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This is the archive for February 2008

Caught between a rock and a hard place

One has to feel a wee bit sorry for Curt Schilling (but only a wee bit; after all, I am a Yankees fan, so you know I'm also sitting here snickering like mad). Here he is, hoping to be able to squeeze out one more year of glory in Boston, and now he's found himself in a hole of immense proportions. His shoulder, depending on who you listen to, is either not good or seriously fucked up, and no one can seem to agree on the best way to treat it. Two doctors have strongly recommended surgery, which could either take him out of action through the All-Star break or kill his entire season. The Red Sox medical staff, however, insist that all he needs is some rest and rehab and he'll be fine in no time--or the All-Star break, which ever comes first. The Red Sox front office is already sniffing around Curt's 2008 contract to see if they can come out of this without having to pay him. Looks like not even the bloody sock is going to save him this time.

Curt's already read the writing on the wall and says he's going to go along with the recommendation of the Red Sox staff. I'm guessing that this is the best way for him to proceed and still keep his paycheck in his pocket. Personally, though, I'd take a long hard look at the situation before I caved in on something like that. You've had two doctors who don't get their paychecks from the same people you do telling you that your shoulder is a mess. You saw what "rest and rehab" did for Pedro Martinez during his time with the Red Sox. You've had a great career already; one more year, especially if it's going to be a year spent on the DL, isn't going to do you any favors, and it certainly isn't going to guarantee you any more years with any team, never mind Boston, who will most likely kick your ass to the curb and sic lawyers on you to try to get your salary back in their pockets. Maybe it's time to look a little further into the future than "When am I going to be able to pitch again?". Maybe it's time to look into "If I follow this path, am I going to be able to use my arm for something other than a sleeve-filler in a few years?".

Surgery saved your ass in 2004, Curt. There's no guarantee it'll do the same for you now, but "rest and rehab" is just going to postpone the inevitable, and very possibly do you more harm than good. Go with the surgery.

Then again, I am a Yankees fan--go ahead, "rest and rehab". See you in 2009--maybe. *evil grin*