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FuzzyRussianHat · 12-03-2024, 05:49 PM

Two players earned induction into the South Asia Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020 by slim margins. OF Ko Ratanaveroj got the first ballot nod at 70.2% and SP Pwint Moe Nyein sneaked across the 66% requirement with 68.2% for his third ballot. Two other players were above 50%, both catchers on their debut. Quoc Pham received 57.6% and Trung Lai grabbed 54.1%.

Falling off the ballot after ten failed tries was 3B Gotem Sarwar. He had a 13-year career with Mumbai, winning four Silver Sluggers and one MVP while leading thrice in home runs. Sarwar had 1326 hits, 787 runs, 202 doubles, 468 home runs, 957 RBI, a .235/.310/.526 slash, 166 wRC+, and 65.2 WAR. His career had an abrupt ending with a broken kneecap in spring training 2006 at age 35, keeping Sarwar from the accumulations that probably would’ve got him in. Sarwar peaked at 48.0% on his second ballot, but fell to only 9.0% by the end.

Ko Ratanaveroj – Right/Center Field – Kuala Lumpur Leopards – 70.2% First Ballot

Ko Ratanaveroj was a 6’1’’, 200 pound right-handed outfielder from Suphan Buri, a town of 26,000 people in central Thailand. Ratanaveroj was a decent contact hitter with respectable power, getting 27 home runs, 26 doubles, and 8 triples per his 162 game average. Few players were better at drawing walks than Ratanaveroj, leading the league in walks six times. Despite that, he was below average at avoiding strikeouts.

Ratanaveroj often took advantage of his walks with outstanding baserunning speed and skills. His career was split almost evenly between right field and center. Ratanaveroj was excellent in right and won three Gold Gloves there, however he was below average in center. He had strong durability, playing 138+ games in 15 different seasons. Ratanaveroj emerged as one of the most potent leadoff guys of his era and as one of the first successful Thai players.

Ahead of the 1996 SAB Draft, Ratanaveroj was not only the top prospect out of Thailand, but arguably the best overall prospect. He was taken with the #1 overall pick by Kuala Lumpur, making the move to Malaysia for the next seven years. Ratanaveroj was a full-time starter for his entire run with the Leopards, starting with the 1997 Rookie of the Year. His speed and defense made him a solid starter in his second and third years despite being merely a decent hitter at that point.

Ratanaveroj put it together in 2000 and posted 7+ WAR in four of the next five years for KL. He led in walks for the first time in 2000 (91) and won his first Gold Glove that year. 2002 saw 8.5 WAR, the best of his Leopards run. In 2003, Ratanaveroj drew a career-best 131 walks, which is the third-highest mark in SAB history as of 2037 and is one of only 32 seasons in world history of 130+ walks.

Kuala Lumpur ended an eight-year playoff drought in 2003 as the last wild card at 85-77 and went one-and-done. With franchise struggles, the Leopards weren’t in position to keep Ratanaveroj and he entered free agency for 2004 heading towards age 29. With KL, Ratanaveroj had 958 hits, 614 runs, 186 doubles, 50 triples, 155 home runs, 457 RBI, 587 walks, 443 stolen bases, a .260/.362/.464 slash, 129 wRC+, and 37.2 WAR. He would be inducted in Leopards colors as it was the longest of his five team stints. KL would depart for Austronesia Professional Baseball in 2008.

Ratanaveroj signed a four-year, $11,520,000 deal with Ho Chi Minh City, the reigning SAB champs. The Hedgehogs were 17 years into what would be a 23-year playoff streak. HCMC won it all again in 2004 and 2005 for the three-peat with 122 and 121 win seasons. The Hedgehogs were upset in the Southeast Asia League Championship in 2006 by Yangon, then fell in the first round of 2007. Ratanaveroj maintained his steady production with 7+ WAR in his first three seasons and 5.9 WAR in his final year.

