Curt Schilling is the pitching coach the Red Sox need going forward
The Boston Red Sox are in need of a new pitching coach and the former ace could be the perfect fit to fill the vacancy on the staff.
The controversial former pitcher was in the news recently as he’s shown interest in multiple coaching vacancies. When speaking about Curt Schilling it’s hard to move over his political views, but that’s what I’ll be doing today. Though I disagree with his views, this is about what he can offer Boston on the field. This isn’t about his ideals but what he can do for their Red Sox and their roughed-up pitching staff.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that Schilling has been vocal in his interests in both the vacant pitching coach position in Boston as well as the open Phillies manager spot. As we all know the Red Sox recently parted ways with their pitching coach, Dana LeVangie. Things were all rainbows and sunshine last year when the pitching staff was healthy, but LeVangie couldn’t solve the riddle this season.
More often than not it felt like LeVangie just couldn’t crack the code when one of his charges was struggling on the mound. When it comes to analyzing pitches and how to most effectively use them for each individual batter, nobody was better than Schilling during his time. During his career, Schilling was praised for his scouting reports for every batter he may come across during the season. He would often update his notes during games to stay as current as possible.
The way his work ethic propelled him to great heights can be an asset to Alex Cora as he rebuilds towards 2020. If anyone can get to the root of the issues with some of the arms in the pitching staff, it can be Curt. If you’ve ever listened to him speak about the art of pitching his mind has never stopped despite his career coming to a close.
Schilling’s history with the Red Sox is long and storied as his bloody sock is the mascot for the curse-breaking 2004 World Series champion squad. Later in his career with Boston Schilling would go from Ace to the reliable veteran in the rotation and continue to show his excellence.
Though his time with the Sox may have been short he was a focal member in two World Series-winning teams. It’s hard to ignore that resume when looking for someone capable of fixing this pitching staff.
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I won’t lie and say if he was hired that it would be all hugs and smiles as Curt hasn’t always been the kindest to the media. At this point though FSG and Sam Kennedy need to find someone that can break down what is broken about this team and repair it. This means they’ll have to try and look past the controversy in order to course-correct the ship.
Just trying to imagine Schilling on his way to the mound to have a discussion with Chris Sale or to hand the ball over to Brandon Workman has my thinking of how good the relationship can be. Now, another negative to bringing Curt back into the fold is that he often finds himself in the limelight whether he tries to be or not. I’m not sure that he could keep quiet and become part of the machine again but behind the scenes.
Beyond his work ethic in regards to his own career, the thought of him working up scouting reports for this staff has my mind racing. I can imagine him watching tape of not only his pitchers but the batters throughout the league they may face. Learning their tendencies during game-time situations and how to best execute them when the time comes.
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The Red Sox need someone that can truly crack the code of the pitching staff and get into their mindset. A former pitcher that was nothing but thorough during his playing time could be the right choice. I know the idea of bringing Schilling back into the fold after his public antics may ludicrous and downright comical, but it should be entertained. Being eliminated in September just months after winning the World Series means every option needs to be looked at, even those outside the box.