Former Major League pitcher Curt Schilling has been vocal about his political beliefs, but he might have gone too far on Monday when he repeatedly referenced America’s Revolutionary War.
Curt Schilling brings the heat in 2006, via Wikimedia Commons
During an appearance on Fox News’ “The Jesse Watters Show,” Schilling was discussing the current state of affairs concerning MLB teams and the LGBTQ community. 2023 has notably been marked by controversy over the topic, with professional baseball joining the country’s politicians and biggest corporations in holding gay pride events and making pro-gay statements.
In the midst of a volatile social climate, it’s become an extremely emotional issue for people on both sides of the equation.
Schilling, a staunch conservative, said that while he didn’t have any overall problems with holding an event, he felt that the powers that be were starting to take things too far. In particular, he took issue with the situation involving the LA Dodgers, Pride Night at Chavez Ravine, and an activist group called the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, via Wikimedia Commons
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The ‘Sisters’ are men, dressed in traditional nun’s attire like habits, but wearing outlandish makeup and engaging in generally sexual themes. While the intention may be as a commentary on the abuses of the Catholic Church and a statement about equal rights, the organization’s tactics have left a poor taste in many people’s mouths.
Particularly the local Catholic community, who would call on their faithful followers and friends to boycott the Dodgers’ June 16th pride festivities.
When assessing the current situation in and around baseball, Curt Schilling certainly held nothing back in his trademark style. He shared his frustration with Watters in what became a highly emotional rant. And it was pretty clear, he’s ready to draw a line in the sand.
They can't tell the truth without lying. No one seems to want to quote the ENTIRE comment, but they'll sure as hell lie about it. https://t.co/jLXQzbjxQh @JesseBWatters Told ya! No matter how and what you say, and how you say it, the MSM will lie to bend any and everything to…
— Curt Schilling (@gehrig38) June 17, 2023
“We’re up against a side and a force that doesn’t play by the rules – refuses to play by the rules,” he said, adding of conservatives: “We get excited, and we get emotional; that’s it. They break the law; they do the things they need to do to ensure their agenda is driven forward – and we’re watching them gut our nation from the inside out, and I don’t know where the rubber’s gonna meet the road.”
Referencing the American Founding Fathers, Curt Schilling pointed out:
“They sacrificed everything to come out from under a tyrannical government and, then, eventually, at some point, there was a man at Concord who decided he was gonna pull the trigger.”
For reference, the Battles at Lexington and Concord in April 1775 are recognized as the historical marker for the start of the Revolutionary War.
The legendary big leaguer and conservative commentator probably would have been fine had he left it there. But, he chose to take things to a little bit different level, insinuating that American citizens might finally be fed up enough to take matters into their own hands.
“And I feel like we’re getting back to a point where somebody’s gonna have to pull a trigger, because everything we hold dear – everything this country was founded on – is being just dragged through the mud and mocked and made fun of,” he said. “This country was founded on Godly principles – no matter how offensive that is to the left, it’s true.”
The Battle of Lexington, by William Barnes Wollen, via Wikimedia Commons
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While these have been Schilling’s longstanding beliefs, they come at a time when the political climate is a virtual powder keg. Thus, they were considered ill-timed by many. Even some on the political right – who would normally side with Schilling – said that he stepped over a line he probably shouldn’t have.
At the same time, no matter how much some in the public may agree or disagree with Curt Schilling, he is speaking for a large swath of today’s America.
Conservative Christians and those on the religious right feel as if they are currently being persecuted, not unlike both the prophets and patriots of old.
"Pull the trigger" is a phrase often used to describe somebody taking action – not necessarily with a weapon.
Of course, leftist media hacks are accusing him of inciting violence.https://t.co/ulZ2xAP2ep
— Country Boy (@UF1) June 20, 2023
The host asked Schilling if he would walk his statement back a bit, and perhaps re-phrase it to mean ‘symbolically’. However, the three-time World Series Champion didn’t waver much. He did lend a brief aside, before taking aim at the Democratic politicians like Rep. Maxine Waters of California.
“I’m going to assume you mean ‘pull’ the trigger metaphorically?” Jesse Watters asked.
“Absolutely, well, no,” Schilling replied. “I mean, it doesn’t matter if I say metaphorically because they’re going to run with that quote no matter how I put it. I could have phrased it in any possible way saying, Stand up and fight and blah blah blah and I would be inciting a riot while Maxine Waters says, Get in their face and beat the hell out of them, publicly.”
Curth Schilling has been involved directly in politics himself. He’s been a conservative commentator for Breitbart and a strong supporter of the Republican Party. He has also been considered as a possible Senate candidate in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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