Curt Schilling Will (Most Likely) Pitch No More Forever

Is this the end for our bloody-hosed hero? With his announcement this morning that he will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, Curt Schilling has most likely also announced his de facto retirement. He discclosed his plans on WEEI's Dennis and Callahan show, and the Boston Globe is confirming it: No Schilling in 2008, and the soonest he might be back is the All-Star break in 2009, and then most likely not with the Red Sox. Or at all.

"I don't want it to end this way, but if this is the way it has to end, I'm OK with that," Schilling said. "If it's over and my last pitch was in the 2007 World Series, I'm OK with that. I just can't stress enough where I am mentally with this. I have not a regret in the world. ... None of this makes me bitter or angry or pissed. It is what it is. In that sense, honestly, it's very, very easy for me because of what I've been able to experience compared to what I wanted when I first started my career, but if I have some say in how this is gonna end, I want it to be different than what it is right now."

This means that, best-case scenario, he'd be 43 by the time he came back; and it's hard to imagine that he'd want that. Curt Schilling is not Randy Johnson or Roger Clemens; the old guy who ekes out eight wins just for the chance to win another ring. Regardless of how you feel about Schilling as a person, there's no denying his credentials as a competitor. Without him Drew Barrymore does not sprint onto the field to celebrate that Red Sox 2004 World Series title. And like it or not, the bloody sock from Game 6 of the ALCS that year will never be forgotten. I wonder, did he ever launder that thing? Knowing him: Nope.

Today We Honor All Middle-Aged Slightly Tubby Guys ... And Tiger Of Course

You know, you have to feel for Rocco Mediate. The guy staves off Tiger Woods all day, the best player in the world on his tail, a 46-year-old man playing the tournament of his life, and his reward is to go 18 more holes tomorrow against the guy. The goal should be survival at this point.

Still, we found it fitting, on Father's Day, that the U.S. Open champion was almost a middle-aged guy with a gut. This is honestly the most we've ever watched of a golf tournament — heck, we even played golf this weekend, though perhaps "play" is the wrong word — and, all told, it's kind of nice that a guy with three sons, and a guy who just had one, ended up tied.

We think our favorite Woods moment today was when, after messing up his bunker shot on the 18th hole, almost costing himself a chance to tie Mediate, he threw his club. It's nice to see superhumans, on occasion, feel the same pain the rest of the planet feels. And still: We were certain that last putt was going to fall. It seems obvious in retrospect.

Anyway, yeah: We're all golfy today. And we get one more tomorrow. Happy Father's Day.

Victor's Elbow, Barfield's Finger...The Latest in this Round of Injuries for the Indians

While the pitching staff has had its share of injuries as of late, now the injury bug has spread to more position players - including catcher Victor Martinez. The Tribe’s catcher is set to have an MRI today for inflammation in his right elbow. Victor is already suffering from a tweaked hamstring that he suffered way back on opening day vs the White Sox at Progressive Field.

There was plenty of discussion with GM Mark Shapiro and Wedge Wednesday about the thought of putting Martinez on the DL, and while both said it wouldn’t happen, now the elbow may force the issue.

Wedge told the media postgame on Wednesday that the elbow pain is something that Martinez has been playing through for sometime. It has become more obvious that it’s also a reason why he is having an off season at the plate, hitting .278 with no homers and 21 RBI. If there is one thing about Martinez, it’s that he’s a hitter, and now more than ever the team should explore putting him on the DL and giving him a rest to see if he can come back and be his old self again.

Another position player that may find himself on the DL is second basemen Josh Barfield, who has a sprained finger. It took place on a check-swing Tuesday night that forced him to leave the game. Wedge said that its not all that uncommon of an injury, as when you check-swing your fingers continue to move forward, causing the sprain. Barfield will get looked at again today, and he may be headed for a trip to the DL.

Asked if that means Asdrubal Cabrera will find himself back on the MLB roster if Barfield is put on the DL, Wedge said that does not appear to be the case, but declined to reveal who would be brought up in his place. It would likely open the door to see more of Jamey Carroll at second base until Barfield is ready to play.

Kelly Pavlik, the Face of American Boxing

If Floyd Mayweather, Jr., is really done with boxing, and with Oscar de la Hoya on the final road of his long journey, American boxing is going to need a new headliner. There isn't a whole lot to choose from. Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Philippines, the former Soviet Union countries, etc. -- those are the nations dominating professional boxing. It'll most likely stay that way, too. And that's fine by me, I don't really care where anyone's from as long as they can fight.

But promoters and TV people and even some fans need that American boy to root for. Who better than Kelly Pavlik? What fighter better embodies the "American dream" than the humble, hard-punching, workman-like dude from the fallen midwestern steel town? (By the way, I'm as sick of hearing about the ailings of Youngstown as anyone else is, and I'm sure Pavlik is, too. Not that he's not proud of where he comes from, but you'd think it's the worst city on earth.)

