September 06, 2005

Welcome to Chez Schilling!: He may spit in your coffee, may milk the bloody ankle for the rest of his life, and may play the Jesus Card a bit much for my taste, but I haven't heard other pro athletes (many of whom have the room) stepping this far forward.

posted by The_Black_Hand to baseball at 01:22 PM - 28 comments

Made me very proud he's on the Red Sox.

posted by jerseygirl at 01:37 PM on September 06, 2005

You know there are alot of people doing this like Schilling is doing here and I applaud that. Not just athletes but regular people who are actually inviting people into their homes. There are many people who have "the means", not just athletes. This shouldnt become a "peeing" contest into who is doing more! Bottom line people should help in whatever way they can and do it in a quiet manner-- Also, Why to you have to mention negative things like "milking the bloody" and "playing the Jesus card a little too much"?? These things have nothing to do with providing this family with housing.

posted by daddisamm at 01:51 PM on September 06, 2005

Don't know how you see this as a "peeing" contest. There are lots of people in this country with lots of money and lots of extra rooms who could be doing this. However, since the site is called "SportsFilter" and not "BillGatesFilter," or "OprahFilter," I'm not worried about them. As far as the other stuff, I posted it because I felt like it. You post how you want, I'll post how I want. Have a nice day.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 02:03 PM on September 06, 2005

Although I don't think the examples Black_Hand gave are totally accurate, Schilling is definitely a guy who thrusts himself into the limelight, so it's easy to paint him with that brush. He's not my favorite player on the Red Sox, but I'd be impressed with this if he was a middle reliever on the Devil Rays.

posted by YukonGold at 02:11 PM on September 06, 2005

Two words: Fucking awesome. Though I am a Jays fan, I admit it - shit like this wins me over. Go Red Sox. (Though is helps that I am a committed Yankee-hater.)

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 02:13 PM on September 06, 2005

Overrated. Good riddance.

posted by charlatan at 02:27 PM on September 06, 2005

The Manning brothers are also on the ground helping out in New Orleans.

"There’s nothing I can say," [Peyton] Manning said. "He said he laid in the water for 14 hours and said he was ready to give up. I’m glad he didn’t give up. He obviously needs to talk. He says all that, and then he sits down and says, 'How’s your Dad doing?' I didn’t know what to say to that."

posted by DrJohnEvans at 02:28 PM on September 06, 2005

My point back hand, is appreciate the "good" the people are doing for the victoms. We dont need to point out the"drawbacks" of the "givers". I really dont care what you think of Schilling, I am just glad that he is doing it. Unfortunately you have people with means who do things solely for the headlines. Then, indeed, it becomes a peeing contest. In short. I am more impressed by the 9 acts of kindness that I dont here about thaan the one. There are millions of people out there who are giving of themselves and getting no recognition for it. Those people are my heros.

posted by daddisamm at 02:52 PM on September 06, 2005

He does get preachy, and not just about religion, which would be a problem if he didn't put his money and effort where his mouth was. But he is, and more or less always has, so good on him. He has more means to help than your average joe (or even your average major leaguer), so yay him for using his powers for good.

posted by chicobangs at 02:59 PM on September 06, 2005

"back hand?" Actually, I kind of like that. The_Back_Hand...hmmmmmm.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 03:02 PM on September 06, 2005

