Baseball: The World's Game (OOTP 22 Fictional World)

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CABA 100 Years Team

The 2010 season marked 100 years for the Central American Baseball Association. There had been tremendous growth for the game across Mexico and the Caribbean over a century. In honor of the incredible history of CABA’s first 100 years, an esteemed panel constructed the CABA Centennial Team. It wasn’t easy to determine a 25-man roster of the best of the best, but that group was announced in 2010 and is listed below.



Mexicans were the largest nationality with nine roster spots. It was a diverse group overall with three players from Puerto Rico, two apiece from the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Guatemala; and one from Panama, Nicaragua, Aruba, Colombia, Honduras, Venezuela, and the United States.

Starting Lineup

Catcher – Mar Pavia – Tijuana Toros – 1913-1925 – 1x MVP, 12x Silver Slugger, 4x Gold Glove, 12x All-Star, 4x CABA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 1835 games, 1576 starts, 1620 hits, 824 runs, 222 doubles, 337 home runs, 853 RBI, 542 walks, .258/.326/.462, 164 wRC+, 91.0 WAR

First Base – Prometheo “Nitro” Garcia – Guadalajara Hellhounds – 1943-1962 – 8x MVP, 14x Silver Slugger, 17x All-Star, 2890 games, 2781 starts, 3871 hits, 1850 runs, 535 doubles, 753 home runs, 2042 RBI, 754 walks, .350/.395/.615, 203 wRC+, 166.8 WAR

Second Base – Luis Miranda – Monterrey Matadors – 1951-1967 – 11x Silver Slugger, 15x All-Star, 2x CABA Champion, 1x LCS MVP, 2459 games, 2248 starts, 2469 hits, 1310 runs, 347 doubles, 144 triples, 367 home runs, 1164 RBI, 584 walks, 867 stolen bases, .286/.337/.487, 144 wRC+, 109.6 WAR

Third Base – Adrian Tovar – Trinidad Trail Blazers – 1982-2004 – 1x MVP, 10x Silver Slugger, 14x All-Star, 1x CABA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 1x LCS MVP, 3338 games, 3221 starts, 3723 hits, 1871 runs, 675 doubles, 90 triples, 718 home runs, 2024 RBI, 720 walks, .293/.336/.530 slash, 143 wRC+, 140.8 WAR.

Shortstop – Emmanuel “Punk” Zavala – Leon Lions – 1934-1952 – 2x MVP, 16x Silver Slugger, 16x All-Star, 2x CABA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 1x LCS MVP, 2951 games, 2706 starts, 3044 hits, 1454 runs, 386 doubles, 166 triples, 497 home runs, 1486 RBI, 532 walks, 804 stolen bases, .279/.314/.482, 146 wRC+, 134.1 WAR

Left Field – Vicente Gutierrez – Tijuana Toros – 1954-1972 – 5x MVP, 10x Silver Slugger, 12x All-Star, 2592 games, 2355 starts, 2726 hits, 1606 runs, 301 doubles, 734 home runs, 1754 RBI, 1286 walks, .309/.396/.600, 193 wRC+, 129.0 WAR

Center Field – Wesley “Four Eyes” Dubar – Guatemala Ghosts – 1962-1981 – 9x MVP, 7x Silver Slugger, 1x Gold Glove, 13x All-Star, 1x CABA Champion, 1x LCS MVP, 3066 games, 2923 starts, 3362 hits, 2028 runs, 398 doubles, 330 triples, 695 home runs, 2104 RBI, 1070 walks, 661 stolen bases, .296/.359/.572, 151 wRC+, 147.9 WAR.

Right Field – Kiko “Bad Company” Velazquez – Mexico City Aztecs – 1927-1942 – 10x MVP, 14x Silver Slugger, 13x All-Star, 1x Rookie of the Year, 2x CABA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 2077 games, 1939 starts, 2714 hits, 1552 runs, 347 doubles, 160 triples, 583 home runs, 1502 RBI, 593 walks, 808 stolen bases, .349/.401/.660, 220 wRC+, 147.3 WAR

Designated Hitter (3B/1B) – Donald “Amazing” Gonzalez – Chihuahua Warriors – 1998-2010 – 5x MVP, 9x Silver Slugger, 11x All-Star, 2038 games, 1910 starts, 2607 hits, 1459 runs, 375 doubles, 102 triples, 586 home runs, 1491 RBI, 683 walks, 172 stolen bases, .347/.405/.659, 203 wRC+, 120.0 WAR

Bench

Outfield – Emmanuel Lopez – Mexico City Aztecs – 1951-1968 – 6x MVP, 11x Silver Slugger, 1x Rookie of the Year, 16x All-Star, 1x CABA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 1x LCS MVP, 2732 games, 2584 starts, 3314 hits, 1665 runs, 482 doubles, 190 triples, 473 home runs, 1611 RBI, 840 walks, 908 stolen bases, .321/.373/.542, 164 wRC+, 135.6 WAR

Outfield – Hugh Boerboom – Santo Domingo Dolphins – 1986-2006 – 3x MVP, 3x Gold Glove, 8x Silver Slugger, 8x All-Star, 1x CABA Champion, 1x LCS MVP, 3023 games, 2888 starts, 3083 hits, 1808 runs, 259 doubles, 130 triples, 866 home runs, 2008 RBI, 676 walks, 751 stolen bases, .274/.313/.550, 134 wRC+, 96.5 WAR

Catcher – Chip Perez – Juarez Jesters – 1929-1947 – 11x Silver Slugger, 5x Gold Glove, 16x All-Star, 2280 games, 1985 starts, 2220 hits, 1048 runs, 476 doubles, 319 home runs, 1102 RBI, .319 walks, 279/.332/.475, 145 wRC+, 93.9 WAR

First Base - Maikel Loya – Juarez Jesters – 1991-2009 – 1x MVP, 4x Silver Slugger, 12x All-Star, 1x LCS MVP, 2600 games, 2444 starts, 3288 hits, 1796 runs, 491 doubles, 79 triples, 689 home runs, 1902 RBI, 857 walks, .338/.393/.617, 191 wRC+, 136.1 WAR.

First Base – Solomon Aragon – Mexico City Aztecs – 1965-1986 – 7x Silver Slugger, 11x All-Star, 8x CABA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 3x LCS MVP, 3230 games, 3019 starts, 3619 hits, 1780 runs, 585 doubles, 772 home runs, 2137 RBI, 807 walks, .304/.347/.559, 152 wRC+, 108.7 WAR.

Third Base – Kenedy Ortiz – Merida Mean Green – 1970-1985 – 4x MVP, 4x Gold Glove, 9x Silver Slugger, 12x All-Star, 2241 games, 2096 starts, 2269 hits, 1294 runs, 415 doubles, 118 triples, 382 home runs, 1218 RBI, 1080 walks, 526 stolen bases, .291/.379/.522 slash, 172 wRC+, 124.4 WAR

Second Base/Shortstop – Alex “Bubba’ Hinojosa – Puebla Pumas - 1911-1920 – 5x MVP, 1x Gold Glove, 8x Silver Slugger, 10x All-Star, 1453 games, 1370 starts, 1263 hits, 844 runs, 173 doubles, 138 triples, 366 home runs, 909 RBI, 618 walks, 235 stolen bases, .247/.331/.550, 187 wRC+, 94.5 WAR.

Third Base/Shortstop – Jonny “Worm” Lucero – Haiti Herons – 1925-1938, 1946-1947 - 6x MVP, 11x Silver Slugger, 12x All-Star, 1x Rookie of the Year, 1x CABA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 1x LCS MVP, 2036 games, 1844 starts, 2098 hits, 1164 runs, 311 doubles, 59 triples, 506 home runs, 1271 RBI, 851 walks, 146 stolen bases, .296/.370/.571, 167 wRC+, 105.2 WAR.

Pitching Staff

Starter – Ulices “Fireman” Montero – Santiago Sailfish – 1913-1929 – 7x Pitcher of the Year, 1x MVP, 14x All-Star, 2x CABA Champion, 1 No-Hitter, 314-183, 2.31 ERA, 4527.1 innings, 5849 strikeouts, 865 walks, 0.90 WHIP, 434 quality starts, 221 complete games, 59 shutouts, 138 ERA+, 56 FIP-, 165.6 WAR

Starter – Junior “Paydirt” Vergara – Puebla Pumas – 1976-1989 – 9x Pitcher of the Year, 1x MVP, 11x All-Star, 240-99, 1.90 ERA, 3264 innings, 4532 strikeouts, 406 walks, 0.80 WHIP, 325 quality starts, 150 complete games, 58 shutouts, 171 ERA+, 54 FIP-, 123.7 WAR

Starter – Rafael Perez – Salvador Stallions – 1990-2005 – 5x Pitcher of the Year, 2x Gold Glove, 8x All-Star, 3x CABA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 255-166, 3.02 ERA, 4112.2 innings, 4259 strikeouts, 644 walks, 1.07 WHIP, 367 quality starts, 148 complete games, 27 shutouts, 131 ERA+, 74 FIP-, 111.8 WAR

Starter – Edgar “Penguin” Andunvar – Guatemala Ghosts – 1945-1961 – 5x Pitcher of the Year, 9x All-Star, 1x CABA Champion, 255-158, 2.79 ERA, 3888.2 innings, 3622 strikeouts, 589 walks, 1.04 WHIP, 358 quality starts, 71 complete games. 25 shutouts, 129 ERA+, 72 FIP-, 108.2 WAR

Starter – Martin Campos – Puebla Pumas – 1927-1941 – 3x Pitcher of the Year, 1x Rookie of the Year, 11x All-Star, 1x CABA Champion, 1 No-Hitter, 235-134 record, 2.48 ERA, 3503.2 innings, 3815 strikeouts, 733 walks, 0.99 WHIP, 338 quality starts, 111 complete games, 37 shutouts, 130 ERA+, 70 FIP-, 99.7 WAR

Starter – Nick Bermea – Juarez Jesters – 1912-1921 – 4x Pitcher of the Year, 1x Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 1 No-Hitter, 22K Game, 167-96, 2.03 ERA, 2605.2 innings, 3149 strikeouts, 437 walks, 0.90 WHIP, 244 quality starts, 143 complete games, 41 shutouts, 144 ERA+, 60 FIP-, 84.9 WAR

Closer – B.J. “The Warden” Medina – Tijuana Toros – 1912-1918, 1922-1924 – 1x Pitcher of the Year, 3x Reliever of the Year, 6x All-Star, 4x CABA Champion, 58-28, 317 saves, 379 shutdowns, 0.87 ERA, 576 games, 670.2 innings, 1408 strikeouts, 94 walks, 0.54 WHIP, 322 ERA+, 0 FIP-, 50.2 WAR.

Closer – Olivio Madrid – Guatemala Ghosts – 1914-1927 – 2x Reliever of the Year, 7x All-Star, 84-89, 389 saves, 486 shutdowns, 1.94 ERA, 883 games, 1138.2 innings, 1876 strikeouts, 345 walks, 161 ERA+, 44 FIP-, 51.4 WAR

Manager – Spiro Santim – 1952-1960 (Monterrey), 1964-1974 (Mexico City) – 8x CABA Champion (6x Mexico City, 2x Monterrey), 11x Mexican League Champion (7x Mexico City, 4x Monterrey), 9x Manager of the Year, 13x Playoff Berths – 1930-1311 Record

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2010 in CABA



Ecatepec had the Mexican League’s top seed, winning a fourth consecutive South Division title at 105-57. The Explosion have now made the playoffs 16 times in the last 18 years. Leon was a distant second in the division at 96-66, but this was the ML’s second best record. The wild card for the Lions ended a 17-year playoff drought.

The North Division had an intense battle with Hermosillo and Torreon tying for first at 91-71, while Monterrey was 90-72 and Chihuahua was 87-74. The Hyenas won the tiebreaker game to take the division, while the Tomahawks got the second wild card. Hermosillo extended its playoff streak to five seasons and Torreon earned its sixth berth of the decade. The reigning champion Matadors missed the playoffs by a game. The biggest drop was Mexicali, who went from a wild card the prior year to a lousy 66-96.

Ecatepec first baseman Casimiro Salceda repeated as Mexican League MVP and repeated as a Triple Crown winner. The 34-year old righty led in home runs (57), RBI (158), runs (145), hits (236), doubles (49), total bases (464), triple slash (.381/.430/.750), OPS (1.179), wRC+ (233), and WAR (11.7). His 145 runs was the third most in a single-season and only six short of the CABA record.

Leon’s Papu Rodriquez won Pitcher of the Year. The 28-year old Argentine lefty led in strikeouts (339), innings (264), FIP- (69), and WAR (7.8). Rodriquez added a 2.83 ERA, 129 ERA+, and 19-8 record. This helped get Rodriquez paid, as he signed a mammoth six-year, $77,600,000 extension the following summer.

The division champs won the first round playoff matchups with a 3-0 sweep for Ecatepec over Torreon and a 3-1 Hermosillo win over Leon. The Explosion earned their fourth consecutive Mexican League Championship Series appearance and their 15^th since 1993, although they had lost their last four appearances. The Hyenas secured a third MLCS in five years. Ecatepec ended their losing streak, taking the series 4-2 over Hermosillo. The Explosion grabbed their first pennant since the 1999-2004 six-peat and won their 14^th Mexican League title overall.



Nicaragua repeated as the Caribbean League’s top seed and earned a third consecutive playoff berth, winning the Island Division at 104-58. Close behind for the #1 seed was Haiti atop the Island Division at 102-60. The Herons extended their impressive playoff streak to 14 seasons.

Santo Domingo was seven back of Haiti at 95-67, giving the Dolphins back-to-back wild cards. Guatemala at 92-70 grabbed the second spot for their first playoff appearance since 1993. The next closest foe was Honduras at 86-76. Defending CABA Champion Havana fell off hard, going from 103-59 in 2009 to a mediocre 76-86 in 2010.

Although Costa Rica was near .500, their LF Marvin Orellana won Caribbean League MVP. The 28-year old Salvadoran led in hits (210), homers (51), total bases (425), average (.362), slugging (.733), OPS (1.141), wRC+ (201), and WAR (9.8). Orellana had 133 RBI, falling five shy of a Triple Crown. This was his final year with the Rays, as he signed a huge seven-year, $84,700,000 free agency deal with Monterrey. Orellana never reached such elite levels again, in part due to injury issues.

Montell Donald joined Nicaragua in March 2010 in a trade with Guayana for prospects. The 27-year old Curacaoan delivered as Pitcher of the Year, leading in ERA (1.57), WHIP (0.86), K/BB (11.9). quality starts (23), FIP- (52), and WAR (9.2). Donald added a 19-4 record over 234.2 innings with 262 strikeouts and a 250 ERA+. Shortly after the trade, the Navigators gave him a five-year, $49,500,000 extension as the ace of the future.

