WEEI: Schilling: Five Years Later … Becoming a Red Sox

Part zweei…

My fondest memories in uniform here are varied. The one-hitter in Oakland, not because I lost a no-hitter with 2 outs in the ninth, but because we had lost four straight, desperately needed a win, and our bullpen was spent. The complete game against KC, well, because CG’s were always what is, first and foremost, what we’re supposed to do. Tek’s glove to face plant on A-Rod for no other reason than that was an igniter for us and a catalyst for so many other things. The 200th win in Fenway. Watching Jon Lester battle back from cancer to not only pitch, but become a No. 1. D-Lowe stepping up and helping carry us through the postseason. Foulkie being the no-doubt MVP of the ‘04 postseason, authoring what I thought was the best October in history for a reliever. He doesn’t do that, we don’t win. Billy Mueller--man, what a class act. Papi getting a game-winning hit every single night in October of ‘04, or so it seemed. Watching Tito get lambasted by fans and media ‘experts’ in ‘04 for being a pushover, then having those same mediots wax poetic about how great he is after ‘07 and into ‘08. Seeing the SHADE Foundation take hold in Boston. Watching the Boston ALS Chapter become a force. So much more, and all of it unforgettable.

The only crime for me would have been not being able to experience this place at the end of my career. Every player should be able to experience what it is that Boston has, at least once in their careers, because after 23 years of professional baseball and a life spent being a huge sports fan,
I can say with some clarity and perspective there is absolutely nothing like it.

To the fans of Sox Nation I say God Bless each and every one of you, and thank you. I owe far more than I ever received here. The city treated my family and me with respect and we’ll be forever grateful. Have a happy and safe holiday season. God Bless.