Oh, Curt

Sad news today. Curt Schilling is going to have season-ending surgery on his shoulder Monday. Optimistically, he could pitch in 6 to 10 months, but it seems more likely that this is the end of his career.

He's 41, so the end was clearly in sight. Yet, there was part of me that hoped he could come back for a last hurray. It's probably what the Sox hoped, too.

Say what you will about his bloviating, his long blog entries, his love of the camera. Remember that Kevin Millar once dubbed him "red light" because of his love of face time. But for me, he was the difference in 2004. He was the warrior, or perhaps the mercenary. Yes, he was brought in to win a world championship. But he did it, didn't he? The bloody sock...it will always live in legends in Boston.

The surgery is no guarantee he'll pitch again. I really hope it will allow him to live pain-free. He deserves a happy, comfortable retirement.

Here are Curt's thoughts on the impending surgery. In the meantime, my thoughts and prayers are with Curt and his family.