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Schilling season finale, not career

Curt Schilling`s final outing of the season was successful. The Red Sox beat the Devil Rays 5-1, behind their starting pitcher`s 101 throws and nine strikeouts over eight innings, and backed by David Ortiz`s 54th home run of the season. It was Schilling`s 15th win of the season but only the first one in his last eight starts.

Manager Terry Francona said he will not play Schilling again this season. But the question in Boston these days is will Schilling play again at all? Schilling (15-7, 3.97 ERA) ended his post-game press conference with a note of uncertainty on his status for 2007. "If I come back next year, I know that the off-season will be the hardest off-season of my career because I`ll have to work harder than I`ve ever worked," Schilling said.

Later, to calm the rumors, Schilling said it was a mistake, a slip, and that he intends to honor his contract. ?To hold us accountable for things we say within one hour after the game should be illegal. It is unlikely that the pitcher, who is owed $13 million by the Red Sox, does not come back. Another 20 wins would get him that much closer to the Hall of Fame and, with his 40th birthday coming in November, Schilling has repeatedly said that he wants one more year in the big leagues.