Both division champs beat their division rival wild card with Nicaragua sweeping Guatemala and Haiti dropping Santo Domingo 3-1. The Navigators earned a third straight Caribbean League Championship Series appearance, while the Herons grabbed their seventh in a decade. Although the road underdog, Haiti rolled Nicaragua 4-1 for their sixth pennant since 2000. The Herons became nine time Caribbean champs.



The 100^th Central American Baseball Association Championship rekindled a great rivalry from a decade prior. Ecatepec and Haiti battled in three straight finals from 2000-02 with the first going to the Explosion and the latter two to the Herons. Ecatepec evened the all-time series by taking the 2010 edition 4-1.

Third-year left fielder Vinny Gonzalez won finals MVP. In 13 playoff starts, the 26-year old Mexican had 16 hits, 14 runs, 2 doubles, 7 home runs, and 18 RBI. The 18 RBI was one short of the CABA playoff record. This was Ecatepec’s first title since 2004, putting them at 8-6 all-time in the CABA Championship. The eight rings tied Monterrey for the second-most of any CABA team, although they’re still behind Mexico City’s ten.



Other notes: CABA’s 32^nd perfect game was thrown on September 10 by Hermosillo’s Ramon Ibarra, who struck out seven against Monterrey.

Dario Becker became the tenth pitcher to 250 career wins. He pitched one more year and ended with 270, which ranks seventh as of 2037. Luis Fernandez became the 25^th to reach 1500 RBI. LF Ozzie Collard won his eighth Gold Glove.

Five-time MVP Donald Gonzalez reached 2500 career hits at age 31 and won his ninth Silver Slugger. At that point, the Puerto Rican 3B/1B had 2607 hits, 1459 runs, 586 home runs, 1491 RBI, and 120.0 WAR. Many thought he could make a run at the top spot on the leaderboards, but this was his final CABA season. Gonzalez became the richest player in the game after signing a five-year, $90,000,000 deal with MLB’s St. Louis.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

CABA After 100 Years

With the 2010 season complete, the Central American Baseball Association joined Major League Baseball as the pro leagues with 100 years of history. Here’s a look at how CABA has played out over 100 seasons.



Mexico City has the most overall CABA titles at 10, despite having the eighth most playoff appearances. Ecatepec and Monterrey both have the next most CABA rings at eight, while Santo Domingo, Honduras, and Salvador each have seven.

In terms of subleague titles, the Matadors lead the Mexican League at 18, followed by the Explosion at 14, the Aztecs with 12, and Juarez at 11. Monterrey has the highest team score at 251, narrowly ahead of Ecatepec. Both have the strongest winning percentage with the Matadors narrowly beating the Explosion at 86.5 wins per season to 86.4.

Monterrey also has the most playoff berths at 36, one better than Ecatepec. These teams have been the most dominant by a good margin with the next most playoff appearances in the ML being Juarez at 22. The Explosion also have the most division titles at 32, then Monterrey at 28 and Mexico City at 20. Merida has been the worst of the original ML teams with a 38 team score.

Honduras has the top overall team score in CABA at 307 and by far the most playoff appearances (47) and division titles (37). The Horsemen have the most Caribbean League pennants at 16, followed by Santo Domingo with 12, Salvador with 11, Santiago at 10, and both Haiti and Puerto Rico with 9. The Stallions have the second most playoff appearances (31), followed by the Dolphins (26) and Herons (25). Haiti has the best average wins per season at 86.5, trailed by Honduras at 85.6 and Santo Domingo at 84.5.

Each of the original franchise has won at least one subleague title. Nicaragua is the only original team without an overall CABA title. Panama has been the weakest original team with only six playoff appearances in 100 years and 73.2 wins per season.

The competitive balance has stayed remarkably even between the leagues with 52 CABA titles going to the Caribbean League and 48 to the Mexican League. Monterrey had the longest playoff streak at 18 seasons from 1988-2005.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

2010 in MLB

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In 2009, both Philadelphia and Washington won 100+ games in the National Association’s East League. The Phillies did it again at 103-59, earning the top seed and their fourth straight playoff berth. Philadelphia earned its eighth playoff berth and seventh division title in a decade. As for the Admirals, they completely collapsed. Washington went from a franchise record 105-57 to an abysmal 64-98, their worst season in 20 years.

Boston had the #2 seed by winning the Northeast Division at 101-61. The Red Sox earned a fifth consecutive playoff berth and fourth division crown in a row. The wild card race was focused in the East and Northeast with Brooklyn (95-67) and Quebec City (93-69) taking the spots. Baltimore (90-72) was also in the mix, but saw their playoff drought grow to 24 seasons. The Dodgers ended five-year drought and the Nordiques snapped a three-year skid.

Detroit dominated the Upper Midwest at 97-65 for their third playoff berth in four years. Milwaukee, last year’s NACS runner-up, was a distant second at 84-78. Meanwhile, the Lower Midwest had four teams in the mix for the division title. Indianapolis and St. Louis tied for first at 87-75, while Cincinnati was 84-78 and Louisville finished 82-80.

The tiebreaker game went to the Racers over the Cardinals, ending a three-year playoff drought for Indy. The two-time defending National Association champion Reds had their three-peat dreams thwarted. Columbus also had a notable drop from a 95-win wild card down to only 75 wins.

Detroit 1B Murad Doskaliev became a three-time National Association MVP. For the 34-year old Tajik, it was his fifth overall MVP. He won the NA title for Philadelphia 2007 and 2008, as well as the 2004 and 2003 West League MVP for Asgabat of the Asian Baseball Federation. After making his MLB debut with four seasons for the Phillies, Doskaliev joined the Tigers in 2010 on a four-year, $70,000,000.

In his Detroit debut, Doskaliev led in home runs (48), RBI (131), doubles (37), and total bases (401). He also had 107 runs, 196 hits, a .312/.362/.639 slash, 204 wRC+, and 8.3 WAR. Between ABF and MLB, it was Doskaliev’s seventh season leading his league in home runs.

Another international superstar dominating a new league was Juliao Costa, the Pitcher of the Year in his second year with Philadelphia. Costa became a seven-time POTY winner, having done it six times in his native Brazil with Belo Horizonte.

The Phillies lured him from Beisbol Sudamerica after the 2008 season with a five-year, $63,500,000 deal. In 2010, the 34-year old righty led in wins (21-7), strikeouts (297), WHIP (0.91), K/BB (7.6), and quality starts (27). Costa had a 2.45 ERA over 275.1 innings, 137 ERA+, and 8.0 WAR.

Brooklyn edged Indianapolis and Quebec City upset Detroit in the first round, both 2-1. Both made the top seeds work for it in round two as both matchups went 3-2. Boston survived against the Dodgers and Philadelphia outlasted the Nordiques. The Red Sox finally got to the National Association Championship Series after four straight early exits. It was their first NACS appearance since 2004. The Phillies got back for the second time in four years.

The series was a seven game classic with Philadelphia picking up the win over Boston. The Phillies earned their third pennant in a decade, having also won in 2005 and 2001. This gave Philadelphia 12 National Association titles, which was more pennants than any other team in MLB.



The American Association’s top two records came out of an intense battle for the Southwest Division. After missing the playoffs in 2009, the 2007/2008 AA champ San Diego finished first at 99-63. Los Angeles was one back at 98-64, stuck with the first wild card. This still ended an 11-year playoff drought for the Angles.

The #2 seed went to Tampa at 97-65 in the Southeast Division. The Thunderbirds hadn’t seen a division title or playoff berth since 1995. Reigning World Series champ Nashville dropped to 85-77, five short of the final wild card. The Knights had their playoff streak ended at four seasons. Jacksonville went from a wild card in 2009 to a mediocre 73-89.

Houston won the South Central Division at 91-71 for their seventh playoff berth in nine years. Their closest foe was Austin at 86-76. Last year’s division champ Oklahoma City dropped to 78-84. The Northwest Division went to Denver at 89-73, ending a postseason drought for the Dragons back to their 1995 World Series win. They were nine games ahead of Vancouver. Defending division champ Salt Lake City plummeted to 64-98.

For the second wild card, Las Vegas (90-72) emerged out of a very competitive group to grab repeat playoff berths. Four teams were one back at 89-73; Atlanta, Charlotte, Albuquerque, and Oakland. San Francisco at 88-74, Austin at 86-76, and Nashville at 85-77 all were in the mix as well. No one in the Southwest Division had a losing record with the worst team being 81-81 Phoenix.

San Diego 1B Ju-Won Yoo became a two-time American Association MVP. The 32-year old South Korean righty led in RBI (143) while posting 53 home runs, 102 runs, a .308/.368/.607 slash, 171 wRC+, and 8.2 WAR. Yoo also won his second Gold Glove.

The Seals also had Vic Ryan win his second Pitcher of the Year in three years. The 30-year old righty led in wins (24-6), ERA (2.05), innings (285.2), WHIP (0.88), quality starts (29), complete games (24), FIP- (61), and WAR (10.1). Ryan had 246 strikeouts and a 182 ERA+, falling 22 Ks short of a Triple Crown. Sadly, it was Ryan’s last great season due a torn flexor tendon suffered the following July.

Also worth a mention was closer Jeremy Dau becoming a three-time Reliever of the Year winner. The 31-year old righty for Austin had a 0.61 ERA over 59.1 innings, 16 saves, 99 strikeouts, and 4.6 WAR. Dau was the tenth in MLB history to win the award thrice.

Denver edged Los Angeles 2-1 and Las Vegas ousted Houston 2-1 in the first round. The Dragons continued on and upset Tampa 3-2 in the second round for their first American Association Championship Series berth since their 1995 World Series win. San Diego topped the Vipers 3-1 and set up a shot at a third pennant in four years.

The Seals pulled off just that, defeating Denver 4-2 for a ninth American Association pennant. That tied San Diego with Houston for the second-most AA pennants, only behind Phoenix at 11. The Seals were the first AA team to win three titles in a four year stretch since Las Vegas’s 1976-79 run.



Despite the general success of both franchises, the 110^th World Series was the first meeting between San Diego and Philadelphia. The Seals rolled to a 4-1 win for their second title in four years. San Diego became seven-time MLB champs, tying the Phillies and Houston for the most. Pitcher of the Year Vic Ryan was World Series MVP, posting a 2.41 ERA over 37.1 playoff innings with 40 strikeouts and 3 walks.



Other notes: Two perfect games were thrown in the 2010 MLB season. The 26^th perfecto came on April 30 by Wichita’s Florian Kiss with 12 strikeouts against St. Louis. The second came on June 11 from Pittsburgh’s Cameron Gardiner with 10 Ks against Cincinnati.

Both pitcher Theron Summers and CF Damien Yang became nine time Gold Glove winners. CF Morgan Short won his ninth consecutive Silver Slugger. SS Joel Tournier and 2B Cole Becenti became seven-time Slugger winners.

Indianapolis’ pitching staff set a National Association record with 1489 strikeouts and a 9.02 K/9. Philadelphia had 1465 Ks and a 9.00 K/9, which both would’ve been NA record if not for the Racers. Indy’s marks remain NA bests as of 2037.

At 50-112, Pittsburgh had an all-time poor offense again. The Pirates scored only 437 runs, tying their own all-time MLB worst from 2008. Pittsburgh’s .305 team slugging was the second-worst ever behind their .301 from two years prior. Miami set a new American Association all-time worst for OBP at .277.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

MLB After 110 Years

Editors’ note: I had meant to a do a Major League Baseball 100 years recap like I did with the CABA one. However, I just forgot to do it when that time came. So here’s a look at MLB after 110 seasons instead.



Philadelphia has been the National Association’s top squad by World Series wins (7), NA pennants (12), playoff berths (44), and division titles (22); boasting the top team score at 220. Their 87.2 average wins per season was surprisingly second to Ottawa at 88.3. The Elks mark was the highest of any MLB team. They were third in playoff appearances in the NA at 36 with Hartford just beating them at 35.

Ottawa had the second most NA titles at 11, followed by Montreal (10), and Indianapolis (9). Life is pain for the Racers, having gone 0-9 in their World Series berths. Despite those berths, they’ve actually been a more middling franchise overall. There’s a notable skew in success favoring the old East League teams over the Midwest League teams. The highest average wins per season from a Midwest team was St. Louis, barely above .500 at 81.5.

Buffalo and Omaha are the two original NA squads without a pennant, joined by expansion squads Wichita and Quebec City. The Blue Sox have the fewest playoff berths of an original team with 10 in 110 years. Expansion Winnipeg actually has a higher team score than both Buffalo and Brooklyn.

The American Association’s Houston has the most playoff appearances (46) and the best team score (232) of any MLB franchise. They are tied with San Diego and Philadelphia for the most World Series rings at 7. Phoenix has the most AA pennants though at 11, followed by the Seals, Hornets, and Los Angeles at 9 each. Houston has the best average wins in the AA at 87.7 and more division titles than anyone in MLB by far at 33.

Apart from Houston, you can see the skew towards the old Western League teams compared to the Southern League teams. The Southwest especially is strong with six of the top nine teams in the AA by playoff appearances. Phoenix is second to Houston’s 46 with 37, followed by LA (33), San Francisco (32), and Albuquerque (31).

Although they’ve averaged around a .500 record, Oakland joins San Antonio as the only original American Association teams without a pennant in 110 tries. The Oilers have the worst average wins per year (74.3) of any non-expansion team in MLB. Expansion squads Salt Lake City, Austin, and Orlando each have yet to win a pennant. The Orcas and the NA’s Wichita are the only teams without an LCS appearance yet.

The titles have been strongly skewed towards the American Association, holding a 67-43 record in the World Series over the National Association.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

2010 Baseball Grand Championship

The first-ever Baseball Grand Championship was hosted in Caracas, Venezuela in 2010. It would be the only version of the event using a divisional format with a Round Robin against division foes, following by the two division winners playing in a best-of-seven.

In Division 1 was San Diego (MLB), Haiti (CABA), Yongin (EAB), Santa Cruz (BSA), Zurich (EBF), Omsk (EPB), Melbourne (OBA), Davao (APB), Kolkata (SAB), and Addis Ababa (AAB). In Division 2 was Philadelphia (MLB), Ecatepec (CABA), Kyoto (EAB), Recife (BSA), Dublin (EBF), Chendgu (CLB), Hanoi (SAB), Amman (ALB), Cotonou (WAB), and Rawalpindi (ABF). Hanoi was the “wild card” addition as a runner-up with a 121-41 record from a league without two auto-bids.



In Division 1, the World Series champion San Diego was the top team at 8-1. AAB champ Addis Ababa, Caribbean champ Haiti, and EBF runner-up Zurich each tied for second at 6-3. Oceania champ Melbourne was fifth in the division at 5-4. Division 2 had MLB’s Philadelphia first at 8-1, while WAB champ Cotonou and ABF champ Rawalpindi were next at 6-3. The only other team above .500 was European champ Dublin at 5-4.

