THE PHILLIES HAVE revealed the 12 names on the Wall of Fame ballot, with Curt Schilling seeming to be the front-runner.
Schilling was on the ballot last year in his first year of eligibility, but the selection committee of team executives and media members selected John Kruk.
Schilling went 101-78 with a 3.35 ERA in nine seasons in Philadelphia before demanding a trade and winning World Series titles in Arizona and Boston.
His numbers, however, are impressive: sixth in wins, eighth in innings (1,659 1/3), fourth in strikeouts (1,554). He also won three games during the Phillies' postseason run in 1993.
Online voting for fans began yesterday and continues through March 14. Fans can vote for their top three choices, and the top five as determined by total points will serve as the ballot for the committee.
The ballot has two newcomers in coach Mike Ryan and infielder Pinky Whitney, who played for the Phillies in the 1920s and 1930s. They replace Kruk, who was inducted, and Lenny Dykstra.
Dykstra was on the ballot last year. Since the Phillies are the ones offering up the ballot, there is nothing preventing them from adding or subtracting names. Dykstra, of course, is almost as well known for his legal problems as his baseball career, at this point.
The press release announcing the nominees says, "consideration is given to longevity, ability, contributions to the Phillies and baseball, character plus special achievements."
Here is the complete ballot:
Pitchers: Larry Christenson, Jim Konstanty, Ron Reed, Curt Schilling and Rick Wise.
Catchers: Mike Lieberthal and Jimmy Wilson.
Infielder: Pinky Whitney.
Outfielders: Greg Gross, Von Hayes.
Coach: Mike Ryan.
Manager: Jim Fregosi.
Phillies players with 5 or more years of service are eligible; managers and coaches need 4 or more years. Position players require a minimum of 700 games, while pitchers need a minimum of 180 games. All players must be retired for 3 years before they can be eligible for the ballot.
The Wall of Fame ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 10.
