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

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1925 in CABA

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Guadalajara was back atop the Mexican South Division in 1925 at 105-57 as Mexico City fell off to around .500. For the Hellhounds, it gives them six division titles in seven years. In the North, Chihuahua won back-to-back divisions on their sixth in seven years. The Warriors at 92-70 beat out Monterrey by two games.

For the fourth time, Guadalajara and Chihuahua met for the Mexican League title. For the first time, the series went all seven games with the Hellhounds taking the crown for the third time.



Also getting a sixth playoff spot in seven years was Honduras, claiming another Continental Division title at 100-62. In the Island Division, Puerto Rico grabbed only their second division title along with the 1914 campaign. The Pelicans finished with 93 wins, two better than 1923 CABA champ Santiago. Last year's division champ Jamaica dropped to just below .500.

Puerto Rico won the Caribbean Championship in six games over Honduras for the Pelicans' second Caribbean title. They also easily claimed their first overall CABA title, as they swept Guadalajara for the championship.





Other notes: Santiago pitcher Ulices Montero became the first pitcher to 4500+ career strikeouts. His teammate Esaie Cherenfant became the third to reach 200+ wins. Havana’s Diomar Glas became the first CABA hitter to 500 career home runs.

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1926 Hall of Fame



Two pitchers were inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame 1926 class. Starter Willie Hodo and closer Jim Klattenburger made the cut, with starter George Lacey and first baseman Chad Tepp both getting above 60%.

Four players were dropped from the ballot after their 10^th try. George Cull finished at 51.6% with his highest finish at 59.7% on his eighth try. The third baseman was a two-time MVP with Tampa and suffered from starting his MLB career at age 1901, lacking the counting stats. Mario Salazar peaked at 58.4% on his sixth try, another former MVP. The former Detroit and Calgary first baseman lost some counting stats by playing his last five years in Puerto Rico. Chris Bychyk also was a former MVP who started in his 30s, but never got above 26.7% of the vote. Cubs pitcher Lowell Dunphy hit a high of 32.4%.

In CABA voting, Alex Hinojosa got 85% of the vote to become the second Hall of Famer. Brian Kendall on his second try got 62.1%, close to the 2/3s threshold.



Willie “Oz” Hodo – Starting Pitcher – Chicago Cubs – 91.9%

Willie Hodo was a 5’9’’, 200 left handed pitcher with dual American and Mexican citizenship, born November 12, 1879 in Chicago. Hodo attended Akron, where he quickly drew the attention of scouts ahead of the first rookie draft in 1901. Hodo threw in the 96-98 miles per hour range with a solid fastball, cutter, and a changeup. Not always flashy, Hodo had excellent control and was rated 9/10 for control in his later seasons.


He was a first round pick, 32^nd overall by Nashville. He was a partial starter in his rookie year, then became a regular respectable starter with the Knights over seven years.

Hodo’s biggest notoriety came when he returned home to Chicago, signing a seven-year, $22,120 free agent contract starting in 1909 with the Cubs. His first year was rocky, but the next five were solid with two seasons over 7.0
WAR, accumulating 34.4 WAR with the Cubs.

Hodo declined the final year of his Cubs contract and signed a three-year, $13,740 deal with St. Louis. His Cardinals debut at age 35 was his best season and only Pitcher of the Year, leading the National Association in wins (21), strikeouts (240), and innings pitched (278). His one postseason start was a rough one and despite a great career, he only had a chance to make two postseason appearances in his career.

After his Cardinals contract ended, Hodo signed for two seasons with Houston; unfortunately missing their playoff window. He did collect his 250^th win with the Hornets; the first MLB pitcher to get there. His final year in 1920 was as a reliever for Toronto, but at that point, it was time to call it quits. But with the Timberwolves, he reached 3500 career strikeouts, the second pitcher to reach that mark.

Hodo almost never missed a start over his 19-year career, finishing 267-216 with a 3.47 ERA, 3503 strikeouts, 361 quality starts in 577, and 95.2 WAR. Other pitchers would later top his accolades, but he was one of the first reliable aces and certainly deserving of the Hall of Fame.



Jim Klattenburger – Closer – Ottawa Elks – 67.8%


Jim Klattenburger was the first relief pitcher to earn MLB Hall of Fame honors. The 5’11’’, 170 pound right handed arm was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Klattenburger came to the United States to play college ball at Ohio State and then returned to Canada when Ottawa picked him in the second round, the 91^st overall pick, in the 1904 draft.

Klattenburger only threw two pitches, but had a 100 MPH cutter along with a nice curveball. The cutter made him dominant, taking over the closer role for the Elks by his second season. His fourth and fifth seasons, he posted ERAs of 1.25 and 1.21, both worth over 4 WAR. His 1909 season had 104 strikeouts over 89.1 innings, earning him his lone Reliever of the Year award. He finished second in 1908 voting and third in 1911 and 1913.

Unfortunately for Klattenburger, he only once got to play in the postseason with the Elks. In the 1913 offseason, he was traded to Houston, where he spent the next three seasons. His also missed the Hornets dynasty, only getting to see the postseason in his first year there.

At age 33, he signed for three years with Baltimore in 1917 and was the closer for two. Towards the end of 1918, shoulder inflammation put him on the shelf for nine months. He came back to record his 400^th save on May 6, 1919; the first player to reach the mark and one of only four to do it in the 21^st Century.

One week later, Klattenburger suffered a partially torn UCL, ending his season and run with the Orioles. That offseason, Montreal signed him to a one-year deal, but the Maples cut him before the season. In April 1920, the Elks brought him back, but it was clear at age 36 that his time was done, retiring that offseason with the Elks.

Due to the way relievers are used, some felt they weren’t important enough to be Hall of Fame choices; thus Klattenburger barely getting the threshold (67.8%), albeit in his first year. But with 401 saves, 483 shutdowns, and 1184 strikeouts over 1098.1 innings with a 2.85 ERA, he was one of the first notable closers and someone worth honoring.



