Schilling watch

I'm still a huge Curt Schilling fan, years after he stopped wearing Phillies' pinstripes and criticizing management.

I'm a nutty optimist, but I still hold out hope that #38 can get into the Hall of Fame. I figure he needs at least 225 career wins to have any shot at enshrinement. Even then, he will have to rely on a number of intangibles associated with his play. To wit, his World Series co-mvp award for one thing.

Along those lines, a Cy Young award would also help bolster his case immensely. He took a huge step toward that accomplishment last night with his 17th win of the season. He's now tied for first in the AL in wins, 3rd in ERA, and 3rd in strikeouts.

If he can get to 20 wins, maintain those other numbers, and if he helps carry the Sox into the playoffs, and particularly if they can catch the fading Yankees, then a strong case can be made for his first Cy Young.