NEW YORK (AP) — The baseball Hall of Fame won't have any new players in the class of 2021 after voters decided no one had the merits — on-the-field or off — for enshrinement in Cooperstown on this year's ballot.
Curt Schilling, Barry Bonds, and Roger Clemens were among the closest in voting by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, and the trio will have one more chance at the election next year.
It's the first time the BBWAA didn't choose anyone since 2013.
Schilling's on-field accomplishments face little dispute, but Schilling has ostracized himself in retirement by directing hateful remarks toward Muslims, transgender people, journalists, and others.
After receiving word that he did not make it into the HOF, Schilling released a letter he wrote to the members of the HOF saying in part that he would not participate in the final year of voting due to "a group of morally bankrupt frauds another year to lie" about his life.
He finished 16 votes shy in results announced Tuesday.
To be elected, candidates need to receive 75% of the votes to get in. To remain on the ballot for another year, they need to receive 5% of the votes. After 10 years and they are unelected, candidates fall off the ballot.
According to The Associated Press, Bonds (61.8%) and Clemens (61.6%) fell short on their ninth tries on the ballot.
