Curt Schilling

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Schilling arrived in Philadelphia after struggling stints with the Orioles and Astros, immediately transforming into the staff ace. In his first season (1992), he led the team in wins, ERA, strikeouts, and shutouts. The following year, during the 1993 pennant run, he helped upset the two-time defending National League champion Atlanta Braves in the NLCS. His dominance in that series was marked by a 1.69 ERA and striking out the first five hitters of Game 1, an NLCS record. In the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, facing elimination after a bizarre 15–14 loss at Veterans Stadium, he pitched a five-hit shutout for a 2–0 victory. From 1997 to 1999, Schilling either led or tied for the team lead in wins, complete games, shutouts, and ERA among starters each season, averaging 16 wins per year despite the Phillies never finishing with a winning record. His 101 career victories rank sixth all-time for Phillies pitchers.

In Their Own Story

On April 7, 2002, Schilling threw a one-hit shutout against the Milwaukee Brewers, striking out 17 batters—a feat that highlighted his peak dominance, though this occurred after he had already left Philadelphia. During his final years with the Phillies (1997–1999), the team consistently lacked a winning record despite his individual excellence. In 1997 alone, he finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting and set the franchise single-season strikeout record with 319, surpassing Steve Carlton's mark of 310 held since 1972. By 1999, Schilling had started the All-Star game. His frustration with the team's inability to win grew until he requested a trade in 2000. The Phillies' roster credits included his 61 complete games (34th all-time), 14 shutouts (13th all-time), and 1,554 strikeouts (4th all-time) over those eight and a half years.

Reader's Guide

Curt Schilling was acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies on April 2, 1992, in a trade from the Houston Astros for pitcher Jason Grimsley. He spent eight and a half seasons with the franchise, his longest tenure with any team. His role was strictly that of a starting pitcher, where he became the undisputed ace. Fans should note that while he helped lead the Phillies to a World Series appearance in 1993, he did not play for the team during their 2008 championship run; he left the organization in 2000 to join the Arizona Diamondbacks. His statistical legacy with Philadelphia includes a career ERA of 3.35 (20th all-time), 242 games appeared in (23rd all-time), and 1,659+1⁄3 innings pitched (8th all-time). He was named to the NL All-Star team three consecutive times from 1997 to 1999.

Did You Know?

• Schilling struck out the first five Braves hitters of Game 1 in the 1993 NLCS, setting an NLCS record.
• He set the Phillies single-season strikeout record with 319 in 1997, surpassing Steve Carlton's previous mark of 310.
• Schilling was traded to the Phillies for pitcher Jason Grimsley on April 2, 1992.
• His 1.69 ERA and 19 strikeouts in the 1993 NLCS earned him the NLCS MVP Award despite receiving no decisions in the series.