Red Sox: Curt Schilling worthy of Hall of Fame induction
By Tracy Katzke
People in Glass Houses
Some of the more vindictive media members claim that Schilling’s tweet places him firmly in violation of the Hall of Fame’s character clause. How does one render the silly determination that one ill-advised tweet is enough to erase Schilling’s pristine and decorated history as a great humanitarian.
It should be stated that, according to ESPN, as a player, “Schilling won the Roberto Clemente Award, Branch Rickey Award, Hutch Award, Sporting News Good Guy of the Year award, Lou Gehrig Award, Babe Ruth Award, Worth Magazine’s Young Benefactor of the Year award and the designation of “Most Caring Athlete” from USA Today.
He was also a tireless advocate for veterans’ causes and a champion in the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig‘s Disease.” Somehow, after reading this list, I have significant difficulties believing that any voter of sound mind and a clear conscience could claim that the man upon whom has been bestowed the aforementioned awards does not meet the “character” standards as established by the Hall of Fame.
Allow me to elaborate on some of the hypocritical, inexcusable and reprehensible behavior carried out by Wallace Mathews, a former Hall of Fame Voter, current role model for aspiring young journalists, and, supposedly, a “professional.”
Despite Schilling’s unblemished record as a humanitarian with the greatest of intentions, it is stated in Crasnick’s article, “And former ESPN reporter Wallace Matthews, in a column for New York Sports Day, pronounced himself so enraged by Schilling’s overall behavior that he challenged the pitcher to a boxing match.” Really, Wallace? Is that how you advocate your young and impressionable followers to assuage their transgressions? Shame on you.