
The 1990 Hall of Fame class for Chinese League Baseball was the largest class to date in its short history. Three pitchers received first ballot selections, led by starter Zhijian Dong at 99.0%. Relievers Yongjie Xie and Mingxin Liang joined him with 94.4% and 80.5%, respectively. RF Xinze Yan came close to the 66% threshold with 61.0% in his debut. SP Lixuan Xiao was also above 50% with a 55.7% debut. No players were dropped after ten ballots.

Zhijan Dong – Starting Pitcher – Hong Kong Champions – 99.0% First Ballot
Zhijan Dong was a 6’0’’ 200 pound right-handed pitcher from Chengdu. Located in the center of the country, it is the fourth most populous city in China with nearly 21 million people. Dong had very good stuff with excellent control and above average movement. His fastball topped out in the 98-100 mph range and he mixed it with a splitter and curveball. Dong had terrific stamina, leading the league in complete games seven times in his career. He was a solid defensive pitcher with good intelligence and durability. Dong was also a respectable hitter who won five Silver Sluggers. He wasn’t a true two-way guy as he wasn’t used ever in the field, but Dong would get a number of pinch hit chances each year.
Dong was picked seventh overall in the 1970 CLB Draft by Hong Kong, which was the first rookie draft ever for Chinese League Baseball. He debuted with the Champions with a few starts and relief appearances in 1971. Dong was moved to the rotation full-time in year two and stayed in that role for the remainder of his career. It wasn’t until his fourth season that he became viewed as an ace, posting his first of ten seasons worth 7+ WAR. 1973 also was Dong’s first Silver Slugger, with the additional ones coming in 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1984.
In 1976, his sixth season, Dong won Pitcher of the Year for the first time. He posted a career and league best 1.39 ERA while also leading in strikeouts and WAR for the first time. The highlight of the season came on June 25 against Chongqing, striking out 12 in CLB’s fifth-ever perfect game. Dong was third in 1977 in Pitcher of the Year voting and threw his second no-hitter with 14 strikeouts and three walks versus Shenzhen. He then won POTY for the second time in 1978 with a second place in MVP voting as well. Dong went 27-3, setting a CLB single-season record for wins that still holds as the record in 2037. This season saw Hong Kong’s first-ever playoff run, making it to the China Series where they fell to Kunming. Dong had a 3.24 ERA over 25 playoff innings in the run.
That was ultimately Dong’s final season in Hong Kong, as he entered free agency at age 28. For his run with the Champions, Dong had a 128-78 record, 2.12 ERA, 1995.1 innings, 2089 strikeouts, and 48.3 WAR. He would remain extremely popular with HK fans and see his #2 uniform retired at the end of his career. Dong would sign a seven-year, $2,744,000 deal with Hangzhou for the 1979 season. That season also marked the start of his World Baseball Championship career, making 21 appearances from 1979-87 for China. He posted a 10-1 record, 2.78 ERA, 126.1 innings, 184 strikeouts, and 4.0 WAR.
Hangzhou had earned a playoff spot for the first time in 1978 and they hoped Dong would get them over the hump. He did just that, winning his third Pitcher of the Year in 1979 with a second place in MVP voting. Dong posted a career best in WAR (12.1) and led in strikeouts yet again with an 18.1 K/BB. In the playoffs, he had a 1.71 ERA and 3-0 record in four starts and 31.2 innings, helping the Hens to their first championship. They would make one more playoff appearance in 1981, although they lost in the semifinal.
Dong would be third in Pitcher of the Year voting in 1980, second in 1983, and third in 1984. He led in strikeouts three times with the Hens, giving him the lead six times in his career. He also led in K/BB four times, FIP- thrice, and WHIP thrice in his CLB run. In total with Hangzhou, Dong had a 112-53 record, 1.95 ERA, 1559 innings, 1965 strikeouts, and 51.4 WAR. By rate stats, he was better with the Hens than the Champions, but he had more innings with HK and ultimately wore their cap into the Hall of Fame. Fans of both franchises loved him though.
Dong was the first to a number of milestones in Chinese League Baseball. In 1982, he became the first 200 game winner and in 1984, he was the first to 4000 strikeouts. Dong did this by his age 33 season, but 1984 would be the end of his CLB run. He opted out of the final season of his Hangzhou deal and sought out MLB money. Cleveland signed him to a five-year, $6,400,000 deal, which saw his peak annual salary triple from $392,000 to $1,280,000.
Dong had a solid debut season for the Cobras, although back troubles cost him a month of the season. He led the National Association in innings pitched in 1986, but his production was more middling. Dong spent two more seasons with Cleveland and struggled with below average stats. Ultimately with the Cobras, he had a 38-50 record, 3.87 ERA, 806 innings, 532 strikeouts, and 11.5 WAR. With one year left on his deal, Cleveland cut Dong after spring training 1989. He went unsigned that year and retired in the winter at age 38.
