Baron’s Corner

What do Dick Allen, Larry Bowa, Curt Schilling and Ryan Howard have in common? Other than being Phillies icons.

All are no longer on the BBWAA (Baseball Writers Association of America) Hall of Fame ballots. Allen and Bowa came off the ballot years ago, Schilling and Howard this year. But, through different committees, they still may make Cooperstown down the road.

Thanks to Craig Muder, Director of Communications at the HOF, here’s the information:

Allen remains on the Golden Days Era Committee ballot. Most recent meeting was December 2021. For the second straight time, he missed by one vote (2014 was first time). That committee meets again in December of 2026.

Bowa came off the BBWAA ballot when didn’t have enough votes his first time (11, 1991). He qualifies under the Modern Baseball Era Committee (1970–87) that meets again in December 2023.

Schilling, who didn’t make it this year after 15 years on the ballot, is now eligible under Today’s Game Era Committee. Next meeting, December 2022.

Howard experienced the same as Bowa, not qualifying on the first time he was on the BBWAA ballot (2022, 8 votes). He needs to wait his full 10 years of BBWAA eligibility before being eligible for the Today’s Game Era Committee. So that would come in December of 2031.