Not only is Pavlik a good story, though, he's an exciting, dynamic fighter that is guaranteed good TV. He's not had a ton of television exposure, but I've never seen a Pavlik fight live that was a bore. His wins over Lenord Pierre (Vs.), Zertuche, Miranda, Taylor (HBO and PPV) and now Lockett have all been good watchin'.

He's charismatic. He's humble. He's a gracious winner. He's a knockout puncher. There isn't a whole lot more you need than what Pavlik has. He's got Top Rank behind him. Hell, he even has an interesting, loudmouth trainer to speak up and create some sparks before the fights when Kelly doesn't want to take it too far.

Honestly, even if Mayweather returns or Oscar decides to fight another three years, you're looking at the new face of American boxing. I think a lot of people are happy to welcome him as such. 100% fighter, 0% bulls--t.

Cedric Benson Arrested Again

Maybe rookie Matt Forte has been looking so impressive that Benson just decided to throw the towel in. Maybe rookie Matt Forte has looked so unimpressive that Benson thought his job was a lock, regardless the reason Bears running back Cedric Benson is back in the news.

Benson was arrested and charged with a DWI early Saturday morning. This obviously is not going to help him clear his name from his arrest early last month.

The Bears have pretty much done everything they can for him. They drafted him with the #4 pick. They traded an at the time better running back, Thomas Jones, so Benson could become the Bears franchise RB. Following a poor previous season and a rough off season the Bears still gave Benson the number #1 spot.

"Disappointment is too much an often-used word when we're talking about Cedric, and the number one lesson for every player is protect your job," Angelo said. "So we're all held accountable for our actions."

Asked if the new arrest will weigh against Benson, Angelo said: "Well, it doesn't weigh very well. And it's unfortunate. We will deal with it when we know everything."

At this point the Bears have to take action. It will come across as hypocritical to release Tank Johnson and not deal with Cedric Benson. Obviously, the two cases are not exactly the same, but if you are going to take a stance on off the field problems you have to across the board.
At the very least the Bears have to put more time in with Matt Forte to see if he can take over the job. If he can it will make it much easier to let Benson go, so somebody can pick him up, I assume Oakland or Dallas, because..well... they do that type of stuff.

This is just one more thing to highlight a horrible off season the Bears have been having.

Evander Holyfield Would Appreciate it if You Would Pick Up the Check

So Evander Holyfield is broke. His $10 million house (featuring 17 bathrooms and a bowling alley) is in foreclosure, he's behind in child support payments, and things are generally looking bleak. And people, it's your fault. You just aren't buying enough Real Deal Grills! Why not? Dual temperature controls, 1800 watts of power, adjustable floating hinges so you can cook on two sides at once ... it's like having an entire restaurant in your house! I have no idea how a man with his own grill could be so in arrears. I'll never understand boxing.

A legal notice that ran Wednesday in a small local newspaper said Holyfield’s estate will be auctioned off “at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash” at the Fayette County courthouse on July 1. The 54,000-square-foot home — located on Evander Holyfield Highway — has 109 rooms, including 17 bathrooms, three kitchens and a bowling alley. Meanwhile, Holyfield’s handlers allegedly told the mother of one of his children that he will no longer be able to make his $3,000-a-month support payment. Toi Irvin claims the boxer has already missed two payments, so she has gone to court seeking restitution.

What is it about being a great boxer that automatically makes you bad with money? Here's one problem Joe Louis never had, however: On top of all his other woes, Holyfield reportedly owes $500,000 for landscaping.

Kenny Mayne Offers His Own Erudite, Glib Belmont Prognostications

ESPN luminary and horsey specialist (and author!) Kenny Mayne took some of his precious, precious time to offer these salient insights to the readers of Deadspin who might be considering throwing a friendly wager or two on tomorrow's Belmont Stakes.

I think Big Brown will win by many lengths. Children should not take money from their mother's purse to bet on the race....but for those who do play it, the way to win money is to bet "horizontally" This means you need to figure out who is going to win races ahead of the Belmont and get lucky with a 40-1 shot as part of the Pick Three capped by Big Brown's win in the Belmont.

I heard the Japanese horse, Casino Drive, might not run. He's Japanese in the same way I am Japanese for having eaten at Maeda Sushi in Simsbury, CT last week. He's from Kentucky. Check the wires to see if he is in or out.I like Denis of Cork to run 2nd to Big Brown.

Mayne also had this to say about controversial BB trainer Rick Dutrow, who is rubbing all equine enthusiasts the wrong way:

It's not like Dutrow calls for press conferences and reads from a scroll. He is just answering questions. People stand around for two hours and pepper him with questions and since he doesn't have much of a filter, you're going to hear him say some things other trainers don't usually say. Things like, "My horse is going to win."