NOT MY KIND OF GUY, BUT YES by Tannen

216 lifetime wins is not an automatic lock as far as Baseball's Hall of Fame. As a huge fan of the game and it's history I truly believe intangibles come into play as much, if not more than any other sport. In football, Troy Aikman was a first ballot Canton guy despite statistics that don't jump off the page. In my mind Troy is a definitive Hall of Famer. Winner. Leader. A model of efficiency and a true class act who added to the NFL by his mere presence. With Curt Shilling, we had someone I would likely get into a screaming match over politics and certain social issues, but I'd also go toe to toe with anyone who feels he is NOT hall worthy. Sandy Koufax compiled a mere 165 victories during a career that began in Brooklyn with his having trouble finding the plate and ended in LA as perhaps the most dominant pitcher of all time. He won 3 Cy Young awards when they only gave out one for all of baseball. He fronted a pitching staff that won 3 World Series and 4 NL Pennants. Shilling put up more than 3000 strikeouts, had over 300 in three different seasons and threw over 250 innings four different times, amazing in this pitcher coddled era. His post season success is legendary with an 11 & 2 record and dirt low 2.3 era. As for being a winner, well he was the ace or at least co-ace for 3 different franchises who won the pennant and got World Series rings with the 2001 Diamondbacks and twice(04 & 07) with the Red Sox. His bloody sock performance in game 6 of the comeback during the 2004 ALCS against the hated Yankees is the stuff you tell your grandkids about. Basically he brings all the intangibles to the table that favor his induction into Cooperstown that Jim Rice didn't have when he laughingly got voted in this past January. My question is which hat will appear on Shillings bust?