The petition
As Boston Red Sox fans, we were thrilled when we heard the news that Curt Schilling has decided to pitch again in 2008. However, we are totally disgusted that Red Sox management failed to sign OUR ACE to a one year contract deal worth the same amount of money he’s making this season.
Pitching is one of the most important ingredients to a Major League championship baseball team and that’s why we want Schilling in a Red Sox uniform in 2008.
When the Red Sox signed Schilling in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks in November 2003, it was considered one of the biggest deals of Theo Epstein’s career as general manager of the Red Sox. With the exception of the recent signing of Daisuke Matsuzaka, it probably still is.
“I want to be a part of bringing the first World Series in modern history to Boston,” said Schilling after the signing. “And hopefully more than one over the next four years.”
In his first regular season with the Red Sox, Schilling’s words held true. He was 21-6 with a 3.26 ERA, becoming only the fifth Boston pitcher to win 20 or more games in his first season with the team.
On October 19, 2004, Schilling put his distinguished career on the line when he played on an injured ankle in the sixth game of the American League Championship Serious (ALCS) against the dreaded New York Yankees. He won that game, and the Red Sox were the first team in post-season baseball history to come back from a three-games-to-none deficit.
The rest is history as Schilling helped the Red Sox win their first World Series in 86 years!
Given this fact and what he has shown throughout his career, we feel Schilling has earned the right to a contract with the Red Sox for 2008. Even if Schilling were at 80% of his former self, he would still be better than most guys at 100% today. Furthermore, if the Red Sox want to continue to attract big name free agents, they need to take care of their staff.
While Epstein said he wants to take a wait and see approach because Schilling’s “going to be 41, and at that age we've got to be a little more conservative,” other pitchers over the age of 40, such as Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, won no less than 15 games each last year. And let us not forget how well Roger Clemens continues to pitch in “the twilight of his career.”
We let Babe Ruth, Carlton Fisk, and Clemens get away. Let’s not let the same thing happen with Schilling.
Therefore, we, the undersigned, formally request that Red Sox management do everything possible to “keep the ace in our place” in 2008.
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