With that, the best-of-seven was a rematch of the World Series. San Diego had beaten Philadelphia 4-1 for the MLB title, but the Phillies got revenge. Philadelphia took the rematch 4-1 to be crowned the 2010 and first-ever Grand Champion.

Winning MVP honors was 29-year old right fielder Mohamed Osman, who had won NACS MVP a few weeks earlier for Philadelphia. The Sudanese lefty in 14 tournament games had 13 hits, 16 runs, 3 doubles, 9 home runs, 18 RBI, and 43 total bases.

Seven-time Pitcher of the Year Juliao Costa was also the BGC’s Best Pitcher. The 34-year old Brazilian went 3-0 in three starts with 25 innings, a 0.72 ERA, 30 strikeouts, 8 hits allowed, 2 walks, 2 complete games, and 1 shutout.



Other notes: The first Grand Championship was a critical success, although there were those upset to see a World Series best-of-seven rematch. Even Philadelphia and San Diego weren’t thrilled to have to do it again, although the Phillies were happy to get revenge. That’s why the best-of-seven and divisional format was scrapped after 2010. The inaugural result did show that MLB was still king of the pro baseball world, although other world leagues certainly had a strong showing.

In 2011, the Grand Championship was switched to a round robin with all 20 teams playing each other team once. This gave each team more games and allowed for a larger sample size and forced more of a marathon strategy. There wouldn’t be any playoffs afterward as whichever team had the best record would earn the Grand Champion crown.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

2011 MLB Hall of Fame

DH/OF James Franco was the only addition for the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011. Franco received a narrow first ballot induction at 72.3%. The next closest to the 66% requirement were SP Dirk Hughes at 62.2% on his third ballot and 2B Chaz Cimarron with 61.9% for his fourth attempt.



Six others breached 50% but fell short of 60%. RF Brian Ostrovskaya had 58.7% on his seventh ballot, CF Will Kemme had 55.2% on his seventh, C Elliott McKay picked up 53.4% for his fourth try, CL Brendan Gordon received 53.1% on his sixth attempt, RF Xavier Chojnacki got 51.9% on his eighth ballot, and RF Mike Castaneda’s tenth and final try saw 51.0%. The second best debut was C Jacob Gibson at a mere 39.5%.

For Castaneda, he consistently was between 49-57% in his ten ballots. The right fielder had an 18-year career with San Francisco and won one MVP, two Silver Sluggers, and was part of the 1994 World Series team. Castaneda had 2513 hits, 1461 runs, 369 doubles, 531 home runs, 1529 RBI, 949 walks, a .287/.359/.520 slash, 136 wRC+, and 75.5 WAR.

Castaneda had a very steady and reliable career, but was never a league leader apart from his 1984 MVP season. He was a beast in that year’s postseason run too which saw a World Series defeat. The tallies weren’t out of place compared to other Hall of Famers, but the lack of black ink kept him narrowly on the outside.

Other observers noted that Castaneda had notably better WAR and wRC+ totals than James Franco, despite the latter getting a first ballot nod in 2011 and Castaneda getting bumped from the ballot. That said, Castaneda still remains a favorite for Gold Rush fans despite being banished to the Hall of Pretty Good.



James “Splatter” Franco – Designated Hitter/Outfield – Los Angeles Angels – 72.3% First Ballot

James Franco was a 6’3’’, 200 pound left-handed outfielder from Inglewood, California; a city of 107,000 people within the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Franco was an excellent contact hitter and outstanding at avoiding strikeouts. He was also good at drawing walks and had terrific speed, which proved useful for a leadoff role. Franco led the American Association six times in stolen bases and was incredibly dangerous on the basepaths. Franco wasn’t a prolific slugger, but he wasn’t a mere singles slap hitter either. He had 26 doubles, 12 triples, and 15 home runs per his 162 game average.

Franco’s incredible baserunning speed didn’t translate at all to defensive range or skill. He made around 45% of his career starts in the outfield, mostly in left with some in right. Franco graded out as a terrible defender in either spot. While the designated hitter was often reserved for big bruisers, more than half of Franco’s starts came as a DH.

Franco stayed in the greater Los Angeles area for college, attending the University of Southern California. With the Trojans, he had 142 games, 159 hits, 99 runs, 32 doubles, 26 home runs, 94 RBI, and a .296/.365/.530. Franco was a top prospect nationwide, but was very much a local favorite in the LA area. Thus, the Angels picked Franco seventh overall in the 1985 MLB Draft.

He debuted in 1986, but spent most of his time in the minors with only 27 games. Franco had 114 games and 64 starts in 1987, then graduated to a full-time starting job in 1988. However, a strained abdominal and a fractured thumb cost him a good chunk of the season. Franco stayed healthy after that with nine straight seasons with 148+ games.

Franco’s finest season was 1989, which saw AA and career bests in hits (235), batting average (.373), total bases (373), OBP (.429), OPS (1.021), and wRC+ (175). He had a career-best 8.3 WAR, 23 home runs, and 18 triples, plus a league-best 117 runs. Franco earned his lone MVP win and a Silver Slugger as a DH. Los Angeles ended a seven-year playoff drought, but lost in the first round.

1990 also saw a Silver Slugger for Franco, although he wouldn’t win the award again after that. He would only top 5+ WAR once more as well, losing value due to either being a DH or a crap defender. Franco did lead in stolen bases twice with the Angels, setting a career best 74 in 1991.

The Angels in 1990 won the American Association pennant, suffering an upset World Series loss to Virginia Beach. Franco had 22 hits, 11 runs, 5 doubles, 2 home runs, and 10 RBI in that playoff run. Los Angeles would lock up their hometown favorite after the 1991 season on an eight-year, $19,480,000 deal.

LA made the playoffs again in 1991, 1993, and 1995, but couldn’t get beyond the second round. In 1997, the Angels got over the hump and ultimately won the World Series over Minneapolis. Franco played a big role in the playoffs, winning AACS and second round MVP. He had 23 hits, 12 runs, 3 doubles, 5 home runs, and 9 RBI over 18 playoff games.

For his playoff career with the Angels, Franco had 63 games, 73 hits, 33 runs, 13 doubles, 4 triples, 7 home runs, 26 RBI, 23 walks, 21 stolen bases, a .302/.372/.475 slash, 130 wRC+, and 1.7 WAR. His general playoff success earned him a lot of fans in LA and was a big reason his #26 uniform was later retired.

Los Angeles lost in the AACS in 1998, which was Franco’s final season there. In total, Franco had 2162 hits, 1042 runs, 297 doubles, 128 triples, 172 home runs, 973 RBI, 553 stolen bases, a .317/.372/.474 slash, 129 wRC+, and 39.4 WAR. He declined the final year option in his deal, becoming a free agent for the first time at age 33.

Seattle signed Franco to a five-year, $22,200,000 deal. He was the stolen bases leader in four of his five seasons with the Grizzlies and led in triples in 2003 with 22. Franco put up steady value for Seattle, who had their own playoff run during his tenure. The Grizzlies lost in the first round in 1999, then finally won their first-ever pennant in 2000.

Seattle lost to Cleveland in the 2000 World Series. They won 100+ games the next three years, but suffered AACS losses in 2001 and 2003 and a second round defeat in 2002. Franco again stepped up in the postseason with 35 starts, 42 hits, 25 runs, 5 doubles, 6 triples, 5 home runs, 13 RBI, 14 stolen bases, a .313/.354/.552 slash, 136 wRC+, and 1.7 WAR.

For his entire playoff career, Franco had 99 games, 116 hits, 58 runs, 18 doubles, 10 triples, 12 home runs, 39 RBI, 30 walks, 35 stolen bases, a .308/.367/.504 slash, 133 wRC+, and 3.5 WAR. At retirement, he was the all-time steals leader in the playoffs and second in triples. Franco still ranks third in both as of 2037.

For the Seattle tenure, Franco had 940 hits, 521 runs, 118 doubles, 65 triples, 73 home runs, 331 RBI, 311 stolen bases, a .318/.371/.476 slash, 127 wRC+, and 19.4 WAR. He became the 54^th member of the 3000 hit club and the 93^rd player to cross 1500 runs scored. Franco had still looked solid in his final Grizzlies season, earning plenty of free agency attention even at age 38.

Milwaukee gave Franco a three-year, $11,160,000 deal. However, the National Association’s lack of a DH limited his options. Franco only played 89 games with 41 starts in 2004, although he still looked respectable at the plate in that sample. He would struggle in a bench-only role in 2005 with -0.5 WAR over 88 games. Franco had only 0.4 WAR and a 106 wRC+ with the Mustangs. He retired after the 2005 season at age 40.

Franco finished with 3173 hits, 1600 runs, 426 doubles, 196 triples, 251 home runs, 1331 RBI, 857 walks, a 5.4% strikeout rate, 871 stolen bases, a .316/.370/.472 slash, 128 wRC+, and 59.2 WAR. As of 2037, Franco ranks 10^th all-time in stolen bases. However, a lack of power and no defensive value hurt him in the advanced metrics. Very few guys had earned an MLB Hall of Fame nod with a WAR below 60.

Helping Franco’s case were his strong playoff numbers and hitting a few big milestones like 3000+ hits and 1500+ runs. The 2011 ballot also didn’t have anyone else debuting with strong resumes, making Franco pop a bit more compared to the returners. He certainly looks in retrospect to be one of the weakest inductees, but Franco earned a first ballot nod at 72.3%. With that, he was the lone addition into MLB’s HOF in 2011.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

2011 CABA Hall of Fame

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Two pitchers from Salvador’s 1990s dynasty earned induction into the Central American Baseball Association Hall of Fame in 2011. Rafael Perez was nearly unanimous at 98.9%, while Benito Bertran got a huge bump on his third ballot to 85.0%. The only other player above 50% was SP Angel Tobar with 53.5% on his third ballot. No players were dropped after ten ballots. The next best debut was only at 22.7%.



Rafael Perez – Starting Pitcher – Salvador Stallions – 98.9% First Ballot

Rafael Perez was a 6’7’’, 200 pound right-handed pitcher from Moca, the tenth largest city in the Dominican Republic with around 175,000 inhabitants. Perez had excellent stuff, great movement, and very good control. His fastball only hit 93-95 mph, but he also had a strong splitter, curveball, and changeup. Perez was a master at changing speeds and picking his spots.

Perez’s stamina was just above average compared to other CABA aces, but he was an ironman who almost never missed a start. He tossed 215+ innings and 32+ games in all 16 of his pro seasons. He also was known as an excellent defensive pitcher, winning two Gold Gloves. Perez wasn’t a clubhouse leader or genius, but he was still a tremendous ace in a dynasty run.

Despite his final results, Perez wasn’t a highly-touted prospect. He ended up with a growth spurt after high school, shooting up to 6’7’’ suddenly. Even still, he didn’t have the explosive velocity scouts favored. In the 1989 CABA Draft Perez wasn’t picked until the ninth pick of the fourth round. He was the 95^th overall selection by Panama.

The Parrots made Perez a full-time starter immediately and he held that role for his six seasons there. He gave solid innings with 5+ WAR in in five of his seasons. Perez wasn’t a league leader, but did earn a Gold Glove in 1995. His rookie season saw Panama win 87 games, their best effort since 1975. However, the Parrots fell back into their traditional mediocrity for the rest of his tenure.

Perez finished with an 82-66 record, 3.33 ERA, 1437.1 innings, 1456 strikeouts, 274 walks, 117 ERA+, and 32.2 WAR with Panama. He left for free agency after the 1995 season at age 28. Salvador was very impressed with his talent and gave Perez a seven-year, $16,020,000 deal. It proved to be an excellent move to help the Stallions create a dynasty.

Salvador was already good before signing Perez, having won the CABA Championship in 1994. They lost in the Caribbean League final in an upset loss to Santiago in 1995. With Perez, the Stallions would win four straight Caribbean titles from 1996-1999. In 1997 and 1998, Salvador repeated as CABA champ.

Perez immediately delivered by debuting with a Triple Crown season in 1996 with a 23-5 record, 2.25 ERA, and 307 strikeouts; all career highs. He also had career and league bests in WHIP (0.92) and quality starts (28) while posting 9.0 WAR. Perez won his first Pitcher of the Year and his second Gold Glove.

He ended up with four consecutive Pitcher of the Year awards from 1996-99. Perez led in ERA and WAR again in both 1997 and 1998 and posted 9.0, 9.0, 10.1, and 8.9 WAR over those four years. He led in strikeouts again in 1997 and WHIP again in 1998. Perez also pitched for the Dominican Republic in that stretch in the World Baseball Championship. In those four years and a 1991 appearance, he had a 2.44 ERA over 51.2 innings, 83 strikeouts, 150 ERA+, and 2.1 WAR.

It was his performances in the playoffs that catapulted Perez into legendary status. Over the 1996-99 four-peat, Perez had a 12-1 record and 1.19 ERA over 120.2 innings with 138 strikeouts, 21 walks, and 4.8 WAR. He also won finals MVP in the 1998 victory over Tijuana.

After that run, Perez still tossed 5.5+ WAR six more times. Salvador lost in the wild card round in 2000 and 2001, then saw their playoff streak snapped at eight years with the 2002 season. The Stallions still thought they could make another run and re-upped a now 35-year old Perez for three years and $12,040,000.

Perez returned to dominant form with his fourth ERA title in 2003 with a 2.46 mark. He earned his fifth Pitcher of the Year, becoming only the fifth CABA pitcher to ever do that. Salvador made it back to the playoffs, although they lost to Honduras in the CLCS. This was Perez’s only weak playoff effort with a 4.50 ERA over 24 innings.

For his playoff career though, Perez had a stellar 1.78 ERA in 192.2 innings, 17-5 record, 189 strikeouts, 32 walks, 0.94 WHIP, 232 ERA+, and 6.2 WAR. At retirement, no CABA pitcher had more playoff wins. As of 2037, he’s still third in wins, as well as 11^th in strikeouts and fifth in WAR. Among Hall of Famer starters, his playoff ERA ranks fourth best.

Perez had a great 2004 and a good 2005. The Stallions had a first round exit in 2004, but went on a surprise CABA Championship run in 2005, winning it all Juarez. This gave Perez three CABA title rings and five Caribbean rings. In his final postseason run, he had a 2.52 ERA over 25 innings.

In that last season, Perez’s strikeout stats had significantly dropped. Despite that, he still had solid stats and the Stallions gave him a three-year, $13,080,000 extension in the offseason. When he reported to spring training, Perez’s velocity had completely tanked. It was down to the 90-92 mph range in 2005, down from the 93-95 mph peak he normally had. By 2006, Perez was peaking at 85-87 mph.

Regardless of his history and resume, that just wasn’t playable. Perez spent 2006 on roster, but never saw an inning. He opted to retire that winter at age 39. Salvador immediately honored him and retired his #15 uniform for his role in the great dynasty run. With the Stallions, Perez had a 173-100 record, 2.85 ERA, 2675.1 innings, 2803 strikeouts, 370 walks, 140 ERA+, and 79.6 WAR.

