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The Central American Baseball Association Hall of Fame picked two for induction for the 1986 class, both on their first ballot. Pitcher Deinis Alonso received 94.9% while first baseman Hector Vanegas got 92.7%. 1B Carlos De La Fuente was the only other guy above 50%, coming close to the 66% threshold with 63.6% for his fourth ballot. No players were dropped after ten failed attempts.



Deinis Alonso – Starting Pitcher – Santo Domingo Dolphins – 94.9% First Ballot

Deinis Alonso was a 5’11’’, 195 pound left-handed pitcher from Manicaragua, a mountain town of 73,000 people in central Cuba. Alonso had excellent stuff with solid control and movement in his peak. His velocity peaked in the 97-99 mph range with a terrific fastball and changeup, plus a passable curveball. Injuries would limit his stamina and innings relative to other Hall of Fame type pitchers, but he’d be incredibly dominant when he was out there. Alonso was a very intelligent pitcher who knew how to change speeds, making him a popular player. He was also very good at holding runners and solid defensively, winning a Gold Glove in 1973.

Alonso was one of the top prospects coming out of Cuba and was picked seventh overall in the 1967 CABA Draft by Santo Domingo. He was immediately thrown into the rotation and excelled with a 6.1 WAR season and 309 strikeouts, earning 1968 Rookie of the Year Honors. He’d lead the Caribbean League in strikeouts the next two seasons and WAR in 1969, finishing third that year in Pitcher of the Year voting.

1970 was the first setback with a sore shoulder costing him 7 weeks, but Alonso bounced back by leading in strikeouts again in 1972 and 1973; posting a career-best 347 in 1972. In 1973, Alonso led in ERA for the first time with a career-best 1.87 and led with 299 strikeouts and 0.87 WHIP, earning his first Pitcher of the Year. In his six seasons with the Dolphins, Alonso had a 84-55 record, 2.68 ERA, 1352 innings, 1774 strikeouts, and 43.7 WAR. This would be his longest tenure though, as he opted for free agency after the 1973 season. Alonso was in the DR during a down period for the Dolphins, who didn’t make the playoffs during his run.

Meanwhile, Guatemala had won four Caribbean League titles in the last decade, although they had been the CABA Championship runner-up each time. Alonso wanted to be on a winner and the Ghosts wanted someone to put them over the top, signing Alonso to a six-year, $1,720,000 deal at age 28. He took second in Pitcher of the Year voting in his debut season and succeeded in getting Guatemala over the hump, winning their first CABA Championship. He posted a 3.00 ERA over 15 playoff innings with 22 strikeouts.

Alonso missed part of the next season to injury, but still managed to take his second Pitcher of the Year award and lead in ERA. He was the ERA leader again the next two seasons, earning the title four times for his career. Alonso was third in 1976’s Pitcher of the Year voting. Guatemala made the payoffs twice more in his tenure, but didn’t get beyond the CLCS. In total with the Ghosts, Alonso had an 82-40 record, 2.62 ERA, 1133.2 innings, 1301 strikeouts, and 27.7 WAR.

In his fifth season with Guatemala in 1978, a slew of injuries kept him below 160 innings for the season. Alonso still posted a 4.0 WAR season, but his 3.50 ERA was the worst of his career. Then in May 1979, he suffered a partially torn UCL to end his season and ultimately his time with the Ghosts. Still only 34 years old, Alonso hoped for a comeback and Torreon signed him to a one-year, $394,000 deal. He would only toss 4.1 innings with the Tomahawks, retiring after the 1980 season.

Alonso’s final stats: 166-95 record, 2.66 ERA, 2490 innings, 3081 strikeouts, 409 walks, 244/332 quality starts, FIP- of 71 and 71.4 WAR. His career length and tallies are on the lower end, but his ERA and rate stats are plenty impressive. Two Pitcher of the Year awards plus numerous times leading in ERA and strikeouts made Alonso a no-brainer for many voters and he received the first ballot inclusion with 94.9%.



