3. Curt Schilling – Game 6 ’04 ALCS
Following Pedro comes another performance from an electric right-handed started who battled through injury to deliver a legendary performance. For Schilling, as we all know by now, it was his ankle that hampered his movement out there on the mound throughout the 2004 postseason. After being rocked in his Game 1 start in the ALCS against New York where he just lasted 3 innings and gave up 6 runs, many wondered if Schilling would even be able to take the hill again in October if the Red Sox made it to his next scheduled start.
Injury or not, Schilling certainly isn’t handed the ball again if not for the heroics of Dave Roberts and David Ortiz in Games 4 and 5 of the series, which saw Boston clinging to life entering New York for Game 6. Now down just 3-2 after being down 3-0.
Prior to Game 6 everyone knew Schilling’s ankle would play a huge factor. How long would he be able to go? Would he be able to move? Could the Red Sox truly risk putting him and his bum ankle out there with how far they’ve come?
These questions and more were all ultimately answered as Schilling silenced both the losers, the haters, and all of Yankee Stadium in going 7 strong innings and surrendering just 1 run. In doing so he helped the Red Sox force Game 7 in the Bronx and pushed Boston ever closer to completing the greatest comeback in the history of sports and breaking the infamous “Curse of the Bambino”.