Former All-Star pitcher Curt Schilling draws outrage as he likens war-torn Ukraine to fascist Italy

Curt Schilling made some comments on the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine that have raised more than a few eyebrows and left observers wondering about his historical knowledge.

Appearing on Sean Hannity's eponymously named Fox News program, Schilling discussed the United States' ongoing support for Ukraine amid the war. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" to "denazify" Ukraine in the early hours of Feb. 24, 2022.

Curt Schilling, a native of Alaska, compared Russia's invasion of Ukraine to a hypothetical scenario in which Hitler's Germany invaded Mussolini's Italy in 1939. The 56-year old said:

“If Germany had invaded Italy in 1939, what would the world have done? That's exactly what has happened here in the modern sense. One really bad person has invaded another really bad person's country. ... These are two really bad places with really bad people."

The comments came as US President Joe Biden is reportedly planning an aid package worth some $2 billion to Ukraine as rumors of a fresh Russian offensive grow.

“If Germany had invaded Italy in 1939, what would the world have done? That's exactly what has happened here in the modern sense. One really bad person has invaded another really bad person's country. We are picking sides as if there is a good…” - Acyn

Making his debut for the Baltimore Orioles in 1988, Curt Schilling made a name for himself as a starter for the Philadelphia Phillies throughout the early to mid-1990s. In 1997 and 1998, he led the MLB in strikeouts with 319 and 300, respectively. He finished fourth in the NL Cy Young Award voting in 1997.

A World Series-winner with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001, Curt Schilling was the NL Cy Young runner-up in both 2001, 2002 and 2004. Despite posting very strong career stats, allegations of steroid use and domestic abuse blocked his accession into the Hall of Fame. He was finally taken off the ballot in 2022.

Since finishing his career with the Boston Red Sox in 2007, Schilling has devoted a lot of time and energy to advancing a plethora of outlandish conspiracy theories. He has openly claimed that the US Democratic Party is operated by a clandestine group of Satanic pedophiles, and backed outlandish claims that school shootings were nothing more than charades carried out by child actors. Former President Donald Trump even backed Schilling in an Arizona Congressional race in 2019.

"Curt Schilling, a great pitcher and patriot, is considering a run for Congress in Arizona. Terrific! @Foxandfriends" - Donald J. Trump

Curt Schilling is only doing damage to his already-tarnished reputation

Curt Schilling's reputation has always been marred. Although his stance on non-interventionism may have some level of credence, he has somehow once again found a way to be as ineloquent as possible.