
SP Joachim Muller and CL Enzo Kojic were the inductees from the European Baseball Federation’s 1981 Hall of Fame voting. Both were first ballot picks with Muller getting 94.4% and Kojic at 70.3%. No other player was above 50% and no players were dropped from the ballot after ten failed attempts.

Joachim Muller – Pitcher – Berlin Barons – 94.4% First Ballot
Joachim Muller was a 6’8’’, 200 pound right-handed pitcher from Melle, a city of around 45,000 people in Lower Saxony, northwestern Germany. Muller’s command was outstanding for his entire run, but he boasted very good movement and solid stuff as well. He had three pitches and only really used two, but his slider was legendary, mixed with a 98-100 mph fastball and a rarely used changeup. Muller was also very durable and considered an ironman with 230+ innings in all but his rookie season.
Muller’s potential was noticed as a high schooler in Germany and Berlin selected him the 1957 EBF Draft with the 19th overall pick. He spent two years on the reserve roster developing, then saw limited action in 1960 at age 22. Muller became a full-time starter in 1961 and was a fixture in the Barons rotation for the next 15 years. He didn’t often lead the conference statistically, but was the top pitcher in WAR twice, FIP- twice, ERA once, and wins once. He had ten straight seasons worth 6+ WAR and five times had 8+
Muller won Pitcher of the Year three times in four years, taking it in 1965, 66, and 68. He also was third in 1968’s MVP voting. He threw two no-hitters with the first in 1968 with 14 strikeouts against Paris and his second in 1969 with 12 strikeouts versus Oslo. He was also a regular for Germany in the World Baseball Championship with 186 innings from 1961-75. In the WBC, he had a 13-8 record, 2.08 ERA, 191 strikeouts, and 6.0 WAR. Berlin made the playoffs five times in his career, although the Barons were never able to get beyond the conference championship. In 75.2 playoff innings, Muller had a 2.62 ERA with 76 strikeouts and 2.8 WAR.
Muller’s peak years were in his late 20s, although he continued to be ol’ reliable into his 30s. 1973 even saw him throw a career high 295.1 innings. In 1975, his production for the first time was subpar with an ERA worse than the league average. He picked up his 3500th career strikeout this season. Muller opted to retire at age 37 and saw his #6 uniform retired by Berlin that winter.
Muller’s career stats saw a 232-173 record, 2.78 ERA, 3933.2 innings, 3604 strikeouts to only 552 walks, 354/491 quality starts, 132 complete games, FIP- of 74, and 102.1 WAR. He was the fourth EBF pitcher to compile 100+ career WAR, the eighth to 200 wins, and the fifth to 3500+ Ks. This made him an easy first ballot Hall of Fame choice, receiving 94.4%.

Enzo Kojic – Closer – Belgrade Bruisers – 70.3% First Ballot
Enzo Kojic was a 5’9’’, 195 pound right-handed relief pitcher from Cacak, a city of around 100,000 people in central Serbia. Kojic was known for having terrific stuff with the one-two punch of a 98-100 mph fastball and a strong curveball. His control was solid and movement was above average, leading to a flyball tendency. Kojic was viewed as a good leader and was also considered quite durable.
Kojic left Yugoslavia to play college baseball in England for the University of Bristol. He’d get selected in the second round of the 1958 EBF Draft by Belgrade, 45th overall. Kojic debuted in 1960, although he wouldn’t take over the closer role until 1962. A stellar 1961 postseason earned him attention as the Bruisers made it to the European Championship. In that run, he posted a 0.64 ERA with five saves in 14 innings. He’d lead the Southern Conference in saves in both 1962 and 1963, winning Reliever of the Year in 1963 and taking third in 1962. Kojic also finished second for the award in 1965.
Kojic also pitched for Serbia from 1961-76 in the World Baseball Championship, posting 112.1 innings with 180 strikeouts and a 3.61 ERA. He suffered a major setback in 1966 with a torn flexor tendon in his elbow putting him out eight months. He bounced back with a solid 1967 and opted for free agency after the season. At age 28, Kojic went to MLB and signed with Toronto. He saw limited use in three seasons with the Timberwolves, then played 1971 for Jacksonville. His MLB excursion saw 2.8 WAR over 104.2 innings with 113 strikeouts.
Kojic came back home to Belgrade in 1972 and spent four more seasons with the Bruisers as the closer. He was second in 1973’s Reliever of the Year voting, then won the award for the second time in 1974 with a 56 save season, second only to Romain Guy-Blache’s record of 57. Kojic also had a career best 1.17 ERA and 137 strikeouts. He struggled in the playoffs with a 5.28 ERA, but the Bruisers still picked up their first European Championship. His final season with Belgrade was 1975 and he’d pitch one more pro season in 1976 in Mexico City, retiring at age 37. The Bruisers would retire his #22 uniform for his service and role in their title season.
Kojic’s stats in EBF for Belgrade saw 359 saves and 388 shutdowns, a 2.19 ERA, 831 innings, 1133 strikeouts, 178 walks, a FIP- of 60, and 28.3 WAR. He retired second in EBF saves behind only Roman Jongmans’ 368. Interestingly, he’d be the last reliever added to the EBF Hall of Fame until the 2010s, but Kojic’s resume was strong enough to get the first ballot nod at 70.3%.
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