[MrNFL_FanIQ]

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The Southern Conference standings saw a major shakeup in 2010. For the first time in franchise history, Harare earned a playoff berth, finishing first at 97-65. The Hustlers pitching staff set a conference record for fewest walks (372) and lowest BB/9 (2.31), which still ranks second as of 2037.

Lusaka was second at 95-67 for the wild card spot. The Lake Monsters’ only other playoff berth was the inaugural 1995 season. Maputo came close to their first-ever playoff berth at 91-71, but missed the cut by four games. Defending conference champ Luanda fell off hard, dropping to seventh at 73-89. Durban, last year’s wild card, was fourth at 83-79.

Southern Conference MVP went to Lusaka RF Kaunda Kalinga. The 28-year old Tanzanian lefty led in home runs (63), RBI (136), total bases (375), slugging (.678), OPS (1.052), wRC+ (180), and WAR (7.8). Kalinga also had 116 runs and a .273 batting average.

Pitcher of the Year was Antananarivo’s Hjalmar Eekman in his second year in AAB. The 26-year old Dutch righty had started his pro career with EBF’s Helsinki. Eekman led in ERA (2.45), WHIP (0.89), and quality starts (23). He also had a 170 ERA+, 6.3 WAR, 241 strikeouts, and 18-7 record over 223.2 innings. Eekman also tossed a no-hitter with seven strikeouts and two walks against Maputo on August 15.



Two-time defending African Association of Baseball champ and four-time defending Central Conference champ Addis Ababa managed to top themselves. The Brahmas set a new record at 120-42, which still stands as of 2037 as the winningest season in AAB history.

Addis Ababa led all of AAB in runs (859) and fewest allowed (556). The Brahmas also tied the AAB single-season team record with 58 saves. There was a 33 game drop to second place Mogadishu, who repeated as the wild card at 87-75. The Mighty Mice finished four games ahead of Kampala, five ahead of Bujumbura, six over Kigali, and seven over Kinshasa.

Mwarami Tale joined Felix Chaula as the only five-time MVP winners in AAB to that point. The 29-year old Tanzanian set the all-time single-season WAR record the prior year with Luanda. He left for free agency and inked a massive eight-year, $29,640,000 deal with Addis Ababa. His debut as Central Conference MVP turned the Brahmas from a great team to a record-setting one. Tale in his debut led in RBI with 136. He also had 58 home runs, 115 runs, 83 walks, a .316/.407/.684 slash, 188 wRC+, and 8.7 WAR.

His teammate Michael Wakachu won his second Pitcher of the Year in three years. The 30-year old Malawian set AAB single-season records in WHIP (0.76) and opponents’ OBP (.221) which still stand as of 2037. He also led in ERA (1.84), K/BB (6.6), quality starts (27), FIP- (49), and WAR (9.8). Wakachu added 319 strikeouts and a 20-4 record over 230 innings. He had signed a five-year, $14,760,000 extension prior to the 2010 season.

The Southern Conference was guaranteed a first-time champion. Top seed Harare prevailed 4-1 over Lusaka to advance. In the Central Conference Championship, record-setting Addis Ababa rolled to a sweep of Mogadishu for a fifth straight pennant.



In the 16^th Africa Series, Addis Ababa capped off their historic season by defeating Harare 5-2. The Brahmas became the second-ever AAB team to three-peat, joining Kinshasa (who won four straight from 1997-2000). Finals MVP was 3B Marlin Kimwaki in his 12^th season for the Brahmas. The Congolese lefty had 13 hits, 7 runs, 1 double, 3 home runs, and 6 RBI in 10 starts.



At 120-42, it is hard to argue against the 2010 Addis Ababa squad as AAB’s best-ever team. The previous record for wins as a champ was Cape Town (1996) and Dar es Salaam (2004) at 114-48. They’re the eighth team in world history to win 120+ games and a league title. The Brahmas dynasty would continue on, although the 2010 group stands out as the best of the bunch.

Other notes: Mohau Sibiya became the first AAB slugger to 700 career home runs. He would play one more season and finish with 727, which ranks ninth as of 2037. Felix Chaula joined him as the only other player to 600 homers. Chaula won his ninth Silver Slugger in right field, setting an AAB record to that point. Four players crossed 1000 runs scored and two crossed 1000 RBI in 2010.

RF Enzo Cussoca won his eighth consecutive Gold Glove, becoming AAB’s first eight-time winner. 2B Gedeon Bukasa won his eighth Silver Slugger. 2B Fani Ngambi and finals MVP Marlin Kimwaki won their seventh Silver Sluggers.