AP News, November 1st, 2007
Although his first choice remains Boston, Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling said on his blog that he would consider a dozen other teams for a "last year" based on quality of life and a chance to make it back to the playoffs.
Schilling previously said he would only rule out the rival New York Yankees. On Tuesday evening, he posted on his blog, 38pitches.com, the following list: "Cleveland, Detroit, Anaheim, New York Mets, Philadelphia, Atlanta, L.A., S.D., Arizona, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis, Milwaukee."
"Teams we didn't include aren't for any one reason," he wrote. "There are a million little things that go into this from stadiums to school districts to travel to spring training to etc. etc. etc. but the list represents the teams after Boston that have some of the off the field things that are big to us, plus the potential to go into October next year."
Only the Red Sox can sign the right-hander, who turns 41 this month, until Nov. 12; other teams can express an interest but not negotiate over money.
Schilling, who isn't represented by an agent, said he called the baseball players' association and told them he wanted to file for free agency.
"Weird," Schilling wrote. "Something that can be so life altering was pretty much a 48-second phone call."
Catchers Jason Varitek and Doug Mirabelli stopped by the Red Sox clubhouse to box up their belongings on Wednesday morning after being honored at the Massachusetts Statehouse. Varitek took care to label and preserve the bats he used during the World Series.
The two lockers next to the catcher, which had been used by Schilling, were cleared of any personal items and name tags. Varitek repeated his hope that Schilling is able to finish up his career in Boston, but said he wouldn't be running to his teammate's blog to keep up on his status.
"I haven't checked a blog, so I'm probably not going to start now," he said. "I may call him now and then to see what's going on."
Varitek said he was one of the players who received a note from Schilling. "It's something I'll keep," the catcher said.
