Curt Schilling's post on the Red Sox Web Site at 2:30 a.m. PT:
First off to any and all members of the media I would ask that if you are here, that this information remain
here. I am posting this for the fans of this site. I know there are no hard fast rules to this kind of thing
but it would be greatly appreciated if this post and its content remained on this site alone. I had hoped to post
to the SoSH (Sons of Sam Horn) site since its private, but that was not possible.
I know it'll be a stretch to believe this, but I am posting here for a few reasons. The main one is to squelch any and all of the stupid rumours that have surfaced since this whole ordeal began, and the second is to let you know where things stand.
1. I have not and will not demand a guaranteed three-year extension.
2. I am not, have not, and will not be asking for a guaranteed contract of 15 million dollars per season.
3. The reported quote in which I stated I did not want to play in Boston was not a misquote, but I do think it
was very easy to take out of context given the question asked at the time. The question was posed to me after a certain member of the national media and respected baseball person stated I have said that my preference WAS to play for the Red Sox. I was a bit miffed at this report since it was completely false and there was at no time anything that could be attributed to me saying anything of the sort. So I was asked about the Red Sox, and remember this was prior to Terry Francona's being named the front runner for the Red Sox job, and I replied that Boston was not an option. The Red Sox were not an option for pretty much that very reason, there was no manager in place, and that to me was a significant issue. That situation obviously changed over the past few weeks and with that so did my opinion of possibly coming to Boston. Whether I get the chance to finish my career in Boston or not, if Terry does end up with the job I sincerely believe you will all (well not all since there is NO WAY to please this entire group:) be glad Mr Epstein made the decision he did. Terry is a man of strong values and integrity, and I can't imagine any player having issues with him on the field or off.
4. I am not going to offer any specifics on the ongoing discussions other than to tell you they are ongoing. Mr. Epstein has been impressive at every turn of these talks. He obviously came very prepared and his preperation has been apparent every time we've met.
5. I never, and let me emphasize that word, never, said I would take less to play for the Yankees than I would to play for the Red Sox, nor did I ever say it would cost the Red Sox more to sign me than the Yankees. I am not in this to start, or be a part of, a bidding war. As of right now, within this window of opportunity, I am doing what I can do to determine if the Boston Red Sox organization and I can come to an agreement in which I would be allowed to finish my career as a Red Sox.
6. And yes, the one rumour that is true is that Mr. Epstein and his assistant did have Thanksgiving dinner at our home. Shonda and I were a bit concerned, and impressed, that they would spend Thanksgiving away from their families, so we invited them on Wednesday night to have dinner with us on Thanksgiving, I am pretty sure they enjoyed the food. This will play itself out however it is supposed to. I honestly cannot tell you one way or the other if there will be an agreement at this point, alot of issues have been resolved, but some are still out there to potentially be resolved. I don't believe either side has laid a 'deal breaker' on the table, but having said that there are still some issues in front of us that could preclude a deal getting completed. If this does not happen I can assure you that it will not be for lack of effort from either party.
I can honestly say that the posts here have been pretty cool to read, like every other player in the big leagues
it's certainly nice to be wanted to this extent.
I hope everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving
God Bless
Curt Schilling