Theo Epstein had offered him a Roger Clemens contract - pitch a half-season, maybe a third of the season - but Schilling insisted on a full-season deal. Then came the ugly, public dispute over whether he should have surgery or abide by the Red Sox' prescription of a conservative, nonsurgical approach. The Sox' diagnosis, supported by other medical opinions, was that Schilling would not be able to return from major shoulder surgery at his age. Ultimately, he reluctantly followed the team's wishes.
You can argue whether the Red Sox should have allowed Schilling to have the shoulder repaired surgically, but the fact is his return just wasn't meant to be.
So now it's time to ponder: Is Schilling a Hall of Famer?
Did he win enough games (216)? Do his postseason record (11-2, 19 starts, 2.23 ERA, 4 complete games) and vital contributions to three world champions put him over the top? Was his "money pitcher" status enough to overcome his shortage of wins?
The sense here is that he will be lumped with Jack Morris, Bert Blyleven, and other borderline candidates. Voters will discuss and analyze and debate his candidacy for the next five years and likely beyond.
I think he will be elected at some point. His vote total will climb over the years as appreciation for him grows. The bloody sock episode definitely puts him in a different light. Now you're talking about a player who showed blood (literally) and guts by undergoing a drastic procedure for the chance to pitch - and win - in the postseason crucible.
We conducted a poll among some Hall of Fame voters that bodes well for Schilling's chances.
"My gut says yes," said San Francisco Chronicle baseball writer Henry Schulman, "with his performances in the 2001 and 2004 postseasons weighing in his favor."
"Right on the border. I say yes," said Newark Star-Ledger national baseball writer Dan Graziano.
"Yes, first ballot," said Houston Chronicle columnist Richard Justice. "He was at his best when the games meant the most. Besides that, he'll give one hell of a speech in Cooperstown. I'm tearing up just thinking about it."
Among the positives that boost Schilling's candidacy:
