[FuzzyRussianHat]

The European Baseball Federation had a fine 1990 Hall of Fame class consisting of three guys receiving above 90% in their ballot debuts. Pitcher Alejandro Canas was close to unanimous with 99.0%. Fellow pitcher Elfar Freyr Finsen got 95.1% and right fielder Monte Montanez earned 90.9%. 1B Alex Zonneveld very nearly made it a four-player class on his third ballot, but was just short of the 66% requirement at 62.5%. The only other player above 50% was SP Ugo Musacci at 50.5% in his fifth try.



The lone player dropped after ten ballots was RF Edin Janezic, who played 14 years with Vienna. He had 1934 hits, 1192 runs, 326 doubles, 140 triples,, 426 home runs, 1169 RBI, a .279/.340/..550 slash and 74.2 WAR. He was also a solid playoff performer during Vienna’s sustained success, but Janezic didn’t have the big totals or awards to get across the line. He debuted at 37.0% and got as high as 54.5% on his eighth ballot, ending at 48.5%.



Alejandro Canas – Starting Pitcher – Barcelona Bengals – 99.0% First Ballot

Alejandro Canas was a 6’1’’, 195 pound right-handed pitcher from Zamora, a city of around 61,000 in northwestern Spain. In his prime, Canas’ stuff was rated 11/10 along with solid control and decent movement. He had 98-100 mph velocity on his cutter and was a master at fooling you with his curveball and forkball. While he didn’t throw a ton of complete games, Canas was quite durable and tossed 200+ innings for 13 straight seasons to start his career. He was a great defensive pitcher and won a Gold Glove in 1975. Some said Canas lacked hustle, but that didn’t stop him from dominating and becoming a beloved Spanish baseball figure.

Canas left Spain for the college game in England at the University of Oxford, posting a 1.27 ERA and 16-1 record in only two college seasons. It was clear that he was a can’t miss star and Barcelona selected Canas with the #1 overall pick in the 1967 EBF Draft. He was immediately a starter for the Bengals and by his second year was also a starter for Spain in the World Baseball Championship. He made 33 WBC appearances from 1969-82 with a 3.65 ERA, 177.1 innings, 287 strikeouts, and 4.3 WAR.

Canas had some control issues as a rookie, but sorted it out in year two and became unhittable. He led each season from 1969-74, plus 1976; in both ERA and WHIP. In this stretch, he had a sub-two ERA five times and sub 0.80 WHIP six times. 1974 had his lone career no-hitter in a blistering 18 strikeout game against London Canas had 9+ WAR seven times in that stretch and had 350+ strikeouts six times, leading the Southern Conference in 1971. Despite that, he only won Pitcher of the Year twice, taking it in 1972 and 1974. He took second in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1975, and 1976; while taking third in 1973.

This was the curse of sharing the Southern Conference with some all-timers. In his early years, Canas was behind Malta’s Ugo Musacci, who won four straight from 1967-70. After Musacci left for MLB, Canas then was foiled by Zurich’s Jean-Luc Roch. Roch won the award eight times and is often considered the EBF’s greatest pitcher. Roch also had the benefit of the Mountaineers winning numerous conference titles in his run, while Canas’ Bengal teams were often stuck in above average tier. During his ERA title streak, Barcelona only made the playoffs once with a one-and-done in 1973.

Canas didn’t lead in ERA again after 1976, but he arguably got better as his strikeout numbers and innings increased. 1977-80 each saw 400+ K seasons, including conference bests in 1978 and 1979. His 454 Ks in 1978 was a new EBF record and only one pitcher ever did better in Lindsey Brampton, who passed that mark five times in the 1990s. Canas also incredibly had 13+ WAR in three consecutive seasons with his 13.7 WAR standing as the second-best ever in EBF history. As of 2037, EBF pitchers have hit 13+ WAR only nine times; and Canas did it twice.

Would you believe that he didn’t win Pitcher of the Year any of those seasons? He was third in 1977, second in 1978, second in 1979, and third in 1980. 1979 would give Canas something Roch never got despite numerous conference titles. Barcelona won the Southwest Division that year at 98-64 and went onto to win the European Championship. In the playoffs, Canas had a 2.48 ERA over 29 innings with 39 strikeouts.

Fans often debated who would end up at the top of the leaderboards between Canas and Roch going into their 30s. Canas was the first to reach 5000 strikeouts in 1981, something Roch did two years later. But in that 1981 season, Canas suffered a ruptured finger tendon that cost him three months. He had one year left on a seven-year extension he had signed before the 1976 season, but Barcelona surprised many by buying out the final year. At 35 years old, Canas was a free agent for the first time.

Some teams were worried that his injury and age meant that Canas had peaked. MLB’s Montreal was willing to spend big though, signing Canas to a three-year, $2,850,000 deal. He gave the Maples innings in 1982 and 4.5 WAR, but his strikeouts were down and he had a dead-average 100 ERA+. Montreal moved him out of the rotation in early 1983 and Canas eventually was diagnosed with bone chips in his elbow, ending his MLB run. Now 37-years old, Barcelona signed him on a two-year deal hoping for a farewell tour for a franchise legend. Canas only mustered 15 relief innings in 1984 and retired that winter at age 38. The team would immediately retire his #46 uniform and he’d forever be beloved in Barcelona.

