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Brad Nelson joined the Oceania Baseball Association Hall of Fame as the lone member of the 1988 class. He was a slam dunk choice, getting in with 98.9% on his debut ballot. Only one other player was above 50% with pitcher Kent Thackray at 50.2% for his fourth attempt.



Brad Nelson – Starting Pitcher – Samoa Sun Sox – 98.9% First Ballot

Brad Nelson was a 6’0’’, 195 pound left-handed starting pitcher from Norsup, a village on the Malakula Island within the nation of Vanuatu. The island has around 22,000 people, while the entirety of Vanuatu has only around 350,000 people. Nelson had great stuff with good movement, although his control was often lousy. His velocity peaked at 94-96 mph, but he had an incredible changeup and mixed it well with a slider, forkball, and sinker. Nelson’s ability to change speeds made him one of the top strikeout pitchers of his era despite his wildness. He was also considered quite durable with solid stamina.

Despite his obscure origins, Nelson picked up the game immediately as a child and became known as Vanuatu’s greatest baseball prospect as an amateur. In the 1967 OBA Draft, Samoa selected him with the #1 overall pick. Nelson saw part-time use in his rookie year and was iffy when given more innings the next two years. He had the most losses in 1969 and six times allowed more walks than any pitcher in the Pacific League. Although his control was never good, Nelson greatly improved his stuff by his fourth season to emerge as an ace. In 1970, he tossed a no-hitter against Tahiti with 10 strikeouts and two walks.

Nelson led the PL in strikeouts four straight seasons from 1972-75 and won Pitcher of the Year in 1972, 73, and 75. He also led in innings pitched thrice, wins twice, and had the top ERA in 1973 with 1.81. Nelson had a five-year stretch of 8+ WAR seasons, helping Samoa earn its first-ever Pacific League titles in 1972 and 1973. The Sun Sox would take their first OBA title in 1973 with Nelson posting a 1.74 ERA over 31 playoff innings with Samoa. The Sun Sox wouldn’t make the playoffs again in his run, although they remained a top-half team. He’d win his fourth Pitcher of the Year in 1978 and finished second in 1976’s voting.

Nelson had his second career no-hitter with 14 strikeouts and five walks against New Caledonia in 1972. He tossed his third in 1976 against Guadalcanal with 14 Ks and three walks, joining Te Paoro Rangi as the only OBA pitchers with three or more no-hitters at that point. Nelson also struck out 20 in a 1972 game against New Caledonia, tying the then single-game record. In total with Samoa, Nelson had a 201-153 record, 2.43 ERA, 3375 innings, 4100 strikeouts, and 6.7 WAR.

After an excellent 1978, Nelson’s ERA rose to 3.67 in 1979, the second worst mark of his career. The Sun Sox were rebuilding at this point and decided to trade the 33-year old Nelson to Perth for three prospects. He’d still remain popular with Samoan fans and the franchise would retire his #14 uniform. Nelson bounced back and was having a respectable season with the Penguins, but he suffered a torn flexor tendon in August, putting his career in doubt.

Perth let him go into free agency and Nelson found a home with Honolulu on a two-year, $672,000 deal. His strikeout numbers were well from his peak, but he put together a solid full 1981 that earned him a third in Pitcher of the Year voting. The Honu won the PL title but lost in the Oceania Championship with one poor start for Nelson. He was used less in 1982, but was decent when called upon. 1982 was the first OBA title for Honolulu, who posted a dynasty run in the 1980s. Nelson had one respectable start in the championship against Auckland and earned his second OBA ring. He decided to retire here at age 35.

Nelson’s final stats: 248-176 record, 2.43 ERA, 4047.2 innings, 4783 strikeouts to 1490 walks, 389/516 quality starts, 156 complete games, 88 FIP-, and 77.2 WAR. He was the second pitcher to reach 4500+ career strikeouts and his career ERA is among the best of the OBA Hall of Fame starters even with all the walks. The 1490 walks does hold the distinction of the most allowed in OBA history still as of 2037. However, Nelson often got out of those jams with strikeouts. Four Pitcher of the Year awards and two rings pretty much makes you a lock and Nelson received the no-doubt first ballot nod with 98.9%.