Tonight, Curt Schilling will likely cement what I believe are his considerable qualificiations for the Hall of Fame. When he strikes out his first batter of the evening (and he has yet to strike out fewer than two batters in a game this season), he will become the 14th player to reach 3,000 Ks. Of the 13 who have previously done it, nine are in the Hall of Fame. Bert Blyleven should be. Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux will be.
“I don’t know where I’ll fall on that scale, as far as how many walks people had when they got to 3,000, but I hope up I’m up there in that," Schilling told the Globe in today’s editions. Schilling has just 683 walks entering tonight’s game, a fact he said he’s proud of.
It shouldn’t be too hard to figure out whether Schilling indeed will have the fewest walks among 3,000-K pitchers.
First, Curt Schilling is second all-time in K/BB ratio, with 4.29 strikeouts for every walk, one-hundredth of a strikeout ahead of Pedro Martinez. Ninetheenth-century pitcher Tommy Bond (879 strikeouts, 4.4 K/BB) is first. So it’s pretty likely that Schilling will have the fewest walks of any pitcher when he reaches his 3,000th, but let’s make sure..
The next closest 3,000-strikeout pitcher on the K/BB list is Greg Maddux (12th all-time), who finished his 2005 season with 3,052 strikeouts — but 907 walks. Randy Johnson is 19th, reaching 3,000 strikeouts in 2000. But he reached 683 walks (Schilling’s current total) in 1994. Fergie Jenkins had about 900 walks when he hit No. 3,000. Roger Clemens struck out his 3,000th batter in the 1998 season, and walked his 1,000th that same year.
Even Pedro, who entered the season ahead of Schilling in K/BB ratio, has 697 walks with 14 strikeouts left to go before No. 3,000.
So it’s pretty safe to say that Curt Schilling will make baseball history tonight. He will become the only pitcher to strike out 3,000 batters while allowing fewer than 700 walks.
by on August 30, 2006 at 12:41 pm in General Baseball · 93 comments
a very impressive feat.
If you ever read Jay Jaffe’s JAWS stuff, he has Schilling as a borderline candidate. I’m guessing you right, and the 3000 k’s leads to his induction. The voters like the landmark stats.
Nick-YF August 30, 2006 at 12:47 pm
Done and done. With a runner on 2nd and no outs, he strikes Swisher out swingin’. Now will Papi please be okay so he can finish chasing the Red Sox home run record?
Devine August 30, 2006 at 3:49 pm
The guy who writes for ESPN.coms soon to be defunct, Daily Quickie today said that if Ortiz doesnt play again this season he will still win the MVP.
TJ August 30, 2006 at 4:09 pm
Kelty ties it up with a homer.
Anonymous August 30, 2006 at 4:10 pm
“The guy who writes for ESPN.coms soon to be defunct, Daily Quickie today said that if Ortiz doesnt play again this season he will still win the MVP.”
that’s because he writes for ESPN.
Nick-YF August 30, 2006 at 4:13 pm
Ellis homers to left to make it 2-1 Oaktown.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:20 pm
Kendall hits a 1-2 through the left side.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:21 pm
Swisher pops out to the infield; Lowell makes the play.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:22 pm
Kotsay singles to right center to advance Kendall to third. Big Hurt up.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:23 pm
Thomas singles to center to score Kendall, advancing Kotsay to second.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:24 pm
Blah blah blah, same old, same old. So far I’m glad I started Zito and not Schilling on my fantasy team.
Devine August 30, 2006 at 4:24 pm
Chavez grounds the ball to first; Pena throws to second to get Thomas but Schilling comes off the bag and miss the tag to lose the DP. Kotsay to third, two away.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:26 pm
Schilling misses low to walk Payton on four pitches to load them for Kelty.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:27 pm
Kielty rather.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:28 pm
Schilling is at 51 pitches. The 2-2 to Kielty is away to make it full.
Loaded, two away; here’s the payoff: fouled off. Reset the runners.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:30 pm
Schilling Ks Kielty on a high fastball to end the inning.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:31 pm
Lowell leads off for Boston. He grounds out 5-3 for the first out.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:33 pm
Kapler pops to 4.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:34 pm
Was there any Oakland ovation for Schilling’s K?
Paul SF August 30, 2006 at 4:35 pm
“The Red Sox have one healthy player on the bench, and that’s the back-up catcher Javy Lopez.”
Oof.
Mirabelli flies out to Kielty to end the Sox third.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:35 pm
There was. Quite a few people in A’s caps stood and applauded.