For his EBF and Barcelona career, Canas had a 236-116 record, 2.08 ERA, 3248.1 innings, 5071 strikeouts, 637 walks, 345/432 quality starts, a FIP- of 47, ERA+ of 166, and 137.0 WAR. As of 2037, only two qualifying starters have a better career ERA. At induction and as of 2037, Canas was third in pitching WAR behind only Roch (151.4) and Armando Rojas (141.7). He retired second in strikeouts and remains third as of 2037. He’s also the all-time EBF leader in H/9 (5.57), WHIP (0.82), opponent average (.177), opponent OBP (.223), opponent slugging (.288), and opponent OPS (.512). Canas still often is overshadowed by Roch in the debates of EBF’s GOAT pitcher as Roch had more awards, more playoff success, and higher accumulations. But the rate stats make the case that Alejandro Canas deserves consideration when arguing about EBF’s all-time best pitcher.



Elfar Freyr Finsen – Starting Pitcher – Glasgow Highlanders – 95.1% First Ballot

Elfar Freye Finsen was a 6’2’’, 200 pound left-handed pitcher from Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. Finsen would be the first Icelandic Hall of Famer and the first major baseball star from the island. He had great movement and very good control, allowing Finsen to thrive despite having merely above average stuff. His velocity peaked at 94-96 mph with a three-pitch arsenal of fastball, curveball, and changeup. Finsen had excellent stamina and durability with 250+ innings each year from 1974-86. He was considered a great defensive pitcher, winning three Gold Gloves in the 1980s. Finsen was intelligent and well liked at each of his stops, while becoming popular back home as Iceland’s face of baseball.

Being in Iceland, there wasn’t a huge amateur circuit and despite his talent, Finsen wasn’t at the top of draft lists in 1972. That year, Glasgow selected him with the first pick of the fifth round, 130^th overall. The Highlanders used him as a reliever with okay results as a rookie, then moved him into the rotation in year two. By his third season, Finsen emerged as a legitimate ace, taking second in Pitcher of the Year voting.

Finsen’s rise coincided with Glasgow’s rise, as they won six straight British Isles Division titles from 1976-81. Finsen led in wins four straight seasons while leading twice in complete games. He had six seasons worth 7+ WAR in Scotland, peaking at 10.3 WAR in 1979. It was 1977 that was Finsen’s lone Pitcher of the Year win in EBF, although he was second in 1975, 1976, and 1979 with a third in 1978 and a third in 1979’s MVP voting. In 1976, Glasgow claimed the European Championship. In the playoffs with the Highlanders, Finsen posted a 2.87 ERA over 106.2 innings with 94 strikeouts and 3.4 WAR.

After winning it all in 1976, Glasgow couldn’t get over the hump in their next five playoff appearances, falling twice in the conference final. Finsen signed a three-year extension after the 1978, but that left him a free agent after the 1981 campaign. Finsen surprised many by not staying, although he was still a very popular figure in Scotland for years to come and his #6 uniform would be retired later.

Perhaps most surprising is where he left for. The 1980s marked the first time that EBF players were allowed to leave for Eurasian Professional Baseball and vice versa. Largely for political reasons, it would rare to see anyone in their prime switch between the two. Plus, those who left Europe usually did for the allure of MLB. But Finsen defected for EPB and moved to Belarus, signing a six-year, $4,080,000 deal with Minsk.

The Miners had won the European League the prior season and had historically been a dominant franchise. With Finsen, they won six straight North Division titles, making three conference finals berths and winning the Soviet Series in 1985. Finsen’s most impressive seasons by WAR came with Minsk, posting three straight 10+ WAR seasons to start his run. He was the 1982 and 1984 European League Pitcher of the Year and was third in 1984 MVP voting. Finsen also won three Gold Gloves (1982, 1984, 1986).

Finsen was an even better playoff pitcher in Belarus than he was in Scotland, posting a 1.78 ERA over 96.1 innings with a 6-1 record, 101 strikeouts, and 3.6 WAR. By rate stats, he was better with Minsk than Glasgow, although his totals were lower. Finsen posted a 113-52 record, 1.99 ERA, 1623 innings, 1568 strikeouts, 211 walks, 157/189 quality starts, 60 FIP-, and 54.4 WAR. (You could argue he had an outside shot at an EPB Hall of Fame induction, although OOTP removes you from the ballot of other leagues once you’re inducted somewhere)

Finsen’s Minsk contract expired after the 1987 season and he was a free agent again at age 38. His resume earned him the MLB payday with Charlotte at $1,640,000 per year, more than double his peak $680,000 with Minks and his peak of $670,000 with Glasgow. Finsen wasn’t outstanding in 1988, but he gave the Canaries respectable innings. His strikeouts plummeted though and he was terrible the next season with a 6.43 ERA. Finsen would retire after the 1989 season at age 39.

