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FuzzyRussianHat · 11-19-2023, 01:33 PM

Major League Baseball inducted four players into the Hall of Fame with the 1983 voting. Two were absolute no-doubt first ballot guys with RF R.J. Clinton at 99.3% and pitcher Maiseli Lafaiali’I at 98.6%. Closer Tony McClain also was a first ballot selection, although he barely earned the distinction with 67.5%. One other player crossed the 66% threshold with SP Richard Thieman on his tenth and final chance getting 66.4%. Five other players were above 50% with two above 60%. RF Bo Salinas was just short at 62.5% on his third ballot and 3B Benton Gibney getting 60.3% for his fourth attempt. 3B Jim Booth got 55.2% in his debut, 1B Braylen Nelson was at 55.2% on his sixth ballot, and C Gavin Geogham at 51.3% on his debut. There were no players on the 1983 ballot that were cut after ten failed ballots.

R.J. Clinton – Right Field – Indianapolis Racers – 99.3% First Ballot

R.J. Clinton was a 6’1’’, 195 pound left-handed right fielder from Hudson, Wisconsin; a town of around 15,000 people located in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. Clinton was an outstanding contact hitter who still provided great home run power, hitting 40+ dingers in eight different seasons. He was around average at drawing walks and avoiding strikeouts. Clinton had respectable speed and also got you around 30 doubles/triples per season. Defensively, he played almost exclusively in right field and was considered a delightfully average defender. Clinton was sometimes criticized for a lack of hustle, but he still emerged as an all-time great hitter.

Clinton went west to Washington State and was a star for the Cougars, winning a Silver Slugger as a junior and finishing second in NCAA MVP voting. In 114 college games, Clinton had 155 hits, 96 runs, 44 home runs, 122 RBI, and 9.7 WAR. This made him a very highly prized prospect and he’d be taken sixth overall by Indianapolis in the 1956 MLB Draft. Clinton ultimately played his entire pro career with the Racers, becoming a full-time starter immediately. He was always a starter in his career, only missing time to injuries. Clinton was an immediate success with 38 home runs and 7.2 WAR in his rookie season, winning Rookie of the Year. He also got his first Silver Slugger and took third in MVP voting.

Clinton won seven Silver Sluggers in total with additional wins in 1958, 61, 62, 63, 64, and 65. He would lead the National Association in home runs four times, runs twice, RBI five times, and WAR twice. Clinton led in slugging nine times, including eight straight seasons from 1958-65. In that stretch, he was also the leader in OPS four times and wRC+ four times. In his 20s, Clinton was arguably the most dangerous hitter in baseball. He had eight straight 7+ WAR seasons to open his career.

His second season saw a second place finish in MVP voting. Clinton won the award for the first time in 1959, then took third in 1960 and second in 1961. He then won the award for the second time in 1962 and third time in 1963. Clinton would also take third in 1964. He also established a national profile with his appearances in the World Baseball Championship for the American team. He played 212 games and made 191 starts with 217 hits, 152 runs, 73 home runs, 202 RBI, a .289/.365/.656 slash, and 12.2 WAR. The Americans won 10 world titles with Clinton on the squad and he was the second player to win tournament MVP twice, taking the honor in 1961 and 1965. At retirement, he had the fourth most WAR and home runs and second most RBI in WBC history.

Clinton helped turn Indianapolis around as his rookie year saw the Racers go from a 64-win team to the National Association champion. The Racers won the NA title in 1957 and 1959, but fell in the World Series both seasons. Despite his efforts, Indy went on a 14-year playoff drought from 1960-73. They’d win the NA title in 1974 and 1977, but again fall short in the World Series. By that point, Clinton was an elder statesman and no longer the elite force he had been in his 20s, but he was still beloved by Indianapolis fans and would see his #40 uniform retired. In 65 playoff games, he had 70 hits, 42 runs, 16 home runs, and 45 RBI.

Clinton was still a very solid starter into his 30s, but injuries started to cost him time. 1966 saw a strained abdominal cost him 10 weeks and he lost almost all of 1968 to a ruptured Achilles. Additional abdominal issues popped up over the years, especially in his final seasons. There was a time that Clinton had a shot to go for the all-time home run record, but he couldn’t stay in the lineup in the final years. He was the fourth to 700 career home runs and 41^st to 3000 hits and fell just short of being the fifth to 2000 RBI. Clinton was let go after the 1977 and wanted to play still, but he’d never see another MLB game. He made 11 starts in minor league Austin in 1978 in the late fall, but ultimately had to retire after the season at age 42.

