Curt Schilling plans on facing former teammate Randy Johnson when the Red Sox meet the Yankees on Opening Night on April 3.

Schilling, who mesmerized fans with his heroic effort during Boston's run to the 2004 World Series title, is coming off ankle surgery on Nov. 9. In an interview with ESPN's Jayson Stark that partially aired Wednesday night, Schilling says he plans on being ready to go when baseball's biggest rivalry takes over a national stage to open the 2005 season.

"I will do everything within my God-given ability to be healthy, 100 percent, on the mound that night," said Schilling. "As far as a regular-season game goes, I don't know if it gets any better than that. Pitching against the most dominating pitcher in the last 20 years, maybe last 100 years, in Yankee Stadium, as a member of the Boston Red Sox, coming off a World Series. That is a dream game.

"I am convinced now the ankle will be healthy by then. But the arm has to be where it needs to be. I have to be comfortable knowing I can take the ball on Opening Day, and not go out there with a pitch count."

Schilling spoke very highly of the Big Unit, his former partner in crime with the Diamondbacks. The two shared co-MVP honors of the 2001 World Series after Arizona beat the Yankees in seven memorable games.

"It was an honor to play with him. I am proud to have been a teammate of his. Up until this year, I hoped every time he took the ball, he did something special. As a Yankee, that's going to change a little bit. He's special."

The entire interview will be broadcast by ESPN during SportsCenter on Sunday night.