Don’t call it a comeback. Because one isn’t likely for the 41-year old Curt Schilling, out for the season with a shoulder injury. On his blog 38 Pitches, Schilling said, “I won’t come back throwing 85 with so-so crap. If there is not an option to come back and be good, I won’t.” Rehab for the injury is 6-8 months.

So the Schilling for the Hall talk has begun. The Sporting News blog says Schilling is a marginal candidate at best. The Big Lead says he is a shoo-in: “The K’s and titles and “Boston thing” will almost undoubtedly get him in. Anyone disagree?”.

I don’t. Like it or not, the bloody sock game and its images are everlasting in baseball lore. It was a storybook performance. We’d be foolish to think that won’t play into the equation. Between injuries, Schilling was an innings-eating monster, piling up complete games like a pitcher from the 60′s. He won 20 games in a season 3 times. If not for the injuries, I have no doubt Schilling at least flirts with 300 wins. He’s one of the best pitchers of this era. He’ll be in the Hall.