I've always been an admirer of Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling. In this year's postseason, he added to his longstanding reputation as a fearless competitor by pitching, very effectively, with a dislocated tendon in his right ankle--an injury that left his ankle soaked in blood as the game progressed.

I was glad to learn that even though John Kerry has tried to associate himself with the Red Sox, Schilling is no Kerry fan. This exchange was on Good Morning America:

GIBSON: "Well, well said, Curt and Shonda. You both have certainly lifelong membership now in the Red Sox nation. It was a great thing to watch, and I think everybody – whether they were great Red Sox fans or not -- had to admire what this team did. It was extraordinary, and one of the great stories of sport. And sport always produces such great stories. Curt, Shonda, great to have you with us. Congratulations."

SCHILLING: "And make sure you tell everybody to vote, and vote Bush next week."

DEACON adds: Schilling isn't the only Red State Red Sox, as this piece from our archives shows.