**Curt Schilling Critiques Pitch Count Practices in MLB**
Former World Series champion Curt Schilling has expressed his concerns regarding the implementation of pitch counts in Major League Baseball (MLB) as the 2025 season begins. Schilling, a six-time All-Star known for his time with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox, shared his views during an appearance on “The Will Cain Show” on Fox News Channel.
### The Impact of Pitch Counts
– **Who:** Curt Schilling, former MLB pitcher
– **What:** Criticism of pitch count practices in MLB
– **When:** As the 2025 MLB season commenced
– **Where:** On “The Will Cain Show” on Fox News Channel
– **Why:** Schilling believes pitch counts are detrimental to player development and performance
Schilling stated, “It’s been a bad thing, but it’s a direct result of the money.” He highlighted the financial investments teams make in young pitchers, such as Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, who received nearly $10 million upon signing out of college. Schilling argued that teams are unlikely to invest such sums without ensuring their prospects reach the major leagues, leading to the enforcement of pitch counts in the minors that carry over into the big leagues.
### Changing Game Dynamics
– MLB managers frequently remove pitchers from games upon nearing 100 pitches, regardless of their performance.
– A notable example occurred during the 2018 World Series when Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pulled starter Rich Hill in the seventh inning of Game 4, despite Hill allowing only one earned run and one hit over 6.1 innings with 91 pitches thrown. The Dodgers, leading 4-0 at the time, ultimately lost the game 9-6 after the bullpen faltered.
This decision drew criticism, including a remark from then-President Donald Trump, who labeled it a “big mistake.” Hill later commented that the president’s focus should not have been on the game.
### Conclusion
As MLB continues to evolve, the debate over pitch counts remains a hot topic. Are these practices hindering the performance of pitchers in the league?
**FAQs:**
**Q: Why does Curt Schilling believe pitch counts are harmful?**
A: Schilling argues that pitch counts limit pitchers’ development and performance, as they are conditioned to adhere to these limits from the minor leagues, impacting their ability to perform effectively in the majors.
