Is Curt Schilling a Hall of Famer?

[Three Jack]

Absolutely, 1000% YES! No way you can keep him out. Compar ehim to the stats of a current Hall of Famer, Catfish Hunter

Schill 216-146 3.46
Hunter 224-166 3.26

Not to mention he was if not the best, one of the top 3 big game pitchers in our generation.

[hokie99]

I'm surprised at so many no's here. I'd vote for him but I can understand the case against considering how low his win total is overall. But it's hard to argue against his postseason success. Tough call. He may end up one of those veteran's committee guys...

[musclemann]

I would put that beatoff pedro in before curt schilling.

How many years did he pitch for the expos?

I dont believe neither one belongs in the hall or will make it.

[wayne1218]

It's a little different at ESPN right now

100,832 Votes

Yes 67%
No 33%

[uconnplayer]

I would put that beatoff pedro in before curt schilling.

How many years did he pitch for the expos?

I dont believe neither one belongs in the hall or will make it.

guy I truly think your wrong on this one. Seems like you have no sense of what Curt or Pedro have done in their careers. Wake up guy, Schill is in

[wayne1218]

Tom Verducci is a pretty good Baseball guy and they had a pretty interesting conversation about this at SI.com yesterday. Here it is .....



SI.com: First things first: Is Curt Schilling a Hall of Famer?

Verducci: I believe that he is. His regular season numbers make him a borderline candidate, but his greatness in the postseason is what puts him over the top. The other thing I really find impressive about him is of all the pitchers who've won at least 200 games, he has the best strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.38) of anybody in history. I like the fact that he was a power pitcher who combined control.

SI.com: Would you say he's a first-ballot Hall of Famer?

Verducci: I'm guessing that he's not going to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. It's really tough to do that in your first year, to get that 75 percent. His career is somewhat parallel to that of Don Drysdale, and it took Drysdale a few ballots to get in. If he's not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, I don't think it's going to take too many for him to get in.

SI.com: How does Schilling rank among the pitchers of his era (John Smoltz, Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez, etc.)?

Verducci: He's not in the top three or four. The guys I would put ahead of him: Greg Maddux, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine. But Schilling's right there in that next group, and certainly I think if you were to put up a short list of pitchers who you'd trust to pitch very well in a big game, Schilling's on anybody's list.

SI.com: With an 11 -2 postseason record, three World Series rings and a World Series MVP, would you say Schilling is the best, or at least one of the best, postseason pitchers of all time?

Verducci: You know, it's hard to define the absolute best. Christy Mathewson was pretty darn good. But I would just go by his generation. I would pick him and John Smoltz as the best big-game pitchers of this generation.

SI.com: Where would you say that Schilling had the biggest impact: Philadelphia, Arizona or Boston?

Verducci: That's a great question, and I'm really anxious, or eager, to see if he does get in, what team he will choose to represent. He won the most games with the Phillies. He won the most World Championships with the Red Sox. But he actually won more games with the Diamondbacks than he did with the Red Sox. And I think the absolute top of his career was 2001 and 2002 with the Diamondbacks. Including the postseason, in those two years he was 49-13 with 571 1/3 innings. And he was age 34 and 35 when he did that. So I would say his biggest impact -- just purely on a performance basis -- came with the Diamondbacks. But I think in terms of what he gave a franchise, his impact on the Red Sox in 2004 goes beyond any other.

SI.com: What playoff performance do you think he's going to be most remembered for: 2001, when he won World Series Co-MVP with Johnson, or 2004, when he pitched in the ALCS with the bloody sock and went on to win the World Series, breaking the Curse of the Bambino?

Verducci: I don't think there's any doubt it's the bloody sock game. That is one of the iconic pitching performances of all time. To win an elimination game at Yankee Stadium, force a Game 7, obviously then to break the curse ... but to do it on an ankle that was basically held together with scotch tape and bailing wire, and just completely dominate the Yankees for seven innings, it's one of the legendary performances of all time. And as great as he pitched in 2001 -- and even in Game 7 in that battle with Roger Clemens -- there's no doubt the bloody sock is going to be at the top of the list.

SI.com: Did Curt Schilling's outspoken demeanor ever overshadow his on-field performance?

Verducci: I think his outspokenness actually enhanced his on-field performance. A lot of people got to know Curt Schilling not only by what he did on the field but by what he said off the field. It wasn't always good, but it certainly raised his profile, and he became a household name. People either liked or resented the swagger that he showed on the field and especially off the field. I think it cuts both ways. And actually, I would say it cuts both ways even with teammates and his peers, not just baseball fans.

SI.com: In 2003, Brian Cashman passed on signing Schilling. In terms of each team's success over the past five years, would the rivalry look a little different if Schilling had gone to the Yankees?

