Schill gets 15th, Papi 54th in 5-1 win

As the season winds down (ONLY 5 MORE GAMES TILL WINTER!) all Boston fans have left are accomplishments and milestones. Tonight we had two.

It only took 2 months but Curt Schilling finally earned his 15th victory of the season in Boston's 5-1 win over the Rays. It is his 8th season with 15 or more victories. Also, on the night David Ortiz was honored pregame with a banner, honorary bat, and congrats from the family of Jimmie Foxx for breaking his Sox HR record, Big Papi tied the score at 1 in the 3rd with his 54th blast, then added a 2-run single in the 4th to push the cushion to 5-1; he finished the night 3-4.

Although Schill was not sharp (7IP, 6H, 4BBs, 9 Ks)- he walked more men tonight than he did in the entire month of May- he was more than good enough against the roadkill known as the Rays from Tampa Bay; the Rays are now a mind-numbing 2-28 on the road since July 1st. As he went out to the mound for the 8th, Tito came out to remove Schill and let the faithful applaud their beloved warrior for all he did for the team this season. With hints of retirement in the air, it might have been the last chance to thank him for all he has done in a Boston uniform to date. Which is merely rescue a downtrodden, cursed franchise and take it to the very place he promised he would the day he signed- to a World Series Championship.

With the weak performance of the team down the stretch, specifically against the Evil Empire, we know that the roster of this team is going to be significantly altered this winter. But to think that Schill, the anchor of the staff, vocal clubhouse leader and workhorse extraordinaire won't be on that field in Fort Myers in March is a depressing thought for sure. It will be a long winter for all Nation members, but it could be a longer spring if faced with the prospect of going to battle next season without the unquestioned general of this squad.

Thanks for everything, Schill. Just in case I don't get another chance to say it after a game.