With Ho Chi Minh City, Ratanaveroj played center field and won Silver Sluggers in 2004, 2005, and 2007. 2005 saw his career high in WAR (8.6) while he scored 110+ runs in all four years there. Ratanaveroj led in 2006 with 122 walks and posted his career best 109 stolen bases. In 39 playoff starts for the Hedgehogs, Ratanaveroj had 30 hits, 28 runs, 1 double, 2 triples, 5 homers, 9 RBI, 31 walks, 22 steals, a .216/.366/.360 slash, 114 wRC+, and 1.4 WAR.

Ratanaveroj became a free agent again for 2008 heading towards age 33. He inked a three-year, $13,320,000 deal with Hanoi, who had begun their own reign of dominance. The Hounds were the defending SAB champ and were in the third year of what would be a 13-year playoff streak. Hanoi repeated as SAB champ in 2008 at 120-42, winning the final over Mumbai. The Hounds were stunned in the 2009 first round despite going 122-40. Hanoi then was 121-41 in 2010 and won the SEAL title again, but lost the SAB finale to Kolkata.

Once again, Ratanaveroj’s production was steady with 7.8, 8.3, and 4.6 WAR seasons. His numbers in 2010 were down mainly due to losing a month to injury. In 2008, Ratanaveroj won both a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger in right field. These seasons saw Majed Darwish’s world-record breaking power stats while Ratanaveroj hit in front of him. He scored 147 runs in 2008 and 144 in 2009, which rank as the 5^th and 7^th most in a single season in SAB history. Ratanaveroj’s 147 would’ve been the new SAB single-season record that year if not for Darwish’s 167.

In the playoffs, Ratanaveroj was solid for Hanoi with 34 starts, 36 hits, 28 runs, 9 doubles, 11 home runs, 20 RBI, 17 walks, 7 steals, a .277/.373/.615 slash, 156 wRC+, and 1.6 WAR. In the first Baseball Grand Championship in 2010, Ratanaveroj went 8-35 with 5 runs, 2 doubles, 2 homers, 7 RBI, 10 walks, and a 131 wRC+.

He did generally have good tournament stats having played for Thailand from 2007-14 in the World Baseball Championship. Ratanaveroj played 71 games with 68 starts, posting 44 runs, 57 hits, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 16 homers, 35 RBI, 33 steals, 56 walks, a .259/.420/.536 slash, and 3.5 WAR. He helped Thailand to their first-ever division title in 2011.

With Hanoi, Ratanaveroj had 437 hits, 391 runs, 75 doubles, 94 home runs, 240 RBI, 300 walks, 234 stolen bases, a .281/.400/.525 slash, 143 wRC+, and 20.7 WAR. Soon to be 36-years old, Ratanaveroj was still a hot commodity and signed for three years and $17,100,000 with Ahmedabad. The Animals were still a playoff regular at this point, although they were no longer the perennial champion they had from the late 80s to early 00s. Ahmedabad won division titles in both of Ratanaveroj’s seasons there, losing in the first round in 2011 and the Indian League Championship Series in 2012.

Ratanaveroj had a great debut season with 7.3 WAR and won his third Gold Glove. He dropped to 3.9 in 2012; his lowest since 1999. A strained hip muscle also kept him out just over a month. Ratanaveroj had 11 playoff starts with a .674 OPS and 1.0 WAR. In total for Ahmedabad, he had 255 hits, 186 runs, 35 doubles, 20 triples, 46 homers, 144 RBI, 177 walks, 95 steals, a .263/.378/.483 slash, 159 wRC+, and 11.2 WAR.

In 2013, Ratanaveroj returned to Ho Chi Minh City on a three-year, $24,900,000 deal. The 38-year old couldn’t recapture the old magic with a 2.4 WAR effort in 161 games in 2013. The Hedgehogs were in a full rebuild at this point, bottoming out that year at 61-101. Between his two stints in HCMC, Ratanaveroj had 691 hits, 546 runs, 109 doubles, 43 triples, 140 homers, 364 RBI, 504 walks, 373 stolen bases, a 252/.371/.476 slash, 137 wRC+, and 31.7 WAR.