Devine August 30, 2006 at 4:36 pm
Sorry Paul, I wasn’t listening to the game yet. I would think so.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:36 pm
Glad I made this post — didn’t even know the Sox were playing in the afternoon…
Paul SF August 30, 2006 at 4:38 pm
Scutaro singles to left center on a 2-2 to lead of the A’s 4th.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:40 pm
I wasn’t sure if this was supposed to be the gamer or not, but it serves well for that purpose.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:41 pm
Hey, it works…
It’s the blogosphere, AG! Anything goes! It’s all crazy and loosey-goosey!
Paul SF August 30, 2006 at 4:42 pm
this is a test:
Joseph Torre
Nick-YF August 30, 2006 at 4:44 pm
Schilling brings the count full to Ellis. Scutaro was running, but Ellis fouls it off. Youk makes a leaping grab at the track to take away a multi-base hit from Ellis. Scutaro back to first.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:44 pm
Kendall flies out to deep right for the second out.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:46 pm
Swisher hits it off the wall for a double to score Scutaro.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:47 pm
Kotsay grounds out 43 to end the inning.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:49 pm
Hinske is behind quickly to Zito 0-2. He takes inside. The 1-2 is a K on a curve.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:51 pm
Pedroia doubles off of Zito, doubling to left. One out to Pena.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:52 pm
Pena flies to Payton for the second out. Pedroia holds at second.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:53 pm
Zito walks Youk on four pitches. Cora up, two on, two out.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:55 pm
Cora behind 0-2 quickly. Zito brings it high and tight. The 1-2 is a fastball that misses outside. The next pitch is grounded to short; Scutaro tosses to Ellis for the force at second to end the inning.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 4:57 pm
Thomas singles to lead off the bottom of the fifth.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:00 pm
Man, this is just pathetic. I know the lineup is bad without Papi and Manny, but those players aren’t THIS bad…
Paul SF August 30, 2006 at 5:01 pm
So I have to endure this pummeling and stay at work late? Bah.
Devine August 30, 2006 at 5:01 pm
84 pitches for Schilling through 4+. Ouch.
yankeemonkey August 30, 2006 at 5:01 pm
Lowell makes a grab in foul territory to retire Chavez.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:02 pm
Payton misses the first pitch. The next pitch is low and out. THe 1-1 is popped up off first where Pena makes the catch for the second out. Kielty up.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:03 pm
Kielty works a full count out of Schilling, who then Ks Kielty on a splitter to retire the side.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:05 pm
I appreciate your doing this, AG. Not having the heart — or the time — to GameCast at work today, you’re my only source for the Sox game right now…
Paul SF August 30, 2006 at 5:09 pm
Loretta singles to lead off the sixth.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:09 pm
My pleasure, Paul. I’m listening on WEEI. Refreshing change from Sterling yelling at me all day.
Lowell flies to right. Kapler up. He falls behind 1-2.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:11 pm
Kapler Ks on a curve; two away to Mirabelli.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:12 pm
The 0-1 misses away. Next is high. The 2-1 is a line drive to left over Scutaro for a single. Loretta to second, Hinske to the plate.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:13 pm
Zito walks Hinske on four pitches to load them for Pedroia, who doubled his last time up.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:15 pm
Kiko Calero up in the pen for Oaktown.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:16 pm
Pedroia takes two pitches for strikes. The 0-2 is a curve taken in the dirt. The 1-2 is high away. The 2-2 is hit to shallow left. Kielty charges and makes the catch as the runners are stranded.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:18 pm
Go Zito! My fantasy team has a chance at victory–the Sox do not.
Devine August 30, 2006 at 5:24 pm
Scutaro ks for the first out in the bottom of the sixth.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:25 pm
Ellis triples off the wall in left. Youk played it too close to the wall and it hit high over his head, bouncing back toward the infield.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:25 pm
Kendall lines a single to right center to score Ellis.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:26 pm
My fantasy team is self-destructing, much like the Sox, as a matter of fact.
Paul SF August 30, 2006 at 5:27 pm
Tito is pulling Schilling.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:27 pm
Timlin on to face Swisher.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:30 pm
I moved into 1st place in my league for the first time this year three days ago. But I didn’t start Sabathia yesterday (complete game victory vs. Toronto). Now I’m in 2nd. Gah.
Devine August 30, 2006 at 5:31 pm
Timlin Ks Swisher on a full count. Kendall steals second on the play. Kotsay up.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:32 pm
Kotsay singles to right to score Kendall. The throw to the plate is cut off, freezing Kotsay. The play scores 9-3-6-4-6 as the run counts and the inning ends, Oakland 6, Boston 1.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:35 pm
Pena leads off with a first-pitch single in the top of the seventh off of Zito, who is at 101 pitches. Youk up.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:37 pm
Youk singles to left. Pena to second. Cora up.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:38 pm
Cora is now 0-4 looking at a 2-2 pitch at the knees for the first out. Zito leaves the game to an ovation.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:41 pm
A very solid game from my starting pitcher as the Sox do not score on Calero.
