Curt Schilling is expected to remain in the Baseball Hall of Fame vote next year, despite his request to be removed, the American Baseball Writers Association said in its recommendation to Hall’s board of directors Wednesday.
“The position of the American Baseball Writers Association is that Mr. Schilling’s request to be removed from the ballot is a violation of the rules set by the National Baseball Board of Directors, which commissioned the BBWAA to conduct the annual election, in particular the following: “The duty of the examination committee is to prepare a list in alphabetical order of eligible candidates who (1) have received a vote of at least five percent (5%) of the ballots cast in previous elections or (2) are eligible for for the first time and are nominated by any of the six members of the BBWAA Screening Committee. ”
“Mr Schilling has met both requirements and should remain on the ballot to be considered by the polling station for what would be his final year in the 2022 BBWAA election. The Hall of Fame assigned the BBWAA to be elected in 1936. This association has followed the rules for 85 years and will continue to do so. BBWAA urges council to reject Mr Schilling’s request, “BBWAA Secretary / Treasurer Jack O’Connell he said in a statement.
Schilling, a six-time All-Star over 20 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox, was the most important 2021 class voter with 285 votes, but with 71.8% of the vote did not reach the 75% threshold to win elections at the Hall of Fame. After the total votes were announced, Schilling shared on Tuesday on Facebook that he wrote a letter to the Hall of Fame on Monday asking to be removed from the ballot in 2022.
“I will not participate in the last year of voting. I request to be removed from the ballot. I will refer to the committee of veterans and men whose opinions actually matter and who are able to effectively judge a player,” Schilling wrote. . “I don’t think I’m a hall of fame, as I’ve often said, but if former players think they are, then I will accept that with honor.”
Schilling had seen his share of the vote rise from 45% in 2017 to 70% last year. Historically, most players who reach the 70% level eventually get enough support to land in Cooperstown. However, the reaction against Schilling’s public and social comments seems to limit his support.
Among Schilling’s most controversial statements was a 2016 tweet, which was later deleted, in which he appeared to support the lynching of journalists. More recently, Schilling has voiced support for the January 6 attack on the US Capitol – although the writers’ ballots were cast before that date.
In addition, Schilling was fired as a baseball analyst by ESPN after posting a derogatory message on social media about transgender people. This followed its previous suspension by the network, after comparing extremist Muslims with the Nazis in a post on social media.
“I can say right now that I’m done mentally. I know math and I know the trends, and I know I won’t reach the 75% threshold for induction,” Schilling wrote in his letter. “As I have often said in recent years to those with whom I have spoken in my heart, I am at peace. Nothing, zero, none of the statements made by any of the writers have merit.”
“Whatever is mine as a player, this will be the truth and one that I have won for better or worse,” he continued. “The game has made it clear that I don’t want to go back and it’s okay, the game doesn’t owe me anything. It has given a billion times more than it was needed and I will be forever deeply indebted to it.”
Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the board of directors of the Hall of Fame, said in a statement on Tuesday that the board would consider Schilling’s request “at our next meeting.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.