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Curt Schilling Has Unique Request After Falling Short Of Hall Of Fame Again

Outspoken former Major League Baseball pitcher Curt Schilling missed the Baseball Hall of Fame for the ninth consecutive year and doesn't intend to see what will happen during his final year on the ballot.

Schilling, who missed the cut in 2021 by 16 votes and was the closest player to the 75-percent threshold (71.1%, his personal high) requested he be removed from next year's ballot in a lengthy social media post.

The 2022 vote would be his 10th and final year to be voted by the Baseball Writers Association of America, who he claims has "lined up" to destroy his career and argues that "Former players will be the ultimate judge, as it should be."

"I will not participate in the final year of voting. I am requesting to be removed from the ballot," Schilling wrote. "I'll defer to the veterans committee and men whose opinions actually matter and who are in a position to actually judge a player. I don't think I'm a hall of famer as I've often stated but if former players think I am then I'll accept that with honor."

BBWAA Secretary/Treasurer Jack O'Connell responded to Schilling's request on Wednesday (January 27), saying the association will "urge" the Hall of Fame to exclude the former MLB pitcher from next year's ballot.

"It is the position of the Baseball Writers' Association of America that Mr. Schilling's request to remove himself from the ballot is a violation of the rules set forth by the National Baseball Hall of Fame's board of directors, who have commissioned the BBWAA to conduct the annual elections, specifically the following: 'The duty of the Screening Committee shall be to prepare a ballot listing in alphabetical order eligible candidates who (1) received a vote on a minimum of five percent (5%) of the ballots cast in the preceding election or (2) are eligible for the first time and are nominated by any two of the six members of the BBWAA Screening Committee.'

"Mr. Schilling has fulfilled both of those requirements and should remain on the ballot for consideration by the voting body for what would be his final year on the BBWAA ballot in 2022.

"The Hall of Fame assigned the BBWAA to be the electorate in 1936. This association has abided by the rules for 85 years and shall continue to do so. The BBWAA urges the board to reject Mr. Schilling's request."

Schilling reiterated that he has no ill will for the Hall of Fame itself, but specifically for media members, who he accused of purposely voting against him. The former pitcher was fired by ESPN in 2016 for offensive social media posts and has received backlash for controversial statements over the years.

Photo: Getty Images


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