Curt Schilling has always been one of my favorites. Ever since I met him at an Orioles' game back in '89 and got his autograph, I have followed his career and have always wished him the best. Seeing his gutsy performance in '93 was the lone highlight of that World Series for the Phillies. He and Randy Johnson brought a title to Arizona in 2001, in case you forgot that the Diamondbacks beat the Yankees in 7. And of course, how could anyone forget the bloody sock in game 6 of the 2004 ALCS and again in game 2 of the World Series that finally brought a championship to Bean-town. Schilling willed the "Curse of the Bambino" into the ether forever. That seems like plenty of reason to like the guy, eh?
Well, before yesterday, I liked Schilling. Admired and maybe had a small crush on him even. Today, however, I love him. Like, really and completely love him! I am totally gay for Curt Schilling!! Why, you ask? I love Curt Schilling now and forever because he came out and said how he thinks it was despicable that Barry Bonds cheated and got away with it. Did anyone else read that stuff? Schilling launched a salvo across the H.M.S. Fat Head saying--and I will paraphrase since I am too lazy to look up the actual quote-- that he thought it was terrible that Bonds had not been punished for his stereoid use. Schilling said it was terrible that Bonds had admitted to cheating on his wife, cheating on his taxes and taking steroids. He said it hurt the image of the game and that since Barry was the face of Major League Baseball that it would tarnish all of the great players that came before and will inevitably come after him in this sad chapter of baseball history. Rings true to me, how about you, loyal readers?
Now, before this turns into a "Steroids in Baseball" rant, let me just say that what Schilling said was poetic. It was just and it most likely(at least I think) reflects the opinions of many present day and former Major Leaguers. Most of this has been debated in the media, with very few players (former or current) actually saying what they think about this whole fiasco. The fact that one of the greatest players of our time had the balls to stand up and call out "His Majesty", Barry Fucking Bonds, is more than just noteworthy... it's incredible!
Guys that did steroids and tried to sweep it under the rug, like Raphael Palmeiro and Mark MacGuire, ended up with their legacies tarnished and their stats replaced by asterisks. Then you have Jason Giambi, who admitted (sort of) to doing something bad and the public gave him kudos and respected him for stepping up and being semi-honest. Throw yourself on the mercy of others and the odds say you will be forgiven and given a second chance if you show regret and honesty. Act coy and aloof, however, and the masses will feast on your silence like dung beetles at an elephant farm during flu season.
So, why is Barry Bonds not given a do-over? Why not give Barry a free pass since he supposedly admitted to doing all these dishonest things and came clean? Shouldn't we all stop and give someone of such immense talent the benefit of the doubt? The answer, sadly, is absolutely not.
Why? It's because Barry Bonds is an asshole. He only cares about one thing in the world...himself. He doesn't care about his wife, his health or the integrity of America's pastime. He alienates the very people who pay his salary (the Fans) and he honestly could care less about them or anyone else. It is that very indifference that has the led the public and the media to pick sides and lobby against him on this issue. Bonds is about to break the most hallowed record in sports and everyone is squirming, begging and pleading to see him fail. We feel betrayed. We feel like Bonds isn't worthy based on the way he has acted towards us and how he has treated everyone in the process. The only thing worse than a woman scorned is a fan ignored or a reporter who has been spat upon.
I am so proud of Curt Schilling. To hear it from one of the games true heroes and icons, to call out Barry Bonds and say the things Schilling did was momentous! Sure, he retracted his statement the next day and offered Bonds an apology, but Schilling got his message across. In today's world, it's not the apology you offer but the truthful statement that you apologize for that people remember.
It's about time one of Barry Bonds' peers spoke out against the tragedy that has become Bonds' pursuit of a record held by one of the most respected baseball players of all time, one Hank Aaron. When it comes to class and integrity, Hank Aaron had it all. I am disappointed that more big leaguers haven't stepped up and spoke their minds. At least one of them did, and I am glad it was Schilling who finally had the balls to do it. Who would ever question a guy who had his tendon sewn to his ankle bone so he could win Boston a World Series title after such a long wait? I don't think there could have been a better ambassador for what many of us have been thinking for years. Schilling is a hero for speaking his mind. I think he showed some class in speaking his mind about an issue no one else would touch. I want to marry you, Curt Schilling! Isn't same-sex-marriage legal in Massachusetts?
This is too good not to share.
The day Harry Redknapp brought a fan on to play for West Ham
Photograph: Steve Bacon
11 years ago