HCMC traded Ratanaveroj and 3B Paresh Rewari in the offseason to Kolkata for 3B Ahmed Kader. He was a backup in one year with the Cosmos, posting 115 games and 33 starts with 0.8 WAR. Ratanaveroj would get his fourth championship ring as Kolkata upset Yangon in the final, although he went 2-10 as a pinch hitter. Ratanaveroj joined a short list in world history to have championship rings from three different franchises. He retired that winter at age 39.

Ratanaveroj ended with 2389 hits, 1763 runs, 419 doubles, 128 triples, 442 home runs, 1231 RBI, 1590 walks, 2302 strikeouts, 1151 stolen bases, a .261/.372/.480 slash, 137 wRC+, and 101.6 WAR. As of 2037, Ratanaveroj ranks 3^rd in walks, 6^th in steals, 7^th in runs, 51^st in hits, 88^th in doubles, 60^th in home runs, 67^th in RBI, and 19^th in WAR among position players. His walks tally is 26^th amongst all of pro baseball history.

Even with that resume, some traditionalist voters undervalue things like walks, baserunning, and defense; items Ratanaveroj exceled at. He only got 70.2%, but that was just enough for the first ballot induction and a spot in South Asia Baseball’s 2020 Hall of Fame class.

Pwint Moe Nyein – Starting Pitcher – Phnom Penh Pandas – 68.2% Third Ballot

Pwint Moe Nyein was a 6’0’’, 200 pound right-handed pitcher from Mawlamyine, Myanmar’s fourth-largest city with around 289,000 people. Nyein had very strong stuff and excellent control, although his movement was often below average. His most dangerous pitch was his changeup, but Nyein also had a 98-100 mph cut fastball and a curveball.

SAB aces weren’t expected to go the distance as often as other world leagues, but even by that standard Nyein had merely okay stamina. His innings were also limited many years due to various injuries. Nyein was below average defensively and at holding runners. He was considered a bit of a mercenary, focused more on the next paycheck as opposed to the team’s success.

In September 1993, Nyein was signed to a developmental deal by Phnom Penh and made the move to Cambodia. He spent four years in the Pandas academy, then came up in 1998 at age 21. Nyein was a part-time starter with iffy results, but did enough to earn a full-time spot in the rotation for the next six years. Nyein had a solid 5.0 WAR 1999 which helped Phnom Penh to a wild card. He had a 2.42 ERA over 26 playoff innings with 32 strikeouts, but the Pandas couldn’t overcome the Ho Chi Minh City dynasty in the Southeast Asia League Championship.

Phnom Penh fell to well below .500 for the next four seasons. Nyein thrived in 2000 and took third in Pitcher of the Year voting, leading SEAL with a 0.85 WHIP. He also had a career best 347 strikeouts along with a 2.75 ERA and 7.6 WAR. He carried that momentum into a strong World Baseball Championship showing for Myanmar with a 4-0 record, 0.79 ERA, 34 innings, and 50 strikeouts. They earned their first-ever final four appearance and Nyein was third in Best Pitcher voting. Nyein was never quite that dominant again, but he was overall solid in the WBC from 1999-2009 with a 10-7 record, 2.99 ERA, 144.1 innings, 194 strikeouts, 36 walks, 121 ERA+, and 2.5 WAR.

Unfortunately the 2001 regular season would be dented by a partially torn labrum suffered in April. He lost some time in 2002 to shoulder irritation, then suffered a full labrum tear in July 2003. Nyein did bounce back with a 5.4 WAR and 2.87 ERA over 238.1 innings in 2004, showing he could still thrive when healthy. Phnom Penh got back to the playoffs but suffered a first round defeat. Nyein allowed three runs in 5.2 innings in his lone start.

