Yesterday, on his blog, 38Pitches, Curt Schilling announced his retirement from Major League Baseball. 

Curt has been one of my favorite pitchers since I have been watching baseball.  He began his career with the Red Sox but was traded while in their farm system.  He spent two seasons with the Baltimore Orioles and one with the Houston Astros.  He then made a splash in Philadelphia with the Phillies.  He was the ace on their 1993 World Series runner-up team.  He was the catalyst that put the Phils over the juggernaut, Atlanta Braves.  Although he didn't have a decision during the National League Championship Series, he did post a 1.70ERA and fanned 19 batters thus earning him the NLCS MVP award. 
He was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2000 and led them to a 2001 World Series victory over the New York Yankees.  Then in 2003 he was traded to the Boston Red Sox and helped them erase the curse of Ruth. 
Boston were down three games in a best of seven series to the New York Yankees.  They won game 4 and 5.  Schilling was scheduled to pitch game 6.  He pitched on an injured ankle and the injuries were so significant that by the end of Schilling's time on the mound in that game his sock was soaked with blood.  His pitching led to a Boston win forcing a game 7, which the Red Sox won thus becoming the only team in Major League Baseball history to come back from three games down to win their series. 
Schilling then pitched in game 2 of the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.  His tendon was torn and he had surgery prior to the Series to stablize the tendon in a procedure which now bears his name.  Schilling won game 2 and once again by the end of the night his sock was soaked in blood.  His heroics led Boston to claim their first World Series title in 86 years.

Schilling spent time on the disabled list in the 2007 season but came back and helped the Red Sox win another World Series title.  Then he missed all of the 2008 season because of injuries.  Curt finally decided to call it quits having no regrets.  He finished his 20 year career with 216 wins, 146 losses, 3146 strikeouts(14th alltime), 6 time All-Star, 3 time World Series champion, and a career 3.46ERA.  Schilling, having last pitched in 2007, will be eligible for the 2013 ballot of the Hall of Fame.  Many people don't think his numbers will get him in the Hall however he has the best postseason record in baseball history with a minimum number of starts, 11-2. 
Schilling is an asipiring politician and has campaigned for George W. Bush and John McCain.  He has been rumored to be a contender for John Kerry's senate seat.  He has also testified before a Congressional hearing about steroid abuse, not that he used, but that those who did should have their records wiped off the board and that legendary pitcher, Roger Clemens, should be stripped of all his awards.
Curt has also done charity work for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS).  He challenged fans to donate money to a fund for every strikeout he threw.  He also appeared on Celebrity Jeopardy winning money for his cause.  He also released a wine for his charity work.
I admire Curt Schilling for doing what needs to be done and speaking his mind.  Sure speaking his mind has gotten him in trouble with teammates and reporters but he said what needed to be said.  Schilling will be greatly missed in the Boston Red Sox organization as well as Major League Baseball. 

A little music for Boston Red Sox fans as well as those who may be heading to Boston.