldn't interfere with the joint, then released after the game. Pitching in pain, and with blood soaking through his sock, Schilling won Game 6 of the ALCS against the hated Yankees. The Red Sox had been behind 3 games to none. With Schilling, they forced a seventh game, which they won, making it the first time a team had overcome a 3-0 deficit in baseball history.

In the World Series, Schilling gave the Red Sox six shutout innings during a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals. During the winter, he had major surgery to repair the ankle. The injury impaired him into the 2005 season, as he only made 11 starts.

Nearing 40, Schilling remains one of the most effective ptichers in the game. He is a hero in both Arizona and especially in Boston. He returned to form in 2006, going 15-7 with a 3.97 ERA and 183 strikeouts. He also won his 200th game during the 2006 season.

[edit] Career MLB Stats

(Through 2006 Season)

Curt Schilling	Career Total	Season Best
Wins	207	23 (2002)
ERA	3.44	2.35 (1992)
Innings	3110.0	268 2/3 (1998)
Strikeouts	3015	319 (1997)
WHIP	1.13	0.97 (2002)
Saves	22	9 (2005)

[edit] Notable Achievements

6-time All-Star (1997-1999, 2001, 2002 & 2004)
1993 NLCS MVP
2001 World Series MVP
2-times League Wins Leader (2001/NL & 2004/AL)
AL Winning Percentage Leader (2004)
2-time NL Innings Pitched Leader (1998 & 2001)
2-time NL Strikeouts Leader (1997 & 1998)
4-time NL Complete Games Leader (1996, 1998, 2000 & 2001)
15 Wins Seasons: 8 (1993, 1997-1999, 2001, 2002, 2004 & 2006)
20 Wins Seasons: 3 (2001, 2002 & 2004)
200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 9 (1992, 1993, 1997-1998, 2000-2002, 2004 & 2006)
200 Strikeouts Seasons: 5 (1997, 1998, 2001, 2002 & 2004)
300 Strikeouts Seasons: 3 (1997, 1998 & 2002)
Won three World Series with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2001) and the Boston Red Sox (2004 & 2007)