You were born in Anchorage to a military family, but eventually settled in Phoenix, where you grew up and developed three of your four great loves: Love for God, Love for Country, and Love for Baseball. Eventually, you were drafted by the Boston Red Sox, but during your minor league development you were shipped to the Orioles farm system, eventually finding yourself in the starting rotation of a surging Philadelphia Phillies.
It was there that, in 1993, you had your first great season, going 16-7 and striking out 187. You also did very well in the playoffs, keeping things close in Game 1, then crushing the Braves in Game 5 of the NLCS. Although you didn't get a decision (the bullpen nearly blew Game 5 and cost you a win), you struck out 19 batters in 16.0 IP, giving up only 5 ER to earn the NLCS MVP. Unfortunately, the World Series wasn't so kind. You screwed up Game 1, but came roaring back with a CGSO in Game 5. Sadly, you were helpless to watch as Joe Carter hit a three-run home run into the left field corner to seal the World Series in six games for the Toronot Blue Jays. As you looked on, you said, "Fuck that shit. I ain't losing a World Series again."
Your chance at redemption would have to wait, however. After a few injury-plagued campaigns, you tossed some 300-K seasons, then hit 15-6 in 1999. By then, though, you were the only star left on the Phillies roster, it seemed. You saw teammate Darren Daulton leave the team and win a World Series with the Florida Marlins, and you longed for greener pastures and your own World Series glory. You found both in the least likely of places: back in Phoenix.
With the Arizona Diamondbacks, you had a team that wanted to win and a teammate that could equal your potential: Randy Johnson. Together, in the period of 2001-2003, you two combined to become one of the most prolific pairs of starters in history. 2001 was the season that defined your career: 22-6, 293 K, 2.98 ERA and second place in the Cy Young to Randy, who threatened Nolan Ryan's single-season strikeout record. You were utterly dominating yet again in the playoffs, winning both Game 1 and Game 5 in the NLDS over the Cardinals, and Game 3 of a short NLCS over the Braves. The World Series would be your defining moment. You won Game 1 and dominated Game 4 (though Byung-Hyun Kim would shit the bed in extra innings to screw that up), and hung tough in Game 7. Your performance, and the equal domination by teammate Randy Johnson, earned you two Co-World Series MVP honors as you trampled the hated New York Yankees and put an end to their evil empire.
You and Johnson continued to dominate the National League, but your thirst for Yankee blood grew. In your free agency year, 2003, you happened upon the Sons of Sam Horn, and it was talking with the fans there that convinced you to sign with the Boston Red Sox.
So you moved with your wife, Shonda (the fourth of those great loves I mentioned), and your growing family to Massachusetts, buying the home of outgoing New England Patriots (now backup) quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Immediately you stated your purpose: to Reverse the Curse of the Bambino. And you made it clear from the start that you would go through anybody--especially the Yankees--to achieve that goal.
2004 was the new defining year, and not just for your regular season exploits (21-6, 3.26 ERA, 203 K/35 BB) which again got you second place in the Cy Young voting (this time behind Johan Santana). You even got the chance in July to beat the shit out of the Yankees again. In the NLCS, something wasn't quite right with your foot, and in Game 2 of the NLCS, a tendon snapped loose, jeopardizing your abilities at the worst possible moment: facing the New York Yankees. The Red Sox lost the first three games, but salvaged wins in Games 4 and 5 (thanks, Big Papi) as you searched for any way to get back in the game. The trainer found a way: sew your loose tendon to the bone.
It worked. You won Game 6, and the Red Sox found the inspiration to crush the Yankees in Game 7 to effectively sweep them from the Playoffs. You did it again for Game 2 of the World Series to add to the sweep of the Cardinals, and earn you your second ring and a second trip to meet one of your idols, George W. Bush.
The past three years haven't been kind, with injuries again plaguing your career. But recently you went to Pawtucket for some rehab, and you learned a few new tricks. Now, you have another chance to show the baseball world why you are one of the true pitching greats of this game.
The next chapter is about to begin, Curtis Montague Schilling. Get to writing!
WIN!!!
Edited by Kitchkinet, 11 August 2007 - 11:15 PM.