Perez’s final stats saw a 255-166 record, 3.02 ERA, 4112.2 innings, 4259 strikeouts, 644 walks, 367/517 quality starts, 148 complete games, 131 ERA+, 74 FIP-, and 111.8 WAR. At retirement, Perez ranked third all-time in pitching WAR behind only the legendary Ulices Montero and Junior Vergara. As of 2037, Perez is still fifth on that list. In 2037, Perez is also ninth in wins and 12^th in strikeouts and fittingly was named to the CABA Centennial Team.

Montero and Vergara’s dominance will keep Perez out of all-time GOAT pitcher conversations. But a case could definitely be made for Perez as CABA’s best-ever postseason starting pitcher. Any top ten pitchers list worth its salt has Perez on there somewhere. He was an easy Hall of Fame headliner in 2011, getting in with a nearly unanimous 98.9%.



Benito Bertran – Starting Pitcher – Salvador Stallions – 85.0% First Ballot

Benito Bertran was a 6’2’’, 200 pound right-handed pitcher from San Pedro Sula, the second largest city in Honduras with around 1.5 million people in the metropolitan area. Bertran was known for having tremendous pinpoint control and excellent movement on his pitches. That made up for having merely average stuff with a peak of 94-96 mph on his fastball. Bertran had a fantastic splitter and a good slider, owing to an extreme groundball tendency.

Bertran also had elite stamina and led the Caribbean League five times in complete games and twice in innings pitched. For the first decade of his run, he had great durability and tossed 240+ innings each year. Injury would ultimately cut things short after that. Bertran ended up being the Robin to Rafael Perez’s Batman during the Salvador dynasty.

Interestingly enough, they had very different expectations at the start of their career. Perez was a fourth round draft pick who greatly exceeded all expectations to become an inner-circle Hall of Famer. Meanwhile, scouts fell in love with Bertran’s control in the amateur ranks and he soared up the prospect ranks. Salvador ended up picking Bertran with the #1 overall pick of the 1990 CABA Draft.

Bertran started immediately for the Stallions and had a decent rookie campaign despite leading the CL in losses. Salvador had earned the #1 pick with a terrible 62-100 in 1990 and did little better at 64-98 in 1991. Bertran helped them start the turnaround for what would be the great 1990s dynasty.

In 1992, the Stallions went from 64 to 98 wins, taking the top seed. In his second year, Bertran led in wins at 20-10 as well as in WAR at 8.0 and complete games at 16. He won Pitcher of the Year and Salvador made it to the CLCS. Bertran got rocked in the playoffs with a 7.53 ERA over 14.1 innings and the Stallions lost the CLCS to Trinidad.

That rocked Bertran’s confidence, as he struggled to a 4.24 ERA in 1993 and Salvador missed the playoffs. He got his grove back with a league and career best 2.43 ERA in 1994, while also leading in WHIP (0.96), quality starts (25), and WAR (7.3). Bertran earned his second Pitcher of the Year and he fared better with a 2.90 playoff ERA in 31 innings. Salvador defeated Ecatepec to win the 1994 CABA Championship.

That winter, the soon to be 27-year old Bertran was extended on a five-year, $12,060,000 deal. Bertran led in WAR again in 1995 and took second in Pitcher of the Year voting. Salvador was upset by Santiago in that season’s CLCS. That loss in part promoted the Stallions to sign Rafael Perez in the offseason, which moved Bertran into the #2 role.

He was fine in that role, leading twice in innings pitched and complete games during the 1996-99 Caribbean League title four-peat. Bertran led in wins at 21-10 in 1999 and had a career best 8.4 WAR, but was second to Perez in POTY voting. That was Bertran’s last time as a finalist. The Stallions would give him a five-year, $14,800,000 extension during spring training 1999.

While Perez’s tremendous playoff stats got deserved attention, Bertran had very good playoff stats for his career. Over 168.1 innings, he had a 2.62 ERA, 11-8 record, 137 strikeouts, 15 walks, 9.1 K/BB, 17/20 quality starts, 151 ERA+, and 4.7 WAR. Bertran was especially great in the 1997 CABA Championship run with a 1.61 ERA over 44.2 innings. He was a critical part of them winning back-to-back CABA rings in 1997 and 1998.

Although his pro career was in nearby El Salvador, Bertran still returned home to Honduras for the World Baseball Championship from 1991-2003. He had a 3.17 ERA over 229.2 WBC innings with 213 strikeouts, a 14-14 record, 44 walks, 114 ERA+, and 5.6 WAR.

Disaster struck a 33-year old Bertran in late April 2001 as he suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament. This put him on the shelf 13 months, missing the rest of 2001 and start of 2002. His signature pinpoint control never came back all the way after the injury. Bertran struggled to a 4.23 ERA over 172.1 innings in his 2002 return.

Salvador limited Bertran to mostly relief in 2003, where he put up a respectable 2.57 ERA and 2.4 WAR over 101.2 innings. Back spasms cost him part of the season and he only saw one relief appearance in the 2003 postseason. Bertran opted to retire with that at age 35 and immediately saw his #39 uniform retired by the Stallions.

Bertran finished with a 182-132 record, 3.40 ERA, 2981 innings, 2225 strikeouts, 329 walks, 203/347 quality starts, 164 complete games, 117 ERA+, and 67.6 WAR. Despite his successes, that ERA was at the very bottom compared to other CABA Hall of Famers. Bertran’s strikeout stats were also very low compared to other HOFers, putting him borderline territory.

Bertran narrowly missed the cut at 63.0% in 2009 and then dropped to 54.4% in 2010. When 2011 rolled around, Perez was going to be an obvious choice, but his pending induction shined a brighter light on Bertran. The latter’s own postseason success was highlighted as a key part of the dynasty run for Salvador. It was almost forgotten too that Bertran did have two Pitcher of the Year awards to his name.

The symmetry was perfect for many voters, giving Bertran an impressive bump up to 85.0%. Almost never did someone receive that high of a percentage outside of the first ballot. Bertran was a third ballot addition and joined his longtime teammate Perez as the inductees for CABA in 2011.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

2011 EAB Hall of Fame

Two players were slam dunk additions into the East Asia Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011. SP Yutaka Kobayashi earned 99.1% and 1B Myeong-Hwan Sung had 98.3% to easily get in on their debuts. The only other player to crack 50% was 3B Shigefumi Tsukehara at 58.9% on his fourth ballot.



Dropped after ten failed ballots was 1B Ye-Seong Van, who had a 17-year career between Suwon, Goyang, and Yongin. Van won an MVP and Silver Slugger in 1984, but otherwise wasn’t a league leader. He had 2247 hits, 1169 runs, 408 doubles, 404 home runs, 1256 RBI, a .315/.368/.551 slash, 149 wRC+, and 63.8 WAR. Van had a solid “Hall of Pretty Good” resume, peaking at 36.8% in 2003 and ending with 15.2%.

RF Chuji Kaizoji also dropped after ten failed ballots, peaking ta 26.7% in 2003 and ending with 13.4%. He had a 20-year career and his full totals would be very much worthy, but that included an eight-year MLB excursion to Baltimore. For his full pro career, Kaizoji had 2745 hits, 1606 runs, 382 doubles, 817 home runs, 1927 RBI, a .278/.336/.571 slash, 168 wRC+, and 104.3 WAR. Few guys in pro baseball history had topped 800 career home runs.

Kaizoji’s best years came in MLB with an MVP and two Silver Sluggers. In EAB, he had one Slugger and did lead in homers twice. He finished in EAB with 1697 hits, 991 runs, 226 doubles, 525 home runs, 1181 RBI, a .277/.337/.578 slash, 169 wRC+, and 66.4 WAR. That resume still deserved a look, but the MLB stint lowered his EAB accumulations enough to leave him on the outside.



Yutaka Kobayashi – Starting Pitcher – Kitakyushu Kodiaks – 99.1% First Ballot

Yutaka Kobayashi was a 6’5’’, 205 pound right-handed pitcher from Kashiba, a city with around 78,000 inhabitants in Japan’s Nara Prefecture. In his prime, Kobayashi had strong stuff, great movement, and solid control. Although his stuff waned in his later years, Kobayashi’s control became elite, keeping him effective despite a noticeable drop in velocity.

Kobayashi’s fastball peaked in the 96-98 mph range and was mixed with a great splitter, good changeup, and occasionally used curveball. His stamina was average relative to other EAB aces, but Kobayashi was an ironman that never missed a start, tossing 210+ innings in all but his final season. He also was a strong defensive pitcher and was terrific at holding the runners he allowed on.

After an impressive amateur career at Tokyo’s Wasedu University, Kobayashi entered the 1985 EAB Draft as arguably the top prospect from Japan. He was picked #2 overall by Kitakyushu and became a full-time starter immediately. Kobayashi had a respectable debut with a 3.42 ERA and 242.1 innings in his rookie year, twice earning Rookie of the Month.

Kobayashi didn’t get much attention nationally initially with Kitakyushu struggling to close the 1980s. 1989 would be his first time pitching in the World Baseball Championship, which he’d go onto do regularly through 2004. In 153.1 WBC innings, Kobayashi had a 4.11 ERA, 9-10 record, 171 strikeouts, 43 walks, 88 ERA+, and 2.6 WAR. Although his WBC stats were mid, Kobayashi would become soon known as a big game pitcher for the Kodiaks.

After the 1989 season, Kobayashi was given a five-year, $6,580,000 contract extension. Kitakyushu won the West Division five consecutive seasons from 1990-94 with Kobayashi leading the way as an ace. In 1990, he led Japan in quality starts and WAR, taking second in Pitcher of the Year voting. This year also saw his lone Gold Glove win.

Kobayashi struggled in his first playoff action with a 6.11 ERA over 17.2 innings in 1990. The Kodiaks lost in the 1990 and 1991 Japan League Championship Series. They overcame that obstacle though, winning the EAB Championship three straight years from 1992-94. That Kitakyushu run was only the second-ever three-peat in EAB Championship history, joining Pyongyang’s four-peat from 1965-68.

Kobayashi was especially strong with a 1.46 ERA over 24.2 innings in 1992 and a 1.41 ERA over 32 innings in 1993. In total for Kitakyushu in the playoffs, Kobayashi had a 12-6 record and 4 saves, 2.82 ERA, 137.1 innings, 139 strikeouts, 25 walks, 115 ERA+, and 2.5 WAR. Following the third title in 1994, Kitakyushu gave Kobayashi at age 30 a seven-year, $17,640,000 extension.

While Kobayashi had been considered a great pitcher prior, the lack of big strikeout stats hurt him in the awards conversations. He finally won Pitcher of the Year in 1994, posting a career best 2.00 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. The next three seasons, Kobayashi led Japan in WAR with 8.9, 8.6, and 9.1. He also led all three years in K/BB and FIP- while posting a career-best 0.80 WHIP in 1997.

Kobayashi won Pitcher of the Year for a second time in 1995, then took third in 1996 and second in 1997. Kitakyushu won 101 and 98 games in 1995 and 1996, but narrowly lost the division to Hiroshima both years. The Kodiaks made it back to the playoffs in 1997 at 109-53, but were stunned in the JLCS by Sapporo. That marked their end of their dominant run, as Kitakyushu posted four straight losing seasons and wouldn’t be back in the playoffs for more than a decade.

The Kodiaks began a fire sale during these years and Kobayashi was traded after the 2000 season to Ulsan for two prospects. He remained a popular figure with Kitakyushu fans for his role in the dynasty and later saw his #13 uniform retired. With the Kodiaks, Kobayashi had a 228-159 record, 2.59 ERA, 3550 innings, 3644 strikeouts, 501 walks, 127 ERA+, and 97.0 WAR.

By ERA+, Kobayashi’s one season with Ulsan was his best at 191. The 36-year old proved ageless, winning his first ERA title at 2.15 and leading in wins at 24-3, WHIP (1.01), innings (280), quality starts (29), and WAR (8.7). Kobayashi won his third Pitcher of the Year six years after winning his second.

Ulsan earned a repeat Korea League Championship Series appearance, but was upset by Yongin. Kobayashi delivered in the playoffs with a 1.38 ERA over 26 innings regardless. Thus, the one-year rental of Kobayashi didn’t get them over the hump. His value was high entering free agency for the first time at age 37 and he signed for two years and $12,000,000 with Sapporo.

Kobayashi was solid yet again with a 2.47 ERA over 229.2 innings and 5.5 WAR in 2002. The Swordfish went nowhere that season though and traded Kobayashi for three prospects to Kobe. Kobayashi still didn’t lose a step, posting a 2.24 ERA and 6.8 WAR with the Blaze. He finished second in Pitcher of the Year voting.

A free agent at age 39, Kobayashi signed with Osaka for two years and $14,000,000. It was at this point that his velocity dropped significantly and he now had trouble hitting 90 mph. Kobayashi’s control was still stellar though and he gave the Orange Sox a respectable 3.07 ERA and 4.3 WAR in 2004. That year, he became the fourth EAB pitcher to reach 300 career wins and the sixth to 4500 career strikeouts.

The drop was even steeper in 2005 and Kobayashi was relegated primarily to the bullpen with a 3.46 ERA over 127.1 innings. Osaka won the 2005 Japan League title, but lost in the EAB Championship to Seoul. Kobayashi was only used in two relief appearances for the entire playoff run. He retired that winter at age 41.

Kobayashi ended with a 302-194 record, 2.59 ERA, 4717.1 innings, 4610 strikeouts, 612 walks, 434/583 quality starts, 125 complete games, 129 ERA+, and 123.8 WAR. As of 2037, he ranked fourth all-time in wins, fifth in strikeouts, and fourth in pitching WAR. Kobayashi didn’t have the raw dominance of the other pitchers in the GOAT conversations, but his ironman durability gave him remarkable totals.

Additionally, as of 2037 Kobayashi is tied for the most playoff wins in EAB history at 15. His final playoff stats had a 15-7 record, 2.66 ERA, 166 innings, 161 strikeouts, 26 walks, 124 ERA+, and 3.6 WAR. Kobayashi was a critical part of Kitakyushu’s historic dynasty and one of the most steady and reliable pitchers of the 1990s. He was a no-doubter with 99.1% atop EAB’s 2011 Hall of Fame ballot.



Myeong-Hwan Sung – First Base/Center Field – Pyongyang Pythons – 98.3% First Ballot

Myeong-Hwan Sung was a 6’2’’, 195 pound switch-hitting first baseman and outfielder from the capital of South Korea, Seoul. Sung was known for having a reliably strong bat, although he only led the league in home runs once. He still posted 34 homers, 26 doubles, and 19 triples per his 162 game average.

Sung’s speed was very good and he was an incredibly adept and savvy baserunner and thief. He became known as one of the most impressive run scorers of his era. Sung was merely an above average contact hitter with an average ability for drawing walks and a below average strikeout rate. Still, he made his opportunities count when he got on base.

