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Bankruptcy really socks it to Schilling

Schilling

BY TOM MAHON, Daily News Staff Writer

Posted: October 05, 2012

IT'S NO SECRET that former Phillies ace Curt Schilling is hurting for cash. You don't get featured in ESPN Film's latest 30-for-30 documentary, "Broke," unless you're . . . well . . . broke.

Schilling has said he personally lost almost $50 million when 38 Studios, his video game company, filed for bankruptcy. On Thursday, he said he may also lose some of his most cherished sports mementos, including the bloody sock he wore while pitching for the Red Sox in Game 2 of the 2004 World Series.

Apparently, Schilling used the sock - now on loan to the National Baseball Hall of Fame - as part of collateral for millions of dollars in loans for his failed company. On Thursday, he told WEEI-AM in Boston that he may have to sell the sock, a cap worn by Lou Gehrig, and some World War II memorabilia to cover the loans.

"I put myself out there," he said. "I'm obligated to try and make amends and, unfortunately, this is one of the byproducts of that."

Schilling also pitched with a bloody sock in Game 6 of that year's ALCS, but threw that one away, a move he probably regrets considering how much the World Series sock is worth.

The Associated Press reported that Richie Russek, from the Discovery Channel series "All Star Dealers," estimated the sock is worth between $50,000 and $100,000. The Gehrig cap, he said, is worth at least $150,000.

James or Jordan?

On the first episode of NBA TV's Open Court, airing Tuesday at 11 p.m., Charles Barkley says LeBron James could become a better player than Michael Jordan.

Barkley, of course, knows that James has won just one NBA title in nine seasons while Jordan won six in 15. But he also knows the two are the only NBA players to win the league title, regular-season MVP, Finals MVP and Olympic gold in the same year.

"I do think he can be better than Michael," Barkley said. "I thought I would never compare somebody to Michael Jordan. But this guy, LeBron James, he does everything well. Michael did everything well. LeBron James is just bigger, stronger, faster. That's the only difference."

Contact Tom Mahon at mahont@phillynews.com