Devine August 30, 2006 at 5:48 pm
Loretta grounds into a FC; Pena to third, Youk out at second. Loretta to first.
Lowell hits a pop foul as Swisher makes a sliding catch in foul territory to retire the Sox. Heading to the stretch.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:48 pm
Thomas Ks.
Chavez doubles to deep right. Payton up.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:53 pm
Payton singles up the middle to score Chavez.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 5:53 pm
It’s just shameful…I hope you’re enjoying this game attackgerbil.
Devine August 30, 2006 at 6:00 pm
It’s top of the eighth. Kapler at first. Mirabelli flies out. Hinske doubles off the wall in left to make it second and third, one out.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 6:01 pm
Devine – I’m listening to it on WEEI. No I’m not enjoying it that much, I was hoping for a better matchup between Zito and Schill, that the one team or the other would eventually win 1-0 or 2-1 with both pitchers going nine.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 6:02 pm
Pedroia gets an RBI on a groundout to short. Hinske holds at second.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 6:03 pm
Papelbon in to get some work, one supposes.
Devine August 30, 2006 at 6:08 pm
Hey, no shutout!
It’s something, anyway.
Paul SF August 30, 2006 at 6:09 pm
And wouldn’t you know? They start it with a hit…a double, no less. Could you not let your ERA rise above 1.00 Papelbon, please?
Devine August 30, 2006 at 6:09 pm
Ah, Paul, not to rain on your (our) parade…there was actually a Red Sox lead in the 2nd (1-0, of course).
Devine August 30, 2006 at 6:10 pm
Ellis can’t move as Kendall strikes out.
Devine August 30, 2006 at 6:11 pm
Oops, that’s right. My bad… It just *feels* like we haven’t scored a run in three games…
Paul SF August 30, 2006 at 6:12 pm
Alllegiances aside, this is just depressing to watch.
yankeemonkey August 30, 2006 at 6:14 pm
A wild pitch by Papelbon moves Kendall to third, but Swisher also strikes out.
Kotsay grounds to short.
Thank you, Papelbon! He is part of our bright future.
Devine August 30, 2006 at 6:16 pm
From anybody else, YM, I would have taken that as somewhat snide — but you’ve been one of the saner YFs on the site…
Paul SF August 30, 2006 at 6:16 pm
Youk out on 3 pitches, Cora on 1.
Devine August 30, 2006 at 6:19 pm
Not snide, Paul. I truly feel bad for the Sox and for how fast the wheels came off…and thus I have incurred the wrath of my fellow YF co-workers. Heh.
yankeemonkey August 30, 2006 at 6:19 pm
Of course, this is horribly depressing to watch. It’s really an amazing slide, completely without precedent in my life as a Red Sox fan — never have I seen a team go from so good (12-game winning streak, 3.5 games up in the East) to soooo bad…
Paul SF August 30, 2006 at 6:20 pm
Loretta pops out to end the game as Oakland completes the sweep.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 6:20 pm
Loretta down on 1 more pitch to end the game. Jiminy Christmas. Could Ortiz and Manny please be okay for the next line-up? That would at least make the games fun to watch…and not a total effing embarrassment.
Devine August 30, 2006 at 6:20 pm
Well, congrats to Curt on the 3,000th strikeout. If only the rest of the game could have gone so well…
Paul SF August 30, 2006 at 6:25 pm
We need a new thread for Yanks/Tiggers game 2…
yankeemonkey August 30, 2006 at 6:33 pm
It’s up now, YM.
attackgerbil August 30, 2006 at 6:40 pm
Thanks, Gerb!
yankeemonkey August 30, 2006 at 6:48 pm
Red Sox on verge of aquiring Varitek’s possible eventual replacement for David Wells.
Full Name: George Kottaras
Born: 05/16/1983
Birthplace: Scarborough, ON
College: Connors State JC, OK
Height: 6′ 0″
Weight: 185
Bats: L
Throws: R
He’s said to be a solid defender with pop in his bat.
TJ August 30, 2006 at 10:19 pm
Well, it gets worse.
The Herald now is reporting that Lester is in Boston being tested for cancer. He had enlarged lymph nodes on the most recent road trip.
Jon Lester is 22 years old.
I'm Bill McNeal August 30, 2006 at 11:40 pm
Link to Lester story
Really really scary.
airk August 31, 2006 at 12:16 am