In his first five seasons, Sung’s speed led to a posting in center field. He proved to be an abysmal defender in center and was shifted to first base from then on. Sung graded as a perfectly adequate glove man at first. He did have sporadic small injuries, but stayed generally healthy over a 20-year career. From 1990-2003, he played 150+ games in all but two seasons.

Perhaps his most endearing qualities were as a person. Sung was a team captain known for excellent leadership and a strong work ethic. It is no wonder that he became an extremely popular player in his era and a beloved icon for Korean fans.

Sung’s popularity was vast on both ends of the 38^th Parallel. Despite growing up in South Korea’s capital, his most famous tenure was in the North’s capital. Sung was signed as a teenage amateur free agent in December 1982 by Pyongyang. He looked so impressive that he debuted at age 19 in 1986 with 115 games and 101 starts. Very rarely in any pro league did a teenager earn a starting role.

Sung started for a decade for the Pythons, although he was merely a good starter in his first few years. He didn’t have his home run power initially, hitting 45 total in his first four seasons. In 1990 alone, he smacked 40 dingers, earning his first of three Silver Sluggers. That was his only one while playing center field.

Although historically a strong franchise, Pyongyang was abysmal in the 1980s averaging 65.7 wins per season. They hoped Sung could lead them back to success and gave him a five-year, $6,380,000 extension in May 1990.

1992 was his lone season leading in home runs with 46, along with a career and league high 147 RBI. Sung was third in MVP voting and Pyongyang ended a 14-year playoff drought, although they lost in the first round. In 1994, Sung set league and career bests in runs (124), total bases (377), slugging (.636), and wRC+ (176). This also had a career best 9.4 WAR and .322 batting average along with 44 home runs and 102 RBI, placing Sung third in MVP voting.

Pyongyang made it back to the playoffs in 1995, but again was one-and-done. Still, they finally had a few good years thanks to Sung, whose #3 uniform was later retired. This was his final season with the Pythons, finishing with 1542 hits, 824 runs, 226 doubles, 157 triples, 278 home runs, 826 RBI, 437 stolen bases, a .283/.326/.536 slash, 138 wRC+, and 42.3 WAR. He would be a free agent for the first time at age 29.

Sung had fondness for Pyongyang’s fans, but he had wanted to return home to South Korea. He was a regular for SK in the World Baseball Championship from 1990-2003 with 112 games and 80 starts. He posted 66 hits, 48 runs, 9 doubles, 5 triples, 24 home runs, 59 RBI, 28 stolen bases, a .199/.282/.474 slash, 118 wRC+, and 2.8 WAR.

There were plenty of suitors and Sung signed a seven-year, $18,360,000 deal for the 1996 season with Busan. The Blue Jays had taken KLCS runner-up the prior year and wanted to get over the hump. Sung had an excellent debuting, leading in runs scored and posting 8.3 WAR for a third place in MVP voting. He was merely okay in the playoffs as the Blue Jays lost the KLCS despite being the #1 seed.

Busan lost in the first round in 1997, then narrowly missed the playoffs in 1998 and 1999. Sung led in both runs and RBI in 1997 with 8.2 WAR, winning his second Silver Slugger. He was second in MVP voting, but ultimately never won the top award. Sung picked up a third Silver Slugger in 1999.

Sung opted out of the remaining three years of his contract after the 1999 campaign. With Busan, he finished with 697 hits, 444 runs, 103 doubles, 79 triples, 166 home runs, 459 RBI, 192 stolen bases, a .311/.360/.649 slash, 165 wRC+, and 29.4 WAR. Now 33-years old, Sung signed a four-year, $13,440,000 deal with Daegu. The Diamondbacks had won the EAB Championship the prior year.

Sung played his final six seasons for Daegu, extending for another three years and $13,080,000 after the 2003 season. He was mostly a good starter for them and didn’t reach his peak stats from the prior runs. Sung’s power was lower in this era, but he was an excellent leader as the Diamondbacks remained successful.

Daegu won another Korea League title in 2000, but lost to Kawasaki for the EAB Championship. Sung missed that postseason unfortunately from a broken hand suffered in August. The Diamondbacks missed the playoffs in 2001, then lost in the 2002 KLCS to Incheon. They won 103 games in 2003, but suffered a first round upset to the Inferno.

Sung had a solid 2002 playoff run, but for his career was merely decent in the postseason. In 37 starts, he had 37 hits, 23 runs, 5 doubles, 3 triples, 6 home runs, 18 RBI, 18 stolen bases, a .268/.313/.478 slash, 119 wRC+, and 1.3 WAR.

Daegu fell to the mid-tier by Sung’s final seasons. Torn ankle ligaments knocked him out for much of the 2004 campaign. Sung would struggle in 2005 and be eventually benched after batting .193 In total with the Diamondbacks, Sung had 806 hits, 482 runs, 123 doubles, 95 triples, 152 home runs, 420 RBI, 303 stolen bases, a .272/.319/.532 slash, 129 wRC+, and 21.5 WAR.

In that last season, Sung notably became the 19^th member of the 3000 hit club. He would miss being the 26^th to reach 600 home runs though, falling four short. Sung retired after the 2005 season at age 39. He was the only player in EAB history to top 500 homers, 400 doubles, and 300 triples.

The final career stats for Sung: 3045 hits, 1750 runs, 452 doubles, 331 triples, 596 home runs, 1705 RBI, 668 walks, 932 stolen bases, .286/.331/.559 slash, 141 wRC+, and 93.2 WAR. He was top ten in runs scored at retirement and still ranks 11^th in 2037. Sung also sits 57^th in WAR for position players, 37^th in homers, 25^th in RBI, and 22^nd in hits.

Sung didn’t have a tip-top level career and didn’t end up with a loaded trophy case. But he was incredibly solid and reliable for two decades and an adored figure in Korean baseball. Thus, Sung was an obvious first ballot Hall of Famer and received 98.3%. He and Kobayashi make an impressive one-two punch for EAB’s 2011 class.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

2011 BSA Hall of Fame

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Pitcher P.J. Sifuentes stood alone as an inductee into the Beisbol Sudamerica Hall of Fame in 2011, receiving 92.8% on his ballot debut. The next closest to the 66% requirement was 1B Nyx Navas with 60.1% on his second ballot. Catcher Moises Avalos had 57.9% on his third go. No one else was above 50% and the next best debut was down at 30.2%. The BSA ballot also didn’t see any players dropped following ten failed ballots.



P.J. “Big Train” Sifuentes – Starting Pitcher- Quito Thunderbolts – 92.8% First Ballot

P.J. Sifuentes was a 6’1’’, 200 pound right-handed pitcher from Macara, Ecuador, a small town of about 11,000 people on the southern border with Peru. Sifuentes was known for having great stuff, very good movement, and above average control. His fastball hit the 96-98 mph range regularly and was part of a five-pitch arsenal. Sifuentes’ splitter and forkball were his most devastating pitches, but his changeup and curveball could get you out too.

Relative to other South American aces, Sifuentes’ stamina was average. He was relatively durable, but saw his career shortened by two major injuries. Sifuentes was very outspoken and polarizing at times, but he was fiercely loyal to those close to him. He was often on the right side of the issues he spoke out on, making Sifuentes a popular figure generally in his native Ecuador.

After an excellent amateur career, Sifuentes was picked #6 overall in the 1992 BSA Draft by Quito. He was a full-time starter immediately for the Thunderbolts and an immediate starter for Ecuador in the World Baseball Championship. From 1993-2005 in the WBC, Sifuentes had a 3.31 ERA over 138.2 innings, 11-5 record, 170 strikeouts, 56 walks, 108 ERA+, and 3.6 WAR.

In his rookie season for Quito, Sifuentes posted a 2.81 ERA and 6.2 WAR, earning 1993 Rookie of the Year honors. His arrival helped the Thunderbolts bounce back from a mediocre 69-93 in 1992 to 93-69 in 1993, missing out on a wild card by only one game. In 1994, Sifuentes posted an all-time great sophomore season.

Sifuentes led the Bolivar League in ERA (1.84), wins (24-5), quality starts (32), FIP- (53), and WAR (11.8). These would all be career bests, along with his 293.1 innings, 333 strikeouts, 195 ERA+, and 0.93 WHIP. Sifuentes won Pitcher of the Year and took second in MVP voting.

Quito made the playoffs as a wild card and went all the way to Copa Sudamerica, beating Fortaleza for the 1994 title. Sifuentes was mixed in the playoffs with a 3.80 ERA over 21.1 innings and 22 strikeouts. Regardless, he became a favorite forever of Thunderbolts fans for helping them to their first Cup win since 1965.

Sifuentes was third in 1995 Pitcher of the Year voting, but struggled in his one playoff start as Quito lost in the first round. In 1996, Sifuentes led in strikeouts, WHIP, and WAR. The Thunderbolts fell to just above .500, but committed to Sifuentes with a five-year, $11,220,000 extension.

Quito would fall into mediocrity for the rest of Sifuentes’ run, only finishing above .500 once in his remaining seasons. 1997 saw Sifuentes’ first setback with bone chips in his elbow. This required surgery and cost him the last month of the season and the 1998 WBC. He was back for the 1998 regular season, but posted very average stats, making many observers think he might be a flash in the pan.

Sifuentes bounced back with an excellent 1999 with a 2.43 ERA and 9.7 WAR, taking second in Pitcher of the Year voting. 2000 had a lousy 4.20 ERA, but his 6.9 WAR and 76 FIP- suggested he was plagued by bad luck. Sifuentes looked better to start 2001, but suffered a partially torn UCL in early July. This injury would have a 10-11 month recovery time and put Sifuentes’ future in doubt.

Quito gave him a one-year extension in hopes he could return to form in 2002. He made it back for 186 innings with a 3.63 ERA and 4.5 WAR. That would be his last year with the Thunderbolts, who let Sifuentes leave for free agency at age 33.

With Quito, Sifuentes had a 145-117 record, 3.01 ERA, 2473.1 innings, 2666 strikeouts, 473 walks, 214/319 quality starts, 123 ERA+, 71 FIP-, and 71.6 WAR. He’d remain a popular figure in the capital region and saw his #34 uniform later retired. Sifuentes’ next chapter began with a five-year, $7,480,000 deal with Bogota.

The Bats had just seen their playoff streak snapped at seven years, missing the wild card by a game. They hoped Sifuentes could solidify the rotation and they were right. Bogota went 112-50 in 2003, but suffered a BLCS upset loss to Caracas. Sifuentes led in wins at 23-3 with a 3.00 ERA and 6.6 WAR. His strikeout numbers were lower than the past, but this was still enough to win his second Pitcher of the Year.

Sifuentes struggled again in the playoffs though with a 6.14 ERA over 22 innings. He had a nice 2004 and fared better in that playoff run, going 4-0 in five starts with a 3.05 ERA over 38.1 innings and 43 strikeouts. Bogota won Copa Sudamerica over Salvador, giving Sifuentes his second cup win.

His stamina and velocity both dropped in 2005 and Sifuentes was used only as a part-time starter. The small sample paid off, as he led in ERA at 2.44 over 181 innings and posted four shutouts. Sifuentes was third in Pitcher of the Year voting with that effort. Bogota didn’t use Sifuentes in the playoffs, but he earned a third ring as the Bats repeated as Copa Sudamerica champs, this time beating Fortaleza.

Sifuentes’ exact role for 2006 was a bit uncertain, but he didn’t make it to the regular season. He suffered a partially torn labrum in spring training, originally expected to cost him just three months. Sifuentes suffered a setback in late May and doctors said he had to retire at age 36. With Bogota, Sifuentes had a 57-20 record, 2.99 ERA, 706.2 innings, 637 strikeouts, 133 ERA+, and 15.3 WAR.

The final stats had a 202-137 record, 3.01 ERA, 3180 innings, 3303 strikeouts, 590 walks, 275/413 quality starts, 110 complete games, 20 shutouts, 125 ERA+, 74 FIP-, and 86.9 WAR. As of 2037, he ranked 34^th in pitching WAR. Sifuentes wasn’t an inner-circle level guy, but very few argued against him being a first ballot Hall of Famer. He received 92.8% and was BSA’s lone inductee in 2011.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

2011 EBF Hall of Fame (Part 1)

Three players earned induction for the European Baseball Federation’s 2011 Hall of Fame class. The only slam dunk was pitcher Anders Maurstad, who was nearly unanimous at 99.1%. Fellow pitcher Viktor Fredsgaard joined him with 74.6% on his fifth ballot, finally crossing the 66% requirement. The third addition was two-way player Henrique Agnelo, receiving a nice 69.5% on his third ballot.



Pitcher Reggie Hobart was also close, but narrowly missed the cut with 62.7% on his eighth ballot. That was notably his best showing yet. RF Mitchel Dekker also missed by a thin margin with a 62.4% debut. No other players were above 50%.

Closer Vinzenz Kornfeld was among those dropped after ten ballots. He peaked at 35.1% in 2003 and ended with a mere 8%. Kornfeld was hurt by spending half of his career in MLB, but he did win Reliever of the Year thrice in seven seasons with Berlin. Kornfeld’s EBF stats saw 227 saves, 2.16 ERA, 578.2 innings, 880 strikeouts, 135 walks, 173 ERA+, and 18.4 WAR. He didn’t have nearly enough tenure to make a dent in the voting.

Catcher Reinhard Matern also fell off the ballot, peaking with a 31.8% debut and ending at 6.5%. It is never easy for catchers to get attention, but Matren only had one Silver Slugger in his 16 year career almost exclusively with Hamburg. He had 1663 hits, 946 runs, 201 doubles, 465 home runs, 1171 RBI, a .224/.286/.445 slash, 107 wRC+, and 53.4 WAR. He ranks fifth in WAR among catchers in 2037, but that wasn’t enough to make Matern the first-ever catcher added into EBF’s HOF.

A third player dropped after ten ballots was pitcher Andreas Albrecht, who split 17 years between EBF and MLB. He won four Gold Gloves and in EBF had a 185-121 record, 3.35 ERA, 2810 innings, 2415 strikeouts, 113 ERA+, and 53.7 WAR. With a few more years’ accumulations, he might have had a chance. Albrecht was a solid Hall of Pretty Good type, peaking at 26.7% in 2003 and ending at 5.0%.



Anders “Trey” Maurstad – Starting Pitcher – Barcelona Bengals – 99.1% First Ballot

Anders Maurstad was a 6’2’’, 195 pound left-handed pitcher from Softeland, Norway; a village of just under 2,000 people on the Bergen Peninsula. Maurstad had absolutely elite control of his arsenal while also posting excellent stuff and movement. He wouldn’t overpower you with his fastball only hitting 92-94 mph, but he located it with absurd precision.

