COOPERSTOWN, NY—Steroids, PED’s and gambling cast a dark cloud over America’s Favorite Pastime, while a select group of legendary ball players have been crucified for disgracing the game; barring these tarnished heroes from the ultimate honor: being enshrined into Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
Is being a vocal conservative breaking Major League Baseballs “Integrity Clause”? Sadly the answer is yes. The liberal bias in the media is all encompassing-seeping into professional sports-the sole reason former MLB pitcher Curt Schilling doesn’t have his own bronze statue hanging in Cooperstown.
On Tuesday night, the Hall of Fame Class of 2019 was revealed; New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera became the first player ever in the history of MLB to receive 100 percent of the vote. Designated Hitter Edgar Martinez, pitchers Mike Mussina and the late Roy Halladay are headed to the HOF. Every player nominated received the required 75 percent of the vote in order to be enshrined.
In his seventh year of eligibility, the opinionated, brash and amuzing Schilling came up short once again for entry. Schilling seen his percentage spike significantly, receiving 60 percent, up nine percent from 2018. However, the Baseball Writers Association of America is the only entity who votes. The 425 writers who cast a vote are blatantly discriminating against Schilling based on his core beliefs.
Over his brilliant 20-year career beginning in 1988, he played for the Baltimore Orioles, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Boston Red Sox, stepping away from the game in 2007. A dominant force with 216 victories and a ERA of 3.46, both stats are better than Mussina.
His postseason accomplishments rival any pitcher in MLB history. Schilling is the big game pitcher of his generation; displaying a cocky swagger on the mound, saving his best moments as the stakes rose in October. Also, he pitched during the steroids era, lest we forget.
His postseason record is an astonishing 11-2, winning three World Series titles; his “Bloody” sock is pure American folklore, a stirrup with blood above the heel is a priceless relic in the history of sports. His sock drenched in blood, stitches tearing out of his severely injured ankle. His loosely held together ankle miraculously stood firm on the mound at Yankees Stadium.
Schilling silenced both the crowd, as well as the Yankees bats, the Red Sox became the only team in MLB history to win a series after trailing 3-0, the Red Sox made history. A single game from being swept by their arch rivals, the New York Yankees, the Sox rallied to win four consecutive games, capturing the 2004 American League Pennant.
A gushing testament of his courage and grit, the symbol of the 2004 Boston Red Sox. The 2004 Red Sox, who broke the curse of the Bambino, the unbelievable, thrilling postseason run, culminating with the 2004 World Series prize.
It’s hard to identify the impetus behind keeping an athlete of his caliber out of the HOF. Which brings us to the “Integrity Clause.” A Draconian set of moral guidelines that every nominee is judged before he is inducted. It states, “Voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.”
Baseball is the only major U. S. sport which has this hypocritical addendum. The NFL, NHL and NBA do not have an, “Integrity Clause.”
Schilling is by no means perfect. He never won a Cy Young award, his 216 victories are slim compared to other pitchers elected to the HOF. Schilling was fired by ESPN after sharing a meme mocking transgender bathrooms. He is a staunch supporter of President Trump, and he works for Glenn Beck at BlazeTV.
Schilling has three years remaining to reach the 75 percent threshold. Otherwise he joins a list of players who have the faintest odds of being chosen. The same goes for Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. Schilling must love being lumped in with Bonds and Clemens. His accomplishments on the field ought to be the only factor in the decision.