Alex “Bubba” Hinojosa – Second Baseman/Shortstop – Puebla Pumas – 85.0%

Alex Hinojosa was a 5’11’’ 170 pound switch hitting middle infielder from Tepatitlan, a town 70 kilometers east of Guadalajara in Mexico. When CABA was formed, Hinojosa was already 28-years old, but well respected in the Mexican baseball world. Prior to the debut 1911 CABA season, he signed an eight-year, $17,720 contract with Puebla; a huge deal for the fledging association.

Called a “sparkplug” by those who played with him, Hinojosa was known as an excellent power hitter and solid fielder. He’d strike out a lot, but provided excellent power, the ability to draw walks, and solid baserunning. Puebla’s investment immediately paid off as the 28-year old Hinojosa in his debut led Mexico in runs (105), home runs (47), and WAR (13.1). The 13.1 WAR would be one of only 10 seasons in CABA history to get above 13. The Pumas would win four division titles in his time and win the Mexican League title in 1915.

In a decade with the Pumas, “Bubba” won five MVPs; 1911, 15, 17, 18, and 19. Although he played some shortstop most years, he was primarily a second baseman, winning eight Silver Sluggers and a gold glove at the position. He led the league in homers five times, WAR five times, RBI three times, and runs thrice. He became the first CABA player to 300 career home runs.

After winning the MVP at age 36, he fell off hard in his last year with Puebla and didn’t re-sign after the 1920 season. At age 38, Hinojosa went north to America and signed a three-year deal with San Diego, where he played two seasons before retiring

Having started his career late, he doesn’t have the all-time leaderboard numbers of some of the other CABA greats. But five MVPs in a decade is one of the most impressive runs one can have and Hinojosa deserves recognition as one of the first star sluggers of the Mexican League.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

1926 in EAB

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Yokohama claimed a third straight North Division title in 1926, this time finishing 101-65 with both the most runs scored and fewest allowed in the Japan League. Seo-Yul Park picked up his second Pitcher of the Year for the Yellow Jackets. Saitma was second at 89-73 and had the MVP in first baseman Moon-Hwan Lee. In the South Division, Fukuoka went from 74 wins the prior year to 92-70, taking the title for the first time. Kitakyushu was second four games back and defending EAB champ Osaka took third at 85-77. Yokohama would defeat Fukuoka 4-1 in the JLCS, sending the Yellow Jackets to their second EAB final in three years.



In the Korea League, Hamhung set a record with a 122-40, winning the North Division by 14 games despite a 108-54 season from Pyongyang. Three of the top pitchers by ERA and WAR pitched for the Heat, although the Phytons' Ching-Wei Kuo earned his second Pitcher of the Year. The South Division went to defending Korean champ Gwangju for the third straight season, their 106-56 mark was 31 games ahead of second place. Slugger Ji-Hoo Kim won MVP for the Grays. He had won MVP in 1924 in Japan with Saitama, then played 1925 with Pyongyang before signing with Gwangju in 1926

In a KLCS rematch, Gwangju defeated Hamhung again, this time in seven games, giving them back-to-back Korean titles. The Grays would again be thwarted in the East Asian Championship, as Yokohama claimed the overall title in five.

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1926 in CABA

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Guadalajara kept their stranglehold on the Mexican League's South Division with their seventh title in eight years. At 113-49, they matched their franchise record 1919 campaign. Centerfielder Victor Valenzuela picked up his third career MVP and Adrian De La Rosa grabbed back-to-back Pitcher of the Year Awards.

Chihuahua again won the North, their sixth title in seven, but it was more competitive. At 88-74, they finished five better than Monterrey and seven over Juarez. Thus it was the Warriors and Hellhounds in the Mexican League final for the fifth time in seven years. Guadaljara was the heavy favorite, but Chihuahua stunned them in seven games for the Warriors' second Mexican League title.



The Caribbean League pennant races came down to the wire. Defending CABA champ Puerto Rico claimed the Island Division for back-to-back years, their 90-72 finish was one game better than Haiti, three over Santo Domingo, and five over Jamaica. Haiti shortstop Jonny Lucero was the MVP with 10.6 WAR and the best wRC+ at 172.

The Continental Division was also decided by one game in a two-team race. Honduras (91-71) fended off Salvador (90-72), giving the Horsemen their seventh division title in eight seasons. Ace Pedro Becerra won his second straight Pitcher of the Year, tossing the Triple Crown on 20-7, 1.99 ERA, and 358 strikeouts. Becerra became the sixth pitcher to achieve the feat.

The LCS rematch this time went to the Horsemen, defeating the Pelicans in a seven-game thriller. The CABA Championship would also go the distance with Honduras defeating Chihuahua for their first CABA title in five appearances. It's also only the second overall title won by a Continental Division team, joining Salvador's 1915. American Owen Richardson in his first CABA season at age 34 won the series MVP.

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1926 in MLB

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In 1926, it was again Ottawa and Toronto atop the Eastern League with one game separating them. This time, the Elks were the league champ at 98-64, one-better than the Timberwolves. Montreal at 96 wins just missed out on snapping their playoff drought. Elks slugger Robert Ross earned National Association MVP with the lead in WAR (9.9), RBI (144), and tied for first in home runs (49). Although below .500, Buffalo boasted the Pitcher of the Year in Derek Edwards, leading in ERA (2.10) and WAR (10.3). Edwards became a two-time winner, having also taken the PotY in 1920.


In the Midwest League, Cleveland took first at 91-71 for their fourth playoff berth in five years and third league title in that stretch. Louisville fended off Kansas City and Chicago for the wild card spot, the first for the Lynx since 1919.

The EL teams advanced in the first round as Toronto topped Cleveland and Ottawa beat Louisville, both in four games. In a NACS rematch, the Timberwolves got the better of the Elks in six games.



Houston was the 1926 Southern League champion at 103-59 for their sixth playoff appearance in seven years and fifth league title in that stretch. After getting only 68 wins the year before, Atlanta bounced back at 90-72 to take the second place playoff spot ahead of Memphis and Nashville. For the second time in his career, Oklahoma City first baseman Ethan Lewis was named American Association MVP. However, the Outlaws again were middling, winning only 75 games.

