Curt Schilling

This year is the five-year aniversary of the Sox reversing the curse of Babe Ruth and winning their first World Series ring since 2004. The Sox did the impossible during that unbelievable season by defeating the Yankees in the ALCS while being down 0-3 in the series. The 2004 Sox may be the best story in MLB playoff history. This Sox team will never be forgotten by Sox fans. I thought it would be interesting to show you what happend to all the members of the unbelieveable team. Here is the pitchers article of The 2004 Red Sox: Where Are They Now?.

It all started on December 20, 2001 when the Red Sox were sold to a group headed buy John Henry, Tom Werner, and Larry Lucchino for $660 million. 

These men were not only shrewd businessmen but also baseball insiders.  They fired their general manager immediately and hired an interim one so they could take time to find their guy. They also fired their manager and hired Grady Little. 

The most important hire they made that off-season was for their assistant general manager position which went to Theo Epstein. 

The minute after Curt Shilling and Mike Mussina announce their retirements, the debating began in offices, message boards, and sport articles. Are these two terrific pitchers Hall of Fame worthy?

Well before we answer that question. I wanted to compare the two pitchers and decide who would be selected if only one was allowed.

So let's go to the Tale of the Tapes (Shilling's stats first then followed by Mussina):

Winning Pct.: 59.7% (216-146) v. 63.8% (270-153)

Regular Season

Curt Schilling announced his retirement yesterday, which immediately begs the question of whether he belongs in the Hall of Fame.

No.

There, now that the suspense is gone, let me explain.

There are really only two arguments for Curt Schilling going to the Hall of Fame. These are, in the order of their importance:

Curt Schilling is a Hall-of-Famer.

Is he as worthy as Walter Johnson? 

As sure a thing as Tom Seaver? 

As deserving as Greg Maddux?

No.

However, not all "Hall-of-Famers" are created equal. 

Sport writers seem to stick to the claim about any Hall-of-Fame.

There are certain iconic phrases and images whose mere mention will produce galvanized memories among most. 

The line "I'll be back" makes us all think of Arnold Schwarzenegger in "The Terminator."  The phrase "Do you believe in miracles?" is forever screamed in Al Michael's excited register and in reference to the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. 

Unless you have lived in a cave since the late 1990s, the image of a bloody sock makes you think of Curt Schilling.

Today, Schilling announced his retirement. 

Curt Schilling announced his retirement today after a 20 seasons in the Major Leagues spent with the Orioles, Astros, Phillies, Diamondbacks, and Red Sox.

Almost immediately, ESPN and sports-talk radio was flooded with analysis of Schilling's career. It was a day-long debate about Schilling's worthiness of future Hall of Fame enshrinement.

Curt Schilling announced today he was retiring from Major League Baseball. A 200-game winner, three-time World Series Champion, six-time all-star and three time 20-game winner has a great resume, but it it enough to gain enshrinement Cooperstown?

Like most modern day players, longevity of time versus overall dominance plays a huge role in how one examines the career of the former Phillie, Oriole, Diamondback and Red Sox.