MLB: Schilling Faces Another Tough Battle

Curt Schilling recently announced he has cancer. Photo credit MLB 

by Steve Painter 

Although he had plenty of talent, Curt Schilling had a rough start to his Major League Baseball career. He had to grow, physically and emotionally, into the role everybody remembers, as an ace.

Many thought he would never amount to anything. Included in that crowd was Frank Robinson, who said, "That kid ain't never going to get it." Roger Clemens told him he was wasting his talent.

It was a long grueling road for the young Schilling, but the important thing is, he made it. He learned from his mistakes and he overcame them.

Schilling had a great career, one that spanned 20 years. In that time frame, he became a warrior, a competitor, and one who won a lot more than he lost. He finally learned what it took, and he took that to an amazing level.

He was a living, breathing example of a number 1 starter. He was at his best when everything was on the line and the lights were bright. Oh, he was pretty good in the small games, too.

Schilling recalls with fondness the tough games, when he didn't have his best stuff. He said, "You know, in a lot of ways those are the games you really cherish, because you're out the battling, doing whatever you can to give your team a chance. When you go out there with great stuff, it's completely different."

Schilling's legacy is cemented in his postseason games, his teams winning the World Series on three occasions. He pitched for 200 innings in the regular season nine times and at least 250 innings 4 times. In ten seasons between 1995 and 2004, he averaged 15 wins, 29 starts, 212 innings and 224 strikeouts.

Schilling belongs in the Hall of Fame, without question. That he is not there points to the idiocy of the voters, the snub is just insane.

Now 47, Schilling faces the battle of his life, cancer. His role as an ESPN analyst is on hold. He said he has been raised to confront challenges head on and that he will do so again this time.

That attitude is no surprise to those who love him. He has tenacity and resolve and that will serve him well in this battle.

We are with you Curt. This will be a battle but I'm hoping and praying you will emerge victorious.