CHB on Schilling

CHB has written the inevitable Curt Schilling column, filled with faint praise ("he was never boring") and underhanded jabs.  

Don't get me wrong - there are things to gripe about when it comes to Schilling, like his tendency towards self-aggrandizement or his political posturing.   But instead, CHB blasts Curt for being a celebrity, for talking to radio hosts, and for blogging.   He even manages to to take some shots at "blog-boys" and devout Christians along the way.  

CHB's main complaint is that the Sox risked $8 million on a 41 year old pitcher.   In hindsight, resigning Schilling may have been a mistake.  But it is hardly a costly mistake relative to the Sox $133 million payroll.  Its only a third of a Clement, right? 

CHB's most legitimate question is whether  Schilling deserves to go to the Hall of Fame.  But his argument is atrocious.   CHB claims that Schilling's 216 wins "just doesn't cut it - not unless Bert Blyleven and Jack Morris go in first."  

Sigh.  Even this tongue-wagging blog-boy knows that wins is an imperfect measure of talent, and career wins is more likely to be a measure of longevity rather than dominance.   In terms of career ERA+, Curt posts a 127, equivalent to Hall of Famers Tom Seaver, Bob Gibson, and Goose Gossage (and superior to Blyleven's 118 and Morris' 105).  Schilling is also second all time in K/BB, thirteenth all time in K/9 IP, and his 1.137 WHIP is in Catfish Hunter and Bruce Sutter territory.

CHB also claims that "October numbers are somewhat artificial."  Fair enough, the fact that teams now play three lengthy series does inflate postseason batting statistics.  But doesn't it also make Schilling's 2.23 ERA and 10-2 record that much more impressive?  And yes, being part of one of the most memorable incidents in baseball playoff history certainly counts for something. 

Bottom line - keep Curt out of Washington, but he belongs in Cooperstown.