No longer a possibility to start at Yankee Stadium in the uber-opener against Randy Johnson in 12 days, Schilling has lowered his sights as he comes back from major ankle surgery performed in October. The damage was extensive ("In Game 6, the tendon that was dislocated split in half and I had a 6-inch tear in my tendon"), the scar is hideous, and apparently it was never realistic to expect Schilling to pitch Opening Night in New York. The Sox leave Florida a week from tomorrow, and Schilling still hasn't pitched in a game against major league hitters.
Facing Boston's Triple A team yesterday, Schilling threw 37 pitches over three innings, connecting on 24 for strikes. Bill Mueller, who led off all three innings against Schilling, hit a double to center and Dave Berg doubled to left. Raymond "Chip" Ambres took him over the wall for a two-run homer in the third. Schilling struck out three and did not walk a batter.
"Today to me was a very big day," Schilling said. "I guess you could call it a breakthrough day. Now we'll see how it feels tomorrow."
Schilling indicated he would pitch in another minor league game, probably Thursday, and perhaps pitch in a real spring training game when the Sox play the Diamondbacks in Phoenix next Thursday and Friday. Some believe the Sox' appearance in Phoenix was part of the transaction that brought Schilling to Boston in the winter of 2003, and an appearance by Schilling would make the fiscally-challenged D-Backs happy. He'll go to New York for the opener with his teammates, then may return to Florida for another rehab assignment.
While most of the Sox regulars were busing across the state yesterday for a game against the Dodgers at Vero Beach, a few fans and just about every member of the Boston media corps gathered at the minor league complex. The game (Boston Triple A vs. Double A) originally was supposed to start at 10:30 a.m., but Schilling is not a morning person, so everything was pushed back one hour.
Jason Varitek no doubt was pleased. Schilling needs his regular catcher, so the captain was spared the three-hour bus trip to Vero. Pitching coach Dave Wallace was on hand for Schilling's outing, then drove to Vero to oversee Bronson Arroyo and friends.
