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Curt belongs there and I"m not just saying this just becuase I"m a Phillies fan. His numbers are there, he's high on the all time list of strikeouts, his WHIP ratio was excellent, he has world series wins for multiple teams and was a really good post season pitcher. Also he pitched right through the teeth of the steriod era, and he pitched for a lot of bad Phillies teams, otherwise his win count would be a lot higher.
There's only one reason he isn't in: he's an outspoken conservative.
Curt was very talented and should be in the Hall of Fame. And he would be the first Alaska-born player in it if that happens.
However, it is more than just being an outspoken conservative. He's burned so many bridges. The way he led other Phillies teammates to turn against Mitch Williams for that home run he gave up to Joe Carter in 1993. It's not just being outspoken, it's his mean-spirited mentality that's costing him.
John Smoltz, the great Braves pitcher, is a Republican. He considered running for Congress as a Republican. He helped Republican candidate Ralph Reed for his campaign as Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. John Smoltz ,a devout Christian, admitted to not not a fan of gay marriage. He's in the Hall of Fame. He doesn't talk badly about other people. He isn't known for being mean-spirited and vindictive as Curt Schilling has been. John Smoltz, even though he is a Republican, has also shown he'll work with anyone regardless of political party. He raised money for Andrea Cascarilla, a Democratic candidate for State Representative in Michigan's 71st House District.
However, it is more than just being an outspoken conservative. He's burned so many bridges. The way he led other Phillies teammates to turn against Mitch Williams for that home run he gave up to Joe Carter in 1993. It's not just being outspoken, it's his mean-spirited mentality that's costing him.
Agree, but its more that that too. Schiling was good, but he's not seeking entry into the "Hall of Good". Mitch Williams summed it up best in 2019:
"He was a great postseason pitcher,when they add a wing to the Hof for that, he’s a 1st ballot guy. 216 wins in 22 yrs? That’s a Hof-er?"
What we see here is people saying "this guy agrees with me, so he should be a HOF'er and if he's not it's some conspiracy". Your post brings much levity to the situation.
Curt was very talented and should be in the Hall of Fame. And he would be the first Alaska-born player in it if that happens.
However, it is more than just being an outspoken conservative. He's burned so many bridges. The way he led other Phillies teammates to turn against Mitch Williams for that home run he gave up to Joe Carter in 1993. It's not just being outspoken, it's his mean-spirited mentality that's costing him.
John Smoltz, the great Braves pitcher, is a Republican. He considered running for Congress as a Republican. He helped Republican candidate Ralph Reed for his campaign as Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. John Smoltz ,a devout Christian, admitted to not not a fan of gay marriage. He's in the Hall of Fame. He doesn't talk badly about other people. He isn't known for being mean-spirited and vindictive as Curt Schilling has been. John Smoltz, even though he is a Republican, has also shown he'll work with anyone regardless of political party. He raised money for Andrea Cascarilla, a Democratic candidate for State Representative in Michigan's 71st House District.
I hear what you're saying.
Here's something I heard somewhere along the way about Curt..... his teammates said he was a horse every 5th day, and a horses ass the other 4 days, LOL
Vacoder is right. Cy Young had a trophy named after him as the pitcher of the league of a particular year. He won 511 games in his career. And Joe DiMaggio, not getting in until his 4th year? Before he died in 1999 he was named by the MLB writers as the greatest living player in MLB history. And there is more than just these two.
1.Tris Speaker---2nd year
2.Rogers Hornsby---5th year
3.Jimmy Foxx---7th year
4.Hank Greenberg---9th year
5.Yogi Berra---2nd year
6.Harmon Killebrew---4th year
7.Grover Cleveland Alexander---3rd year
8.Lefty Grove---4th year
9.Mel Ott---3rd year
10Whitey Ford---2nd year
And a number of writers will use "Oh well Cy Young wasn't a first ballot, so I don't vote first ballots," as a justification for not having first ballot hall of farmers who should clearly be in the Hall of Fame. Honestly a bigger injustice that Curt Schilling's snub is that Derek Jeter was unanimous because of some crap like the logic I spoke of.
As for Schilling had he not made bigoted comments, used fiery rhetoric and now supported the capitol riot, he very well would have been inducted by now. However that stuff tends to rub people the wrong way.
Agree, but its more that that too. Schiling was good, but he's not seeking entry into the "Hall of Good". Mitch Williams summed it up best in 2019:
"He was a great postseason pitcher,when they add a wing to the Hof for that, he’s a 1st ballot guy. 216 wins in 22 yrs? That’s a Hof-er?"
