Major league baseball hall of fame induction is coming up, with some excellent first time ballot players. Mark Buehrle, Tori Hunter, Aramis Ramirez and more, are all excellent ball players, that excelled at their position and the game. I just don’t think they are first time ballot inductees, or if they will ever be HOF inductees. This is not a knock against them, any player capable of making it to the big leagues, is a great player and to be named on the HOF ballot is an extreme honor. It’s just that Hall of Fame inductees are the very elite of baseball, or the 1% club.
That being said, there are a few great players, that have been on the ballot many years and haven’t been inducted. This is manly to do with the use of Steroids or Performance enhancement drugs, I do not condone the use of any drugs! Some people argue, that even though they were using, they still had to hit the ball, make the play or pitch. The other side of this argument is, but that also could be the difference between a routine fly ball to the outfield, that ends up being a home run, or that extra strength to get to the ball and make that throw or pitch. We could debate all day about this!
The one player on the ballot and very much deserving of Hall of Fame induction, is Curt Schilling! Curt is without a doubt, worthy of the HOF, no drug use, just hard work, guts and pure talent. He is one of only 18 pitchers, in the history of the game, to join the 3000 strike outs club, with 3116 lifetime SO. A regular season career of 216 wins to 146 loses with a nice 3.46 ERA. Now the post season, the man was a beast, he rose up and gave it his very best, come playoff time! In 19 playoff starts, Curt compiled an 11 – 2 record, with a 2.23 era and 120 strike outs. Remember the bloody socks, enough said! With these stats, Curt Schilling who has played for 20 seasons and been on the ballot since 2013, definitely has a place in Cooperstown! Not to mention, 6 time All Star and 3 World Series rings.
Unfortunately after his playing career was over, he joined ESPN and also was a radio personality. This is where it gets to be a bunch of B.S. because of his political beliefs and that he is not afraid to voice his beliefs to the world, I believe this is called “Freedom of Speech”! I don’t agree with what he has said or tweeted, but as a reasonable, sane and especially someone with common sense. I would say, what does any of that have to do with Curt’s MLB career? Isn’t that what the HOF is about, what a player does on field?
Baseball Writers Association of America, you are using the same amendment, that gives every American the right to say or write, whatever thought or opinion that comes to our minds, against Curt Schilling! Doesn’t Mr. Schilling have the same rights as we do, whether we like it or not? All you are doing, by denying Curt Schilling his rightful place in Cooperstown, is damaging the integrity of the game and the Hall of Fame. Get real BBWAA and make it right!
There is a requirement which talks about “integrity and character” and I think this is where the issue lies with Schilling not being in the HOF at this point.
Thank you for your comment Wes. Yes your are correct, and he will probably be inducted this year, was fairly close last year. We shall see how it all plays out.
Well said Butch! It is about his time on the field, not off.
Thanks Lori, It should be about his time on the field, but that is not the case, just seems a bit hypocritical to me.