In total for Phnom Penh, Nyein had a 74-73 record, 3.12 ERA, 1322.2 innings, 1684 strikeouts, 245 walks, 118 ERA+, and 30.1 WAR. He threw the most innings with the Pandas and ended up inducted in their red and white. However, Nyein’s second run would be more impactful in a shorter burst. A free agent heading towards his age 28 season, Nyein signed with Jaipur for $17,360,000 over seven years. The Jokers had been a regular division champ in the last decade but had no pennants to show for it.

Nyein had a nice debut season with a 2.27 ERA, 313 strikeouts, and 5.7 WAR; taking second in Pitcher of the Year voting. He allowed three runs in eight playoff innings as Jaipur took the top seed at 106-56, but suffered a first round upset loss to Mumbai. Then in 2006, the Jokers went 105-57, knocked off 109-win Ahmedabad for the Indian League pennant, and won their first-ever SAB Championship over Yangon.

2006 was Nyein’s finest year, leading the league in strikeouts (340), K/BB (11.7), quality starts (28), FIP- (52), and WAR (8.9). Each of those sans the K mark were career bests, as was his 2.23 ERA and 18-6 record. He finished second in POTY voting, but established himself in Jaipur’s lore in the playoffs. Nyein posted a 1.77 ERA and 55 strikeouts over 35.2 postseason innings. This was the third most Ks in SAB postseason history.

Nyein led in WHIP and K/BB in 2007 and tossed 9.1 scoreless playoff innings. Jaipur was the #1 seed at 106-56, but had a first round exit courtesy of Kanpur. Nyein would fall off in 2008 with a 3.45 ERA and 3.8 WAR in 2008. He allowed 6 runs in 11.2 playoff innings as a wild card Joker squad dropped the ILCS to Mumbai. For a solid playoff career, Nyein had a 7-4 record, 2.43 ERA, 96.1 innings, 136 strikeouts, 143 ERA+, and 2.7 WAR.

Jaipur would win the Indian League in 2009, but lost to Ho Chi Minh City in the SAB Championship. Unfortunately Nyein watched the action in a sling, suffering a torn UCL in June. After that, the Jokers started a six-year skid of losing seasons. Nyein couldn’t catch a break, partially tearing his labrum shortly after returning in 2010. A biceps strain cost him a good chunk of 2011, but Jaipur only used him for 16 innings of relief even when healthy. The previous injuries did a number to Nyein’s stuff and control.

With the Jokers, Nyein finished with a 67-36 record, 2.69 ERA, 1025.2 innings, 1590 strikeouts, 159 walks 130 ERA+, and 26.3 WAR. He still hoped to pitch in 2012 and signed a one-year deal with Colombo, who had joined in 2008 as an expansion team. A sprained ankle kept him out the spring and he looked awful even when healthy. Nyein only pitched 5.1 innings with the Catfish and resigned himself to retirement that winter at age 35.

Nyein finished with a 142-109 record, 2.94 ERA, 2353.2 innings, 3078 strikeouts, 404 walks, 214/321 quality starts, 38 complete games, 123 ERA+, and 56.2 WAR. The injuries greatly dented his accumulations and as of 2037, Nyein ranks 96^th in wins, 87^th in innings, 49^th in strikeouts, and 39^th in pitching WAR. Among pitchers with 1000+ innings, his ERA ranks 87^th, but his 0.98 WHIP is 21^st.

His rate stats and pace were on par with many of the lower-end Hall of Fame starters in SAB. However, the accumulations and low black ink totals dinged Nyein with many voters. He also didn’t have a Pitcher of the Year, although he came close. Supporters gave him some grace for being derailed by injuries in his early 30s. They also pointed to very good playoff stats and his big role in Jaipur’s 2006 championship.

Nyein’s first two ballots saw respectable 52.1% and 55.0% marks. His third try in 2020 was aided by a quieter group of debuts. Nyein got the boost to 68.2% and just passed the 66% requirement to become a third ballot inductee and the second member of South Asia Baseball’s 2020 Hal of Fame class.

