Curt Schilling is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher and former sports commentator with an estimated net worth of $1 million.
Once among the highest-paid pitchers in baseball history, Schilling earned more than $114 million in MLB salary during his 20-year career.
However, a series of post-retirement financial and professional setbacks significantly reduced his fortune.
Despite his diminished net worth, Schilling remains one of the most accomplished postseason pitchers in baseball history, with a career defined by dominance on the mound and controversy off it.
A Dominant And Polarizing MLB Career
Curt Schilling pitched in Major League Baseball from 1988 to 2007, establishing himself as an elite power pitcher known for durability, precision, and postseason excellence. Over his career, he recorded:
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216 wins
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3,116 strikeouts (15th all-time)
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Six All-Star selections
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An exceptional 4.38 strikeout-to-walk ratio
He played for five MLB teams, most notably the Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Boston Red Sox.
While his regular-season numbers were impressive, Schilling’s reputation was cemented by his historic playoff performances.
Early Life And Path To Professional Baseball
Curtis Montague Schilling was born on November 14, 1966, in Anchorage, Alaska, making him one of the few MLB players born in the state.
He developed his skills at Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix, Arizona, before continuing his baseball journey at Yavapai College.
Schilling began his professional career in the Boston Red Sox minor league system with the Elmira Pioneers.
In 1988, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles, followed by a brief stint with the Houston Astros.
His career trajectory changed dramatically in 1992 when he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Breakout Years With The Philadelphia Phillies
Schilling flourished in Philadelphia after being given a consistent role in the starting rotation. In his first season with the Phillies, he led the team in wins, strikeouts, shutouts, and ERA.
His defining moment with the franchise came in 1993, when he carried the Phillies through the postseason.
Schilling earned NLCS MVP honors after leading the team past the Atlanta Braves with a dominant 1.69 ERA.
He then helped guide Philadelphia to the World Series, where they ultimately fell to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Between 1997 and 1999, Schilling became one of the league’s most feared pitchers, setting a Phillies single-season strikeout record with 319 strikeouts in 1997.
Despite the team’s limited success, he averaged 16 wins per season during that stretch and finished his Phillies tenure with 101 career victories, ranking sixth in franchise history.
World Series Glory With The Arizona Diamondbacks
In 2000, Schilling was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he reached the peak of his individual dominance. During the 2001 season, he posted a 22-6 record with a 2.98 ERA and led the league in wins.
That year, Schilling and Randy Johnson formed one of the most dominant pitching duos in MLB history, leading Arizona to a dramatic World Series victory over the New York Yankees.
Schilling shared World Series MVP honors with Johnson after a legendary seven-game series.
In both 2002 and 2003, Schilling finished second in Cy Young Award voting, narrowly trailing Johnson, while continuing to post elite numbers.
Iconic Boston Red Sox Years And The “Bloody Sock” Game
Schilling was traded to the Boston Red Sox in 2003, reuniting with manager Terry Francona. His arrival helped spark one of the most historic turnarounds in sports history.
In 2004, Schilling went 21-6 and delivered one of the most iconic performances in MLB lore during the American League Championship Series.
Pitching on a surgically repaired ankle, his sock soaked in blood, Schilling helped Boston overcome a 3-0 deficit against the Yankees.
The Red Sox went on to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series, ending the franchise’s 86-year championship drought. Schilling later won two more World Series titles with Boston in 2007, cementing his postseason legacy.
Career Earnings And Financial Collapse
Over his MLB career, Curt Schilling earned approximately $114 million in salary, with additional income from endorsements. However, much of that wealth disappeared after retirement.
Schilling founded 38 Studios, a video game development company named after his jersey number. The venture collapsed amid poor financial decisions and mounting debt.
In an effort to keep the company afloat, Schilling reportedly invested nearly his entire personal fortune—estimated at around $50 million before the company declared bankruptcy.
The failure of 38 Studios played a major role in reducing Schilling’s net worth to its current level.
Retirement And Post-Playing Career
Schilling officially retired in 2009, finishing his career with a 216-146 record and over 3,000 strikeouts. In 2012, he was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame.
He later worked as a baseball analyst for ESPN, but his broadcasting career was cut short due to controversial social media activity.
Personal Life
Curt Schilling is married to Shonda Schilling, and the couple has four children: Gehrig, Gabriella, Grant, and Garrison.
He previously lived in Medfield, Massachusetts, in a large estate that was listed for sale in 2013.
Controversies And Public Image
Schilling’s post-playing reputation has been shaped by controversy. Known for his outspoken conservative political views, he has frequently clashed with teammates, media figures, and executives.
In 2016, ESPN terminated his contract following inflammatory social media posts related to transgender issues.
These controversies have also played a role in Schilling’s repeated near-misses for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, despite statistics that many analysts consider worthy of enshrinement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Curt Schilling lose most of his fortune?
His video game company, 38 Studios, collapsed after financial mismanagement, costing him nearly his entire personal fortune.
How many World Series titles did Curt Schilling win?
Schilling won three World Series championships (2001, 2004, 2007).
Is Curt Schilling in the Baseball Hall of Fame?
As of now, he has not been inducted, despite strong statistical credentials.