Former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling said he was “at peace” after not receiving the necessary votes to be included in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Schilling received 285 of the 401 votes, 71 percent, just 4 points behind the 75 percent needed for introductions, reports the Boston Globe. However, none of the candidates received enough votes to be sworn in.
On Facebook, Schilling shared a long statement that he said was also sent to the Baseball Writers Association of America.
Schilling asked to be removed from the ballot, adding: “I don’t think I am a hall of fame as I have said many times, but if former players think I am, then I will accept that with honor.
“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, “said Schilling.” In my 22 years playing professional baseball in the most culturally diverse sports locker rooms, I have never said or acted in any other role. than being a good teammate. “
The retired baseball player is probably referring to criticism of his behavior on social media, where he attacked groups such as Muslims and transgender people. Schilling once tweeted a photo comparing Muslims to Nazis. His online anti-trans comments prompted him to be fired as an ESPN analyst.
The day after the deadly violation of the Capitol on January 6, Schilling posted several tweets appearing to defend protesters while ridiculing Black Lives Matter protesters.
O Globo points to an incident in which Schilling commented: “Okay, very amazing here” in a photo of a Trump supporter wearing a shirt that said “Rope. Tree. Journalist. Requires some assembly. ”TO Globo notes that Schilling’s hostile behavior on social media probably hampered his chances of being included in the Hall of Fame.
“It was never malicious, never hurt another person intentionally or intentionally. I was 100% responsible and still am,” Schilling continued in his statement. “Even the idea of responding to ‘Nazi’ or ‘racist’ or any other term so diluted and meaningless by cowardly cowards who never knew me makes me sick.”