Not since Curt Schilling retired following the 2007 season has a member of the Red Sox donned No. 38. That’s about to change, though, as newcomer Mike Carp has been assigned the number upon reporting to spring training.
Carp, who wore No. 20 with the Mariners the past three seasons, has no ties to No. 38. Instead, the assignment was simply a matter of what was available, although the 26-year-old considers it an honor to wear Schilling’s old digits.
“I’ve always been in the 20’s. I’m proud to wear it if Schilling was the last to wear it. It’s quite a person to follow. Hopefully he took the strikeouts with him,” Carp said, according to WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford.
So how does Schilling, who has used No. 38 in a variety of ways since his playing days ended, feel about the whole situation? Well, according to Bradford, the former Sox hurler offered a tongue-in-cheek response via text message.
The message reportedly said, “Clearly the athletic ability inherent in, and now transferred to Mike, will give him a huge advantage. Also, if he finds himself answering media questions with depth and breadth he’s not used to, well, that’s likely the number’s fault, as well. Also, if he finds himself becoming conservative and believing in smaller government, well that’s not the number but tell him I’m proud of him.”
Carp was acquired from the Mariners in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations earlier this week.
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