Clinton’s final stats: 3108 hits, 1742 runs, 440 doubles, 119 triples, 712 home runs, 1976 RBI, a .305/.364/.582 slash, 173 wRC+, and 116.7 WAR. At retirement, he was tied for third in home runs, was fifth in RBI, and was seventh in WAR for hitters. Clinton also had the third best slugging of any Hall of Famer at induction. One of the premiere sluggers of his generation and an easy Hall of Fame choice with 99.3% of the vote.

Maiseli Lafaiali’I – Starting Pitcher – Phoenix Firebirds – 98.6% First Ballot

Maiseli Lafaiali’I was a 6’2’’, 185 pound left-handed pitcher from Loving, New Mexico, a village of 1,400 people in the southeast part of the state. Lafaiali’I was known for having terrific stuff with 99-101 mph peak velocity. His movement was merely above average, but he had solid control early on and had excellent control late in his career, allowing him to hang around even when his stuff declined. Lafaiali’I’s arsenal was fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup with his change considered especially dangerous. He also had excellent stamina and durability throughout his tenured career.

Lafaiali’I attended Texas Christian University and as a Horned Frog, he made 40 starts with a 21-12 record, 2.05 ERA, 324.2 innings, and 302 strikeouts. In the 1955 MLB Draft, he was picked 19^th overall by Phoenix. Lafaiali’I debuted in 1956, but only saw limited action in his first two seasons. He became a full-time starter in 1958 and had six straight seasons worth 5+ WAR for the Firebirds. Lafaiali’I led the American Association in ERA in 1960, although shoulder bursitis cost him six weeks to injury. He led in both strikeouts and WAR in 1963. He finished second in 1959’s Pitcher of the Year voting and third in 1963, ultimately not winning the top award with Phoenix.

The Firebirds became a contender with playoff berths from 1959-61, including winning the World Series in 1960. Lafaiali’I was okay in the playoffs with a 3.80 ERA over 12 starts, but he was an important part of their run and would later have his #24 retired by Phoenix despite only playing there for eight seasons. Lafaiali’I also became popular nationwide with his success for the United States in the World Baseball Championship. Over eight tournaments, he had a 17-2 record and 2.59 ERA over 160 innings with 203 strikeouts, winning five world titles for the American team.

For his Phoenix run, Lafaiali’I had an 89-86 record, 3.38 ERA, 1581.1 innings, 1387 strikeouts, and 43.1 WAR. He became a free agent at age 28 and for the 1964 season signed a seven-year, $1,574,000 deal with San Francisco. He ultimately had five solid seasons with the Gold Rush, including his lone Pitcher of the Year award in 1965 with an AA-best 2.13 ERA, 25-6 record, and 9.9 WAR. Each of those were career bests. Lafaiali’I also took third in 1966’s Pitcher of the Year voting.

San Francisco made the playoffs in each of Lafaiali’I’s five seasons there, although he missed the 1966 run to injury. The Gold Rush couldn’t get over the hump with Lafaiali’I’s playoff stats being a 3.94 ERA in eight starts and 61.2 innings. In total with SF, he had a 97-54 record, 3.14 ERA, 1398 innings, 1196 strikeouts, and 34.6 WAR. After the 1968 season, Lafaiali’I opted out of his contract and became a free agent again at age 33. He inked a five-year, $1,230,000 deal with Ottawa starting with the 1969 season.

The Elks wouldn’t see Lafaiali’I until 1970 though, as a torn PCL in 1969 spring training cost him the entire season. Lafaiali’I battled back with a solid 1970 season, but missed half of 1971 to a torn back muscle. After an okay 1972 season, Ottawa traded him to New Orleans for three players. Lafaiali’I’s Elks tenure saw a 2.95 ERA and 11.9 WAR over 76 starts. He spent only one season with New Orleans, who were coming off their dynasty World Series three-peat. They fell in the AACS in 1973 with Lafaiali’I giving them respectable production, although he again missed about 1/3 of the year to injury.

Now 38-years old, Lafaiali’I was a free agent again and signed a three-year, $1,224,000 deal with Washington. He gave the Admirals two nearly full seasons, although he had regressed to closer to league average by this point. In late April 1976, a torn labrum ended his Washington tenure with a 3.41 ERA and 5.5 WAR in 73 starts. Lafaiali’I didn’t want to retire on the injury and signed a three-year deal with Nashville starting in 1977. He stunk in his one year with the Knights with a 5.08 ERA and opted to retire after the season at age 42.

Lafaiali’I’s final stats: 277-214 record, 3.33 ERA, 4424.2 innings, 3566 strikeouts to 897 walks, 344/575 quality starts, 257 complete games, 83 FIP-, and 101.0 WAR. At induction, he was the 13^th Hall of Fame pitcher with 100+ career WAR. Lafaiali’I didn’t have quite the dominance of some others, but he was consistently one of the best in the game for a long time. This earned him a well-deserved first ballot selection with 98.6%.