What we see here is people saying "this guy agrees with me, so he should be a HOF'er and if he's not it's some conspiracy". Your post brings much levity to the situation.
First couple of pitchers in HOF I looked at--both pitched in the high mound era where Bob Gibson could do a whole season with a 1.12 ERA and not into the steroid and DH era as Curt Schilling did.
Don Drysdale 209-166 2.95 ERA
Jim Bunning 224-184 3.27 ERA
This was Schilling's 9th year on the ballot, he only has one more chance.
Thanks for the correction. I stand by the rest of my analysis. In part, the point I was trying to make is that Schilling not making it on the 9th or even 10th ballot is still a function of more than just numbers. He wasn't a guaranteed Hall of Famer. He's sort of on that cusp. He might get in, he might not. I thought the Mike Mussina comparison was good.
I think there might be some projection about Schilling's post-career issues being inserted in the conversation. We aren't talking about Barry Bonds here - who would have been in the Hall of Fame if not for PEDs. Same with Roger Clemens. Schilling wasn't on their level. He was a great player - I had a lot of respect for his playstyle. My teams were on the losing end of the playoffs a few times due to his efforts. But I respected him.
If he was a borderline HoFer and he winds up coming up short, it might just because he was a borderline HoFer and not some sort of "woke movement."
Thanks for the correction. I stand by the rest of my analysis. In part, the point I was trying to make is that Schilling not making it on the 9th or even 10th ballot is still a function of more than just numbers. He wasn't a guaranteed Hall of Famer. He's sort of on that cusp. He might get in, he might not. I thought the Mike Mussina comparison was good.
I think there might be some projection about Schilling's post-career issues being inserted in the conversation. We aren't talking about Barry Bonds here - who would have been in the Hall of Fame if not for PEDs. Same with Roger Clemens. Schilling wasn't on their level. He was a great player - I had a lot of respect for his playstyle. My teams were on the losing end of the playoffs a few times due to his efforts. But I respected him.
If he was a borderline HoFer and he winds up coming up short, it might just because he was a borderline HoFer and not some sort of "woke movement."
I think there is something to the political/personal views of Schilling. And I'm not saying it defense of him or as a way to just attack him, it is part of him. It is for the same reason Pete Rose was kept off the ballot. It is the same as Clemens, Bonds and McGuire being blocked due to PEDs. Schilling's "total package" is a problem, even if you adjust stats to the modern era and not compare just numbers. Of course someone in the PED era will have a higher ERA, the longball is STILL popular even without clear PED use.
But I think the biggest reason Schilling was held out, was due to the cut-line being 75%. I've long disagreed with the cut-line, because it can cause years of only legend committee picks (often times, these don't help bring people to Cooperstown.) Luckily this year, they could formally induct Jeter (which they couldn't do last year.) I've said that the top 3 vote getters and anyone else who hits the 75% cut should be in. That means Schilling should be in this year. Sadly these traditionalist snobby baseball writers still control the way the hall is run.
FYI, I spent several summers at the hall or Cooperstown and seen many an induction weekend and what it meant for the local economy. The local hotels and campgrounds make a lot of money. Especially when there are real inductees not legend committee picks like the 2021 class is. Depending on who is inducted, campgrounds can make more induction weekend than on Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July weekend or Labor Day weekend. It is an economic issue as much as it is a quality of hall of famer issue. The voting for the baseball hall of fame, has to have a better way of being handled.
This has absolutely nothing to do with "woke." If the HOF was "woke," Gary Sheffield and Albert Belle, two of the most woke and outspoken men of their era, would fly right through the door in Cooperstown!
This has everything to do with a Hall of Fame selection process having no credibility, and needing serious reform!
Curt belongs there and I"m not just saying this just becuase I"m a Phillies fan. His numbers are there, he's high on the all time list of strikeouts, his WHIP ratio was excellent, he has world series wins for multiple teams and was a really good post season pitcher. Also he pitched right through the teeth of the steriod era, and he pitched for a lot of bad Phillies teams, otherwise his win count would be a lot higher.
There's only one reason he isn't in: he's an outspoken conservative.
Bingo. I now view pro sports and their athletes to be an immaturity i have finally outgrown. However, i agree with you as usual.
Here's something I heard somewhere along the way about Curt..... his teammates said he was a horse every 5th day, and a horses ass the other 4 days, LOL
Just win baby
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It is an economic issue as much as it is a quality of hall of famer issue. The voting for the baseball hall of fame, has to have a better way of being handled.