For his CLB career, Dong had a 240-131 record, 2.04 ERA, 3554.1 innings, 4054 strikeouts to 609 walks, 322/410 quality starts, 207 complete games, 69 FIP-, and 99.6 WAR. As of 2037, he’s second all-time in wins, third in strikeouts, third in WAR, first in complete games, and third in innings pitched. Had Dong stayed for a few more years in China, he might be at the very top of the leaderboards. He also added 12.8 WAR at the plate in his career with a .276/.310/.421 slash and 130 wRC+. Dong was one of the first great aces in Chinese baseball and deserves mention in the CLB GOAT pitcher conversation. His Hall of Fame induction was obvious, getting in with 99.0%.

Yongjie “Claw” Xie – Closer – Changsha Cannons – 94.4% First Ballot
Yongjie Xie was a 5’11’’, 200 pound right-handed relief pitcher from Nanchang, a city of more than six million people in east China. Nicknamed “Claw,” Xie had an incredible one-two punch of a 98-100 mph fastball and a vicious curveball, giving him stuff rated 11/10. He had terrific movement on his two pitches and solid control. Xie was also very durable and considered an ironman. He was an outspoken player that you either loved or hated.
In the 1970 CLB Draft, Xie was picked with the first pick of the second round, 25th overall, by Changsha. He debuted with some long relief and occasional starts in his first two years with the Cannons. Xie was moved to the closer role in his third season and would hold that role for the rest of his career in China. Xiv was second in Reliever of the Year voting in both 1974 and 1975, then won the award in both 1976 and 1977; posting 7+ WAR and sub-one ERAs in both seasons. 1977 also marked the start of his longest saves streak with 47 successful opportunities between August 1977 and April 1979.
1977 was Changsha’s first playoff appearance, making it to the China Series where they lost to Kunming. Xie had a 1.98 ERA over 13.2 playoff innings and eight appearances with 27 strikeouts. By then, he was also a regular for China in the World Baseball Championship. Xie was used both as a starter and reliever in the WBC from 1973-87 with 32 starts and 66 games. He had 249.1 innings, a 2.82 ERA, 21-10 record, 14 saves, 515 strikeouts, and 8.9 WAR. He was a finalist for WBC Best Pitcher in both 1981 and 1986 and earned a world title for China in the 1979 WBC.
The Cannons regressed in the 1978 season and ultimately fell below .500. They were sellers at the trade deadline and opted to move Xie. With Changsha, Xie had 218 saves and 303 shutdowns, a 1.51 ERA, 721.1 innings, 1230 strikeouts, and 39.5 WAR. The Cannons would ultimately retire his #31 uniform at the end of his career. Xie would become a journeyman mercenary from this point on, finishing out the 1978 season with Qingdao.
He entered free agency at age 28 and signed with Shenzhen for the 1979 season. This was perhaps his finest season with a career best 48 saves over 103 innings and 83 appearances, striking out 202 with 7.9 WAR. Xie not only won Reliever of the Year for the third time, but earned Pitcher of the Year honors as well. The Spartans earned their first-ever playoff appearance, but lost to Hangzhou in the semifinal. Xie left for Chengdu for 1980 and led in saves for the first time, getting his fourth Reliever of the Year with a second place POTY finish. The Clowns also earned their first-ever playoff berth, falling in the semifinal.
Xie went back to Qingdao in 1981 and won his fifth Reliever of the Year award, posting his fifth 7+ WAR season. He became a free agent again and was unsigned in 1982 as no team was willing or able to match his asking price. Xie returned to action in 1983 on a $328,000 deal with Beijing with an incredible 0.13 ERA in 70.1 innings. The Bears struggled though and traded Xie at the deadline to Harbin. He finished the season with career bests in ERA (0.44) and strikeouts (208). Xie won Reliever of the Year for the sixth time and was third in Pitcher of the Year voting.
Now 33-years old, Xie went to Chongqing for the 1984 season. He won a seventh Reliever of the Year and became the CLB all-time saves leader at 437. The Cavaliers made the playoffs, but fell in the semifinal. This would be Xie’s last playoff appearance and his final season in China. It wasn’t the end of his career though as he moved to EPB and Tajikistan, signing a two-year deal with Dushanbe.
Xie won Reliever of the Year in both seasons with the Dynamo, giving him nine awards between CLB and EPB. In 1986, he had a career-best 8.0 WAR with 48 saves and a 0.48 ERA. That earned Xie more attention outside of the East and he signed a two-year, $1,440,000 deal with MLB’s New Orleans. He had one respectable season with the Mudcats, but was traded that offseason to Austin. The Amigos cut Xie after spring training, but he signed with San Francisco weeks later. He spent 1988 in middle relief, then signed for 1989 with Washington. Xie made only five poor appearances before being cut by the Admirals. He finished out the season in minor league Dayton, then retired after the 1989 season at age 39.