Verducci: There's no doubt about that. The Yankees -- in those years after 2003 -- really missed the true ace at the top of their rotation, especially somebody who could strike people out. And as closely as the Red Sox had battled the Yankees, they were missing that one-two punch with Pedro to have somebody else to match up against the Yankee lineup. Curt Schilling was the tipping point in the rivalry, and I'm sure things would've been different -- how different, I don't know. But certainly he paid immediate dividends, considering the Red Sox were able to do something that they hadn't done in 86 years, in large part because he was there.

[kbsooner21]

I say he's in. When it has mattered most (playoffs) the guy has been absolutely stellar! I have a hard time believing the 04' Red Sox and 01'??? Diamondbacks win the ring without him and there is an argument the 07' Red Sox wouldn't have done it as well. 3 rings to me = HOF for Curt

[wayne1218]

Hey listen, i know a TON of guys here and outside of Boston, Arizona or Philly hate this guy. I do understand it but i don't agree with it. After seeing him here for a few years, i grew to LOVE the guy. He does/did a weekly interview on WEEI up here and he was great to listen to. I don't always agree with him but i really like the fact that he takes a stance on things one way or the other. People are always critical of athletes for being politically correct or whatever but you never got that with Curt. He didn't agree with Steroids and unlike any other, he said it, out loud.

He was great on the radio and he was very interesting to listen to. Unlike most athletes, they could ask him anything, and he would answer it. Most up here loved that.

Most joke about the bloody sock and all but we probably got more coverage on that than anyone up here and it truly was AMAZING what that guy went through to pitch. He did an interview on WEEI the day after he pitched that game and he said he couldn't even walk to the car the day of the game. He said his wife had to help him to the car and the plan was for him to not pitch. He was on his way to the Park (About a 30 minute drive) and he said all he saw were buildings with huge homemade signs everywhere praying for a Red Sox Win. He said he was so moved and emotional from it all that he went into the doctors office and told them to restich it and give him a chance on the mound. As you saw, the stiches didn't hold very well and that's where the bloody sock came from. No Sox fan will ever forget that '04 WS Win. That doesn't make him a HOF'er but it is just a piece of how dedicated this guy was to the team, city and fans.

Curt is also one of most caring and giving athletes i have ever seen in my life. He is involved in countless charities and he is at event after event after event for charities and he has given a ton of money to many of them. It may not change your opinion of him but i think it should be noted. He talks and promotes his causes and many, like his charities, are thankful.

Obviously i'm biased but i think he should be in. Not on the 1st ballot but eventually. I also think Jack Morris should be in too. Curt was a Big game pitcher in the steroid era. His postseason numbers, some of which are best all time, led direcrtly to not 1, not 2, but 3 WS Wins.

[uconnplayer]

Hey listen, i know a TON of guys here and outside of Boston, Arizona or Philly hate this guy. I do understand it but i don't agree with it. After seeing him here for a few years, i grew to LOVE the guy. He does/did a weekly interview on WEEI up here and he was great to listen to. I don't always agree with him but i really like the fact that he takes a stance on things one way or the other. People are always critical of athletes for being politically correct or whatever but you never got that with Curt. He didn't agree with Steroids and unlike any other, he said it, out loud.

He was great on the radio and he was very interesting to listen to. Unlike most athletes, they could ask him anything, and he would answer it. Most up here loved that.

Most joke about the bloody sock and all but we probably got more coverage on that than anyone up here and it truly was AMAZING what that guy went through to pitch. He did an interview on WEEI the day after he pitched that game and he said he couldn't even walk to the car the day of the day. He said his wife had to help him to the car and the plan was for him to not pitch. He was on his way to the Park (About a 30 minute drive) and he said all he saw were buildings with huge homemade signs everywhere praying for a Red Sox Win. He said he was so moved and emotional from it all that he went into the doctors office and told them to restich it and give him a chance on the mound. As you saw, the stiches didn't hold very well and that's where the bloody sock came from. No Sox fan will ever forget that '04 WS Win. That doesn't make him a HOF'er but it is just a piece of how dedicated this guy was to the team, city and fans.

Curt is also one of most caring and giving athletes i have ever seen in my life. He is involved in countless charities and he is at event after event after event for charities and he has given a ton of money to many of them. It may not change your opinion of him but i think it should be noted. He talks and promotes his causes and many, like his charities are thankful.

Obviously i'm biased but i think he should be in. Not on the 1st ballot but eventually. I also think Jack Morris should be in too. Curt was a Big game pitcher in the steroid era. His postseason numbers, some of which are best all time, led direcrtly to not 1, not 2, but 3 WS Wins.

excellent point. I agree

[musclemann]

Hey listen, i know a TON of guys here and outside of Boston, Arizona or Philly hate this guy. I do understand it but i don't agree with it. After seeing him here for a few years, i grew to LOVE the guy. He does/did a weekly interview on WEEI up here and he was great to listen to. I don't always agree with him but i really like the fact that he takes a stance on things one way or the other. People are always critical of athletes for being politically correct or whatever but you never got that with Curt. He didn't agree with Steroids and unlike any other, he said it, out loud.