12-03-2024, 05:49 PM	#1852
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 2,952	2020 SAB Hall of Fame Two players earned induction into the South Asia Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020 by slim margins. OF Ko Ratanaveroj got the first ballot nod at 70.2% and SP Pwint Moe Nyein sneaked across the 66% requirement with 68.2% for his third ballot. Two other players were above 50%, both catchers on their debut. Quoc Pham received 57.6% and Trung Lai grabbed 54.1%. Falling off the ballot after ten failed tries was 3B Gotem Sarwar. He had a 13-year career with Mumbai, winning four Silver Sluggers and one MVP while leading thrice in home runs. Sarwar had 1326 hits, 787 runs, 202 doubles, 468 home runs, 957 RBI, a .235/.310/.526 slash, 166 wRC+, and 65.2 WAR. His career had an abrupt ending with a broken kneecap in spring training 2006 at age 35, keeping Sarwar from the accumulations that probably would’ve got him in. Sarwar peaked at 48.0% on his second ballot, but fell to only 9.0% by the end. Ko Ratanaveroj – Right/Center Field – Kuala Lumpur Leopards – 70.2% First Ballot Ko Ratanaveroj was a 6’1’’, 200 pound right-handed outfielder from Suphan Buri, a town of 26,000 people in central Thailand. Ratanaveroj was a decent contact hitter with respectable power, getting 27 home runs, 26 doubles, and 8 triples per his 162 game average. Few players were better at drawing walks than Ratanaveroj, leading the league in walks six times. Despite that, he was below average at avoiding strikeouts. Ratanaveroj often took advantage of his walks with outstanding baserunning speed and skills. His career was split almost evenly between right field and center. Ratanaveroj was excellent in right and won three Gold Gloves there, however he was below average in center. He had strong durability, playing 138+ games in 15 different seasons. Ratanaveroj emerged as one of the most potent leadoff guys of his era and as one of the first successful Thai players. Ahead of the 1996 SAB Draft, Ratanaveroj was not only the top prospect out of Thailand, but arguably the best overall prospect. He was taken with the #1 overall pick by Kuala Lumpur, making the move to Malaysia for the next seven years. Ratanaveroj was a full-time starter for his entire run with the Leopards, starting with the 1997 Rookie of the Year. His speed and defense made him a solid starter in his second and third years despite being merely a decent hitter at that point. Ratanaveroj put it together in 2000 and posted 7+ WAR in four of the next five years for KL. He led in walks for the first time in 2000 (91) and won his first Gold Glove that year. 2002 saw 8.5 WAR, the best of his Leopards run. In 2003, Ratanaveroj drew a career-best 131 walks, which is the third-highest mark in SAB history as of 2037 and is one of only 32 seasons in world history of 130+ walks. Kuala Lumpur ended an eight-year playoff drought in 2003 as the last wild card at 85-77 and went one-and-done. With franchise struggles, the Leopards weren’t in position to keep Ratanaveroj and he entered free agency for 2004 heading towards age 29. With KL, Ratanaveroj had 958 hits, 614 runs, 186 doubles, 50 triples, 155 home runs, 457 RBI, 587 walks, 443 stolen bases, a .260/.362/.464 slash, 129 wRC+, and 37.2 WAR. He would be inducted in Leopards colors as it was the longest of his five team stints. KL would depart for Austronesia Professional Baseball in 2008. Ratanaveroj signed a four-year, $11,520,000 deal with Ho Chi Minh City, the reigning SAB champs. The Hedgehogs were 17 years into what would be a 23-year playoff streak. HCMC won it all again in 2004 and 2005 for the three-peat with 122 and 121 win seasons. The Hedgehogs were upset in the Southeast Asia League Championship in 2006 by Yangon, then fell in the first round of 2007. Ratanaveroj maintained his steady production with 7+ WAR in his first three seasons and 5.9 WAR in his final year. With Ho Chi Minh City, Ratanaveroj played center field and won Silver Sluggers in 2004, 2005, and 2007. 