Pitcher Schilling calls time

Schilling, 42, a three-time World Series champion, made the decision after missing all of last season with a shoulder injury. The right-hander hangs up his glove after 20 years in the major leagues and told readers of his 38pitches blog that he leaves with "zero regrets". "This party has officially ended," he wrote. "After being blessed to experience 23 years of playing baseball in front of the best fans in so many different places, it is with zero regrets that I am making my retirement official.

"The things I was allowed to experience, the people I was able to call friends, teammates, mentors, coaches and opponents, the travel, all of it, are far more than anything I ever thought possible in my lifetime," he added. Schilling was part of the two most memorable World Series in recent years, first helping the Arizona Diamondbacks stun the New York Yankees in 2001, and leading the Boston Red Sox to their first title in 86 years in 2004.

He also guided the Philadelphia Philles to the title in 1993. His 3,116 strike-outs rank 14th all-time. * PA Sport