Former World Series champion Curt Schilling took issue with the use of pitch counts in Major League Baseball as the 2025 season got underway.Schilling appeared Friday on “The Will Cain Show” on Fox News Channel. Fill-in host Charles Hurt asked the former Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox star whether the pitch count has turned out to be good or bad.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Former MLB pitcher Curt Schilling looks on during the first inning of the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field in Phoenix on Aug. 3, 2018. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)The six-time All-Star shook his head.”It’s been a bad thing, but it’s a direct result of the money,” Schilling said. “[Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher] Paul Skenes gets almost $10 million to sign out of college. Teams aren’t gonna spend that kind of money without their guys getting to the big leagues. So, they’re on pitch counts in the minor leagues, and they end up going into the big leagues with pitch counts, and you can’t ask guys to do things for the first time in the big leagues. “I kinda get a little acid reflux every time I see a pitcher walking off the mound in the sixth inning, tipping his cap. But the game has changed.”MLB managers have routinely taken pitchers out of ball games if they start to sniff 100 pitches during games, regardless of whether the player has a no-hitter or shutout intact. Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes celebrates with teammates after leaving the game against the Miami Marlins during the sixth inning at loanDepot Park in Miami on Thursday. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)JUAN SOTO STRIKES OUT WITH 2 ON TO END FORGETTABLE METS DEBUT AND 3-1 LOSS TO ASTROSOne of the most famous instances in recent memory came during the 2018 World Series when Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts relieved starter Rich Hill in the seventh inning during Game 4 against the Boston Red Sox.Hill lasted 6.1 innings, allowing just one earned run and one hit. He had thrown 91 pitches and Los Angeles held a 4-0 lead at that point. The Dodgers’ bullpen then imploded, and the team ultimately lost the game 9-6.The move sparked a reaction from President Donald Trump, calling Roberts’ move a “big mistake.” Hill responded by saying the president’s focus shouldn’t have been on the game. Philadelphia Phillies Wall of Fame inductee Curt Schilling is introduced prior to the Phillies playing the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Aug. 2, 2013. (Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPYears later, the Dodgers will be celebrating their 2024 World Series victory at the White House next month.Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
Ex-MLB star sounds off on pitch counts