2005 saw his career high in WAR (8.6) while he scored 110+ runs in all four years there. Ratanaveroj led in 2006 with 122 walks and posted his career best 109 stolen bases. In 39 playoff starts for the Hedgehogs, Ratanaveroj had 30 hits, 28 runs, 1 double, 2 triples, 5 homers, 9 RBI, 31 walks, 22 steals, a .216/.366/.360 slash, 114 wRC+, and 1.4 WAR. Ratanaveroj became a free agent again for 2008 heading towards age 33. He inked a three-year, $13,320,000 deal with Hanoi, who had begun their own reign of dominance. The Hounds were the defending SAB champ and were in the third year of what would be a 13-year playoff streak. Hanoi repeated as SAB champ in 2008 at 120-42, winning the final over Mumbai. The Hounds were stunned in the 2009 first round despite going 122-40. Hanoi then was 121-41 in 2010 and won the SEAL title again, but lost the SAB finale to Kolkata. Once again, Ratanaveroj’s production was steady with 7.8, 8.3, and 4.6 WAR seasons. His numbers in 2010 were down mainly due to losing a month to injury. In 2008, Ratanaveroj won both a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger in right field. These seasons saw Majed Darwish’s world-record breaking power stats while Ratanaveroj hit in front of him. He scored 147 runs in 2008 and 144 in 2009, which rank as the 5^th and 7^th most in a single season in SAB history. Ratanaveroj’s 147 would’ve been the new SAB single-season record that year if not for Darwish’s 167. In the playoffs, Ratanaveroj was solid for Hanoi with 34 starts, 36 hits, 28 runs, 9 doubles, 11 home runs, 20 RBI, 17 walks, 7 steals, a .277/.373/.615 slash, 156 wRC+, and 1.6 WAR. In the first Baseball Grand Championship in 2010, Ratanaveroj went 8-35 with 5 runs, 2 doubles, 2 homers, 7 RBI, 10 walks, and a 131 wRC+. He did generally have good tournament stats having played for Thailand from 2007-14 in the World Baseball Championship. Ratanaveroj played 71 games with 68 starts, posting 44 runs, 57 hits, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 16 homers, 35 RBI, 33 steals, 56 walks, a .259/.420/.536 slash, and 3.5 WAR. He helped Thailand to their first-ever division title in 2011. With Hanoi, Ratanaveroj had 437 hits, 391 runs, 75 doubles, 94 home runs, 240 RBI, 300 walks, 234 stolen bases, a .281/.400/.525 slash, 143 wRC+, and 20.7 WAR. Soon to be 36-years old, Ratanaveroj was still a hot commodity and signed for three years and $17,100,000 with Ahmedabad. The Animals were still a playoff regular at this point, although they were no longer the perennial champion they had from the late 80s to early 00s. Ahmedabad won division titles in both of Ratanaveroj’s seasons there, losing in the first round in 2011 and the Indian League Championship Series in 2012. Ratanaveroj had a great debut season with 7.3 WAR and won his third Gold Glove. He dropped to 3.9 in 2012; his lowest since 1999. A strained hip muscle also kept him out just over a month. Ratanaveroj had 11 playoff starts with a .674 OPS and 1.0 WAR. In total for Ahmedabad, he had 255 hits, 186 runs, 35 doubles, 20 triples, 46 homers, 144 RBI, 177 walks, 95 steals, a .263/.378/.483 slash, 159 wRC+, and 11.2 WAR. In 2013, Ratanaveroj returned to Ho Chi Minh City on a three-year, $24,900,000 deal. The 38-year old couldn’t recapture the old magic with a 2.4 WAR effort in 161 games in 2013. The Hedgehogs were in a full rebuild at this point, bottoming out that year at 61-101. Between his two stints in HCMC, Ratanaveroj had 691 hits, 546 runs, 109 doubles, 43 triples, 140 homers, 364 RBI, 