11-19-2023, 01:33 PM	#715
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 2,956	1983 MLB Hall of Fame (Part 1) Major League Baseball inducted four players into the Hall of Fame with the 1983 voting. Two were absolute no-doubt first ballot guys with RF R.J. Clinton at 99.3% and pitcher Maiseli Lafaiali’I at 98.6%. Closer Tony McClain also was a first ballot selection, although he barely earned the distinction with 67.5%. One other player crossed the 66% threshold with SP Richard Thieman on his tenth and final chance getting 66.4%. Five other players were above 50% with two above 60%. RF Bo Salinas was just short at 62.5% on his third ballot and 3B Benton Gibney getting 60.3% for his fourth attempt. 3B Jim Booth got 55.2% in his debut, 1B Braylen Nelson was at 55.2% on his sixth ballot, and C Gavin Geogham at 51.3% on his debut. There were no players on the 1983 ballot that were cut after ten failed ballots. R.J. Clinton – Right Field – Indianapolis Racers – 99.3% First Ballot R.J. Clinton was a 6’1’’, 195 pound left-handed right fielder from Hudson, Wisconsin; a town of around 15,000 people located in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. Clinton was an outstanding contact hitter who still provided great home run power, hitting 40+ dingers in eight different seasons. He was around average at drawing walks and avoiding strikeouts. Clinton had respectable speed and also got you around 30 doubles/triples per season. Defensively, he played almost exclusively in right field and was considered a delightfully average defender. Clinton was sometimes criticized for a lack of hustle, but he still emerged as an all-time great hitter. Clinton went west to Washington State and was a star for the Cougars, winning a Silver Slugger as a junior and finishing second in NCAA MVP voting. In 114 college games, Clinton had 155 hits, 96 runs, 44 home runs, 122 RBI, and 9.7 WAR. This made him a very highly prized prospect and he’d be taken sixth overall by Indianapolis in the 1956 MLB Draft. Clinton ultimately played his entire pro career with the Racers, becoming a full-time starter immediately. He was always a starter in his career, only missing time to injuries. Clinton was an immediate success with 38 home runs and 7.2 WAR in his rookie season, winning Rookie of the Year. He also got his first Silver Slugger and took third in MVP voting. Clinton won seven Silver Sluggers in total with additional wins in 1958, 61, 62, 63, 64, and 65. He would lead the National Association in home runs four times, runs twice, RBI five times, and WAR twice. Clinton led in slugging nine times, including eight straight seasons from 1958-65. In that stretch, he was also the leader in OPS four times and wRC+ four times. In his 20s, Clinton was arguably the most dangerous hitter in baseball. He had eight straight 7+ WAR seasons to open his career. His second season saw a second place finish in MVP voting. Clinton won the award for the first time in 1959, then took third in 1960 and second in 1961. He then won the award for the second time in 1962 and third time in 1963. Clinton would also take third in 1964. He also established a national profile with his appearances in the World Baseball Championship for the American team. He played 212 games and made 191 starts with 217 hits, 152 runs, 73 home runs, 202 RBI, a .289/.365/.656 slash, and 12.2 WAR. The Americans won 10 world titles with Clinton on the squad and he was the second player to win tournament MVP twice, taking the honor in 1961 and 1965. At retirement, he had the fourth most WAR and home runs and second most RBI in WBC history. Clinton helped turn Indianapolis around as his rookie year saw the Racers go from a 64-win team to the National Association champion. The Racers won the NA title in 1957 and 1959, but fell in the World Series both seasons. Despite his efforts, Indy went on a 14-year playoff drought from 1960-73. They’d win the NA title in 1974 and 1977, but again fall short in the World Series. By that point, Clinton was an elder statesman and no longer the elite force he had been in his 20s, but he was still beloved by Indianapolis fans and would see his #40 uniform retired. In 65 playoff games, he had 70 hits, 42 runs, 16 home runs, and 45 RBI. Clinton was still a very solid starter into his 30s, but injuries started to cost him time. 1966 saw a strained abdominal cost him 10 weeks and he lost almost all of 1968 to a ruptured Achilles. Additional abdominal issues popped up over the years, especially in his final seasons. There was a time that Clinton had a shot to go for the all-time home run record, but he couldn’t stay in the lineup in the final years. He was the fourth to 700 career home runs and 41^st to 3000 hits and fell just short of being the fifth to 2000 RBI. Clinton was let go after the 1977 and wanted to play still, but he’d never see another MLB game. He made 11 starts in minor league Austin in 1978 in the late fall, but ultimately had to retire after the season at age 