Schilling in '08? Yes and no.

Today, Curt Schilling, expert on all things and master Jeopardy champion, announced that he has changed his plans to retire after the season and will pitch in 2008. In all likelihood, he'll pitch for the Red Sox in 2008, although he could conceivably sign with another team.

Personally, I'm ecstatic that Schilling will likely be back in Beantown in 2008. I love the guy - I envision one day telling my grandkids about the sacrifices that he made to help the Sox win in 2004. However, I'm more excited that Schilling will pitch in 2008 because an apparent alternative was to run for the U.S. Senate. Apparently, there is a grassroots campaign to draft Schilling to run against John Kerry in 2008. For now, Schilling says he's "flattered as hell" by the movement, but he won't make the run, which I guess is now obvious given that he'll be an active player in 2008. However, if Schilling had retired, he might have been deluded enough to talk himself into a run. Before you embrace the idea of Mr. Schilling going to Washington, let me share a quote of his from WEEI today:

"And as far as Hillary Clinton goes, I just want her to keep talking. Amazing. I just cringe every time I hear someone with a voice in the political scene talking out against the war. I'm not for it. No one's for it, but I just feel like, especially someone like Hillary, who has to know that those comments have serious implications overseas for the men and women of the United States armed forces, and it scares the hell out of me."

So, in other words, Curt can be against the war and say so in public, but if Hillary Clinton does it, then it hurts the troops. Free speech? Eh. I don't get the distinction. I guess that dissent isn't patriotic if it's from certain people. Maybe Schilling has just enough hypocrisy to make it in Washington. And in case you are still tempted to support him, in case you forgot:




We're glad you're still playing, Curt. Feel free to talk about any subject - you can be genuinely charming. Hell, I'd rather have a beer with you than with John Kerry (who'd explain the brewing and aging process of every kind of beer in the bar before he took a sip, and probably wouldn't notice when his guest tried to gouge their eyes out). Please just don't run for office. Your country needs you - on the mound.