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Reliever Vitorio Paolini became the third Beisbol Sudamerica Hall of Famer as the lone inductee in the 1947 class. Paolini picked up 71.2% on his first try on the ballot. Another closer, Aitor Rangel, barely missed the 66% threshold with a 65.2% on his first try. No one else on the still limited BSA ballot made it above 1/3 of the vote.



Vitorio Paolini – Closer – Medellin Mutiny – 71.2% First Ballot

Vitorio Paolini was a 6’0’’, 200 pound left-handed pitcher from Rosario, Argentina. He had a 98-100 mph fastball and an absolutely filthy curveball as his second pitch with incredible movement. His control was at times shaky, but he made up for it with raw power. Paolini established himself in the amateur and semi-pro ranks in Argentina, earning him attention when Beisbol Sudamerica officially formed for 1931. At age 28, Paolini entered the organization with Medellin.

Paolini was immediately dominant in the bullpen, winning Reliever of the Year four times; 1932, 33, 34, and 36. He led the Bolivar League in saves four times and finished with 6+ WAR six times in seven seasons; a remarkable mark for a closer. Medellin was an early powerhouse, winning the Bolivar League title in 31, 34, 36, and 37. They won Copa Sudamerica in 31, 34, and 37 and in 1934, Paolini was the Copa Sudamerica MVP. That postseason, he pitched 9.2 scoreless innings with 25 strikeouts and four saves. His #5 would be the first jersey retired by the Mutiny.

After seven lights out seasons, his last two years with Medellin saw his productivity and use dwindle. Paolini was traded in July 1939 to Salvador, where he finished out the season. He pitched two more seasons, spending 1940 in Cordoba and 1941 in Buenos Aires. He got to retire on top though, tossing seven scoreless postseason innings to help the Atlantics to the 1941 Copa Sudamerica.

His final stats saw 300 saves, 398 shutdowns, 1.24 ERA, 832.1 innings with 1462 strikeouts and 48.7 WAR. His 300 saves would eventually be the lowest total of any inducted full-time reliever, but it is worth noting he started at age 28 and lost a few prime seasons of production. His seven-year peak was as unhittable as a closer could be, an essential piece to Medellin’s 1930s dynasty. Thus, Vitorio Paolini finds a first ballot spot at 71.2% in the Beisbol Sudamerica Hall of Fame.