The BUZZ in Philly

There are two very simple reasons why the Phillies should not pursue free-agent Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling.

Despite having just won his 2nd World Series ring with Boston and 3rd overall, Schilling, who will be 41 when spring training opens, is well past his prime. His fastball no longer reaches 40 mph and his stats during the regular season were less than impressive. Schilling went 9-8 with a 3.87 ERA. There are plenty of other right-handed pitchers who can match those stats.

Yes, his post-season record is very impressive. In fact, at 10-2, it is one of the best all-time. This year alone he was 3-0. But the Phillies shouldn’t be shopping for a post-season pitcher, especially one that will command $13 million a year, which is over half of the allotted amount the Phillies are willing to spend on free agents this off-season ($25 million).

I just sense this could be a classic case of dolling out a lot of money for one of the good-ole-boys who will ride into town, create a lot of media-stir, sell a few more tickets, and then land on the disabled list by mid-June from an overuse injury.

The second reason, and perhaps most importantly, this team is a young, established group of players who have proven they know how to win. As soon as Bobby Abreu changed pinstripe colors, the leadership of this team was re-established, and ever since, has been moving in the right direction.

They do not need a wily veteran with World Series rings coming in and upsetting the apple cart. Schilling is never one to shy away from the spotlight and say what is on his mind. The Phillies don’t need that right now. They need a pitcher willing to come into town and win baseball games. One that is here for the long haul. Maybe one without rings, eager to get his first.

Curt Schilling pitched and won a lot of games for the Phillies. That’s past tense. This Phillies team, made up of very talented, young players, is winning in the present.

I’ll never forget the 1993 World Series scene of Schilling in the dugout with a towel covering his head, unable to watch as Mitch Williams pitched away the championship. I was one of his biggest fans. I just hope that’s my last memory of him in red pinstripes. 

Jon Buzby is a nationally-syndicated columnist who also writes The BUZZ in New York for www.hotstovenewyork.com. He can be reached through his website at www.jonbuzby.com.