Los Angeles earned back-to-back playoff berths by winning the Western League at 104-58, their first league title since 1912. Albuquerque, whose only other playoff appearance was back in 1901, took the second place spot at 98-64. They beat San Diego by one game, preventing the Seals from their first playoff appearance despite finishing with 90+ wins seven times now. Defending World Series champion Denver fell completely off a cliff, taking dead last at 65-97.

The AA Pitcher of the Year went to Albuquerue's Crazy Legs Snider, an all-time great name, who posted a 9.8 WAR season. The Isotopes also had Reliever of the Year Kyle Ruschak, pushing them to the fewest runs allowed in the American Association.

That served Albuquerque well as they upset Houston on the road in five games in the first round, while the Angels survived in five against the Aces. The Isotopes knocked off Los Angeles in six in the AACS for their first-ever World Series appearance. In a seven-game thriller, the 26th Fall Classic went to Albuquerque over Toronto.





Other notes: Hartford's Ripley Goldstein reached the 3000 career hit threshold, the third player in MLB history to do so. Later that year, Montreal's Joe Thibault joined him in the 3000 hit club. Toronto's Archie Mereidth became the second batter to 600+ career home runs. Reaching 1500 runs scored were Calgary's Jonathan Gibbs, Tampa's Troy O'Brien, and Cincinnati's Christopher Ross. Miami's George Showalter reached 1500 career RBI.

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1927 Hall of Fame

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The lone inductee in the 1927 MLB Hall of Fame class was George Lacey, getting in on his fourth try at 69.4%. First baseman Chad Tepp on his fourth attempt was at 63.7%, just shy of the 2/3s threshold. Third baseman Rick Montgomery also was above 60% on his third try.

In the CABA voting, Brian Kendall became the third CABA Hall of Famer on his third go on the ballot at 71.3%. First baseman Manny Arroyo had a solid debut in his first go at 61.0%.



George Lacey - Starting Pitcher – Houston Hornets – 69.4% - 4^th Ballot

George Lacey was a 5’9’’, 200 pound right handed pitcher who was born in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality in Nova Scotia, Canada. Lacey’s pitching velocity was in the upper 90s and he relied on an excellent fastball, while using a curveball and forkball (and rarely a changeup) as the alternate. He was known for reliable control and movement as well and was generally considered to be a great team captain and leader.

Lacey was 24 years old when the inaugural MLB Draft came around in 1901, but already thought of as a solid pitcher in baseball circles despite being from a relatively remote area. The San Francisco Gold Rush used their first round pick, the 43^rd overall, to select Lacey.

Lacey immediately became a quality top-end starter for the Gold Rush and in 1904 at age 27, he won the American Association Pitcher of the Year, leading the AA in ERA at 2.58. This was a contract year for Lacey and he cashed in, signing a seven-year, $24,480 contract with Houston beginning with the 1905 season.

He became an important part of the first Hornets dynasty, which won the World Series four times and made it six times between 1905 and 1912. Lacey settled into the middle of their rotation and actually struggled a bit in the postseasons. But he was old reliable, not missing a start, rarely having a bad start, over his seven years with Houston. He collected three rings but was gone before he could get the fourth as they didn’t re-sign the then 35-year old Lacey after the 1911 season.

Lacey signed a four-year, $13,840 contract with Detroit, who Houston had defeated in the 1911 World Series. The Tigers wouldn’t get to the playoffs in his three years there though, where he was mostly an innings-eater. The Tigers traded him in 1915 to Montreal for his final MLB season at age 38.
After that, he spent two seasons in CABA between Juarez and Ecatepec, then came back for 27 innings as a 41-year old relief with Atlanta in 1918.

His final MLB line was 244-175, 3.65 ERA, 292 quality starts out of 499 with 2541 strikeouts and a 73.7 WAR. He was a reliable arm for nearly two decades and was well-liked enough by his contemporaries to earn a spot in the Hall of Fame.



Brian Kendall – Starting Pitcher – Tijuana Toros – 72.3% - 3^rd Ballot

Kendall had one of the stranger careers of the 1910s and is a surprising third member of the CABA Hall of Fame, considering he’s an American guy from Massachusetts. Kendall was a 6’0’’, 190 pound left hander who became known for having some of the best stuff of all-time, making up for at times weak control. At his peak, he’d hit 100 miles per hour with his fastball, while getting whiffs with a quick slider and splitter.

Kendall played college baseball for Texas Tech and excelled, leading to him being picked fifth overall in the 1907 MLB draft by Oakland. By his third year with the Owls at age 22, he led the American Association in strikeouts and earned All-Star honors in 1910 and 1911. In 1911, he was second in Pitcher of the Year voting.

Despite his talent, Kendall was a jerk. Contemporaries said he was greedy, selfish, and lazy. This led Oakland to sell his contract midway through the 1912 to Santiago back in the early days of CABA when teams bought and sold players from within the leagues. He pitched well in two and a half years in the Dominican Republic, but wasn’t a cultural fit. In the 1915 offseason, Santiago traded him to Tijuana for prospects.

He’d only be with the Toros for five years, but this was his signature run. In 1915, he earned the Triple Crown with a 23-8, 1.44 ERA, and 441 strikeouts. The strikeout tally, .151 batting average against and his 4.67 hits allowed per nine innings stand as all-time single season CABA records more than a century later. He twice had a 20-strikeout, one-hit shutout performance. Unsurprisingly, he earned Pitcher of the Year honors.

Kendall missed parts of 1916 and 1918 to injury, but when healthy still was a top tier pitcher during Tijuana’s dynasty. The Toros won four straight Mexican League titles from 1916-1919, taking the overall CABA crown in 1918 and 1919. In just five seasons with Tijuana, Kendall had 1514 strikeouts with 42.1 WAR. He again won Pitcher of the Year in 1918 and tossed a no-hitter in 1919.

