The Boston Red Sox had several members of the 2004 World Series team on hand for Game Two on Wednesday night, with one notable exception.
When the Boston Red Sox broke the Curse of the Bambino in 2004, there were a number of special moments to highlight their first championship in 86 years. Dave Roberts stole that basse in Game Four of the ALCS, helping turn a probable sweep into an improbable comeback. Alex Cora hit a home run after an 18 pitch at bat. And who can forget the infamous Bloody Sock, which turned Curt Schilling into a postseason legend?
With Roberts and Cora in the opposing dugouts for the 2018 World Series, it made a great deal of sense for the Red Sox to have several members of that historic team on the field. Luminaries such as Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz, and Tim Wakefield were on hand, along with other members of that team. However, Schilling was conspicuously absent.
For their part, the Red Sox maintained that nothing was meant by the snub. Although Schilling still resides in the Boston area, the team claims they did not invite him because they did not intend for so many of the players from 2004 showing up for the festivities.
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Naturally, Schilling took this in stride… Actually, he posted on his Facebook page about how his beliefs, passions, and faith are why he is not being invited to these events, claiming that “free thinkers” such as himself are being ostracized.
After all, Schilling has done nothing wrong, nor said anything out of line in his life. His firing from ESPN? A conspiracy against free thinkers that has nothing to do with his bigoted views. His not being inducted into the Hall of Fame? Just an agenda by the journalists who hate his politics, and has nothing to do with how he has been in favor of lynching the press in the past.
Yes, everyone makes mistakes. And no, there is not a single person out there who holds an opinion that the majority of people will agree with. But to claim that everything is a conspiracy because of one’s personal beliefs? Well, it’s time to get the tinfoil helmet out to keep Ron Howard from accessing one’s brainwaves. Maybe we can debate the Moon landing while we’re at it.
The Boston Red Sox did not invite Curt Schilling to be a part of the festivities before Game Two. It’s just another conspiracy meant to keep Schilling down. Just ask him.