Curt Schilling's a stand-up guy -- unless he's knocking you down

Curt Schilling knocked the Yankees out of the post-season with two different teams, which nearly earns him a lifetime free pass.

But since neither of those two teams was the Mets, the door is left open just a crack to criticize Schilling when he does something really stupid — like last week.

Sock Boy capped off an otherwise fine spring training appearance against the Pirates by skulling outfielder Mike Duffy. Hey, it happens. And we’ve been known to cheer headhunting, especially when the recipient plays most of his games in Atlanta or is named Jeter.

Duffy suffered a mild concussion, which I guess is impressive because I didn’t think Schill had enough gas left to inflict a bruise, especially in mid-March.

But then Schilling was quoted in news reports with this blast directed at his victim: "Bottom line is that ball should not have hit him. You've got to be able to get out of the way of that pitch."

Way to duck responsibility, Curt!

Let’s see. Ball was in Schilling’s hand. Schilling threw the ball. Thrown balls in such situations are expected to land in the general vicinity of the area directly above home plate. Duffy’s bean was somewhat northwest of home plate, outside the generally accepted located of pitches.

So it appears to me the responsibility should fall of Schilling, not Duffy.

Duffy, apparently before he caused Schilling to bean him.

However, Curt’s creativity opens a whole new approach to responsibility denial. Consider how it might apply to the following individuals:

Vince Coleman: "It’s not my fault that kids got hurt when I threw those firecrackers. When you see an idiot with an explosive device, you have to be able to get out of the way.

Barry Bonds: "It’s not my fault I (allegedly) took steroids. The people who were giving all that love to Mark McGwire instead of me are to blame."

Roger Clemens: "It’s not my fault I threw the bat. I thought it was the ball."

Oh wait, Clemens actually said that. Maybe Schilling was just trying to follow in Rocket’s footsteps.

If Schilling had said something like "Hey, I feel bad it happened. I hope he recovers." he'd be a hero, or at the very least a decent guy.

But we've seen Curt fold up before. He was outspoken on the steroid issue until he butt was hauled before Congress -- when he suddenly developed amnesia.