When his contract with the Toros was up, he returned to America at age 32 by signing with Houston, who had missed the postseason in five straight seasons after their first dynasty ended. Kendall never pitched a full season again due to lingering issues, but earned two more World Series rings for being on the 1920 and 1922 Hornet rosters as their second dynasty began. He only briefly was on the 1922 squad, cutting released in April. He signed and was later released by Portland. After more injuries and some time in the minors, Kendall retired at age 35.

Between MLB and CABA, Kendall had 3993 strikeouts and 101.5 career WAR. His final CABA line was 117-61, 2.02 ERA, 2331 strikeouts and 59.8 WAR. It was a short burst, but his dominance and role in the Tijuana 1910s dynasty earned him the election to the CABA Hall of Fame.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

1927 in EAB

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In the Japan League North Division, defending EAB champ Yokohama again had the best record, this time finishing 107-55 for their fourth straight division title. Sozen Murata, a two-time MVP in the outfield in Korea, hit 51 homers for the Yellow Jackets for his first Japan League MVP and third overall. Chiba's Yoshimatsu Sakamoto won his first Pitcher of the Year on a 11.6 WAR season, just missing a Triple Crown due to the lack of team support.

On the other side, Nagoya narrowly outraced defending division champ Fukuoka. Despite the Frogs winning 11 more games than last year, the 104-win Nightowls bested them by one for their second playoff berth. Yokohoma would prevail in six over Nagoya in the JLCS for back-to-back league titles and the third in four years for the Yellow Jackets.



In the Korea League, Gwangju and Hamhung both ran away with their division titles again. For the Heat, it's a third straight and fifth in EAB's first seven years. For the defending champ Grays, it's their fourth straight. Hamhung pitcher Chikara Ohkubo won his third Pitcher of the Year and for the second time, picked up the Triple Crown. Gwangju's Ji-Hoo Kim won his third MVP and back-to-back ones.

The Grays continued their postseason dominance of the Heat, as Gwangju won the KLCS in five games for their third straight Korea title over Hamhung. They'd be denied the overall EAB crown for the third straight year, falling in six games in a rematch with Yokoahama. Sozen Murata was series MVP as the Yellow Jackets picked up back-to-back EAB titles.

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1927 in CABA

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Guadalajara's reign atop the Mexican League South Division narrowly ended in 1927, as 93-win Leon bested them by one game. It was the first division title for the Lions, they were the only team in the South who hadn't advanced at least once. In the North Division, Mexicali won its second-ever division title, joining the 1911 CABA debut season. The Maroons at 98-64 comfortably took first, while defending Mexican champ Chihuahua dropped to 84-78. Both the Hellhounds and Warriors, who consistently were division champs in the 1920s, both will be waiting until the 1940s for their next chance at glory.

The major awards went to standouts on middling teams. Hermosillo third baseman Mason Mick was the MVP, while Monterrey's Jorge Aleman won Pitcher of the Year; his 10.1 WAR and 1.47 winning the day despite having a 8-12 record due to lack of support. In the Mexican League Championship, Leon defeated Mexicali 4-2, sending the Lions to their first-ever CABA championship.


In the Caribbean League, defending CABA camp Honduras (98-64) again ran away with the Continental Division, earning their eighth division title in nine seasons. Santo Domingo took the top spot in the Island Division at 99-63, nine better than defending champ Puerto Rico. It was the Dolphins first playoff berth since 1919.

Haiti third baseman Jonny Lucero won his second straight MVP as the champ in OPS and WAR. Santiago's Ulices Montero won his seventh and ultimately final Pitcher of the Year, his first since 1923. He was first in strikeouts and WAR, second in ERA and wins. Montero reached another milestone; 5000 career strikeouts. He's the first (and as of a century later, the only) CABA player to reach the milestone.

The Horsemen would be denied a repeat Caribbean title as Santo Domingo defeated them in six games, earning the Dolphins their third league title. The CABA championship would go all seven games with Santo Domingo defeating Leon; giving the Dolphins their second overall CABA crown.





Other notes: Tijuana’s Alba Jimenez won his ninth and final Silver Slugger in left field, only the third CABA player to get that many. Catcher Norman Everett won his tenth Gold Glove, the first CABA player to reach that mark.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

1927 in MLB

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After coming close the last few years, Montreal picked up the Eastern League crown in 1927 at 102-60, their first playoff berth since 1920. Ottawa took second at 95-68, defeating Pittsburgh in a one-game playoff for the second place spot. Washington was 93-69, Hartford 88-74, and defending National Association champ Toronto dropped to sixth at 86-76. For the Elks, it was their fourth straight playoff berth.

Cleveland picked up a third straight Midwest League title and fourth consecutive playoff appearance with the NA's best overall record at 104-58. Louisville again took the second place spot at 95-67. St. Louis tied for fifth, but had first baseman Elijah Cashman record his fifth MVP in six seasons. At a .353 average, 57 home runs, and 150 RBI, Cashman became only the second-ever MLB player to record the Triple Crown. Washington's two-way star Dylan D'Ippolito picked up his second career Pitcher of the Year while also adding 3.2 WAR and 109 RBI as a hitter.

After early playoff exits the last three seasons, Cleveland swept Ottawa to advance to the NACS, while Montreal defeated Louisville in four. In the NACS, the Cobras defeated the Maples in six, sending Cleveland to the World Series for the second time in team history.



In the American Association, Houston won the Southern League at 102-60 for their seventh playoff berth in eight years and record 14th time finishing first place. Atlanta finished second for back-to-back seasons, as the Aces at 92-70 were one better than Tampa and five ahead of Oklahoma City.
After just missing the last two seasons, San Francisco was back atop the Western League at 102-60 with the most runs scored at 918. This gives the Gold Rush eight playoff appearances in the last decade. Defending World Series champ Albuquerque earned second place again, this time at 96-66.

SF's Sebastian Pentland won the Pitcher of the Year. Fourth place Oakland's David Latzko was an MVP in a weak field, the lowest WAR of an AA MVP winner. Latzko was a 30-year old first baseman with a surprising career year in only his second season as a MLB starter.

