Schilling Re-Ups With D'backs

Curt Schilling, who grew up a 20-minute drive from Bank One Ballpark, signed a $32.5 million, three-year contract extension with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday.

The deal means the 34-year-old right-hander will be under contract to Arizona through the 2004 season. He is scheduled to earn $6.5 million next year under his current contract.

"I'm so excited about being here and being able to make a difference on and off the field in a community where I grew up," Schilling said at a news conference.

Schilling was traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to Arizona last July 26. Adding one of baseball's most prominent pitchers to a rotation that included Randy Johnson was supposed to propel the Diamondbacks to the World Series.

But Schilling, who had undergone offseason shoulder surgery, struggled to an 11-12 record. With Arizona, he was 5-6 with a 3.69 ERA.

The Diamondbacks faded in the final month, and manager Buck Showalter was fired a day after the season ended.

"I know that they traded for me to win a pennant, and I didn't hold up my end of the bargain," Schilling said. "I have a lot of pride. This year and the next three years I will do whatever it is within my ability to make it right and make us champions."

General manager Joe Garagiola said doctors who examined Schilling on Thursday said the shoulder was completely healed.

"Anybody who thinks they saw Curt Schilling last summer didn't," Garagiola said. "You will see Curt Schilling this summer. The difference will be striking, and it will be a lot of fun to watch every five nights out here."

The Diamondbacks' roster is loaded with players in their mid-to-late 30s. The team recently added another in signing free agent first baseman Mark Grace.

"People are going to harp about the age of this club, but there's some winners on this team, and there's no question in my mind if we stay healthy we can win a world championship," Schilling said.

He said that his doctor told him at the time of his surgery that it would take a year for him to fully recover. The operation was performed a year ago Wednesday.

"I've been told by the doctors that there's no reason for five or six more years I can't continue to be a power pitcher, which is what I want to do," he said.

Schilling presented a $500,000 check to he Valley of the Sun United Way in Phoenix, and $250,000 checks to the ALS Foundation chapters in Philadelphia and Phoenix.

Schilling and his wife have made fighting Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) in Philadelphia the major focus of his charity work. He also said he and his wife intended to fund a scholarship for an athlete at each of their high schools.

"This is my home. It will be our home for the next four years," Schilling said. "Repayment will come in the way of commitment off the field and world championships on the field."

Schilling said that when the trade occurred owner Jerry Colangelo gave his word that he would attempt to work out an extension "at the appropriate time."

"It was a very, quick easy negotiation," Schilling said. "It was back and forth a couple of times and done. That's just a rarity these days."

Schilling had lobbied for the Diamondbacks to hire former Philadelphia manager Terry Francona to replace Showalter. Instead, Arizona hired broadcaster and former big league catcher Bob Brenly.

Schilling said and he was looking forward to working with Brenly, although the two have yet to talk.

"As long as he doesn't take me out of the game before the eighth inning," he joked, "I can play for anybody."

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