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darkcloud4579 · 11-03-2007, 11:29 PM

CURT SCHILLING (1997-2008)

CURT SCHILLING RETURNS TO THE YARD, HAS HIS DAY
SEPTEMBER 1, 2009
BROOKLYN -- It was a proud, proud day for the Brooklyn faitfhul, as they were able to see one of their own enshrined into a place where "many more will someday be remembered as fine example and pillars of Brooklyn greatness."

The first player to receive that honor was hurler Curt Schilling. He spent the last 11 years of his career with the Brownstones, after starting in Philadelphia and holds the franchise record for wins and strikeouts. He went out a winner, as part of the 2008 World Series championship team last year.

"Man, I never in a million years thought this would be such a great run or such a fantastic place to play. I mean, Brooklyn means so much to baseball and I can't tell you all how much it means to me and my family to know that I'll forever be part of the lore of the Brooklyn Brownstones. And to be the first player to wear the Brown to get a retired number is...wow."

Some of the New York media were critical of the team's decision to retire Schilling's number just a year after he retired, saying that the team was too new and that it needed a criteria like the Boston Red Sox (10 years with the club and induction to the Hall of Fame) or else, they'd eventually end up like the Yankees, who have retired more numbers than any team in baseball.

"I really like the idea -- and always have -- of remembering the greats. I just feel like it's paying homage to those who came before you. It's why we retired the numbers of former Brooklyn players before we stepped foot here. This is hallowed ground and rather than forget, we want to always remember," said Daly about the decision to enshire Schilling.

He said that the team does have a criteria it uses to determine whose numbers to retire and that he would not share it with the general public. But that it was important to give the fans and the former player closure, especially in the case of a guy like Schilling who was madly popular in Brooklyn and who retired after the team's long-awaited title drought ended.

"Why wait ten years to rekindle the fire? We're trying to make newer memories in the future and so, this was a good thing to do and a good time to do it."

11-03-2007, 11:29 PM	#9
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,712	CURT SCHILLING (1997-2008) CURT SCHILLING RETURNS TO THE YARD, HAS HIS DAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 BROOKLYN -- It was a proud, proud day for the Brooklyn faitfhul, as they were able to see one of their own enshrined into a place where "many more will someday be remembered as fine example and pillars of Brooklyn greatness." The first player to receive that honor was hurler Curt Schilling. He spent the last 11 years of his career with the Brownstones, after starting in Philadelphia and holds the franchise record for wins and strikeouts. He went out a winner, as part of the 2008 World Series championship team last year. "Man, I never in a million years thought this would be such a great run or such a fantastic place to play. I mean, Brooklyn means so much to baseball and I can't tell you all how much it means to me and my family to know that I'll forever be part of the lore of the Brooklyn Brownstones. And to be the first player to wear the Brown to get a retired number is...wow." Some of the New York media were critical of the team's decision to retire Schilling's number just a year after he retired, saying that the team was too new and that it needed a criteria like the Boston Red Sox (10 years with the club and induction to the Hall of Fame) or else, they'd eventually end up like the Yankees, who have retired more numbers than any team in baseball. "I really like the idea -- and always have -- of remembering the greats. I just feel like it's paying homage to those who came before you. It's why we retired the numbers of former Brooklyn players before we stepped foot here. This is hallowed ground and rather than forget, we want to always remember," said Daly about the decision to enshire Schilling. He said that the team does have a criteria it uses to determine whose numbers to retire and that he would not share it with the general public. But that it was important to give the fans and the former player closure, especially in the case of a guy like Schilling who was madly popular in Brooklyn and who retired after the team's long-awaited title drought ended. "Why wait ten years to rekindle the fire? We're trying to make newer memories in the future and so, this was a good thing to do and a good time to do it."