I'm pretty comfortable placing Schilling's case above the Hall of Famer John Smoltz, even though they are basically the exact same guy (Schilling is Smoltz's #1 career comp.)Historically, character has only come into play for borderline candidates. Which, as the 6th or 7th* best starting pitcher of his generation, Schilling is.
The debate over Schilling would be a lot more interesting if he had the resume of an all-time great, or even a rock-solid Hall of Famer like Steve Carlton. But he doesn’t. If character matters at all (and the official rules say it does), Schilling belongs on the outside looking in.
*- Behind Pedro, Clemens, Johnson, Maddux, Smoltz, and arguably Mussina.
Schilling has more wins, more strike outs, slightly better ERA+, slightly better WHIP, and 13 more WAR than Smoltz. All of Smoltz's saves are neat, but Schilling's post season heroics in multiple World Series are much more significant than Smoltz's saves to me.
I think the blatant cheaters like ARod, Clemens and Bonds should be in and I think a blatant asshole like Schilling should be in.