Readers Respond: Does Curt Schilling Belong in the Baseball Hall of Fame

Curt Schilling, 42, coming off a shoulder injury and with little interest on the free agent market, announced his retirement on his blog on March 23, 2009. When the voting for the Baseball Hall of Fame comes around in 2014, should the writers cast their ballots for Schilling?

Here are the numbers: 20 seasons, 216 wins, 146 losses, a 3.46 ERA, 3,116 strikeouts (14th all-time), as well as the two World Series titles with the Diamondbacks (2001) and Red Sox (2004, 2007). 11-2 in the postseason. And one very famous bloody sock.

Yes

Scott is right. I'm thinking 2016 though. Also, Morris and Blyleven both deserve to be in the Hall. I liked a quote by Yankees announcer Ken Singleton, "If Bert Blyleven doesn't deserve to be in the Hall of Fame, his curveball does."

—metsfan9412

without question

He played at 110% at all times. He made every team he played on a winner. He is a true gamer.

—Guest ljkember

No Doubt

Yes, he belongs in the HOF. He may not go in on the first ballot, due to his early performance, but the latter part of his career more than justifies his place. And Scott is absolutely right - the bloody sock is a permanent part of baseball lore. There isn't a fan who watched that game that won't be talking to their grandkids about it.

—WCDeutsch

Great pitcher

He was one of the best pitchers of the era. Great with fans and a huge fan of the game himself. Played with full heart and soul. HOF Yes!

—Guest Foo Fan

Hall of Fame-Curt Schilling

Curt was a hard nose pitcher. He always gave 110% effort and he is a 1st time Hall of Famer.

—Guest BobbyK

Baseball guide

Schilling will make it, but not on the first ballot. Sure, he has comparable stats to Jack Morris and Bert Blyleven, who are borderline Hall of Famers. Both Morris and Blyleven won World Series as well. But Schilling was a bigger star because he played in the right cities, came through time after time in big games, and the bloody sock just adds to the legend. Put Schilling in Cooperstown in, let's say, 2017.

—Guest Scott