Read the entire article, not the AP abstract, guys. Different news services are grabbing different parts of the story, it seems. The whole story gives more of a picture. Bottom line people should help in whatever way they can and do it in a quiet manner-- Quiet manner? Is that the only way the Red Cross is accepting donations now? He did something I think you’d agree is considered very Christian, and more importantly regardless of religion, very humanitarian and philanthropic, in sharing of his wealth and life, helping a neighbor when they are in desperate, dire need. Not to mention being a great example as a parent to his kids. Let's not judge another person's good deed because the press got a hold of it, out of his control. They didn't seek out attention. "The Schillings registered Friday and on Saturday anonymously arranged for the family to fly to Boston." Emphasis mine. This all happened 4 days ago and we’re just finding out today. No official press release came out, Schilling didn't say anything himself, and the agency didn't outwardly and broadly advertize the donation. Story snuffed out by the Globe, unsurprisingly. Does it stink of a slick, preplanned PR move to you? Be content that people (any people) are giving, in any way they can or want, without judging people on their contributions. Be glad that celebrities and alike can get there to donate time, or share their homes/wealth and help people – directly or indirectly – get back on their feet and regain some semblance of a life again. It’s not a time to sit and judge people for what they are giving, how they are giving, what frigging team they play for, what religion they are or how often they’re already in the press for their mouth. For once, let's let that go for a little while. He tried to do it anonymously and it didn't work out. It doesn't make it any less admirable or a "peeing contest" in any degree. Help is help, if it's donation from a regular person like me, or it's something much grander.

posted by jerseygirl at 03:04 PM on September 06, 2005

Maybe if Schilling hadnt been on Good Morning America the day after the World Series campaigning for his good buddy Bush, these people might've gotten help from a competent federal government...

posted by drjimmy11 at 03:09 PM on September 06, 2005

I read the entire article-I know that the Schillings did this anonymouly.. The Media is really the quilty ones that create "the peeing Contest" I quess I was always taught to give from your heart and not worry what others are giving, Just be thankful that others do give. I applaud the Schillings and anybody who has given help. I applaud anybody who gives. I just dont have the need to know who they are. I guess I didnt like the reference to the Bloody Sock episode and Schilling's faith. Maybe if Schilling hadnt been on Good Morning America the day after the World Series campaigning for his good buddy Bush, these people might've gotten help from a competent federal government... posted by drjimmy11 at 3:09 PM CST on September 6 Anybody who makes a comment about the Federal Government being imcompetent, certainly doesnt know what they are talking about. There is plenty of blame to go around. This blame can be traced back many years. Just to lay a blanket blame on The President is just silly. The bottom line is nobody expected the situation to be as bad as it was. We need to get things back to normal and then worry about who to blame.

posted by daddisamm at 03:27 PM on September 06, 2005

Read the entire article, not the AP abstract, guys. I did, actually -- this morning in the Globe, and not just page two, which your link pointed to. The FPP is somewhat misleading: he paid for housing for a family, he didn't put them up in "chez Schilling". I think it's a great thing he did, but on another level, it's the same thing that many Americans with much less means are doing -- and they're giving of their own personal space, to boot. What he's doing is, in fact, not that extraordinary -- and that's the good thing.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 04:00 PM on September 06, 2005

There is nothing for me to respect or disrespect from this one. He is doing it...Wonderful! I have people on my parents block doing the same thing for a family of 6, where is their praise? Schilling has got more money than any of us on these posts will ever have so the fact is, if these sports stars wanted to be seen as human, they would all do things like this all the time. If they did that, posts like this wouldn't exist. I am proud and yet he's no different than any of us outside of money and notoriety. Sure this will get bad responses, but this life and We will all need to pull together for things like this.

posted by melcarek69 at 04:04 PM on September 06, 2005

Daddisamm, I'm a Sox fan, and I'll always treasure the World Series championship that Schilling helped bring to Boston. That said, I'm hard pressed to find a whole lot of things I like about him personally. Perhaps you're right, and I'm a bit hard on him for the "bloody sock" episode. If, ten years from now, he's breaking out the famous footwear for the opening of malls and miniature golf courses, I'll be on SpoFi screaming, "I told you! I told you!" As for religion and faith, they are tools to apply to one's life, not to club fellow humans over the head with. That's just my not-very-subjective perspective. In my experience, those who proclaim their faith the loudest are bound to fall the farthest and fastest, while the rest of us just thank God for what we're given...quietly.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 04:05 PM on September 06, 2005

daddisamm: "The bottom line is nobody expected the situation to be as bad as it was." I'm sorry, but many people over the past few years thought a direct hit would be just this bad. FEMA, and some other government bureaus, have been incompetent -- "Devoid of those qualities requisite for effective conduct or action." Back to Schilling: It's great that he has done this. It's great that anyone does something like this. Of course, those with publicists will get more play. That's the nature of celebrity. But I'd rather he did it, and get the airplay, than not do it at all.