Houston swept Albuquerque in the first round and Atlanta upset San Francisco to set up an all-South American Association Championship Series. The Aces stunned the Hornets In the AACS in seven games, sending Atlanta to the World Series for the first-time ever.

In the 1927 World Series, Cleveland defeated Atlanta 4-2, the first-ever MLB title for the Cobras. Wayne Cantrell won both World Series MVP and NACS MVP, with the outfielder whacking 23 hits, 11 runs, 14 RBI and five homers in the postseason.





Other notes: San Antonio’s Kirk Seago won his 10^th Gold Glove at center field. He’d finish with 11and compile an amazing 335.7 career ZR. He’d only have 40.6 career WAR as a well-below league average hitter with more career strikeouts (2208) than hits (1805).

Houston’s Newton Persaud became the first pitcher to 300+ career wins. Later in the season, he’d become the first pitcher to 4500 strikeouts. The fifth, sixth, and seventh guys to reach 3000 career hits were Corey Patrizio, George Showalter, and Troy O’Brien. Jonathan Gibbs and Boswell Lindsey became the eighth and ninth MLB players to 500 career home runs.

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1928 Hall of Fame

Columbus Pitcher Owen Swanson was a first ballot MLB Hall of Fame selection or the 1928 class, earning 92.1% of the vote. On his fifth try, Dallas first baseman Chad Tepp made the cut at 75.2%. Third baseman Rick Montgomery was one percent short in his fourth try at 65.6%. Pitcher Lanny Roberts, outfielder Bill Willis, and closer Dan Wagner all were above 57%.

Terry Hart was dropped after his 10^th year. The Milwaukee and Chicago outfielder was a five-time Silver Slugger winner with 74.2 career WAR, 2047 hits, 1182 runs, 1138 RBI, and 404 home runs. His highest mark on the ballot was his debut at 45.9%.

The CABA Hall of Fame Class added two first-ballot members; both pitchers. Nick Bermea received 98.3% of the vote and Alejandro Cordova got 88.7%. First baseman Manny Arroyo had a good showing on his second ballot at 61.2%.





Owen “Pinocchio” Swanson – Starting Pitcher – Columbus Chargers – 92.1% First Ballot

Owen Swanson was a 6’0’’ 185 pound right handed pitcher born in the title Oklahoma town of Talihina. The hard-working Swanson was known for a strong slider and sinker that hit the upper 90s, as well as a changeup. His stuff and movement were consistently rated an 8/10 over his career. After playing college ball at Auburn, he was the eighth overall draft pick in 1907 by Columbus.

He would spend nearly his entire career with the Chargers, three times getting them to the National Association Championship Series. Swanson earned Pitcher of the Year three times, in 1912, 1914, and 1916. He finished third in 1910, second in 1911, and second in 1920.

In 1913, he signed a seven-year contract extension worth $37,460. At age 29 in 1916, he led the NA with 10.6 WAR and 270 strikeouts, with 16 complete games and 28 quality starts.

Swanson led the NA in strikeouts twice, WAR thrice, WHIP twice, innings pitched twice, and wins twice. He almost never missed a start until his early 30s, having a torn flexor tendon in his elbow to end the 1918 season. Swanson bounced back for a solid 1919 and 1920, still among the best pitchers in the league. He was second in Pitcher of the Year voting in 1920. But he suffered a torn flexor again in 1921 to miss almost the entire season.

In 1922, he was able to pick up his 200^th career win upon his return, but the Chargers would release him in July. He signed with Louisville to finish the year, but retired in the offseason of 1922 at age 35.

Swanson’s final line was 207-135, 2.74 ERA, 2886 strikeouts, a 1.12 WHIP, 94.1 WAR and 317 quality starts in 435 tries. One of the top pitchers of the 1910s and a Columbus legend, certainly deserving of Hall of Fame entry



Chad Tepp – First Baseman – Dallas Dalmatians – 75.2% Fifth Ballot

Chad Tepp was a right-handed 6’2’’ 200 pound first baseman from Glendale, California. Tepp was considered a well-rounded hitter combining above average contact, power, and eye, while adding a very good glove at first base, where he played exclusively. He played college ball at Clemson and was taken 30^th overall in the 1901 rookie draft by Dallas.

After spending two seasons in the minors, Tepp was called up in 1904 and earned American Association Rookie of the Year honors. He was a reliable middle-of-the-lineup starter over the next six seasons with the Dalmatians, but not an award winner. Even though he was inducted with Dallas, his best seasons came in his 30s.

Tepp tested free agency and signed a seven-year, $25,920 deal with Tampa starting in the 1910 season. He only played three years with the Thunderbirds, but twice had his career-high with 40 home runs and won a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove. As Tampa started to struggle, Tepp opted out of his contract and signed a six-year, $29,060 deal with Seattle, where he’d finish out his career.

With the Grizzlies at age 34, Tepp won the 1915 American Association MVP, leading the AA with 7.3 WAR. He was a six-year starter with Seattle, earning a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger while there as well. He finally started to fall off at age 37 in 1918 and retired at the end of the season.

Tepp was rarely flashy, but he was a reliable constant putting up good production and defense over 15 seasons. He compiled 1375 runs, 2736 hits, 459 doubles, 443 home runs, 1629 RBI with a 304 average and 69.3 WAR. This earned him a spot in the 1928 Hall of Fame class.



Nick Bermea – Starting Pitcher – Juarez Jesters – 98.3% First Ballot

Nick Bermea was a 5’11’’, 200 pound starting pitcher from Columbus, Georgia. Bermea had a 100 MPH fastball along with a curveball and changeup, generally considered to have solid control and movement. He played college baseball at Wichita State and was drafted in 1911 with the sixth overall pick by San Francisco. Despite this, he wouldn’t throw an MLB pitch for a decade.

Much to his surprise and the surprise of many in MLB, San Francisco almost immediately sold his contract to the Juarez Jesters of CABA. Bermea would instantly become the Jesters ace, helping them to the Mexican League title in 1912 as the Rookie of the Year. He’d never get back to the playoffs with them, but he’d win Pitcher of the Year in 1913, 1914, 1917, and 1920.