Maurstad had five equally potent pitches in the arsenal with a changeup, slider, forkball, and splitter. He knew how to change speeds masterfully and for many hitters, all five pitches looked the same until it was too late to react. Maurstad’s stamina was good and his was incredibly durable, tossing 210+ innings in all 16 of his full seasons.

The talent was undeniable, but Maurstad’s personality left a lot to be desired. Many said he was lazy, dumb, and lacked any sort of leadership capabilities. He wasn’t disruptive, but he wasn’t the ideal teammate either. Regardless, Maurstad put together a remarkable career.

Maurstad rose quickly through the amateur scene in Norway and was quickly the top prospect coming out of the country. That earned attention in the nation’s capital and Maurstad was picked 12^th overall by Oslo in the 1988 EBF Draft. He debuted with three relief appearances in 1989, but was a full-time starter by 1990. Maurstad stayed a regular starter for the next 16 seasons.

Maurstad took second in Rookie of the Year voting with a solid debut campaign. His second year was his lone 300+ strikeout season at 308. In 1992, he led the Northern Conference in wins at 24-6, which was impressive considering Oslo was a lousy 72-90 squad. Maurstad also posted a 2.38 ERA, taking third in Pitcher of the Year voting.

He was strong again in 1993 with six shutouts, but overlooked due to being with a weak franchise. Maurstad did pitch for Norway in the World Baseball Championship, but only from 1991-94. In that stretch, he had a 3.18 ERA over 45.1 innings with 74 strikeouts, 112 ERA+, and 2.2 WAR. He wouldn’t pitch in the WBC once his time in his home country ended.

That came in July 1994, as Oslo traded Maurstad to Barcelona for pitcher Tiago Basto and a draft pick. With the Octopi, Maurstad finished with a 69-54 record, 2.88 ERA, 1176 innings, 1225 strikeouts, 158 walks, 131 ERA+, and 26.9 WAR. His time in Spain would become his most famous tenure. Barcelona had ended a 13-year playoff drought and hoped another strong arm could help them take the next step.

The Bengals gave Maurstad a five-year, $10,680,000 about a month after acquiring him. He had an excellent finish to the season and Barcelona won the Southern Conference Championship. They lost to Birmingham in the European Championship, but Maurstad delivered a 2.97 ERA in 36.1 playoff innings. Barcelona officials were confident they had made the right move grabbing Maurstad.

The Bengals fell to 82-80 in 1995, but you couldn’t blame Maurstad as he led in wins and WAR. This was his first of five consecutive seasons as the WARlord and a run of 8+ WAR in seven out of eight seasons. Still, he took second in 1995 Pitcher of the Year voting.

Maurstad finally took the top honor in 1996, leading the SSC in innings, WHIP, WAR, and shutouts. Barcelona went onto win it all, defeating Birmingham in a European Championship rematch. Maurstad had a stellar postseason with a 1.54 ERA in five starts, 41 innings, and 35 strikeouts. That alone earned him a fondness with many Bengals fans and led to his #35 uniform later being retired.

Maurstad won Pitcher of the Year again in both 1997 and 1998 for a three-peat. The latter was easily his finest year with his lone ERA title with a career best 2.26. He also had conference and career bests in innings (291), K/BB (11.1), quality starts (28), FIP- (56), and WAR (11.1). Barcelona narrowly missed the playoffs in 1997, then went one-and-done in 1998.

Barcelona felt they still had a competitive window and after the 1998 season signed Maurstad to a seven-year, $25,920,000 extension. The Bengals shockingly plummeted to 62-100 in 1999 and posted six straight losing seasons. Maurstad couldn’t be blamed though, as he led again in WAR in both 1999 and 2001. He took second in Pitcher of the Year voting.

Maurstad pitched a few more solid seasons, then saw his first notable struggles in 2005 with a 4.89 ERA. He still had an 87 FIP- and 4.2 WAR, but Barcelona bought out the remainder of his contract. Maurstad decided to retire with that at age 36. With the Bengals, he had a 174-124 record, 3.00 ERA, 2927.2 innings, 2842 strikeouts, 388 walks, 130 ERA+, and 92.7 WAR.

The final stats had a 243-178 record, 2.96 ERA, 4103.2 innings, 4067 strikeouts, 546 walks, 349/522 quality starts, 130 ERA+, 70 FIP-, and 119.6 WAR. As of 2037, Maurstad is eighth in pitching WAR, 14^th in wins, fifth in innings pitched, and ninth in strikeouts. He also had a 2.34 ERA over 88.1 career playoff innings with 76 strikeouts.

Maurstad isn’t generally in the GOAT conversations for European pitchers, but his resume was absolutely rock solid with three POTYs and a ring. Maurstad received 99.1% to headline EBF’s three-player 2011 Hall of Fame class.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

2011 EBF Hall of Fame (Part 2)

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Viktor Fredsgaard – Starting Pitcher – Stockholm Swordsmen – 74.6% Fifth Ballot

Viktor Fredsgaard was a 6’2’’, 195 pound right-handed pitcher from Jyllinge, Denmark; a town of 10,000 inhabitants located 40 kilometers west of Copenhagen. Fredsgaard had solid stuff and movement with very good control. His velocity peaked in the 98-100 mph range with a splitter and forkball being his best two pitches. Fredsgaard had a five-pitch arsenal in total, also boasting a nice curveball, slider, and changeup.

Fredsgaard’s stamina was very average compared to most aces of the era. His durability was respectable, avoiding big injuries until his mid 30s. Fredsgaard was incredibly well respected in the clubhouse and a team captain. Peers remarked about his excellent leadership, loyalty, work ethic, and intelligence.

By the 1987 EBF Draft, Fredsgaard had established himself as one of the top pitching prospects on offer. He was picked fourth overall by Stockholm and made a full-time starter immediately, taking second in 1988 Rookie of the Year honors. Fredsgaard would ultimately play his entire pro career win the Swedish capital.

He still wasn’t too far from home and still would represent Denmark regularly in the World Baseball Championship. Fredsgaard tossed 155.1 innings from 1988-2000, but was unremarkable on the world stage with a 6-9 record, 4.23 ERA, 194 strikeouts, 85 ERA+, and 3.5 WAR.

Fredsgaard wasn’t a league leader almost at all in his career. He was a good in his first four seasons, then posted a career best 2.55 ERA in 1992. Fredsgaard had 8.4 WAR and 5 shutouts, helping Stockholm end a nine-year stretch of losing seasons. The Swordsmen went one-and-done in the playoffs with Fredsgaard allowing 6 runs over 7.1 innings in his one start.

Still, Stockholm gave him a five-year, $8,640,000 extension that winter. Fredsgaard was third in 1993 Pitcher of the Year voting; his only time as a finalist. That year had a career-best 9.6 WAR. Fredsgaard fared better in the playoffs with a 1.62 ERA over 16.2 innings, but the Swordsmen were stopped in the Northern Conference Championship by Birmingham.

For the rest of his tenure, Stockholm was generally stuck in the middle-tier. Fredsgaard would top 6+ WAR each year from 1994-1998 and twice led in K/BB during that stretch. The Swordsmen gave Fredsgaard another five year extension in May 1997 worth $13,320,000.

Inflammation issues slowed Fredsgaard down in 1999, although he still looked good when healthy. More elbow inflammation cost him the early part of 2000, then a torn rotator cuff ended his season in late August. Fredsgaard rehabbed and made it back for the start of the 2001 campaign. However, he tore his rotator cuff again after four starts. Fredsgaard decided to retire that winter at age 37 after the back-to-back bad injuries.

Fredsgaard finished with a 190-141 record, 3.18 ERA, 3094.1 innings, 3006 strikeouts, 489 walks, 256/416 quality starts, 119 ERA+, 74 FIP-, and 81.8 WAR. As of 2037, he ranks 29^th in pitching WAR. There certainly were guys with less remarkable resumes that had gotten in before. But Fredsgaard had some things working against him.

He was never dominant and was very rarely in POTY conversations. Fredsgaard was also hurt by being on some forgettable Stockholm squads, although his loyalty was a plus. He seemed destined for the “Hall of Pretty Good” initially with a debut of 43.0% on the 2007 ballot. He slowly gained to 46.0%, 55.9%, and then down to 54.1%.

On his fifth try in 2011, some voters gave Fredsgaard another look and found his stats were better than they’d realized. He received the bump up to 74.6%, crossing the 66% requirement. Fredsgaard became the second of the three inductees into EBF’s 2011 Hall of Fame class.



Henrique Agnelo – Outfield/Pitcher – Barcelona Bengals – 69.5% Third Ballot

Henrique Agnelo was a 6’1’’, 195 pound left-handed outfielder and pitcher from Povao de Santo Adriao, Portugal, a town of 13,000 people in the Lisbon metropolitan area. Agnelo was a two-way player who was strongest as a position player. He was a solid contact hitter with a decent eye and respectable knack at avoiding strikeouts.

Agnelo had plenty of pop on his bat with a career 162 game average of 28 home runs, 22 doubles, and 16 triples. He was a great athlete who could leg out extra bases and steal effectively in his prime. Agnelo played the outfield when not pitching with around half of his career starts in left and a smaller chunk in right. He graded out as perfectly adequate in left and slightly below average in right.

As a pitcher, Agnelo had strong stuff, but his movement and control were average to above average at best. He had a three pitch lineup of fastball, slider, and curveball. Agnelo had excellent stamina and regularly went deep in games despite his two-way workload.

Although he had injuries, Agnelo held up pretty well compared to many other two-way guys, playing pro baseball into his age 40 season. Some thought he was a selfish mercenary type, but Agnelo’s unique skillset meant someone was always happy to give him a shot.

Agnelo was an intriguing prospect, but many teams weren’t quite sure what to make of him. He was eligible for the 1987 EBF Draft and Barcelona grabbed him sixth overall. Agnelo’s talent seemed raw and the Bengals kept him on the developmental roster in 1988. He debuted in 1989 but with 11 relief appearances and 54 games in the field.

Agnelo wanted to play both ways, but Barcelona made him a full-time outfielder in 1990 and 1991. He excelled in that role with 6.6 WAR and 9.0 WAR seasons, including a conference-best 33 triples in 1991. Agnelo only pitched 14 innings over those two seasons. He worked on his pitching though and in 1992, the Bengals gave him a two-way shot.

That gamble paid off as he matched Edgar Miranda’s combined WAR record of 15.5 Agnelo at the plate had 8.6 WAR and a conference-best .723 slugging and 209 wRC+, hitting 32 home runs in 129 games. He had 6.9 WAR on the mound with a 3.09 ERA over 285.1 innings and 260 strikeouts. Agnelo won a Silver Slugger as a pitcher and took third in MVP voting.

He never had a season quite that amazing again, but he won additional Silver Sluggers for Barcelona in 1993 and 1995. In 1995, Agnelo led the conference in OBP (.412), slugging (.698), OPS (1.109), and wRC+ (193). From 1990-1995, he averaged 6.87 WAR per year at the plate.

Agnelo posted 5.6 WAR in his second year pitching, but his stats would be merely above average after that. Still, a great bat with playable pitching was very valuable, although some wondered how good of a bat Agnelo could’ve been had he focused on that.

While playing professionally in Spain, Agnelo played for his native Portugal in the World Baseball Championship. He had 103 games and 82 starts in the field from 1990-2008 with 75 hits, 43 runs, 11 doubles, 19 home runs, 47 RBI, 26 stolen bases, a .237/.327/.459 slash, 128 wRC+, and 2.5 WAR.

Agnelo also pitched 121.2 innings over 19 games with an 11-3 record, 2.00 ERA, 138 strikeouts, 58 walks, 180 ERA+, and 3.3 WAR. From 1995-97, he tossed 35.1 innings without allowing an earned run. Oddly enough, Agnelo was stronger on the world stage as a pitcher despite being a better batter in his pro career.

Barcelona snapped a playoff drought in 1993, but lost in the first round. In 1994, the Bengals won the Southern Conference Championship, falling to Birmingham in the European Championship. They missed the playoffs in 1995, but won it all in a finals rematch against the Bees. Agnelo had a good run hitting in 1994, but his playoff stats were otherwise underwhelming.

At the plate, he had 37 games, 33 hits, 20 runs, 6 doubles, 5 triples, 4 home runs, 20 RBI, 17 stolen bases, a .237/.282/.439 slash, 98 wRC+, and 0.3 WAR. In 73.2 innings pitching, he had a 4.64 ERA, 3-5 record, 49 strikeouts, 26 walks, 84 ERA+, and 0.9 WAR. Still, Agnelo was viewed as an important part of the run and Barcelona would later retire his #37 uniform.

The 1996 title marked the end of the Barcelona run, as Agnelo opted for free agency at age 30. At the plate, he had 1175 hits, 630 runs, 156 doubles, 158 triples, 194 home runs, 645 RBI, 348 stolen bases, a .334/.380/.634 slash, 173 wRC+, and 45.4 WAR. Pitching, Agnelo had an 81-51 record, 3.64 ERA, 1276.1 innings, 1076 strikeouts, 357 walks, 108 ERA+, an d20.8 WAR.

Agnelo only signed a one-year, $1,580,000 deal in 1997 with Dublin. He won a Silver Slugger again, but 3.6 WAR was his weakest at the plate. A strained groin cost him some time as well. Agnelo had 3.8 WAR on the mound for the Dinos. A free agent again for 1998, Agnelo got the MLB payday he was hoping for. Thus, his EBF career ended at age 31.

In EBF, he had 1290 hits, 683 runs, 167 doubles, 171 triples, 217 home runs, 705 RBI, 362 stolen bases, a .331/.374/.628 slash, 171 wRC+, and 49.0 WAR. Pitching, he had a 92-64 record, 3.61 ERA, 1514 innings, 1276 strikeouts, 425 walks, 107 ERA+, and 24.6 WAR.

The rate stats were very impressive offensively. As of 2037, he’s one of only 22 players with 3000+ plate appearances and an OPS above one. There had been other guys who had gotten in on very short bursts, but playing only eight full seasons meant his accumulations were far lower than most voters wanted.

However, he was on the borderline for batting alone. Although definitely not a Hall of Fame pitcher, that extra value did win over some voters concerned about accumulations. Agnelo missed the cut narrowly with 59.0% and 63.4% in his first two ballots. On his third try, he just breached the 66% requirement at 69.5%, becoming the third member of EBF’s 2011 Hall of Fame class.

Agnelo played another decade of baseball post-EBF, but it was a strange ride. He signed a two-year, $7,200,000 deal with Atlanta, but ran into issues immediately. A fractured cheekbone and shoulder inflammation kept him out almost all of 1998. In 1999, Agnelo looked delightfully mid at the plate with a 104 wRC+ and 1.2 WAR over 90 games. However, he had an excellent full-time season pitching with a 3.21 ERA, 289 innings, 126 ERA+, and 6.1 WAR. The Aces earned a first-round bye in the playoffs, but went one-and-done.