504 walks, 373 stolen bases, a 252/.371/.476 slash, 137 wRC+, and 31.7 WAR. HCMC traded Ratanaveroj and 3B Paresh Rewari in the offseason to Kolkata for 3B Ahmed Kader. He was a backup in one year with the Cosmos, posting 115 games and 33 starts with 0.8 WAR. Ratanaveroj would get his fourth championship ring as Kolkata upset Yangon in the final, although he went 2-10 as a pinch hitter. Ratanaveroj joined a short list in world history to have championship rings from three different franchises. He retired that winter at age 39. Ratanaveroj ended with 2389 hits, 1763 runs, 419 doubles, 128 triples, 442 home runs, 1231 RBI, 1590 walks, 2302 strikeouts, 1151 stolen bases, a .261/.372/.480 slash, 137 wRC+, and 101.6 WAR. As of 2037, Ratanaveroj ranks 3^rd in walks, 6^th in steals, 7^th in runs, 51^st in hits, 88^th in doubles, 60^th in home runs, 67^th in RBI, and 19^th in WAR among position players. His walks tally is 26^th amongst all of pro baseball history. Even with that resume, some traditionalist voters undervalue things like walks, baserunning, and defense; items Ratanaveroj exceled at. He only got 70.2%, but that was just enough for the first ballot induction and a spot in South Asia Baseball’s 2020 Hall of Fame class. Pwint Moe Nyein – Starting Pitcher – Phnom Penh Pandas – 68.2% Third Ballot Pwint Moe Nyein was a 6’0’’, 200 pound right-handed pitcher from Mawlamyine, Myanmar’s fourth-largest city with around 289,000 people. Nyein had very strong stuff and excellent control, although his movement was often below average. His most dangerous pitch was his changeup, but Nyein also had a 98-100 mph cut fastball and a curveball. SAB aces weren’t expected to go the distance as often as other world leagues, but even by that standard Nyein had merely okay stamina. His innings were also limited many years due to various injuries. Nyein was below average defensively and at holding runners. He was considered a bit of a mercenary, focused more on the next paycheck as opposed to the team’s success. In September 1993, Nyein was signed to a developmental deal by Phnom Penh and made the move to Cambodia. He spent four years in the Pandas academy, then came up in 1998 at age 21. Nyein was a part-time starter with iffy results, but did enough to earn a full-time spot in the rotation for the next six years. Nyein had a solid 5.0 WAR 1999 which helped Phnom Penh to a wild card. He had a 2.42 ERA over 26 playoff innings with 32 strikeouts, but the Pandas couldn’t overcome the Ho Chi Minh City dynasty in the Southeast Asia League Championship. Phnom Penh fell to well below .500 for the next four seasons. Nyein thrived in 2000 and took third in Pitcher of the Year voting, leading SEAL with a 0.85 WHIP. He also had a career best 347 strikeouts along with a 2.75 ERA and 7.6 WAR. He carried that momentum into a strong World Baseball Championship showing for Myanmar with a 4-0 record, 0.79 ERA, 34 innings, and 50 strikeouts. They earned their first-ever final four appearance and Nyein was third in Best Pitcher voting. Nyein was never quite that dominant again, but he was overall solid in the WBC from 1999-2009 with a 10-7 record, 2.99 ERA, 144.1 innings, 194 strikeouts, 36 walks, 121 ERA+, and 2.5 WAR. Unfortunately the 2001 regular season would be dented by a partially torn labrum suffered in April. He lost some time in 2002 to shoulder irritation, then suffered a full labrum tear in July 2003. Nyein did bounce back with a 5.4 WAR and 2.87 ERA over 238.1 innings in 2004, showing he could still thrive when healthy. Phnom Penh got back to the playoffs but suffered a first round defeat. Nyein allowed three runs in 5.2 innings in his lone start. In total for Phnom Penh, Nyein had a 74-73 record, 3.12 ERA, 1322.2 innings, 1684 strikeouts, 245 