The Philly Phanatics

What do you call the person who graduates last in his class from med school? The answer: doctor. No matter if you are first or last in your graduating class, you passed and move on to work in your chosen field. I guess that's how doctors can disagree on what is wrong with a patient, like they are now in the case of BoSox starter Curt Schilling.


For those who do not already know, Curt Schilling recently informed the Red Sawx of discomfort in his throwing shoulder, only days before the start of spring training. This comes just months after re-signing the 41-year old Schilling to an $8 million contract for this upcoming season, despite the warnings of team medical director Thomas Gill who said that there were a few red flags raised by Schilling's shoulder. Red Sox GM Theo Epstein, though, opted to re-sign Schilling at a discount from the $13 million that Schilling received last season when he posted a 9-8 record in 151 innings.

Since complaining of the shoulder discomfort, Schilling was advised by Red Sox medical staff to rest and rehab his shoulder and hope to come back during the season. Schilling sought a second opinion from sports doctor Dr. Craig Morgan, who is a shoulder specialist and has almost single-handedly saved Schilling's career via two shoulder surgeries. Dr. Morgan has basically called the recommendations by the Red Sox' doctors ridiculous, stating, "I think his chances of that [Red Sox rehab recommendations] being successful to the point where he can rehab, get stronger, and become pain-free to be able pitch effectively are near zero.” If Schilling does not have surgery, Morgan has claimed that the veteran will probably never pitch again. This comes from a renowned surgeon who has stated, "I know this shoulder better than anybody who breathes on this planet."

After Gill and Morgan disagreed on a course of action for Schilling, they agreed to get a third opinion. This third opinion agreed with the Red Sox: rest, rehab, and a cortisone shot. Morgan, obviously, disagreed and had predicted, "Within a week or two of the cortisone shot, he's unable to exercise due to pain, then it's over" referring to Schilling's major league career.

My response to this issue is a resounding "you've gotta be kidding me." Schilling is 41-years old. His career, just like most other power pitchers of a comparable age not named Clemens, is already winding down. When someone saves your career and you look for a second opinion specifically from him, I would think that you would listen to and follow his instructions. But Schilling is stubborn and has agreed to take the cortisone shot, despite his own doctor's advice to the contrary. Frankly, I cannot understand why.

...actually, that's a lie. I can understand why. There are 8 million reasons, all including George Washington's face on the front of them. By agreeing to the BoSox's course of action, he gets paid. If he goes rogue and gets the surgery that Dr. Morgan recommends, then he does not get paid but can try to pick up the pieces and pitch again this season.

Honestly, I thought more of Schilling than to take the cautious way out here. I figured that there were things that would matter more to him, like 1) the ability to help his team win, 2) his ability to continue to pitch and try to make a final late push for the Hall of Fame (I would have him just short at this point in his career), 3) love of the game, and 4) his own health and the recommendation of his own doctor who has already been successful in diagnosing and fixing his shoulder problems.

Personally, I think Schilling is an idiot for pursuing this course of action. If Schilling is having trouble throwing a baseball or even opening a door as Dr. Morgan has stated, then it seems as though surgery would be the only feasible option. We will see how this turns out, but franly, I cannot see this turning out in any way that lets Schilling continue his career with the Red Sox. Even if he comes back fairly healthy after rehabbing his shoulder, I see the BoSox breaking in younger pitchers of the future like Clay Buckholtz in Schilling's turn in the rotation.

Sorry Curt, I see your career as being a couple good seasons away from Hall of Fame-worthy, and I see this decision being one of those decisions you look back upon and think "What if Schilling had..." So I wonder how bad Schilling is "shitting up in Boston."

(I hope this entry is as good as I think the title is. My life is complete when I can unite my love for sports and music in one blog...although I feel my girlfriend might not like reading that.)