Schilling cancels scheduled appearance wih Bush

AP ^ | 10/29/2004 | AP staff

[wjersey]

BOSTON— Newly minted World Series hero Curt Schilling canceled a scheduled campaign appearance with President Bush on Friday, saying his doctors advised him not to travel because of his injured ankle.

An e-mailer identifying himself as the Boston Red Sox pitcher posted a message on the bostondirtdogs.com Web site saying, "I am now not medically cleared to do anything until I see Doc on Sunday, so I cannot travel with President Bush."

Schilling, who has been known to contribute frequently to online fan forums, did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press on Friday.

The pitcher endorsed Bush in an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America" Thursday, a day after the Red Sox won the franchise's first World Series championship in 86 years.

In his e-mail, Schilling said he should have kept his opinion to himself.

"While I am a Bush supporter, and I did vote for him with an absentee ballot, speaking as I did the other day was wrong. While I hope to see him re-elected, it's not my place, nor the time for me to offer up my political opinions unsolicited," he said.

Schilling turned in one of the most memorable performances in postseason history this year, winning Game 2 of the World Series and Game 6 of the American League Championship Series with his ankle sutured to protect a torn sheath around his Achilles' tendon.

[AgentEcho]

I did a search on Yahoo News with:

"Curt Schilling" -"fan Web site" -bostondirtdogs

and there is no reference to his cancelling, so this bostondirtdogs site is the only ONLY source. I'm not saying it's not true, but sources are sorely lacking.

Æ

[NittanyLion]

How about "any more than that poseur Kerry (whose favorite Red Sox BTW is "Manny Ortez") should be showing up in a Red Sox cap horning in on their glory"? Or "any more than Werner should be capitalizing on the Red Sox"? Personally, I think Schilling was well within his rights.

I think Schilling is an employee of Major League Baseball, and is under contractual obligation to remain silent on potentially divisive matters such as politics. I suspect MLB reminded Curt that he'd be damaging their product, and told him it's unacceptable.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Hopefully this will be the start of the next curse...

[Even Keel]

You know we all cry foul when entertainers (Yes Athletes are entertainers) voice their political views FOR Kerry and say what BS it is that they think they have the right to do so to try and sway the un informed.

But we sit here and bad mouth Shilling for doing just the opposite? For giving his support for Bush but staying out of the political spotlight: "While I am a Bush supporter, and I did vote for him with an absentee ballot, speaking as I did the other day was wrong. While I hope to see him re-elected, it's not my place, nor the time for me to offer up my political opinions unsolicited," he said.

Sure his ankle excuse is lame but the above statement sums up what I think the real reason was and I applaud him for that. I only wish more entertainers felt the same and stuck to entertaining us and kept out of the politics until which time they themselves are running for an office of some sort or have left the entertainment business.

[js1138]

Many (if not most) professional sports contracts have clauses in them forbidding the respective athlete under contract from making political pronouncements or endorsements.

I can see commercial endorsements being controlled by contract, but not political speech. I suspect the slapdown was less legal and more "social", so to speak.

[MichelleWSC]

I'll stand by what I've said 100%. A person's character depends heavily upon their convictions and strength. For him to cave so easily means he lacks all the above.

Sorry if your sense of "fair-play" is offended but it doesn't take much courage to talk but it does take courage to act on that talk.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Any good conservative radio Talk Shows in NH?

[Andy'smom]

"Any good conservative radio Talk Shows in NH?"


Howie Carr can be heard throughout most of New Hampshire.

[WoodstockCat]

He's done some personal interviews with the bostondirtdogs. Earlier in the season he was posting stuff on a regular basis.
This is real, I believe. bostondirtdogs wouldn't let someone else just sign up with the moniker.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Cool........

[maryz]

Southern NH at least gets Howie Carr on WRKO (howiecarr@wrko.com) 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Lot of NH people call in, and lots who work in MA and live in NH listen on the way home.

[Rutles4Ever]

I don't think MLB wants the Republicans out of power. Don't forget, they're one "Attorney General Elliot Spitzer" away from getting sued for anti-trust violations.

[television is just wrong]

Kerry!

[Neets]

You are far too hysterical.

[Rutles4Ever]

[Eva]

It sounds to me that the team manager or owner forbid him to go until the team doctor clears him, because he is under contract.

[surrey]

Howie Carr's radio show will be simulcast on C-Span from 3-6PM today. I would wager that this will be topic #1!

Sean will be in Braintree today doing his show. I believe he has a pretty good list of guests lined up. For those not familiar with the Boston area Braintree is just a little south of the city.

This story will not die an early death, today, in Boston!

[television is just wrong]

If Bush wanted me to campaign with him, no doctor would ever stop me.

[Neets]

A MUST READ

[foreverfree]

bump from a Phillies fan (Schill's an ex-Phil)