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June 23, 2008
By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer
BOSTON _ Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling underwent surgery this afternoon in Wilmington, Del., to repair his damaged biceps tendon and shoulder.
Rob Bradford of The Boston Herald first reported the story earlier this afternoon, and Red Sox manager Terry Francona just confirmed the veteran right-hander was under the knife. Francona didn’t have an update, but said he called to wish him “good luck” before the procedure took place.
Ironically, at the exact moment Schilling was having the surgery, Francona was in the midst of a discussing with the local media whether or not Schilling should be a Hall of Famer.
“I should be better informed because he’s pitched for a long time,” said the manager. “I think it’s more of that I’ve never stopped and thought about it. I kind of get the sense because of the timing of everything – with the surgery – that argument is starting to go up. It’s a fun argument for baseball people and people who care about baseball. I need to look at it better.”
Schilling pitched for Francona while the two were in Philadelphia back in the late 90s, and again here in Boston. So, it’s safe to say Francona is hoping some day the big-game pitcher has a plaque hanging in Cooperstown.
“I would be a cheerleader for him because he’s pitched for me for so long,” he said. “I haven’t looked at enough stuff to give an unbiased opinion because I’ve never stopped to think about it.
Discussing the history of the game comes natural for Francona. He has spent his entire life involved in the game. He is a son of a former major-leaguer, he played, coached, was a scout and has managed, so the game has become his life. To talk about the game is honoring the game.
“Our game is the greatest game to talk about in the world,” he said. “There’s so much history, and that’s part about being a baseball fan. . . “There’s so much to argue about, maybe argue is the wrong word, it’s part of what makes our game so special.”
Posted by Joe McDonald 
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