The approach was roundabout, perhaps even unintentional, but former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling has addressed his decision not to attend the team’s Opening Day pregame ceremonies at Fenway Park on April 9.
First, some background: Schilling committed a shocking breach of etiquette last September when he revealed that former Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield and his wife, Stacy, were both battling cancer. Schilling’s revelation was such that the Red Sox were compelled to release a statement making it clear that Tim and Stacy Wakefield had hoped to keep their medical situation a private matter.
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“Unfortunately, this information has been shared publicly without their permission,” the Red Sox stated. “Their health is a deeply personal matter they intended to keep private as they navigate treatment and work to tackle this disease.”
Three days later, on Oct. 1, Tim Wakefield died of brain cancer.
Stacy Wakefield, who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, died less than five months later, on Feb. 28.
The Red Sox plan to honor the memories of Tim and Stacy Wakefield on Opening Day. The club is also using the occasion to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Red Sox, who in epic fashion delivered Boston’s first World Series championship since 1918. Schilling and Wakefield were both key members of that team.
On Wednesday, the Boston Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy revealed that Schilling, though invited to the ceremony, had informed the club he does not plan to attend.
On Thursday, Schilling confirmed his decision via an obscure post that was dropped into a thread that had nothing to do with the matter. He had posted a photo of newly signed San Francisco Giants left-hander Blake Snell delivering a pitch, with Schilling adding this comment: “Why this guy will never throw 200 innings in a season, in one picture.”
In the comments section, Schilling was asked if he planned to be at Fenway on Opening Day “and get the standing ovation you deserve!”
Schilling’s response: “No I don’t. Not this time.”
Later in his post, Schilling wrote this: “Let the focus be on 04 and Wakey and (Stacy). I’ll forever regret what happened but I cannot in good conscience put my self in a position that would detract from the recognition that team and the Wakefields deserve. FWIW I wrote a letter to all the people whose opinion matters to me, so the people I care about know.”
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Schilling has been at the center of plenty of other controversies. He once posted a photo on Twitter showing a T-shirt on which was written this slogan: “Rope. Tree. Journalist. Some assembly required.” He posted a cartoon that was offensive to the transgender community. Those were just a few of many similar incidents. Though widely criticized for these stunts, there was always an army of online supporters ready to step up for Schilling.
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On January 6, 2021, as the United States capitol was being overrun by supporters of President Trump, Schilling tweeted the following: “You cowards sat on your hands, did nothing while liberal trash looted rioted and burned for air Jordan’s and big screens, sit back, stfu, and watch folks start a confrontation for s— that matters like rights, democracy and the end of govt corruption. #itshappening”
One year later, in his 10th and final appearance on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot that’s sent to eligible members of the Baseball Writers Association of America, Schilling received only 231 votes, 65 fewer votes needed for election. In 2021, with ballots having been cast before the Jan. 6 riots, Schilling missed election by just 16 votes. (For the record, I voted for Schilling all 10 years he was on the ballot based on his on-field performance.)
Schilling’s decision to disclose the cancer diagnoses of Tim and Stacy Wakefield is different. While other questionable public pronouncements and social media posts have been painted over by loyal supporters who claim they were nothing more than political rants or attempts at humor that went horribly wrong, almost no one would disagree that Schilling violated a sacred trust by going public with something the Wakefields had hoped to keep private. Because of that, it’s doubtful Schilling will ever again be able to step inside Fenway Park without there being a whole lot of controversy swirling in the air.
Schilling’s “bloody sock” mound performance against the Yankees in the ALCS will always be a treasured moment in Red Sox history; but taking future bows for what he contributed to that memorable autumn will be problematic.
This is the rare case in which Schilling has shown genuine contrition for a misstep, even if one has to wade into some snark about Blake Snell to find that contrition. Yes, Schilling’s Facebook apology did include some predictable whataboutism, which I left out until now. After his “No I don’t. Not this time,” Schilling pivoted to this: “It’s about the 04 team and Wake, and we all know the media, CHB in particular, will be writing things that have nothing to do with either of those things, even more were I to attend.”
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For those who aren’t in on the lingo, “CHB” refers to Shaughnessy. The sophomoric nickname goes back to 2000, when then-Sox outfielder Carl Everett, in declining to be intervened by another Globe sportswriter, explained that it also applies to “your curly-haired boyfriend,” meaning Shaughnessy. In short, CHB.
Shaughnessy is a longtime Globe columnist, but his scoop that Schilling won’t be at Fenway on Opening Day was written as straight news. It’s worth noting that Shaughnessy, 70, underwent quadruple bypass surgery in early February. This was the first Shaughnessy byline since the surgery.
Schilling is taking a make-pretend high road when he says he’s staying away from Opening Day to keep the writers from drifting from the planned ceremonies. I somehow believe even he knows that. But I also believe he genuinely knows he messed up when he revealed the health struggles that were being faced by the Wakefields. People I’ve spoken to from the Red Sox feel the same way.
It’s nice that Schilling “wrote a letter to all the people whose opinion matters to me, so the people I care about know.” But he should have reached out to the hundreds of thousands of fans who cheered for him — and for Tim Wakefield — as the Red Sox were winning World Series championships in 2004 and 2007.
(Photo: Rob Tringali / Sportschrome / Getty Images)
