Gone East

This could be the problem

Pedro Martinez is the big dog in the Red Sox clubhouse. He's earned that, and he expects it. But there's a new big dog in town.

Curt Schilling is right up there with Pedro in terms of reputation and credentials. But Curt realizes he's the new guy, and he's said he wants to defer to Pedro.

I think that could work out, except...

Pedro doesn't really like to talk to the press, and by extension, to the fans. But Schilling not only likes it, he's not only is good at it, he loves it. He's already reached near-legend status with Boston fans just for his prescence and frankness on the Sons of Sam chat website. And he's already given more interviews to the press than Pedro did all last season. (OK, well I don't know if that's really true, but it sure seems that way.) And there lies the problem.

Schilling may genuinely try to defer to Pedro, but his approachability, and frankness, and quotability, are going to make him a media and fan favorite. And that could well make Pedro jealous, even if Schilling really is trying to pay respect.

It could be a problem.

Oh, by the way, this morning's Globe had a pretty wide ranging piece from a press conference yesterday with Schilling, and my favorite quote.

"[Nomar's] the only player I've ever played with whose wife is in better shape than he is."

Posted by jghiii at February 21, 2004 12:00 PM