Schilling Is Just Fine, Thank You

Curt Schilling had a long day yesterday. After a daytime trip to Philly with Tito for the funeral of longtime friend and mentor John Vukovich, he pitched a simulated game back in Fort Myers. And he looked just fine. From the Courant.....click the title for the entire article.....

"With Hamden's Jeff Natale in the batter's box in a near-empty City of Palms Park around 8:15 p.m., Schilling decided to end his 81-pitch simulated game with some very real fastballs.
Three times in a row, on pitches 77, 78 and 79 of the five-inning simulation, Schilling hit 93 on the radar gun. Four starts into his seven-start schedule, Schilling was more than satisfied, both with the hard and soft stuff.
"The last hitter, I tried to cut loose a little bit," Schilling said. "It was a good workout. It was a long day, but I felt good. All four of my breaking balls got better today. That's a real nice thing, as long a day as it was. I got a little better today, which is the goal."

Peter here, and it seems that with every start, every simulated game, Curt Schilling has taken large steps forward. By the end of the month, he'll be ready for the season opener in KC. And the club couldn't be in better hands. Game two should be started by Josh Beckett, with Papelbon handling the third spot, Daisuke number four and Wakes rounding out the rotation at number five. Of course, this schedule is subject to change, but I hope not. I like it! Who wouldn't?? But the great equalizer between the two hated rivals? Mariano Rivera, the pro that he is. Look how the pitchers are set up as the club starts in KC and travels south to Texas. And then, the Wall beckons, as do 36,000 plus baseball lovers, lovers of the BEST team, our Boston Red Sox. The club did not want Daisuke to start the home opener, with none other that Ichiro leading off against him. Here are the games leading up to, and including the Fens' opener....

4/2 Monday Kansas City Royals Kauffman Stadium
4/4 Wednesday Kansas City Royals Kauffman Stadium
4/5 Thursday Kansas City Royals Kauffman Stadium
4/6 Friday Texas Rangers Ameriquest Field
4/7 Saturday Texas Rangers Ameriquest Field
4/8 Sunday Texas Rangers Ameriquest Field

4/10 Tuesday Seattle Mariner***Fenway Park***

And with the job Kyle Snyder has been doing (see the previous post) this spring as Tito grooms him three innings at a time to prepare him for mid to long relief, the pitching staff is shaping up. The Red Sox can hit the ball, pitch AND catch the ball and throw out a starting rotation that's as sweet as any team in baseball. But the Sox are no closer to annointing their closer. A little mystery, a little excitement, well, that's fun in life, isn't it? But in baseball, when we're talking about an important and vital part of the machine called the 2007 Boston Red Sox----NO, it isn't!
I'll be back, and thanks for reading me, everyday. I'm here for you. Promise.