For some time, it appeared as though there would be two results when it came to the 2021 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot. Either Curt Schilling would be the only player inducted, or no one would make it to Cooperstown on this ballot. The latter occurred when the results were announced on Tuesday, with Schilling coming the closest with 71.1% of the vote.
That was not good enough for Schilling. He predictably had a meltdown about falling short, demanding to be removed from the ballot next year since he feels that the BBWAA is in no position to judge his career.
Curt Schilling in letter to the Hall of Fame: "I will not participate in the final year of voting. I am requesting to be removed from the ballot. I’ll defer to the veterans committee and men whose opinions actually matter and who are in a position to actually judge a player.''
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 26, 2021
For their part, the BBWAA stated that as Schilling had fulfilled the requirements to be on the ballot, and still has a year of eligibility remaining, he should not be able to dictate his presence. Precedent is on their side in the argument.
Curt Schilling is a litmus test for the Hall of Fame
Based on his career numbers, Schilling has a case for enshrinement. He produced a 216-146 record with a 3.46 ERA and a 1.137 WHiP, striking out 3116 batters with just 711 walks in 3261 innings.
However, Schilling’s case is not just about his statistics. The Hall of Fame does have a morality clause, which has been used as a reason not to vote for players. Schilling himself has indicated it should be used in regards to players such as Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens due to PED allegations.
The problem is that Schilling does not like it when the morality clause is applied to him. He has not exactly covered himself in glory after his playing days, as he defrauded the state of Rhode Island for $75 million; has a history of posting transphobic, homophobic, racist, and sexist comments, which led to his being fired by ESPN; has supported the lynching of journalists; and most recently, supported the insurrection in Washington DC.
It is that latest chapter that had pushed the voters over the cliff, with some writers asking to rescind their vote for Schilling. While that was unable to happen, it shows the larger problem with his Hall of Fame candidacy – Schilling himself. He simply cannot keep from saying or doing something to draw attention to himself.
Naturally, he feels that he is the victim here, that his political views are what is keeping him from the Hall of Fame. Instead, just like a child, he is incapable of looking in the mirror and realizing that he is his greatest obstacle. And, like a child, he is throwing a hissy fit because he did not get what he wanted.
Curt Schilling wants off the Hall of Fame ballot because he feels the voters are against him. If he would stop antagonizing the writers, he may have gotten what he wanted in the first place – a spot in Cooperstown.