For his entire pro career, Xie had a 1.34 ERA, 547 saves and 709 shutdowns, a 1.34 ERA, 1556.1 innings, 2727 strikeouts to 342 walks, a 20 FIP- and 214 ERA+, and 97.1 WAR. For just his CLB career, Xie had 437 saves and 582 shutdowns, a 1.20 ERA, 1227 innings, 2280 strikeouts, 272 walks, a 221 ERA+ and FIP- of 15, and 78.3 WAR. As of 2037, he’s still the CLB all-time saves leader, the leader in WAR for relievers, and leader in games. Xie is also the all-time CLB leader in H/9 (3.84), K/9 (16.72), WHIP (0.65), opponent average (.126), OBP (.185), slugging (.204), and OPS (.389). His accolades make him a top candidate for CLB’s all-time best reliever and his 97.1 WAR for his full pro career make him one of the most accomplished closers in baseball history. Xie earned a first ballot induction into the CLB Hal of Fame at 94.4%.

Mingxin Liang – Closer – Macau Magicians – 80.5% First Ballot
Mingxin Liang was a 6’2’’, 200 pound left-handed relief pitcher from Wuhu, a city of around 3,600,000 people in the eastern China province Anhui. Liang offered very good control with solid stuff and movement. His fastball only reached 92-94 mph, but he was excellent at fooling you with a great curveball. Liang had great stamina and reliability, leading the league in games pitched five times. He was quiet, humble, and hard working.
Liang was a second round pick in the 1971 CLB Draft, going 31st overall to Macau. He debuted in 1972 with solid results split between long relief and starting. Liang took over the closer role in his second season with the Magicians and led the Southern League in saves, winning Reliever of the Year. He had a solid 1974, although he struggled a bit and lost the closer role in 1975. He would toss 5.1 scoreless innings in the postseason that year though, helping Macau make a China Series appearance.
Liang regained the role for the next two seasons to close out his Macao run. It was his longest tenure and the hat he wore almost by default at induction despite only pitching with the Magicians for five seasons. He posted 114 saves and 156 shutdowns, a 1.78 ERA, 450.2 innings, 543 strikeouts, and 19.3 WAR. Liang’s tenure ended just before the start of the season with a trade for three prospects that sent him to Kunming.
The Muscle had won 107 games the prior year, but lost in the semifinal. Liang would be the closer for a dynasty run as Kunming won the 1977 and 1978 China Series, while taking runner-up in 1979. Liang was second in Reliever of the Year voting in both 1977 and 1979. Over 30.1 total postseason innings, he recorded a 1.78 ERA with 10 saves and 34 strikeouts. In total with Kunming, Liang had 121 saves and 141 shutdowns, a 1.41 ERA, 267.1 innings, 348 strikeouts, and 12.4 WAR.
His last season with the Muscle saw a career and league-best 50 saves. That season was amidst a streak from August 1978 to April 1980 where he had 54 consecutive successful save opportunities. The streak ended with a new team in 1980 as the now 31-year old Liang signed with Foshan. He picked up his third ring, as the Flyers had an impressive turnaround season to take the 1980 title. Liang was third in Reliever of the Year voting and was a beast in the playoffs, throwing 11.1 scoreless innings with 20 strikeouts, six saves, and only three hits allowed.
Liang was a free agent again and spent the next two years with Chongqing, although he didn’t bring them the playoff success. In 1982, Liang won his second Reliever of the Year. He was traded that winter though to Harbin, where he spent his final two CLB seasons. Liang would finish third in Reliever of the Year voting in 1983. A free agent again in 1985 at age 36, Liang signed a two-year, $1,340,000 CABA deal with Guatemala. The Ghosts only used him once though before releasing him after the season. Liang signed for 1986 with Puerto Rico with limited use. He was briefly employed by both Nicaragua and Santo Domingo in 1987, but didn’t see the field. Liang retired that winter at age 39.
For his CLB career, Laing had 395 saves and 495 shutdowns, 1.71 ERA, 1128.2 innings, 1417 strikeouts to 204 walks, a 47 FIP- and 155 ERA+, and 47.7 WAR. Liang wasn’t as dominant as his HOF classmate Xie, but he retired third all-time in CLB saves and still holds that spot on the leaderboard. His playoff success was notable with three rings and 17 postseason saves, which was the CLB record at retirement and is still second as of 2037. Liang picked up the first ballot nod at 80.5% to round out the CLB 1990 Hall of Fame Class.
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