St. Louis then signed Agnelo for two years and $11,600,000. He again looked pretty good as a pitcher with 3.8 WAR and a 2.56 ERA in 2000, but barely starter quality at the plate with a .665 OPS, 102 wRC+ and 0.7 WAR. Agnelo missed the entire 2001 regular season with radial nerve compression, although he was back just in time for the playoffs. He gave up three runs in two innings of his lone start.

Agnelo was a free agent again at age 35 and was signed by Charlotte for one year. He was respectable pitting and terrible hitting in his two months with the Canaries. Agnelo suffered a torn rotator cuff at the end of May 2002, putting him out 12 months and putting his career in doubt. Atlanta gave him a minor league deal for 2003 with a majors option if he was able to make it back.

That injury effectively ended Agnelo’s time as a pitcher, as he’d only be used for 11 relief appearances in the next three years combined with terrible results. He looked subpar hitting in 2003 for the Aces, although he still had good speed and passable defense. In 2004, Oakland gave him a shot and he was alright over 136 games with 1.8 WAR and a 111 wRC+.

At age 38, Agnelo went to Hartford in 2005 and had a brief renaissance. In 130 games and 108 starts, he had 3.9 WAR at the plate with a 151 wRC+ and .833 OPS. In 2006, he ended up back with Atlanta one last time and gave the Aces very middling production.

For his MLB career, Agnelo had 667 hits, 352 runs, 89 doubles, 28 triples, 99 home runs, 332 RBI, 111 stolen bases, a .256/.316/.425 slash, 112 wRC+, and 9.6 WAR. Pitching, he had a 43-25 record, 3.30 ERA, 670.2 innings, 431 strikeouts, 229 walks, 115 ERA+, and 11.1 WAR. Agnelo was out of MLB after the 2006 season.

He wanted to still play and went to the African Association of Baseball in 2007 with Luanda, posting 0.8 WAR in 118 games. Agnelo was unsigned in 2008 and finally retired at age 41. For his entire pro career as a hitter, Agnelo had 2066 hits, 1101 runs, 271 doubles, 203 triples, 335 home runs, 1078 RBI, 507 stolen bases, a .297/.349/.540 slash, 145 wRC+, and 59.5 WAR.

As a pitcher, Agnelo ended with a 135-89 record, 3.52 ERA, 2184.2 innings, 1707 strikeouts, 654 walks, 109 ERA+, and 35.7 WAR. His grand total of 95.2 WAR places him 20^th all-time among two-way guys in pro baseball history. Agnelo certainly had a unique journeyman run in his 30s, but in his 20s, he was a very valuable asset that helped Barcelona win two pennants.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

2011 EPB Hall of Fame (Part 1)

Eurasian Professional Baseball didn’t induct any players into the Hall of Fame in 2009 or 2010 and many thought 2011 could be the same. Only four players debuted in 2011 and only one of them survived to a second ballot, getting a mere 14.1%. Not wanting another blank ballot, four returners received another look and crossed the 66% requirement, making for a hefty four-player class.



Pitcher Wojciech Grzybek led the way with 79.0% on his third ballot. 3B/1B Igor Urban was the lone position player added at 75.1% on his fourth ballot. Pitcher Temuujin Munkhuu also was a fourth ballot addition at 73.4% Rounding out the group was pitcher Mikhail Kripak with 69.8% for his sixth ballot. One other player cracked 50% with reliever Nijat Arzhanov at 53.0% on his second try. No one was dropped following ten failed ballots.



Wojciech Grzybek – Starting Pitcher – Kazan Crusaders – 79.0% Third Ballot

Wojciech Grzybek was a 6’6’’, 200 pound left-handed pitcher from Szczecin, Poland; the country’s seventh-largest city with around 391,000 inhabitants. Grzybek was a fireballer with strong stuff, good control, and above average movement. His fastball regularly hit the 98-100 mph range and was supported by a slider, forkball, change, and splitter. Each pitch was equally potent, making Grzybek a tough one to get this off of.

When healthy, Grzybek had tremendous stamina and loved going deep in games. He led the league thrice in innings pitched and twice in complete games. Grzybek was also a solid defensive pitcher and won a Gold Glove in 1994. Major injuries ended up derailing him, but he was a force to be reckoned with when healthy. Grzybek was also considered a solid leader and was generally liked in the clubhouse.

Being a big lefty that throws hard gets plenty of attention from a young age. A scout from Kazan caught wind of Grzybek and signed him in June 1984 to a teenage amateur deal. He spent most of the next six years in Russia in the developmental system. He officially debuted in 1989 at age 21, but only faced one batter in relief.

Grzybek was a part-time starter in 1990 and posted promising results. Kazan intended to make him a full-timer in 1991, but disaster struck with a torn labrum in his first start of the season. Grzybek missed the rest of the season and posted average results in his 1992 return. Forearm tendinitis also knocked him out more than a month of the 1992 campaign.

1993 was Grzybek’s first full season and he looked quite strong, leading in complete games, innings, and shutouts. Although his entire pro career was in Russia, Grzybek did play for his native Poland from 1991-2001 in the World Baseball Championship. He had a 2.38 ERA over 124.2 innings, 157 strikeouts, 36 walks, 150 ERA+, and 3.0 WAR. Grzybek also tossed a WBC no-hitter in 1998 with 14 strikeouts and 2 walks against China.

1994 saw similar results to 1993, earning third in Pitcher of the Year voting and his lone Gold Glove. Kazan ended a six-year playoff drought, but fell in the first round of the playoffs to eventual EPB champ Kyiv. Among Grzybek’s successes in 1994 was a no-hitter on September 18 against St. Petersburg with 12 strikeouts.

Things were going well, so the Crusaders gave Grzybek a five-year, $6,500,000 extension. Then in his first start of 1995, Grzybek suffered a torn flexor tendon. This ended another season prematurely and again put his future in doubt. Grzybek bounced back with an impressive 1996 with a 7.4 WAR season, posting his most impressive outing to date.

Grzybek looked even better and played a huge role in a surprise championship season for Kazan. The Crusaders had narrowly missed the playoffs the prior two years, but won 107 games in 1997. That was still the third-best record in the European League, but they overcame the field to win it all, eventually ousting Irkutsk in the EPB Championship. Grzybek had an all-time playoff run, going 5-0 in five starts with a 1.26 ERA over 43 innings, 56 strikeouts, 227 ERA+, and 1.2 WAR.

1998 would be his most dominant effort, winning Pitcher of the Year and taking second in MVP voting. He posted career and league bests in strikeouts (397), WAR (10.3), WHIP (0.75), and quality starts (31). Grzybek had a 22-7 record and 1.74 ERA, missing a Triple Crown by only six points.

Grzybek had a nice 1999, but he missed a month to forearm tendinitis. He tossed one complete game win in the playoffs, but Kazan fell in the first round. Grzybek decided he wanted to test free agency, ending the Crusaders run heading into his age 32 season. His role in their 1997 championship season was huge in eventually getting his #22 uniform retired by the squad.

Novosibirsk gave Grzybek the bag with a six-year, $18,480,000 deal. Forearm tendinitis lingered in 2000 and he put up a respectable 4.2 WAR season with a 115 ERA+ in his Nitros debut. The run would be short-lived sadly, starting with more injury trouble in 2001. A sprained ankle in the WBC put him out for much of spring training. Then as soon as he got back, he suffered radial nerve compression, missing the entire 2001 campaign.

Grzybek hoped to make it back again and had 37.1 good innings in 2002, but dealt with forearm inflammation in the first half of the season. Once back in August, he tore his flexor tendon again. Grzybek made it back for one poor start in 2003, but was clearly cooked from the accumulated injuries. He retired that winter at age 35.

Grzybek finished with a 150-97 record, 2.19 ERA, 2287 innings, 198/274 quality starts, 2470 strikeouts, 406 walks, 184 complete games, 43 shutouts, 130 ERA+, and 54.7 WAR. More than 2/3s of his starts were complete games, but perhaps that overuse doomed him. Grzybek’s rate stats were certainly worthy, but his accumulations were very low from the injuries.

Many voters thought he just didn’t play long enough, leading to Grzybek narrowly missing the Hall of Fame in 2009 at 64.3% and 57.5% in 2010. His dominance when healthy and the playoff run in 1997 was enough for many. After back-to-back blank classes, a few EPB voters loosened up and look at Grzybek again. On the third try, he bumped up to 79.0% to headline the four-player 2011 EPB class.



Igor “Full Pack” Urban – Third/First Base – Novosibirsk Nitros – 75.1% Fourth Ballot

Igor Urban was a 6’0’’, 205 pound left-handed hitting corner infielder from Stochov, a small town of 5,400 people in the central Czech Republic. Urban was an excellent contact hitter that was great at putting the ball in play and avoiding strikeouts. He didn’t draw too many walks and his home run power was quite limited, only topping 10+ twice. However, Urban’s gap power was impressive. He had 25 doubles and 20 triples per his 162 game average.

Urban was an outstanding baserunner that could often leg out doubles and triples. He was also a very effective base stealer with quick feet. Urban was notably much more effective hitting against right-handed pitching (.817 OPS, 151 wRC+) compared to lefties (.647 OPS, 104 wRC+). He had fairly reliable durability over a 19 year career, becoming one of the great EPB leadoff hitters.

Despite his hitting profile, Urban was a corner infielder that made about 2/3s of his starts at third base and the rest at first base. His strong arm helped him grade out as delightfully average at third, although he was comparatively mediocre at first. Urban was a respected locker room leader and team captain, known for fierce loyalty and a tireless work ethic.

Urban emerged as the top Czech prospect ahead of EPB’s 1983 Draft. He was picked 6^th overall by Bratislava, although his time there was ultimately brief. Urban had 97 games and 50 starts in his rookie year, but was a full-timer the following two seasons. In 1985, he led the European League in hits (177) and triples (19). Urban led in triples again in 1986.

Bratislava was a bottom-tier franchise that never made the playoffs in their entire EPB run. Although they liked Urban, they traded him after his third season to Novosibirsk for two prospects. With the Blue Falcons, he had 422 hits, 166 runs, 52 doubles, 56 triples, 27 home runs, 136 RBI, 139 stolen bases, a .286/.332/.452 slash, 138 wRC+, and 7.1 WAR.

Urban became a well-known figure while in Russia with the Nitros, although he did return home to Czechia for the World Baseball Championship regularly. From 1984-2002, he played 168 games with 154 starts, posting 150 hits, 79 runs, 30 doubles, 9 triples, 2 home runs, 31 RBI, 54 stolen bases, a 2.51/.319/.342 slash, 91 wRC+, and 1.4 WAR.

Novosibirsk was on the cusp of being a contender when they got Urban. They narrowly missed the playoffs in 1987, but he posted the first of 11 consecutive seasons worth 5+ WAR. Although Urban wasn’t a league leader, he was a consistently strong presence. In 1988, he won his first Silver Slugger with a 7.3 WAR effort.

In 1988, the Nitros won their first-ever Asian League Championship, although they lost to Minsk in the EPB Championship.Urban was the LCS MVP with 25 hits, 13 runs, 10 stolen bases, and 5 extra base hits over 15 playoff starts with a .403 batting average. Novosibirsk bettered their record in 1989 with the top seed at 107-55, but suffered a tough first round loss to Yekaterinburg.

Now 29-years old, Urban signed to a seven-year, $6,730,000 extension after the 1989 campaign. The Nitros were a perennial playoff team with six straight berths from 1991-96, but unfortunately this run coincided with a dynasty run by Irkutsk. Novosibirsk lost in the 1991 ALCS to Chelyabinsk as the #1 seed. The next five seasons were all wild cards and first round exits, often at the hands of the Ice Cats.

Urban kept plugging along, winning his third Silver Slugger in 1993 and his fourth in 1996. His playoff stats were usually good even when the team lost. In 39 playoff starts, he had 58 hits, 28 runs, 7 doubles, 6 triples, 2 home runs, 8 RBI, 14 stolen bases, a .365/.395/.522 slash, 190 wRC+, and 2.1 WAR.

Novosibirsk gave him a three-year, $5,800,000 extension after the 1996 campaign. Their playoff success ended with that and they quickly fell towards the bottom of the standings. Urban still looked strong, posting arguably his best season in 1997. At age 36, he won his lone batting title with a .328 average and had a career best 7.4 WAR. He also had career and league bests in runs (96), hits (198), and triples (29).

That was Urban’s last great year, although he was still a good starter for the next three seasons. The Nitros gave their captain another three years and $6,540,000 after the 1999 campaign. By 2001, he was merely a passable starter and in 2002, he had negative value with a -1.5 WAR season.

In late 2001, Urban became EPB’s all-time hits leader, passing Kirill Ohlobystin’s 2898. In 2002, he became the first-ever EPB hitter to reach 3000+. Urban held the hit king title until finally passed in the early 2030s by Timofei Averkin.

Urban’s last year also saw a partially torn labrum in September. With that, he retired at age 42 and immediately had his #4 uniform retired by Novosibirsk. With the Nitros, Urban had 2622 hits, 1151 runs, 361 doubles, 275 triples, 90 home runs, 658 RBI, 934 stolen bases, a .299/.339/.434 slash, 139 wRC+, and 82.3 WAR.

The final stats saw 3044 hits, 1317 runs, 413 doubles, 331 triples, 117 home runs, 794 RBI, 544 walks, 1073 stolen bases, a .297/.338/.437 slash, 139 wRC+, and 89.4 WAR. As of 2037, he’s still second all-time in hits. He also ranks 19^th in runs, fifth in triples, eighth in stolen bases, and 27^th in WAR among position players.

However, there were voters who shunned a lack of home run power, especially from his position. Urban didn’t have big hardware either. The previous hit-king Ohlobystin never made the Hall of Fame either, so that achievement wasn’t a lock for EPB voters. For many, that alone was enough, but there were some who dismissed Urban as an above average compiler.

Urban missed the cut narrowly thrice, finishing with 58.3%, 65.4%, and 60.0%. On his fourth try, enough voters realized that leaving out the all-time hits leader was silly. Urban received 75.1% and entered EPB’s Hall of Fame with the 2011 class.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

2011 EPB Hall of Fame (Part 2)

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Temuujin Munkhuu – Pitcher – Irkutsk Ice Cats – 73.4% Fourth Ballot

Temuujin Munkhuu was a 6’3’’. 200 pound right-handed starting pitcher from the capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar. Munkhuu had outstanding and powerful stuff, riding that to success despite merely average movement and often subpar control. His 98-100 mph fastball was excellent and complimented by a curveball and changeup.

Munkhuu’s stamina was merely okay, thus he was limited to a bullpen role early in his career. He had occasional back troubles, but avoided the major injuries that often plagued pitchers. Some teammates thought he was a bit selfish and self-centered. However, Munkhuu’s excellent fastball certainly was enough to make most teammates ignore any personality quirks.

