Curt Schilling: Blogging at 38pitches.com

Curt Schilling, the pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, has a blog space. He has been expressing his viewpoint about the Mitchell Report on steroid use in major league baseball. His remarks have been candid and have caused some controversy. For example, some people have taken exception to Mr Schilling’s remarks about Roger Clemens. Mr Schilling has called upon Roger Clemens to address the steroid allegations - and disprove them - or return some of the Cy Young Awards.

Some people perceive such comments as being disloyal and an affront to a fellow athlete.

As a regular reader of Mr Schilling’s postings, it is clear that he has an unabashed love of baseball. His remarks appear to stem from his regard for his sport. What Mr Schilling writes does not seem to be edited by press agents and others with a vested interest in his public persona. One always has the impression that Mr Schilling’s writing and opinions are his own; and it would be what he would say spontaneously. And it is important. He is a professional baseball player but he is also a fan. For baseball to address this drug issue, people like Curt Schilling have an important voice in the American discussion. What happens with baseball may have long term repercussions for other professional and amateur sports.

It is surprising that some people want to muzzle Mr Schilling. Is this expression of opinion not one of the most important civil liberties? Perhaps the public is used to spin, positioning and the art of talking without saying anything substantial that we are taken aback by Mr Schilling’s unfettered opinion. I, for one, applaud Mr Schilling’s candor. - It would be invaluable if other athletes also offered their unedited candid remarks to this and other issues.

Catherine