Schilling Recovering From Shoulder Injury

Boston, MA (AHN) -- Say what you will about Curt Schilling, but the guy is tough. Taking the mound during the World Series while his Achilles Tendon is bleeding through the sock was the definition of "toughing it out", though some injuries are far more difficult to shrug off.

While the exact nature of Schilling's shoulder injury is not known, it's believed to either the rotator cuff or the labrum. He has been put on the 60 day disable list, though is quite likely to miss out until July - if not the whole season, if he requires surgery.

Nonetheless, Schilling is still very visible around the clubhouse, even playing catch before the game against Detroit on Thursday. The 41 year old Schilling is getting up there in age, however, and his recovery process has not been what he hoped it would be.

"He wants to feel like he's 24 again, and I don't know how likely that's ever going to be," Boston Manager Terry Francona told ESPN. "He did what we wanted him to do, and how we'll get him back on his exercise program and have him do it again on Saturday."

Schilling has developed a great Boston following, praised for his abilities to perform in the post season. Despite his injured shoulder, he went 9-8 last year, and won three games in the post season - including Game 2 of the World Series. He is regarded as one of the best post season pitchers in Baseball history, sitting at 11-2.

In his prime, Schillings fastball averaged about 94 mph. Another one of his most admirable characteristics was his endurance. It was not uncommon for him to pitch into the seventh or eighth inning, and still be capable of throwing the heat.

So what will Schilling do if he decides to retire? Amongst a few plans is to design a Massive Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game - contracting Todd McFarlane (of comic book lore) and RA Salvatore (of fantasy novel lore) to help him. Schilling is known for being an avid gamer when his schedule allows, and one of the most active players on the Internet.