299...NOT FOR LONG

I'm writing this short post to say something about tonight's start for Curt Schilling against the hapless team from Central Florida. For the last 3 years, he has been a backbone of our pitching staff. 2004? We all remember that rotation that featured Petey and Curt at the top. We remember the bloody sock and the miraculous comeback over the hated Yankees, leading into the 4 game sweep over the Cardinals. We remember last year, a year of frustration for us, but much more, for HIM. He knew what he was capable of doing on the mound, but the lack of balance, the weak ankle that jeopardized his entire sense of balance, betrayed him. His location, that mere half inch that makes all the difference in the world, had deserted him. He accepted a new role, that of would-be closer. And he did it willingly, knowing that that might be the best place where he could help the team. Rearing back and throwing. No finess. No location. No mix-up of pitch selections. And it didn't work.
But wait! We've seen this year, in his first 4 starts, what had really deserted him last year. And we can further feel the pain he must have been going through. So tonight? Tonight is for you Curt Schilling. We'll all be standing, at Fenway and at home, and shouting our vocal chords raw with emotion for you. For you and for number 200.