When former Boston Red Sox ace Curt Schilling withdrew his name from HOF Ballot after missing cut in multiple years

Red Sox Photo Day FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 28: Curt Schilling #38 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait during Photo Day at their spring training facility on February 28, 2004 in Ft. Myers, Florida. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Curt Schilling of the Boston Red Sox (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

In 2021, former Boston Red Sox veteran Curt Schilling requested his removal from the 2022 Hall of Fame ballot after narrowly missing out on enshrinement in Cooperstown.

In a post shared on social media, Schilling expressed his grievance and wrote:

“I will not participate in the final year of voting. I am requesting to be removed from the ballot."
"No player on the Baseball HOF’s 2021 ballot reached the 75% threshold needed for enshrinement. Leading vote-getters." - ESPN

Schilling missed making the Hall of Fame by 16 votes, receiving 71.1 percent in 2021, while he needed to receive the 75% threshhold to reach Cooperstown.


Curt Schilling's request was rejected by Baseball Writers’ Association of America

Pitcher Curt Schilling of the Boston Red Sox (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Pitcher Curt Schilling of the Boston Red Sox (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

After Boston Red Sox icon Curt Schilling appealed for his name to be struck off the Baseball HOF ballot in 2022, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America rejected his request.

In a statement issued by Jack O'Connell, the secretary-treasurer of the BBWAA, he wrote:

"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."

It continued:

"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."

Curt Schilling had no choice but to adhere to the rules.

"David Ortiz is the lone Hall of Famer, getting in by 11 votes (77.9 pct). Bonds 66%, Clemens 65.2%. 7 were over 50 pct. Also: Rolen (63.2), Schilling (58.6), Helton (52), Wagner (52)." - Joel Sherman

In 2022, Curt Schilling appeared for his final MLB HOF ballot and received 58.6 percent of after receiving 70 percent in 2020 and 71.1 percent in 2021.

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