Postseason MVPs of the 90s: Curt Schilling 1993 NLCS

 

-Matthew McConkey 

When I think of dominating postseason pitchers in MLB history, Curt Schilling's name is on the short list. Full of grit, determination, and a blazing fastball, Curt first made it to the postseason as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1993. It was in the '93 playoffs that he would show fans outside of Philly how good he was in the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves. 

In Game 1 of the NLCS in Philadelphia, against a 104-win Braves team, Schilling allowed 2 ER in 8 innings, fanning 10. He would get a no-decision for his performance. Curt's 135 pitch effort gave the Phillies exactly what they needed as they took the first game of the NLCS.

With the series tied at 2-2 going into Game 5 in Atlanta, Curt Schilling got the start again on the mound for the Phillies. In a 131 pitch masterpiece, Schilling struck out 9, allowed 1 ER, in 8 innings. But once again, he was saddled with a no-decision. The Phillies would win the game in 10 Innings, and take a 3-2 lead heading back to Philadelphia, where they would win Game 6 and go to the World Series.

This series was the beginning of the Schilling postseason legacy for years to come. He was named NLCS MVP in 1993: 0-0 (2 games), 1.69 ERA, 16 Innings, 3 ER, 1.000 WHIP.

Curt Schilling Stats 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/schilcu01.shtml