November 11, 2008 Curt Schilling said last week that if he comes back at midseason next year, he would consider pitching for the Phillies. We now learn that he would also consider pitching for the D'Backs, according to the Arizona Republic. "Arizona is absolutely one of those teams I would consider," Schilling told KTAR in Arizona. "I love Josh Byrnes. I'm a huge Bob Melvin fan. He caught me in 1988 when I was in the big leagues. Again, that's how old I am. But the point is, I'll have my choice and I'll do it in a way that hopefully will ensure that I'll be pitching for a team with a chance to get to October because I've always felt like I'm decent in October and I perform pretty well and I would like to get back on that stage."
Our View:Schilling is recovering from shoulder surgery and won't be able to pitch until June, at the earliest. He would be a risky fantasy proposition, given that he'll be 42 soon and is coming off major surgery.
October 16, 2008 Curt Schilling threw out the first pitch for the Red Sox before Game 5 of the ALCS, according to the Providence Journal.
Our View:Schilling threw a one-hopper to home plate from the mound. He does have a bum shoulder, which makes his attempt forgivable.
October 8, 2008 CBS reports that Curt Schilling would have been ready for the postseason had he hd surgery when it was originally recommended in January. Dr. Craig Morgan wanted to operate then and said in spring training that the only way Schilling might pitch this season would be if he had surgery. Team physician Dr. Thomas Gill recommended rehabilitation. Schilling reluctantly agreed, then had surgery on June 23.
Our View:Morgan says Schilling's shoulder is "phenomenal" and that his health would not prevent him from pitching at the start of next season. Schilling has said that if he does play again, he would want to return in the second half of next season.
October 6, 2008 Curt Schilling (shoulder) might be willing to return for just half of the 2009 season, according to Slam Sports. "I won't come back for a full season, that much I know. If I do decide to come back I would work to the point I was ready and somewhere around May 1 let the teams know I wanted to pitch the second half," he said.
Our View:Schilling said the rough plan would include him pitching in the minors in June and then hopefully returning to the hill right around the All-Star break. Even if he does somehow make it back to the mound next season Schilling is far from even a fair bet to be productive.
August 18, 2008 Curt Schilling said in a recent blog entry that he's leaning "very heavily" toward retirement, according to the AP. The 41-year-old, who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery on June 23, added that his shoulder "is getting better fast" and "I've still got a rather lengthy amount of time before I decide anything."
Our View:Schilling is expected to wait until spring training before deciding anything. Given how self righteous he is, we're betting he doesn't want to go out on a sour note and will return, but who knows.