posted by ?! at 04:18 PM on September 06, 2005

Under ordinary circumstances, I might be cynical about Schilling's actions here, since he's a glory hog. But there are more people needing help than there are people to help them, so any reason's a good one.

posted by rcade at 04:25 PM on September 06, 2005

Hey he could have showed up with photographers and a leaky boat like Sean Penn.

posted by volfire at 04:30 PM on September 06, 2005

Ehhh, I think we're better off if we don't bring specific politics and religion into the SpoFi discussion. I have people on my parents block doing the same thing for a family of 6, where is their praise? If that's what they wanted, they seem to be getting praise/respect from their friends, neighbors, your parents... I mean, you found out about it, so people are taking notice. We will all need to pull together for things like this. Then please concentrate on the big picture -- Hurricane Relief -- and stop focusing on "my parents neighbors didnt get praise!" If, ten years from now, he's breaking out the famous footwear for the opening of malls and miniature golf courses, I'll be on SpoFi screaming, "I told you! I told you!" He auctioned it off for his/an ALS foundation. What a dumbass, he could have used it to open Ikeas in 20 years! lbb-- my bad on the link.

posted by jerseygirl at 05:02 PM on September 06, 2005

Who names a kid Efram?

posted by wfrazerjr at 06:28 PM on September 06, 2005

Class move. I have people on my parents block doing the same thing for a family of 6, where is their praise? Do they play sports? If not maybe parentfilter would be a better choice?

posted by justgary at 07:48 PM on September 06, 2005

I'm sure other MLB players have done similar good deeds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. It seems like everytime Schilling does something it finds its' way into every sports page and sports internet site on the planet. However, I don't think it diminishes from the fact that he actually did something to help the victims. If it inspires another athlete or citizen to help out it can do nothing but help.

posted by erkno11 at 08:11 PM on September 06, 2005

Jeebus this is crazy. A famous guy makes a wonderful gesture; at a time when it is needed most; without requesting fanfare; in a display that should help bring the country together - showing that regardless of status or city that Americans can help each other; basically providing an antidote from all the sensless inhumanity seen in the recent days - and people shit on him. Wow. Like... Wow.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:56 PM on September 06, 2005

incompetent is a very strong word to be used here. If you look at the responses to previous Floods, hurricanes, earthqueskes etc., the one common thing you would have heard is that help never camefast enough. Yes there were some break downs in the response. There were also things that are being done the right way. You can point you finger in a lot of directions-local, state, and federal. There is enough blame to go around. However, we need to stopp the figure pointing right now and concentrate on the job at hand. Again I say, Thank God for all the people who have come forward to help.

posted by daddisamm at 10:24 PM on September 06, 2005

Don't thank God, thank the people. It doesn't seem to me that Schilling has been deliberately seeking out publicity or praise. And even if he was seeking out publicity, the increase in awareness and the encouragement his star-status might give to others to help out would probably be worth it anyway.

posted by squealy at 02:31 AM on September 07, 2005

and people shit on him. Wow. Like... Wow. Weedy, I don't think people are anything like "shit[ting] on him". They're commenting on the fact that the media has singled out one very affluent person paying for rent on an apartment for an evacuee family, when many others with less means have provided housing as well. OTOH, there have also been plenty of articles about those people too, so...

posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:16 AM on September 07, 2005

I don't know that media is singling out "one very affluent person", they're running every donation made as news. I was watching E! last night and their ticker had an amount Steven Spielberg gave, whether that's p.r. or the media finding the story it's coming from every outlet. Schilling clearly made an anonymous donation here and the media got the info anyways. He'll take this criticism because of his past history, because no one is gonna be criticizing the Spielberg's even though their contribution is now in the media. And I'll clearly state that I don't think it's fair to criticize a charitable act the same way you can criticize his pre-game or pre-season grandstanding, but I can see how the connection carries over.

posted by YukonGold at 11:06 AM on September 07, 2005

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