Bermea earned the Triple Crown in 1914 and 1917 and in his nine years with Juarez, had 75.9 WAR, 2819 strikeouts, and a 140-90 record with 54 saves and a 2.00 ERA. He had 10 shutouts in 1917. In 1918, he set the CABA record for 22 strikeouts in an extra-inning game and in 1919, tossed a no-hitter.

He was one of the top paid in CABA and still excellent entering his 30s, but Juarez decided to trade him for five players to Santiago. In his one year with the Sailfish, he earned his 3000^th career CABA strikeout. The Sailfish won the Caribbean League title, but Guadalajara prevented Bermea from his first overall ring. In the offseason, he declined his contract option and made his way back stateside, signing a five-year, $28,500 deal to join Philadelphia for the 1922 season at age 32.

Bermea led the National Association in ERA (2.55) in his Phillies debut and earned Pitcher of the Year, his fifth overall, making him one of a select few to earn the honor in two different leagues. He played out his deal with Philadelphia, but regressed after that and was a below average player by the end. Las Vegas signed him to a minor league deal in 1927 at age 37, but he’d retire after struggling there.

Between MLB and CABA, he had 103.4 career WAR and 3944 strikeouts. In CABA, he was 167-96 with 54 saves, a 2.03 ERA, 3149 strikeouts, and a 84.9 WAR. Baseball historians often wonder where he would’ve fared among the MLB greats had his contract not been sold after being drafted. But he was one of the best pitchers of the 1910s in CABA with Juarez, certainly worthy of Hall of Fame status.



Alejandro “Nightmare” Cordova – Starting Pitcher – Jamaica Jazz – 88.7% First Ballot

Alejandro Cordova was a 5’9’’, 195 pound right handed pitcher from Santo Domingo. Considered a very intelligent and adaptable player, ‘Nightmare’ had a very good mid to upper 90s fastball, plus a slider, forkball, and changeup. When CABA formed, he had already been known locally in the Dominican as a great pitcher. For the 1911 CABA debut season, at age 26, Cordova signed a three-year, $3,460 deal with the Jamaica Jazz.

He was a six-time All-Star with Jamaica and was a reliable innings eater, almost never missing a start in his decade in Kingston. He rarely was a league leader, but did lead the way in innings pitched in 1916, 17, and 18.


On average, he was worth around 6 WAR per year, a dependable player for the Jazz. He never won Pitcher of the Year, but finished second in voting in 1916 and third in both 1911 and 1913. Although they never had a losing record during his tenure, only once did Jamaica make the postseason during Cordova’s run. He had a no-hitter in 1916 against Havana.

Cordova became a free agent for the 1921 season and signed a two-year deal with Tijuana at age 36. His production fell off with the Toros and after one year, he was traded to his hometown team, Santo Domingo. With the Dolphins, he earned his 200^th career win on September 11, 1922. That offseason, he decided to enjoy his retirement back home in the DR.

Cordova’s final stats; 201-148, 2.66 ERA, 299 quality starts of 410, 3283 strikeouts, and 66.2 WAR. A consistent ace for Jamaica in their first decade of existence earns “Nightmare” a spot among the CABA greats.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

1928 in EAB

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Back-to-back East Asian Champion Yokohama won their fifth North Division title in a row in 1928 at 104-58. In the South, Fukuoka at 105-57 took first, this time doing better than Nagoya at 98-64. Frogs right fielder Kota Takada was the MVP with an 11.1 WAR season, leading Japan in batting average, on-base percentage, WRC+, runs, and doubles. It was his second MVP award. Chiba’s Tadakatsu Kyuki won the Pitcher of the Year.



Hamhung won their fourth Korean North Division title at 119-43, outracing Pyongyang’s 104-58. Gwangju took the South again at 101-61, their fifth straight. The Grays’ Ji-Hoo Kim won his fourth career MVP and third straight with Gwangju; the 32-year old first baseman led Korea with 138 RBI and a 1.025 OPS. Hamhung’s Chul Ryu was Pitcher of the Year with the lead in ERA (1.71) and wins (26), while tying for second in strikeouts (317).

Fukuoka prevented Yokohama from a three-peat, as the Frogs won the Japanese League Championship Series in six games for their first title. In their fourth straight KLCS battle, the Heat came out on top for the first time as Hamhung swept Gwangju. The Heat beat Fukuoka in the EAB Championship in six for Hamhung’s second EAB title.







Other notes: Sendai's Masakatsu Yoshida struck out seven against Kawaski on April 14 in EAB's eighth perfect game

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

1928 in CABA

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1928 saw a shift in the top of the Mexican League standings. In the North Division, Hermosillo ran away with the title at 91-71 for their first-ever playoff appearance. On the other side in a loaded South Division, Puebla took the top spot for their first division title in a decade. The Pumas at 101-61 beat out challenges from Ecatapec (98-64), defending champ Leon (92-70), and Guadalajara (91-71).


Hyenas third baseman Mason Mick won back-to-back MVPs as the offensive WARlord at 8.7. Chihuahua's Max ‘Maniac’ Ramirez secured Pitcher of the Year despite his team's struggles, leading in ERA at 1.43 and WAR at 9.9.



Puerto Rico won their third Island Division title in four years, finishing 99-63 with a six-game lead on Havana. Defending champ Santo Domingo took third at 89-73. Although they missed out, the Dolphins had Pitcher of the Year Noah Nieveld with the Aruban arm earning the Triple Crown at 22-7, 18.1 ERA, and 337 strikeouts. He had 31 quality starts of 35 and a 11.1 WAR.

Honduras dominated the Continental Division again for their ninth title in ten seasons. Costa Rica outfielder Domingo Huerta led the way in WAR (9.1), slugging, and OPS en route to the MVP.

Both League Championship Series went seven games. Puebla outlasted Hermosillo for their second Mexican League title and the Pelicans edged the Horsemen for Puerto Rico’s third Caribbean title. The Pumas defeated the Pelicans in six for the 1928 CABA championship; their first overall title.





