Is Curt Schilling this decade’s Jack Morris?
Through his blog (38pitches.com) last week, Curt Schilling ended months of speculation on whether or not he would pitch this season by announcing his retirement from baseball. And the moment he hit the send button on his computer screen, the debate began if he is a worthy Hall of Fame candidate.
If you consider him a lock for enshrinement to Cooperstown than you must re-evaluate Jack Morris’ career because they’re one in the same. Neither guy was a marquee name. For Schilling, he had to contend with Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson, while Morris competed with Doc Gooden and Roger Clemens for the title of baseball’s best pitcher. They had similar starts to their careers as long men in the bullpen, but once they established themselves in the starting rotation, Schilling and Morris became big game pitchers at the most important time of the year…October.
Their regular season numbers don’t overwhelm you, as Schilling had only 216 career wins and Morris recorded 254 wins in his 17-year career, with both eluding the coveted 300 wins mark for automatic entrance into the Hall. And neither one won a Cy Young Award in their career. But, what really puts them into the conversation is their memorable playoff performances.
Two words come to mind when you say Schilling and postseason…bloody sock. He stapled his ankle tendon to the bone and led the Boston Red Sox to their first championship in 86 years. He was the ace or co-ace on four World Series teams (the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies, the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks, and the 2004 and 2007 Boston Red Sox), and was named the 2001 co-MVP in one of the best seven-game World Series ever played. In 19 postseason appearances, Schilling had an 11-2 record with a 2.33 ERA. His detractors will tell you that Schilling never met a microphone that he didn’t like, and who could forget him playing for the camera by covering his head with a towel instead of watching Phillies closer Mitch Williams save game five in the 1993 World Series?
Morris was a true throwback, a pitcher that finished what he started. He had 175 career complete games in an era that was transitioning from dominant starting pitching to a bullpen–based staff. And just like Schilling, he is remembered for one amazing postseason outing. Morris recorded a 10-inning complete Game 7 shutout victory over the Atlanta Braves to capture the 1991 World Series for the Minnesota Twins. His World Series record was 4-2 with a 2.96 ERA, as he led four teams (the 1984 Detroit Tigers, the 1991 Minnesota Twins, and the 1992 and 1993 Toronto Blue Jays) to World Series titles, including three in a row from 1991-1993.
Schilling and Morris raised their level of play when their teams’ back was against the wall. They pitched to the moment and came up big time after time. Other pitchers (Mike Mussina or Bert Blyleven) might have better career numbers, but they will have to pay admission to get into Cooperstown. The debate about whether or not Schilling and Morris are Hall of Famers has begun…let’s discuss.
Posted in: MLB
Tags: 38pitches.com, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Cooperstown, Curt Schilling, Cy Young Award, Detroit Tigers, Doc Gooden, Hall of Fame, Jack Morris, Minnesota Twins, Mitch Williams, MVP, October, Pedro Martinez, Philadelphia Phillies, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, Toronto Blue Jays, World Series
I would vote in both of them …..
I agree. October does matter! Pitchers can dominate postseason series, and Schilling has done it. Ask any Red Sox fan (if you can stand their breath) if he deserves to be in the Hall, and they’ll tell you.
This is the reason that Trevor Hoffman will have detractors when his turn comes. Not a clutch pitcher.
I agree with Trevor Time. Name one big save he had in October because I can name two big blown saves:
1)1998 World Series Game Three
2)2007 Tie Breaker Game with Colorado
Thats true – who is a bigger BIG GAME pitcher ?
It’s the hall of FAMOUS … not always digits.
I think the biggest big game pitcher in baseball was the Cardinals’ Bob Gibson.
I also hate when fans have to justify a player’s consideration into the Hall with their career numbers. If you cannot decide if a player is worthy of the Hall of Fame by watching him play over the years than he doesn’t deserve consideration. Simple as that.
Bob Gibson is a good answer ……. is he in the Hall ?
Gibson was elected in 1981.
Good article. Here is my view as to who deserves Hall of Fame consideration,
1. Mike Mussina
2. Bert Blyleven
3. Jack Morris
4. Curt Schilling
If Schilling was this decade’s Jack Morris, he’d have about 40 more W’s. If you put that list of players in the hall, rename it the Hall of Mediocrity.
Also, add Andy Pettitte to that list when he retires. If you’re going to put Schilling in then Pettitte should be automatic with more rings, more postseason wins, and he’ll have more regular season wins in fewer seasons.
I would take Jack Morris in a head to head one gamer winner take all 8 days a week.
No doubt – Morris belongs. He carried his teams. Pettite was impressive but we now know that he cheated. Also, he road some incredible teams.
They all belong T-Bone ….. don’t forget Schilling played in the age of seven innings and out because of the relief pitchers roll these days. Also, back in the Morris etc. days it was a four man starting rotation – not five like today.
Don’t forget also Schill won a lot of games with a crappy Phillies team early.He never had Handy-Andy’s Allstar, Legends, team batting for him. The yankee line-up can get you a hundred wins real fast now can’t it ? How did he do in Houston.
I’m just guessing you don’t like Curt Schilling very much ? Thats your choice – but when you cast your vote – please don’t use that. Thats not fair.