Curt Schilling is expected to remain on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot next year despite his request to be removed, the Baseball Writers Association of America said in its recommendation to the Hall board of directors on Wednesday.
“It is the position of the Baseball Writers Association of America that Mr. Schilling’s request to withdraw from the ballot is a violation of the rules set by the board of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which mandated BBWAA to conduct the annual elections, specifically the following: ‘The duty of the Selection Committee will be to prepare an alphabetical list of ballots in order of eligible candidates who (1) received a vote on at least five percent (5%) of the votes cast in the previous election or (2) are eligible for the first time and are appointed by any two of the six members of the BBWAA Selection Committee. ‘
“Mr. Schilling has met both requirements and must remain on the ballot for consideration by the voting body for what would be his last year on the BBWAA ballot in 2022. The Hall of Fame designated BBWAA as an electorate in 1936. This association has met the rules for 85 years and must continue to do so. BBWAA urges the board to reject Mr. Schilling’s request, “BBWAA secretary / treasurer Jack O’Connell said in a statement.
Schilling, six times All-Star over 20 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox, was the leader in obtaining votes in the 2021 class with 285 votes, but 71.8 % of the vote he did not reach the 75% limit to win the Hall of Fame election. After the voting totals 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 vote in 2022.
“I’m not going to participate in the last year of voting. I’m asking to be removed from the ballot. I’m going to pass it on to the committee of veterans and men whose opinions really matter and who are in a position to really judge a player,” Schilling wrote. “I don’t think it is a Hall of Fame, as I have said many times, but if former players think I am, then I will accept that with honor.”
Schilling saw 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 media comments appears to be limiting his support.
Among Schilling’s most controversial statements was a 2016 tweet, later deleted, in which he seemed to endorse the lynching of journalists. More recently, Schilling expressed support for the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol – although the drafters’ ballots were sent before that date.
In addition, Schilling was fired as a baseball analyst by ESPN after posting a derogatory message on social media about trans people. This followed his previous suspension via the network, after comparing Muslim extremists to Nazis in a social media post.
“I can say that, at this point, I finished mentally. I know math and I know trends and I know that I will not reach the 75% limit for induction,” wrote Schilling in his letter. “As I have said many times 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 mine is as a player, it will be the truth, and something I won for better or for worse,” he continued. “The game made it clear that it doesn’t want me back and that’s okay, the game owes me nothing at all. It gave a billion times more than it took and I will forever be deeply indebted to it.”
Hall of Fame board chairwoman Jane Forbes Clark 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.