Other notes: Mexico City shortstop Sergio Precaido won his 10th Gold Glove, the second-ever CABA player to do so. Havana's Diomar Glas was the first to reach two major milestones; 1500 RBI and 600 home runs. Santiago's Ulices Montero became the first player to record 5500 strikeouts. To this point, no one else has gotten to 4000. Meanwhile, Mexican Pitcher of the Year Max Ramirez became only the fifth to 3500 strikeouts. The sixth-ever CABA perfect game came on July 22 from Tijuana's Emmanuel Camacho, striking out 12 against Merida.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

1928 in MLB

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The Eastern League was a battle at the top with six teams finishing within six games of the title. Pittsburgh ended up on top at 97-65, earning their first EL title and only third-ever playoff appearance (first since 1913). Defending Eastern League champ Montreal was one back and took second at 96-66. Washington won 95, New York and Toronto both 93, and Ottawa 91.

Minneapolis won the Midwest League, their first-ever league title and only second playoff appearance (1907). The Moose were 89-73. Cincinnati at 84-78 became the lowest-finishing National Association team to get a second-place playoff spot. The Reds were one-game better than Louisville and two over last year’s World Series champ Cleveland.

Cincinnati did have the Pitcher of the Year Wyatt Maman, who led the NA in ERA. Detroit outfielder Sandy Rainey at age 22 won the MVP as the leader in batting average, slugging, and WAR.

Despite their unremarkable record, the Reds stunned the Pirates in five games in the first round. Montreal swept Minneapolis and had no problem also sweeping Cincinnati, giving the Maples their third-ever National Association crown.



Defending American Association champ Atlanta took first in the Southern League at 90-72 for their third straight playoff berth. Miami at 87-75 took second place, beating out 84-78 Houston. The Mallards earned only their second playoff berth, joining the 1902 season.

Albuquerque and San Francisco both made the playoffs again but switched spots in the Western League; the Isotopes first at 105-57 and the Gold Rush at 102-60. Calgary and Los Angeles both were in the mix at 98-64. Albuquerque’s Crazy Legs Snider in his fourth season won his second Pitcher of the Year with the AA’s best 1.81 ERA, the lowest mark for anyone since 1902. Las Vegas second-year third baseman Nelson Bivens won the MVP with 53 home runs and a 8.7 WAR.

Miami stunned the Isotopes in five games and San Francisco topped the Aces in four. The AACS went seven games with the Mallards upsetting the Gold Rush for their first Association title. Miami continued their Cinderella run and knocked off Montreal 4-2 in the World Series for their 1928 World Series title.






Other notes: Philadelphia's Jax Sanders had a 37-game hit streak in the summer. This is the second-longest in MLB history, only behind Condela Gurrola's 40-game streak for Seattle in 1902.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

1929 Hall of Fame Class

Only one player was elected into the MLB’s 1929 Hall of Fame Class; shortstop Kyle Bartz. He earned a first ballot nod at 84.8%. Third baseman Rick Montgomery was again barely short, getting 65.3% on his fifth try, Pitcher Lanny Roberts on his third try was also a point short at 65.0%.

Mario Sanchez ended up surviving ten ballots, although his highest was 31.8% on his debut. The former Denver, Houston, Vancouver, and Albuquerque first baseman was a three time Silver Slugger winner with 66.9 WAR, 2260 hits, 1319 runs, 406 home runs, and 1357 RBI. Respectable tallies and above average in three of the five metrics, but zero black ink.

CABA’s Hall of Fame voted in two. Shortstop Jhoyce Hidrovo got 83.6% on his first time on the ballot. And first baseman Manny Arroyo on his third try just made the 2/3s cut at 67.8%.





Kyle “Punch” Bartz – Shortstop – Phoenix Firebirds – 84.8% First Ballot

Kyle Bartz was a 5’10’’, 195 pound right handed shortstop from Paterson, New Jersey. Nicknamed “Punch,” Bartz had an interesting skillset. He was a excellent contact hitter with solid speed. He very rarely would strikeout, but even rarer were walks. The ball was almost always put in play, as he wasn’t a power hitter either. Defensively, he played almost exclusively at shortstop, only switching to third base near the end of his career. He was generally thought of as a good to above average defender.

Bartz played college baseball at Auburn and was drafted in the 1904 MLB draft ninth overall by the Phoenix Firebirds, where he’d play for the first nine years of his career. He was in the lineup immediately as a rookie, helping Jason Salvage and others turn the Firebirds into a contender. In his first six seasons in Phoenix, they made the playoffs six teams; made the American Association final five teams, and won the World Series in 1907. Bartz was third in MVP voting in both 1906 and 1910, and won two of his four Silver Sluggers with the Firebirds.

In 1911, Phoenix went from 104 wins to 62 wins and Bartz struggled like his team. With no one to spell him on a mismanaged roster, he picked up more than 2/3s of his career strikeouts over the 1911 and 1912 seasons, destroying his confidence. In 1913, he bounced back and looked more like his old self, but it was time to leave Arizona.

Bartz signed a five-year, $20,800 contract with the Chicago Cubs and won two Silver Sluggers while there, twice leading the National Association in hits. He was back to being a solid top-of-the-lineup guy, but the Cubs were a bottom tier team. Before his age 34 season, the Cubs traded Bartz to Charlotte for five prospects. After picking up his 2500^th career hit with the Canaries, he signed a four-year deal with Portland starting in the 1919 season.

Bartz spend three years with the Pacifics, then signed with St. Louis for his final two seasons in MLB. With Portland in 1921, he became the first MLB player to 3000 career hits and the eighth to reach 1500 runs scored. Injuries to his ankles and age caught up to him, as he was released at the end of 1923. In July 1924, he signed with Atlanta’s minor league affiliate, but was unproductive and retired at the end of the year.

At his retirement, Bartz was the all-time hit king, although Corey Patrizio and Elijah Cashman both passed him in the 1930s. His 230 triples was the all-time mark until Wei-Ju Wang passed him in the 50s and remains eighth all-time even a century later.