Hector Vanegas – First Base – Guadalajara Hellhounds – 92.7% First Ballot

Hector Vanegas was a 5’11’’, 200 pound left-handed first baseman from Martinez, a municipality of around 97,000 people in the Mexican state of Veracruz. Vanegas had very good power while also being a solid contact hitter. He averaged around 40 home runs per game and around 25-30 doubles per season. Vanegas had a good eye for drawing walks but was more middling at avoiding strikeouts. He was a slower baserunner and exclusively a first baseman in his career, providing below average, but not atrocious defense. Vanegas was considered an ironman as he made 140+ starts in 15 consecutive seasons. This and his positive attitude made Vanegas generally well liked among fans and teammates.

Vanegas was a top level Mexican prospect entering the 1962 CABA Draft. With the seventh pick, he was selected by Guadalajara, although he wasn’t immediately used by the Hellhounds. Vanegas spent all of 1963 in the developmental system and made only four plate appearances in 1964. He made a few starts in 1965, then saw his first full season in 1966. From then onward, Vanegas was a regular in the lineup.

Vanegas hit 50 home runs in his second full season and had a career best 54 dingers with 143 RBI in 1969. He won Silver Sluggers in 1968, 69, 73, and 76. Vanegas never won MVP, but was second in 1968 and third in 1971 while with Guadalajara. He posted 11 straight seasons worth 4.5+ WAR and 35+ home runs. Vanegas earned a batting title in 1968 at .343 and also led in total bases that year and posted a career best 9.8 WAR. Despite his successes though, he typically wasn’t the league’s leader in any one stat.

Still, Vanegas became popular with Guadalajara fans and helped bring them back to relevance. The Hellhounds made the playoffs from 1969-71, then again in 1976. In 1976, Vanegas went on a playoff tear as Guadalajara won the CABA Championship. He was both finals MVP and MLCS MVP, posting 18 hits, 10 runs, 4 home runs, 4 doubles, and 14 RBI in 13 starts. Vanegas also played with the Mexican team in the World Baseball Championship from 1967-77, playing 102 games and getting 79 hits, 57 runs, 30 home runs, and 64 RBI.

In total with Guadalajara, Vanegas posted 1996 hits, 1032 runs, 311 doubles, 462 home runs, 1218 RBI, a .305/.364/.578 slash and 71.9 WAR. Although he had the playoff success in 1976, that season had seen a dip in production. Now 34-years old, the Hellhounds decided to move on instead of giving Vanegas the big contract he was expecting. He’d still keep good relations with the organization and the fans, getting his #30 uniform later retired. Vanegas ultimately signed a five-year, $1,780,000 deal with Jamaica. The $362,000 yearly salary was a big jump from his peak of $210,000 with Guadalajara.

Vanegas had a respectable 1978 season with the Jazz, then had a bit of a resurgence in 1978, even taking third in MVP voting. But he fell off significantly in 1979, posting only 1.2 WAR and 102 wRC+ over a full season. Vanegas was relegated to bench duties in 1980 and had success in the pinch hitter role. Jamaica would go onto win the 1980 CABA Championship and Vanegas got his second ring. The Jazz wouldn’t re-sign him though and after going unwanted in 1981, Vanegas retired at age 38. With Jamaica, he had 481 hits, 265 runs, 126 home runs, 300 RBI, and 10.3 WAR.

The final stats for Vanegas saw 2477 hits, 1297 runs, 388 doubles, 588 home runs, 1518 RBI, a .296/.351/.564 slash, 164 wRC+, and 82.2 WAR. He was 10^th all-time in CABA home runs and 12^th in RBI at induction, boasting a fine powerful career. The epic playoff run of 1976 and his general popularity in his Guadalajara tenure made the voters look very fondly on Vanegas, giving him the first ballot induction with 92.7%.