Blood is visible on Curt Schilling’s sock (right) during the fourth inning of Game Two of the 2004 World Series.

The Providence Journal / GLENN OSMUNDSON

BALTIMORE — Curt Schilling yesterday emphatically refused to discuss the latest controversy surrounding his bloody sock, the one he wore during the second game of the 2004 World Series, which resides in a display in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Catcher Doug Mirabelli, though, who was accused by Orioles TV announcer Gary Thorne Wednesday night of having said the blood was really red paint, did speak to the media. So did manager Terry Francona. And Thorne met with the media briefly yesterday, as well.

“It was miscommunication,” said Thorne of the remark that led him to believe the sock was painted and not bloody.

“I was doing a (Red Sox) game. I don’t remember when it was, but it was well after the (Sox’ 2004 world championship). It (Mirabelli’s remark) was joking or being sarcastic in the clubhouse that I took to be serious. We were talking about something else and my last question was about the sock really being bloody,” said Thorne, who spoke while standing around the batting cage, surrounded by TV cameras and other reporters as the Orioles took BP.

“I never really thought much about it at the time (of uttering the remark). It came up, a comment was made (Wednesday night). I didn’t think it was a big deal. It’s a non-issue. It (2004) was a great year (for the Sox). It was a tremendous playoffs. Schilling was outstanding. He did the warrior stuff. So, okay. I guess I don’t get it. Obviously, this is much bigger than I thought,” said Thorne.

The story broke in yesterday’s Boston Globe, and was the main topic of conversation on New England talk radio and sports Internet sites all day.

Thorne called Mirabelli yesterday and the two of them hashed it out.

Mirabelli said his main concern was that the “off-the-cuff” remark would affect his relationship with Schilling.

“Any time you’re associated with something like that it can damage relationships with friends and teammates,” said Mirabelli, who said he didn’t even know who Thorne was until seeing his face in the Orioles’ media guide.

Schilling assured him there was no damage control that needed to be addressed.

“(Thorne) said he assumed from what I said that (the sock was painted). By no means was that what I meant. He said I said to him, ‘We got a lot of publicity out of that.’ That’s all he can recall,” said Mirabelli.

Mirabelli is known for his deadpan style, which, in the context of what passes for clubhouse humor, makes it likely this is all a case of two plus two adding up to eight.

“This is a non-story, childish,” said Mirabelli. “The media made it up and is running with it, keeping this stuff going. As far as I’m concerned, it’s over.”

The official word

The Red Sox’ only official response came from Boston president/CEO Larry Lucchino, who said in a statement:

“In regards to the remarks made on Wednesday by Baltimore Orioles announcer Gary Thorne, the Red Sox will not respond to or dignify these insinuations with extensive comment. Such gossip occurred in 2004 and we will not participate in further comment other than to remind everyone that we remain steadfastly proud of the courageous efforts by a seriously injured Curt Schilling — efforts that helped lead the Red Sox to the 2004 World Series championship.”

Crisp update

Center fielder Coco Crisp, who has been suffering from tightness of his left oblique, took some batting practice in the cage yesterday afternoon, the second day in a row he participated in that activity.

Francona said Crisp didn’t feel any ill effects from Wednesday’s session and remained hopeful that he’d be able to start tonight in the opener of the three-game series at Yankee Stadium.

If he can’t play, there’s the possibility Crisp would have to be placed on the disabled list.

Dice-K in Big Apple

Daisuke Matsuzaka will get his first look at Yankee Stadium tonight when he pitches the opener of the three-game series.

Dice-K, though, already has seen the vaunted Yankee lineup. And, while he got credit for the 7-6 win last Sunday night at Fenway Park, the right-hander was fairly ordinary, surrendering six runs on eight hits in seven-plus innings.

Now, New York will be facing Matsuzaka for the second time. It will be interesting to see how batters fare against Dice-K and his funky delivery and arsenal of pitches the second time around, having seen his act once.

skrasner@projo.com