He finished with a .303 average, 3383 hits, 1657 runs scored, 437 doubles, 230 triples, 163 home runs, 1210 RBI, and 62.7 WAR. His lack of walks and home run power hurt him when looking at advanced metrics, but his hit and run total alone was going to get him into the Hall of Fame.



Jhoyce “Frosty” Hidrovo – Shortstop – Puerto Rico Pelicans – 83.6% First Ballot

Jhyoce Hidrovo was a 5’9’’, 190 pound infielder from Bayamon, a suburb of San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was a prolific batter, combining both excellent contact ability and power, along with a solid eye and good speed. He played most of his prominent years at shortstop with defense ranging from very good in his 20s to below average in his later 30s, eventually switching to first base in his later years.

Hidrovo became known around the island as one of the best players at the start of the century before more coherent leagues were around in the Caribbean. When CABA was formed to begin in 1911, his home team, the Puerto Rico Pelicans, were quick to bring him aboard. He signed an eight-year, $17,000 deal, beginning his CABA career at the age of 27.


Right away, he was a star, posting 11.9 WAR in his first season and taking second in MVP voting. He’d pick up seven Silver Sluggers and grab MVP in 1913, 1914, and 1916. He led the Caribbean in WAR four straight seasons, including a 13.7 mark in 1916 that stood as the all-time best for a CABA hitter until 1940. In 1914, the Pelicans would win the Caribbean League, falling to Tijuana in the CABA final.

Despite his efforts, 1914 was Puerto Rico’s only playoff appearance in his time. Now 34 entering 1918, the Pelicans traded him to Nicaragua for four prospects. Even missing a good chunk to injury, Hidrovo posted a 7.1 WAR season in 1918 for the Navigators, helping them earn a division title.

His contemporaries called him a greedy guy who didn’t have much loyalty. The allure of big money brought him to America, signing a four-year deal with the Brooklyn Dodgers. His previous top season salary was $2,600; he’d now be making $7,000 a year with the Dodgers. He provided a solid bat, but injuries and age started to catch up after his third year, leading Brooklyn to trade him that offseason to Kansas City. After one season with the Cougars, he played his final year back in CABA as a reserve for Merida.

His overall accumulation is low due to starting late and leaving CABA in his mid 30s, but he still amassed 1300 hits, 724 runs, 271 home runs, and a whopping 81.6 WAR in his CABA career. A key figure in expanding the game’s popularity in Puerto Rico, the three-time MVP Hidrovo earned his spot in the CABA Hall of Fame.



Manny Arroyo – First Baseman – Ecatepec Explosion – 67.8% Third Ballot

Manny Arroyo was a 6’0’’ 200 pound right handed corner infielder, born in Chetumal on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Often called a “sparkplug” by those who knew him, Arroyo was a well-rounded hitter with solid contact, power, and eye. He split his defensive career between first base and third, playing a bit more at the former. He was considered a very good defensive first baseman, thrice winning the Gold Glove, but thought of as a well below average third baseman.

Arroyo had already become known as one of Mexico’s better baseball players before CABA was formed. When it was created for the 1911, the 26-year old was signed by Ecatapec for five years, $10,640. His second and third seasons with the Explosion earned him MVP, both years getting the batting title and 10+ WAR. He wouldn’t reach those heights again, but picked up seven Silver Sluggers during his CABA run.

Ecatapec twice won the division during Arroyo’s decade with the team, but they were never able to make much postseason noise. Before the start of the 1921 season, he was surprisingly traded away to Costa Rica for three prospects. He won his final Silver Slugger in his lone season with the Rays, then decided to take the big money to play in the United States. His salary would more than double his two-year deal with Minneapolis.

While he never adjusted to the Minnesota cold, he did earn an All-Star appearance in a solid MLB debut at age 37 with the Moose. Before the 1923 season, he was traded to Kansas City, where he again was a respectable start. After one year there, he played his final two seasons in Memphis, where his skills had begun to diminish as he entered his 40s. He retired after the 1925 campaign.

His final CABA numbers were 1897 hits, 910 runs, 291 home runs, a .295 average, and a 74.5 WAR. A late start and final years in the US don’t put his totals as notable on the big leaderboards. But he was solidly a top-tier hitter in Mexico for CABA’s first decade, giving him a spot in the Hall of Fame.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

1929 in EAB

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Yokohama was unable to make it six straight seasons above 100 wins in 1929, but the Yellow Jackets were able to extend their division title streak to six. At 88-74, they held off 86-76 Saitama to take the North Division again. Yasushi Matsu****a picked up the Pitcher of the Year for Yokohama, leading Japan in WHIP at 0.75 and finishing second in ERA and WAR.

Defending champ Fukuoka led the way again in the South, finishing 111-51. Frogs first baseman Kenzo Uemura earned MVP with the league lead in OPS at .928 and RBI at 96. In a JCLS rematch, Fukuoka defeated Yokohama for back-to-back seasons, winning the series in six. Little did either team know that this 1929 series would be the last playoff appearance for either squad for more than 30 years.



In the Korea League, Pyongyang earned their first division title since 1924, as the Pythons finished 113-49, topping defending EAB champ Hamhung at 101-61. Gwangju dominated the South Division again; their 97-63 mark earned them a sixth straight playoff berth.

Grays left fielder Shigeaki Kono was the Korean MVP, becoming the first EAB batter earning the Triple Crown. Kono finished with a .346 average, 43 home runs, and 121 RBI. Seongnam, who took third in the North Division, had the Pitcher of the Year Hyung-Mo So, who finished second in ERA (1.73), WAR (9.9), and third in strikeouts (295).

In the Korean League Championship Series, Pyongyang downed Gwangju in six, giving the Pythons their third Korean League title. They wouldn't get their third EAB title though, as Fukuoka defeated them 4-1 in the East Asian Championship. This is the first overall title for the Frogs.





Other notes: Saitama's Moon-Hwan Lee became the first EAB player to 400 career home runs. On August 21, Harukazu Fukushima of Hiroshima threw a perfect game against Kobe with seven strikeouts.