11-30-03
With the Red Sox newest member now signed through 2006 and possibly beyond, the nation is beginning to get excited. With a new rotation that rivals any other in the league to compliment last years record breaking offense, fans have reason to be excited. "(Friday) was the best day of my Red Sox career, nothing will match that until we hoist that trophy, more than once, over the next four years." Said Schilling. Many Red Sox fans were claiming that the Schilling acquisition was the greatest trade ever, hailing Theo Epstein as a genius.
Schilling also made a terrific first impression. 24 hours before signing the contract extension with the Red Sox and waiving his no-trade clause, he went on a private Red Sox message board, Sons of Sam Horn, and talked to the fans. After signing the contract, he thanked them, saying, "Don't think for a second that all these threads and reading this stuff didn't leave an impression, thanks for the emails and well wishes." He then made a $500,000 donation to the Jimmy Fund.
No doubt, Schilling will be adored in Boston for many reasons, not the least of which is that with him in the rotation, it becomes a major powerhouse, arguably better than any other in the league. When Boston fans thinks of the rotation combined with last years record breaking offense, they know great things could happen. Only four months and six days until opening day.
