Curt Schilling- Hall Of Famer

Let's get it out of the way, OK? Yes, Curt Schilling is an a$$. He says stupid things, sticks his nose where it doesn't belong, and is a generally annoying person. I think Ed Wade, Phillies General Manger in the mid-90s and classic Schilling nemesis, said it best: "If he wasn't our horse, he'd be out horse's ass." His antics over the years have inspired a special grudge against him, from New York Yankees fans, to Mitch Williams, to Liberal America. He crossed lines he should not have and said things he shouldn't have. The man is a fool. There, I said it.

Now let's talk baseball. This guy is a Hall of Famer, through and through. From 1993 until as recently as 2007, Curt Schilling brought a competitive greatness to baseball that few pitchers have ever matched. His raw determination has always been his greatest asset. A quick tangent to illustrate exactly what Schill was made of. In 1997, the middle of another ho-hum wasted Phillies season, the Yankees came to town for the first inter-league matchup. Veterans Stadium, a 75000 seat bohemoth, was filled to capacity, which was unusual since the Phillies were LAST in the league in attendance. Though Schilling usually pitched in a stadium of about 10% capacity, today was different. Today he played the Yankees in front of a sold out crownd. Curt Schilling thrived. This was his World Series. He threw 124 pitches, striking out 16! This was merely a taste of the type of payer Schilling is.

Consider that Schilling may in fact be the greatest post-season pitcher in the glorified history of baseball. With Philadelphia in 1993, Schilling won the NLCS MVP. It was during this time that Schill earned the label "Big Game Pitcher." When the Phillies needed a stopper in the World Series against the Blue Jays, who did they turn to? That's right, Curt Schilling. Following an epic 30-run Game 4, Schilling shutout the defending World Champion Blue Jays in Game 5, simply one of the most magnificent postseason performances of the last 25 years.

The following years in Philadelphia were difficult. He had two 300 strikeout seasons in Phillies pinstripes, but, ultimately, the team's mismanagement and stinginess forced the situation to a head. He was traded to the D-Backs.

Schilling flourished in the desert. In the 2001 and 2002 seasons, he won a combined 45 games, a staggering number. In the 01 World Series, Schilling made 3 starts against the Yankees during the height of the Torre dynasty, was 1-0 with an ERA of 1.69. He was named co-MVP with Randy Johnson.

Two years later and with the D-Backs rebuilding, Schilling was dealt to the Boston Red Sox after a fierce Thanksgiving bidding war. Who could forget his heroic Game 6 ALCS performance against the Yankees? Bleeding through his sock because of the sutures holding his Achilles tendon together, Curt Schilling helped the Red Sox do something that had never been done before- come back from down 3-0 in a playoff series. If that weren't enough, just one week later he did the same thing in the World Series, beating the Cardinals in Game 2, helping the Red sox overcome the so-called "Curse" and finally win a World Series. It is the sort of moment that if forever burned into everyone's mind who has watched it.

Over the last few years, Schilling has lost much to injury. Indeed, stacking his win-loss record (216-146) against other Hall of Famers is not favorable. However you must consider a few things. He lost many games with those pitiful mid-90s Phillies teams batting for him. And later, his amazing drive to help his team win- in fact, pitching through debilitating injury- may have unraveled his entire 2005 season. Schill's win-loss record is not an indictment but rather proof of his incredible fortitude.

Look closer and it is obvious that Curt Schilling is a Hall of Famer. His overall postseason numbers are 11-2 with a 2.23 ERA and 4 complete game in 19 starts. He has over 3000 strikeouts (14th all-time) and 8.6 per 9 innings (13th all time). He was in the top 10 in strikeouts nine times, and finished second in Cy Young voting 3 times.

In fact, since 1900, Curt Schilling has the best strikeouts-to-walks ratio (4.38) EVER.

This is a Hall of Famer.

About the author:
This article was originally published at rootzoo.com, by Madaseen. This man knows his sports and his knowledge has won him some great sports prizes on rootzoo. His favorite time of the year is coming up, baseball season where you can find him analyzing the latest baseball player stats and fantasy baseball news.