He threw hard from a young age and emerged as one of Mongolia’s best-ever prospects. That said, the country wasn’t known as a baseball powerhouse. Munkhuu would be the first-ever Mongolian Hall of Famer. A scout from Bratislava took a liking to him and he was a late pick in the 1985 EPB Draft. Munkhuu was the 18^th selection of the fourth round, going 127^th overall.

Munkhuu’s control was too wild to be playable in his younger years and he never made the big league squad for the Blue Falcons. He spent two years on the reserve roster, then was traded in January 1988 to Irkutsk. The Ica Cats used him sparingly in his first two seasons with only 27 innings of relief. They were good innings though and he was promoted to the closer role in 1990.

That year started a run of eight consecutive playoff berths for Irkutsk, although they lost in the first round in 1990. Munkhuu led the Asian League with 42 saves, striking out 121 over 84.1 innings with 2.1 WAR. Control issues popped up again and Munkhuu was demoted to middle relief in 1991. The Ice Cats didn’t use him at all in 1992, then gave him only 27 innings in 1993 and two innings in 1994.

Munkhuu was good in his limited playoff action, tossing 5 scoreless innings in 1992 despite not seeing the field in the regular season. He had another 10.2 scoreless in 1993 as Irkutsk won back-to-back Asian League titles. The Ice Cats won their first-ever EPB Championship in 1993, defeating Warsaw. They lost in the 1994 ALCS, then won three straight pennants from 1995-1997. Irkutsk’s second EPB title came in 1995 in a rematch with the Wildcats.

They decided to give Munkhuu a shot as a starter in 1995 and he did well, posting 5.8 WAR over 181.2 innings. He led in WHIP at 0.72, but did miss about two months to a forearm strain. Munkhuu came up big in the championship run with a 0.87 ERA over 31 starts with 51 strikeouts and 1.8 WAR.

In 1996, Munkhuu became a legit ace, winning Pitcher of the Year and taking third in MVP voting. He led the league with a 1.39 ERA and 0.73 WHIP while posting career bests in strikeouts (357), ERA+ (203), and WAR (9.8). He had another great postseason with a 1.11 ERA over 32.1 innings and 47 strikeouts. In 1997, Munkhuu had 8.7 WAR with a 2.22 ERA and 317 strikeouts.

In the playoffs that season, he had a 2.70 ERA over 36.2 innings and 51 strikeouts. Still, Munkhuu became the only EPB pitcher to have 50+ strikeouts in two different playoff runs. For his postseason career, Munkhuu had an excellent 1.51 ERA over 119.1 innings, 177 strikeouts, 27 walks, 12/14 quality starts, 194 ERA+, and 4.8 WAR. He played a big role in Irkutsk’s continued success in that run.

Irkutsk fell towards the middle tier after the 1997 campaign. Munkhuu had a strong 1998, but dropped off to merely good stats the next three seasons. He finally earned his first long-term contact in July 2000, signing five years for $10,000,000.

Munkhuu’s fastball started to fade, dropping to 94-96 mph by 2002. He looked below average that year and reported in 2003 with mere 90-92 mph velocity. Munkhuu wasn’t used at all in 2003 and retired after that season at age 37. Irkutsk would retire his #3 uniform for his role in the dynasty run.

Munkhuu’s final stats saw a 139-80 record and 61 saves, 2.39 ERA, 1947 innings, 2437 strikeouts, 429 walks, 169/233 quality starts, 123 ERA+, and 50.4 WAR. The accumulations are very much at the bottom among EPB starting pitchers in the Hall of Fame. Munkhuu was hurt by being a rarely used reliever for part of his career, only posting eight seasons as a full-time starter.

The rate stats were good, but not mind blowing enough to overlook the accumulations for many voters. Munkhuu was boosted significantly by his stellar playoff runs. Many remembered him from those runs during Irkutsk’s 1990s dominance. He debuted at 58.3%, then missed by one point in 2009 at 65.0%.

Munkhuu dropped to 57.9% in 2010, but got the bump back up in 2011 at 73.4%. With that, Munkhuu became the third of the four players in EPB’s 2011 Hall of Fame class. He also earned the distinction as Mongolia’s first-ever member of the EPB Hall.



Mikhail Kripak – Starting Pitcher – Kharkiv Killer Bees – 69.8% Sixth Ballot

Mikhail Kripak was a 6’3’’, 205 pound right-handed pitcher from Volkovysk, Belarus; a town of around 41,000 in the country’s western Grodno Region. Kripak had excellent control of his arsenal and had fairly good movement on his pitches, although his stuff was merely above average. His fastball peaked in the 93-95 mph range. Kripak had a great slider to get most of his whiffs along with a respectable changeup.

Kripak’s stamina was excellent in his prime, leading thrice in complete games and twice in innings pitched. In his 20s, he was viewed as very durable as well. Kripak was generally a likeable guy and considered an intelligent leader in the clubhouse.

By the 1986 EPB Draft, Kripak was viewed as one of the top prospects coming from Belarus. His pro career would begin in neighboring Ukraine, picked 24^th overall by Kharkiv. Kripak only saw 6.1 innings in 1987, but earned a full-time starting role from 1988 onward. He had an unremarkable rookie season, but looked like an ace in year two, leading the European League in quality starts (32) and innings (298).

Kripak had seven seasons worth 6+ WAR for Kharkiv, although he generally wasn’t in awards conversations. Kripak’s lone Pitcher of the Year finalist nod came with a second place in 1996. That year, he led in wins at 25-6 as well as complete games with 31 and shutouts with 11. That year also had career bests in ERA (1.87), and WAR (8.5). Among his 11 shutouts was a no-hitter with 7 Ks and two walks on May 10 against Bratislava.

Kharkiv became a sporadic contender with first round losses as a wild card in 1990 and 1993. They committed four years and $4,860,000 after the 1993 campaign to Kripak. From 1995-97, they had the European League’s top seed each year. They couldn’t get over the hump, losing in the ELCS in 1995 and 1996 and the first round in 1997.

Kripak was a strong playoff pitcher, posting a 1.54 ERA over 70.1 innings with 70 strikeouts, 3 walks, 7 complete games in 8 starts, 187 ERA+, and 1.7 WAR. He also regularly pitched for his native Belarus in the World Baseball Championship. From 1988-99, he had a 3.39 ERA over 135.1 innings, 122 strikeouts, 35 walks, 105 ERA+, and 1.8 WAR.

In early September 1997, Kripak suffered a partially torn labrum, keeping him from the playoffs. He ultimately rejected the Killer Bees qualifying offer and became a free agent at age 33. Kripak sometimes expressed regret for leaving, as Kharkiv had a dynasty three-peat right after he left. While there, Kripak had a 163-116 record, 2.51 ERA, 2614 innings, 2409 strikeouts, 333 walks, 115 ERA+, and 59.8 WAR.

Novosibirsk gave Kripak a five-year, $11,000,000 deal and he started with a respectable 1998 effort. Unfortunately in his second start of 1999, he suffered a torn flexor tendon in his elbow. Kripak tried to comeback in 2000, but was abysmal in 10.1 innings of relief. He retired that winter at age 35.

Kripak finished with a 179-129 record, 2.57 ERA, 2922.1 innings, 2664 strikeouts, 388 walks, 244/339 quality starts, 238 complete games, 112 ERA+, and 65.2 WAR. His accumulations were definitely on the lower end compared to other Hall of Fame starters and his rate stats weren’t eye-popping either. Most agreed that his credentials were quite borderline.

2006 saw a debut at only 45.1%, although Kripak gained traction. He got up to 62.7% in 2009, but dropped back to 56.1% in 2010. After back-to-back empty ballots, EPB voters felt a bit more generous in 2011. Kripak made it across the 66% requirement at 69.8% as a sixth ballot inductee. He ultimately closed out the four-player 2011 Hall of Fame class.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

2011 OBA Hall of Fame

The 2011 Oceania Baseball Association ballot had only two debuts and both guys didn’t even crack 5%. The unremarkable group allowed reliever Garnet Wallace to finally breach the 66% requirement with 67.1% on his eighth try. CF Mario Harris was the only other player above 50%, getting 59.0% on his third ballot.



There was some cleaning with four players removed from the ballot after ten failed tries. SP Mike Anderson won three Gold Gloves in a 14 year career, posting a 168-161 record, 3.41 ERA, 3093.2 innings, 3012 strikeouts, 684 walks, 96 ERA+, and 35.2 WAR. Anderson peaked at 30.0% in 2003 and ended at 19.6%, clearly boasting a below HOF career.


Brent Sami had a similar story to the lone inductee Wallace, although with less dominance. He won four Reliever of the Year awards in a brief run with New Caledonia and Brisbane, but left for MLB. In his OBA tenure, he had 266 saves, 1.82 ERA, 661 innings, 783 strikeouts, 166 ERA+, and 19.9 WAR. Sami didn’t have a long enough or dominant enough tenure to get the nod. He peaked with a debut at 32.5% and ended with 14.6%.

Joel Todd won seven Silver Sluggers and one Gold Glove at third base. He won finals MVP in Brisbane’s 1991 championship and finished with 2028 hits, 833 runs, 452 doubles, 300 home runs, 1046 RBI, a .271/.314/.463 slash, 133 wRC+, and 72.5 WAR.

He retired second in WAR at third base and ranks fourth still as of 2037. Despite a seemingly solid resume, Todd’s lack of big home run power hurt him with some voters. He peaked at 39.0% on his third ballot and fell to a mere 9.6% by the end.

The fourth guy dropped after ten tries was pitcher Ryan Baker, who had a 13-year career with a 138-116 record, 2.96 ERA, 2437 innings, 2733 strikeouts, 803 walks, 110 ERA+, and 34.5 WAR. Baker definitely fit the “Hall of Good” level. He peaked with a 21.6% debut and ended at only 8.4%.



Garnet Wallace – Closer – Honolulu Honu – 67.1% Eighth Ballot

Garnet Wallace was a 6’4’’, 200 pound left-handed relief pitcher from San Antonio, Texas. Wallace was an absolute fireballer with excellent stuff and great control, although his movement was flat at times. He had a stellar 99-101 mph cutter has his main pitch, but his curveball was plenty solid as well. Wallace’s stamina was good for a reliever and he was adaptable to various situations.

Wallace attended Miami University in Ohio had a poor college career. He had a 5.18 ERA over 57.1 innings with 66 strikeouts, 24 walks, and -0.3 WAR. Few scouts thought he had any pro potential, although San Francisco took a flier on him. He was picked late in the 1986 MLB Draft, 383^rd overall in the seventh round. Wallace was cut after spring training with any pro future in doubt.

Honolulu signed him and thought perhaps he could be developed. Wallace spent 1987 and 1988 on the reserve roster, but greatly improved his stuff and control. He debuted in 1989 with decent results split between middle relief and closing. Wallace did the same in 1990 with strong results, taking third in Reliever of the Year voting.

This was in the middle of Honolulu’s 16-year stretch of dominance which saw 11 Pacific League titles. The Honu took the Oceania Championship in both 1989 and 1990. Wallace struggled in five innings in 1989’s finals, but was solid in 1990. That helped earn him the full-time closer role from there.

From 1991-93, Wallace won three straight Reliever of the Year awards. He led in saves in 1994, but took second in voting. Wallace won his fourth ROTY in 1995, becoming only the third in OBA history to win the award four times. Wallace also led in saves and games pitched in the 1995 campaign.

1993 was his most dominant effort by WAR with 6.6 over 96 innings, 177 strikeouts, 34 saves, a 0.84 ERA, and 0.64 WHIP. This was so strong that he won Pitcher of the Year as well, a rare feat for a reliever. Wallace also was second in POTY voting in both 1992 and 1995.

Wallace allowed 1 run in 7 innings in the 1993 finals and tossed 9 scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts in 1995. Honolulu lost the 1993 finals to Perth, but won it all in 1995 versus Christchurch. Over 29 playoff innings for the Honu, Wallace had a 1.24 ERA, 5 saves, 11 shutdowns, 44 strikeouts, 5 walks, 239 ERA+, and 1.2 WAR.

He still had MLB aspirations and this Honolulu run earned attention. Thus, he opted for free agency entering his age 30 season in 1996. Wallace’s OBA run finished with 228 saves and 269 shutdowns, 1.17 ERA, 523.2 innings, 859 strikeouts, 0.74 WHIP, 260 ERA+, 34 FIP-, and 27.5 WAR.

The short tenure was the issue for Hall of Fame voters. His ERA was by far the lowest of any Hall of Famer, with the next closest being fellow reliever Scott Kyle at 1.63. It was about as dominant of a seven year run you could have from a reliever. But that was the problem, it was seven years. A lot of voters felt that just wasn’t long enough. Plus, his post OBA run was relatively forgettable.

Wallace was helped being part of Honolulu’s dynasty and having strong playoff stats. Still, he debuted at 48.0% on the 2004 ballot. Wallace stayed around there his first four tries, then bumped up to 60.3% in 2008. He had 57.0% in 2009 and 61.2% in 2010.

No one notable debuted on OBA’s 2011 ballot, leaving the field wide open. Wallace didn’t win many new voters over, but it was just enough to cross the 66% requirement. At 67.1%, Wallace grabbed an eighth ballot induction as the lone member of OBA’s 2011 Hall of Fame class.

Wallace returned to the continental United States for the 1996 season on a three-year, $6,840,000 deal with New York. He was below average with a 3.97 ERA in 56.2 innings of mid relief. He stunk in 8.2 innings in early 1997 and was cut by the Yankees. Seattle picked him up with a 3.09 ERA over 23.1 innings to finish the season.

1998 saw brief stints with Hartford, Charlotte, and Virginia Beach. In three MLB seasons, he had a 3.35 ERA over 150.2 innings, 9 saves, 28 shutdowns, 154 strikeouts, and 104 ERA+, and 2.8 WAR. Wallace was disappointed he couldn’t hack it in MLB, but didn’t return to OBA. He ended up in Brazil on a three-year, $6,000,000 deal with Sao Paulo.

Wallace had a decent 1999 and earned the full-time closer role in 2000 and 2001. His 43 saves in 2001 earned a third place finish in Reliever of the Year voting. With the Padres, he had 94 saves in 217 innings, a 2.49 ERA, 261 strikeouts, 41 walks, 137 ERA+, and 3.3 WAR.

After that, he signed for 2002 for two years and $4,640,000 with Lima. The Lobos only used him four times that season, although he looked good with one run allowed in 9.1 innings. Wallace e spent all of 2003 on the reserve roster and retired after the 2003 season at age 37.

For his entire pro career, Wallace had a 1.85 ERA,331 saves and 391 shutdowns, 1284 strikeouts, 900.2 innings, 169 walks, 178 ERA+, and 33.8 WAR. Even for a full career, his grand totals would probably be a bit borderline for Hall of Fame contention. But his seven years were so dominant in Honolulu to earn Wallace a spot among OBA’s honored greats.