42. Clinton’s final stats: 3108 hits, 1742 runs, 440 doubles, 119 triples, 712 home runs, 1976 RBI, a .305/.364/.582 slash, 173 wRC+, and 116.7 WAR. At retirement, he was tied for third in home runs, was fifth in RBI, and was seventh in WAR for hitters. Clinton also had the third best slugging of any Hall of Famer at induction. One of the premiere sluggers of his generation and an easy Hall of Fame choice with 99.3% of the vote. Maiseli Lafaiali’I – Starting Pitcher – Phoenix Firebirds – 98.6% First Ballot Maiseli Lafaiali’I was a 6’2’’, 185 pound left-handed pitcher from Loving, New Mexico, a village of 1,400 people in the southeast part of the state. Lafaiali’I was known for having terrific stuff with 99-101 mph peak velocity. His movement was merely above average, but he had solid control early on and had excellent control late in his career, allowing him to hang around even when his stuff declined. Lafaiali’I’s arsenal was fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup with his change considered especially dangerous. He also had excellent stamina and durability throughout his tenured career. Lafaiali’I attended Texas Christian University and as a Horned Frog, he made 40 starts with a 21-12 record, 2.05 ERA, 324.2 innings, and 302 strikeouts. In the 1955 MLB Draft, he was picked 19^th overall by Phoenix. Lafaiali’I debuted in 1956, but only saw limited action in his first two seasons. He became a full-time starter in 1958 and had six straight seasons worth 5+ WAR for the Firebirds. Lafaiali’I led the American Association in ERA in 1960, although shoulder bursitis cost him six weeks to injury. He led in both strikeouts and WAR in 1963. He finished second in 1959’s Pitcher of the Year voting and third in 1963, ultimately not winning the top award with Phoenix. The Firebirds became a contender with playoff berths from 1959-61, including winning the World Series in 1960. Lafaiali’I was okay in the playoffs with a 3.80 ERA over 12 starts, but he was an important part of their run and would later have his #24 retired by Phoenix despite only playing there for eight seasons. Lafaiali’I also became popular nationwide with his success for the United States in the World Baseball Championship. Over eight tournaments, he had a 17-2 record and 2.59 ERA over 160 innings with 203 strikeouts, winning five world titles for the American team. For his Phoenix run, Lafaiali’I had an 89-86 record, 3.38 ERA, 1581.1 innings, 1387 strikeouts, and 43.1 WAR. He became a free agent at age 28 and for the 1964 season signed a seven-year, $1,574,000 deal with San Francisco. He ultimately had five solid seasons with the Gold Rush, including his lone Pitcher of the Year award in 1965 with an AA-best 2.13 ERA, 25-6 record, and 9.9 WAR. Each of those were career bests. Lafaiali’I also took third in 1966’s Pitcher of the Year voting. San Francisco made the playoffs in each of Lafaiali’I’s five seasons there, although he missed the 1966 run to injury. The Gold Rush couldn’t get over the hump with Lafaiali’I’s playoff stats being a 3.94 ERA in eight starts and 61.2 innings. In total with SF, he had a 97-54 record, 3.14 ERA, 1398 innings, 1196 strikeouts, and 34.6 WAR. After the 1968 season, Lafaiali’I opted out of his contract and became a free agent again at age 33. He inked a five-year, $1,230,000 deal with Ottawa starting with the 1969 season. The Elks wouldn’t see Lafaiali’I until 1970 though, as a torn PCL in 1969 spring training cost him the entire season. Lafaiali’I battled back with a solid 1970 season, but missed half of 1971 to a torn back muscle. After an okay 1972 season, Ottawa traded him to New Orleans for three players. Lafaiali’I’s Elks tenure saw a 2.95 ERA and 11.9 WAR over 76 starts. He spent only one season with New Orleans, who were coming off their dynasty World Series three-peat. They fell in the AACS in 1973 with Lafaiali’I giving them respectable production, although he again missed about 1/3 of the year to injury. Now 38-years old, Lafaiali’I was a free agent again and signed a three-year, $1,224,000 deal with Washington. He gave the Admirals two nearly full seasons, although he had regressed to closer to league average by this point. In late April 1976, a torn labrum ended his Washington tenure with a 3.41 ERA and 5.5 WAR in 73 starts. Lafaiali’I didn’t want to retire on the injury and signed a three-year deal with Nashville starting in 1977. He stunk in his one year with the Knights with a 5.08 ERA and opted to retire after the season at age 42. Lafaiali’I’s final stats: 277-214 record, 3.33 ERA, 4424.2 innings, 3566 strikeouts to 897 walks, 344/575 quality starts, 257 complete games, 83 FIP-, and 101.0 WAR. At induction, he was the 13^th Hall of Fame pitcher with 100+ career WAR. Lafaiali’I didn’t have quite the dominance of some others, but he was consistently one of the best in the game for a long time. This earned him a well-deserved first ballot selection with 98.6%. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)