Is Curt Schilling a Hall of Famer?

While debating whether or not pitcher Curt Schilling should be in the Hall of Fame on ESPN Radio, Erik Kuselias said you can use the Little League test.

In Little League, there are two types of players. Player One wants every single ball to be hit right to them. Player Two wants the ball to be hit anywhere except right to them.  

Schilling was definitely Player One.

He was the ultimate big-game, postseason pitcher. He went 11-2 with a 2.33 ERA in the postseason, giving him the highest winning percentage of any pitcher ever with at least six postseason decisions.

Schilling never won a Cy Young award, but he did finish second three times (2001, 2002, and 2004). Since 1992, only Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens had more strikeouts than Schilling (3,116), and his K/BB ratio is the best in the modern era (4.38).

Oh yeah, he also won 216 games.

Aside from posting great numbers throughout his career, Schilling was also a dominating personality. You either loved him or hated him. He was not shy about speaking his mind, whether it be to the media directly or through his blog.

He also did more than his fair share of charity work.

So, is he a Hall of Famer? Well...a great pitcher, yes. But a Hall of Famer, no.

I have always felt that if you have to ask the question and think that much about it, the answer is probably no. 

Just looking at Schilling's numbers, it is a borderline decision. He has impressive numbers, but they're not earth-shattering, and he is lacking in two big categories: wins and Cy Young awards.

The Hall-of-Fame staple used to be 300 wins, and some will argue that has dropped to 250. Schilling has 216.

Yes, he finished second in three times in the Cy Young award balloting, but he never actually won.

The Hall of Fame should be considered sacred ground. It is the supposed to be the best of the best. Schilling was the best sometimes, and often one of the best.

However, despite any gut feelings fans might have, he was not the best of the best of his or any other era.