Curt Schilling should be in the Hall of Fame: Part II

Curt Schilling belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Yes, I wrote that back in early July. But every good movie, and debate, deserves a sequel. So, here’s part two of my Schill to the HOF argument. Through some metrics I won’t attempt to explain or pretend to understand, eligible players are ranked on how deserving they are of enshrinement.

Here’s how the 2020 class is shaping up with HOFm (whatever that means):

Barry Bonds: 340
Derek Jeter: 337
Roger Clemens: 332
Todd Helton: 175
Curt Schilling: 171

We can all agree Jeter is in. Bonds and Clemens get a higher percentage each year, but will still fall short in 2020.

Helton and Schilling are the only others in consideration. Last year writers put in four people, with Schilling finishing fifth. He appeared on 60.9% of the ballots. You need to appear on 75% to be enshrined.

The cranky old writers who vote for the Baseball Hall of Fame are tough to impress. And they can hold a grudge if you weren’t sweet to them when you played. The Hall of Fame system needs an overhaul. But the old curmudgeons who do vote have allowed in a couple of guys that open the door for Schilling.

Let’s start with Roy Halladay. He was a great pitcher and a true workhorse. Here are his stats:

Roy Halladay

RECORD: 203-105.
ERA: 3.38
STRIKE OUTS: 2117
CY YOUNGS: 2
WAR 64.3
WHIP: 1.17
POST SEASON RECORD: 3-2
World Series WINS: 0

I am fine with Halladay being in the HOF. But whats amazing is he received more than 85% of the vote cast and was a first ballot entrant.

Next here are the numbers on Jack Morris:

RECORD: 254-186
ERA: 3.89
STRIKE OUTS: 2478
WAR: 48.3
WHIP: 1.29
CY YOUNGS: 0
POST SEASON RECORD: 7-4. 3.80 ERA
WORLD SERIES TITLES: 3

Keeping all those stats in mind, lets look at Schilling:

RECORD: 216-146
ERA: 3.46
STRIKE OUTS: 3116
WAR 79.5
WHIP: 1.16
CY YOUNGS: 0
POST SEASON RECORD: 11-2 with a 2.23 ERA
WORLD SERIES TITLES: 3

Schilling did not win the Cy Young, but finished second in the voting 3 times and in the top 5 four times.

As you can see those numbers compare very favorably to both Halladay and Morris. It should be noted much of Curt’s career took place during the steroid era. That should count for a little something extra too.

In the prime of his career Schilling was dominant posting a 111-57 record in his eight seasons with Arizona and Boston. His performance in the 2004 postseason, including the two bloody sock games, should be the red icing on the cake.

So, come see Curt Schilling in Bangor October 5th, and in the next few years you should be able to see him in Cooperstown as well.

www.sportschowdah.com

Jeff Solari

About Jeff Solari

Jeff Solari is the president and founder of the Sports Chowdah, Maine’s only free, weekly sports e mail newsletter. Recently, the Mount Desert Island native was the co-host of "The Drive" on 92.9 FM in Bangor.