walks, 118 ERA+, and 30.1 WAR. He threw the most innings with the Pandas and ended up inducted in their red and white. However, Nyein’s second run would be more impactful in a shorter burst. A free agent heading towards his age 28 season, Nyein signed with Jaipur for $17,360,000 over seven years. The Jokers had been a regular division champ in the last decade but had no pennants to show for it. Nyein had a nice debut season with a 2.27 ERA, 313 strikeouts, and 5.7 WAR; taking second in Pitcher of the Year voting. He allowed three runs in eight playoff innings as Jaipur took the top seed at 106-56, but suffered a first round upset loss to Mumbai. Then in 2006, the Jokers went 105-57, knocked off 109-win Ahmedabad for the Indian League pennant, and won their first-ever SAB Championship over Yangon. 2006 was Nyein’s finest year, leading the league in strikeouts (340), K/BB (11.7), quality starts (28), FIP- (52), and WAR (8.9). Each of those sans the K mark were career bests, as was his 2.23 ERA and 18-6 record. He finished second in POTY voting, but established himself in Jaipur’s lore in the playoffs. Nyein posted a 1.77 ERA and 55 strikeouts over 35.2 postseason innings. This was the third most Ks in SAB postseason history. Nyein led in WHIP and K/BB in 2007 and tossed 9.1 scoreless playoff innings. Jaipur was the #1 seed at 106-56, but had a first round exit courtesy of Kanpur. Nyein would fall off in 2008 with a 3.45 ERA and 3.8 WAR in 2008. He allowed 6 runs in 11.2 playoff innings as a wild card Joker squad dropped the ILCS to Mumbai. For a solid playoff career, Nyein had a 7-4 record, 2.43 ERA, 96.1 innings, 136 strikeouts, 143 ERA+, and 2.7 WAR. Jaipur would win the Indian League in 2009, but lost to Ho Chi Minh City in the SAB Championship. Unfortunately Nyein watched the action in a sling, suffering a torn UCL in June. After that, the Jokers started a six-year skid of losing seasons. Nyein couldn’t catch a break, partially tearing his labrum shortly after returning in 2010. A biceps strain cost him a good chunk of 2011, but Jaipur only used him for 16 innings of relief even when healthy. The previous injuries did a number to Nyein’s stuff and control. With the Jokers, Nyein finished with a 67-36 record, 2.69 ERA, 1025.2 innings, 1590 strikeouts, 159 walks 130 ERA+, and 26.3 WAR. He still hoped to pitch in 2012 and signed a one-year deal with Colombo, who had joined in 2008 as an expansion team. A sprained ankle kept him out the spring and he looked awful even when healthy. Nyein only pitched 5.1 innings with the Catfish and resigned himself to retirement that winter at age 35. Nyein finished with a 142-109 record, 2.94 ERA, 2353.2 innings, 3078 strikeouts, 404 walks, 214/321 quality starts, 38 complete games, 123 ERA+, and 56.2 WAR. The injuries greatly dented his accumulations and as of 2037, Nyein ranks 96^th in wins, 87^th in innings, 49^th in strikeouts, and 39^th in pitching WAR. Among pitchers with 1000+ innings, his ERA ranks 87^th, but his 0.98 WHIP is 21^st. His rate stats and pace were on par with many of the lower-end Hall of Fame starters in SAB. However, the accumulations and low black ink totals dinged Nyein with many voters. He also didn’t have a Pitcher of the Year, although he came close. Supporters gave him some grace for being derailed by injuries in his early 30s. They also pointed to very good playoff stats and his big role in Jaipur’s 2006 championship. Nyein’s first two ballots saw respectable 52.1% and 55.0% marks. His third try in 2020 was aided by a quieter group of debuts. Nyein got the boost to 68.2% and just passed the 66% requirement to become a third ballot inductee and the second member of South Asia Baseball’s 2020 Hal of Fame class. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)