He was great on the radio and he was very interesting to listen to. Unlike most athletes, they could ask him anything, and he would answer it. Most up here loved that.

Most joke about the bloody sock and all but we probably got more coverage on that than anyone up here and it truly was AMAZING what that guy went through to pitch. He did an interview on WEEI the day after he pitched that game and he said he couldn't even walk to the car the day of the game. He said his wife had to help him to the car and the plan was for him to not pitch. He was on his way to the Park (About a 30 minute drive) and he said all he saw were buildings with huge homemade signs everywhere praying for a Red Sox Win. He said he was so moved and emotional from it all that he went into the doctors office and told them to restich it and give him a chance on the mound. As you saw, the stiches didn't hold very well and that's where the bloody sock came from. No Sox fan will ever forget that '04 WS Win. That doesn't make him a HOF'er but it is just a piece of how dedicated this guy was to the team, city and fans.

Curt is also one of most caring and giving athletes i have ever seen in my life. He is involved in countless charities and he is at event after event after event for charities and he has given a ton of money to many of them. It may not change your opinion of him but i think it should be noted. He talks and promotes his causes and many, like his charities, are thankful.

Obviously i'm biased but i think he should be in. Not on the 1st ballot but eventually. I also think Jack Morris should be in too. Curt was a Big game pitcher in the steroid era. His postseason numbers, some of which are best all time, led direcrtly to not 1, not 2, but 3 WS Wins.

Wayne I know you guys up on the east coast outside of ny love schilling which I have no problem with. He was a dominate pitcher in the playoffs. Besides that he was a better than average pitcher whose regular season stats dont merit THE HALL OF FAME. I give him the credit for that. He was on great teams in boston and had randy johnsons help in arizona.

I will repeat it, his regular season stats dont merit the hall and on top of that he is an amazing asshole. If had 250 plus wins, a great scoreless innings streak, had 100+plus career saves with his wins, was the leader among shutouts pitched I would definitely say he belonged in hall, outside of that he is in a group of pitchers that include

wilbur wood, kevin brown, and charlie hough..........

great pitcher in playoffs so if that is the determining factor I would say yes he is in.

Also I would definitely not be surprised if this loudmouth hadnt tried some of the product(steroids) that he has bitched about bonds and others using. His career seemed to take off in his 30's................... Jerry Reuss had 220 wins.......does he belong in hall?

[wayne1218]

Wayne I know you guys up on the east coast outside of ny love schilling which I have no problem with. He was a dominate pitcher in the playoffs. Besides that he was a better than average pitcher whose regular season stats dont merit THE HALL OF FAME. I give him the credit for that. He was on great teams in boston and had randy johnsons help in arizona.

I will repeat it, his regular season stats dont merit the hall and on top of that he is an amazing asshole. If had 250 plus wins, a great scoreless innings streak, had 100+plus career saves with his wins, was the leader among shutouts pitched I would definitely say he belonged in hall, outside of that he is in a group of pitchers that include

wilbur wood, kevin brown, and charlie hough..........

great pitcher in playoffs so if that is the determining factor I would say yes he is in.

Also I would definitely not be surprised if this loudmouth hadnt tried some of the product(steroids) that he has bitched about bonds and others using. His career seemed to take off in his 30's................... Jerry Reuss had 220 wins.......does he belong in hall?

Hey, I could really care less to debate it with you. I gave my opinion and that is how i feel. There are guys IN the Hall with similiar or less numbers so we could play that game all night long. I do not care to. I see 67% of over 100,000 people at ESPN agree with me and more than 50% here do, so i'm not alone in my thoughts. To me, the HOF is more than just numbers, it is also based on how much "Impact" that player had on the game and IMO, he had quite a bit.

[insidethe8thpol]

If they vote him in, then they better vote Pete Rose in too!

[musclemann]

Hey, I could really care less to debate it with you. I gave my opinion and that is how i feel. There are guys IN the Hall with similiar or less numbers so we could play that game all night long. I do not care to. I see 67% of over 100,000 people at ESPN agree with me and more than 50% here do, so i'm not alone in my thoughts. To me, the HOF is more than just numbers, it is also based on how much "Impact" that player had on the game and IMO, he had quite a bit.

didnt mean to debate with you. Was giving a counter opinion, have a good evening.

[wayne1218]

If they vote him in, then they better vote Pete Rose in too!

No doubt Rose should be in. I hear the Baseball HOF people always say that they are not run or owned by MLB. If that is the case, why can't they put Rose in? I've never understood that i guess.

[wayne1218]

didnt mean to debate with you. Was giving a counter opinion, have a good evening.

Sorry man, i didn't mean to come off that way. Basically all i meant was that it is based on opinion, so we could sit here all night and counter each other. I just don't have the energy to bother right now. lol