"Curt Schilling Opts Out of Red Sox 2004 Celebration Amid Controversy"
Former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling has declined an invitation to the team's celebration of the 2004 championship amid controversy surrounding his public disclosure of a former teammate's private cancer battle. Schilling did not want his appearance to serve as a distraction from honoring the late Tim Wakefield's memory. The Red Sox had invited all members of the 2004 team to the ceremony, and while there was speculation that several teammates threatened not to attend if Schilling did, a source said that was untrue. Schilling has been the subject of controversy in his post-playing days due to extreme political positions and was fired from ESPN in 2016 for "unacceptable" conduct.