Finsen’s final stats for his entire pro career: 297-151 record, 2.49 ERA, 4252.1 innings, 3810 strikeouts, 709 walks, 380/507 quality starts, 257 complete games, 71 FIP-, and 117.7 WAR. That line is a lock for the Hall of Fame combined, but his EBF tenure was to be judged just on his Glasgow time. There, he had a 168-70 record, 2.49 ERA, 2265.1 innings, 2116 strikeouts, 407 walks, 203/267 quality starts, 118 complete games, 75 FIP-, and 58.4 WAR. It is incredibly impressive considering that was only over eight years as a starter. Finsen might have been right among the top of the leaderboard had he stayed in EBF, but his run in Glasgow alone was enough for the voters. Finsen got in on the first ballot at 95.1% as Iceland’s first Hall of Famer.



Monte Montanez – Right Field – Madrid Conquistadors – 90.9% First Ballot

Monte Montanez was a 6’2’’, 195 pound right-handed right fielder from Valencia, Spain’s third largest city located on the eastern coast. Montanez made his name as a great home run hitter, averaging 45 homers per year in his run. He also had good gap power with solid speed and baserunning instincts, making him a rare player to have more triples in his career than doubles. Montanez was only an okay contact hitter and he struck out a lot, although he did draw walks at a respectable clip. He was a career right fielder and was a bit below average defensively, although not terrible by any stretch. He was a hard worker and fairly durable, making him a very popular figure in Spanish baseball.

His entire pro career was within his home country, although he did leave for the University of Oxford in England for College. Madrid picked Montanez second overall in the 1967 EBF Draft, The Conquistadors used him sparingly in his first two seasons, primarily as a pinch hitter. Montanez became a full time starter in his third year and earned an all-star selection, although he missed much of the second half to a strained MCL.

His first full season was 1971, where he won his first of five Silver Sluggers and took third in MVP voting. Montanez posted four consecutive seasons worth 8+ WAR with 40+ home runs and won additional Sluggers with Madrid in 1972, 73, and 74. He was third in MVP voting again in 1972 and second in 1974, ultimately never winning the top accolade. Montanez led the Southern Conference and had career highs in 1974 with 54 home runs, 120 runs scored, and 391 total bases. He also was the RBI leader in 1972 with a career best 128.

Madrid would make the playoffs thrice in this tenure with division titles in 1971, 72, and 74. He had 6 home runs, 11 runs, 12 hits, and 11 RBI in the 1974 playoff run, but the Conquistadors were denied in the conference final. Montanez also began playing for Spain in the World Baseball Championship in 1970, becoming one of Spain’s favorite sons. From 1970-84, he had 133 games with 120 hits, 97 runs, 56 home runs, 110 RBI, and 7.6 WAR. Coming off a career best season, Montanez left Madrid at age 29 with the hopes of a big payday. He got it from Seville, who signed him on a seven-year, $2,814,000 contract.

Montanez had a great debut season with the Stingrays with 49 home runs and 7.8 WAR despite missing six weeks to injury. He regressed a bit in 1976, then won his fifth Silver Slugger in 1977. Montanez won Conference Championship MVP in 1977 as Seville got to the finale, falling in the European Championship to Rotterdam. In five seasons with the Stingrays, Montanez had 653 hits, 486 runs, 231 home runs, 516 RBI, a .251/.327/.611 slash and 31.9 WAR.

Two years after their conference title, Seville had plummeted to only 64 wins. Montanez opted out of the final two years of his contract, but decided to stay in Spain. He signed a four-year, $2,420,000 deal with Barcelona at age 34. The Bengals had won the European Championship in 1979, but they wouldn’t make the playoffs in his tenure. He missed half of 1980 to a torn groin muscle, but was healthy the next two years with diminished, but still decent production. With Barcelona, he had 318 hits, 226 runs, 90 home runs, 222 RBI, and 12.4 WAR.

A free agent again for 1983 at age 37, Montanez decided to return where he started with Madrid. He had a solid return season with 47 home runs, his highest since 1979. The Conquistadors earned the wild card, but were ousted. His production fell off in 1984 and a strained MCL knocked him out for the second half. Still, Montanez crossed 600 home runs, the third EBF batter to do so. He retired after the season at age 39 and Madrid honored him by retiring his #9 uniform. Over his two stints with the Conquistadors, Montanez had 984 hits, 654 runs, 284 home runs, 733 RBI, a .270/.336/.615 slash, and 45.7 WAR.

For his entire career, Montanez had 1955 hits, 1366 runs, 254 doubles, 259 triples, 605 home runs, 1471 RBI, 463 stolen bases, a .259/.330/.601 slash, 166 wRC+, and 90.0 WAR. He was one of a small group of EBF Hall of Famers to not reach 2000 hits and his batting average is the worst of any EBF Hall of Famer as of 2037. However, he made his hits count as 57% of his career hits were for extra bases. His power tallies would be overshadowed on the leaderboards, but Montanez was undoubtedly a top-tier slugger and a favorite of the Spanish baseball fan, earning him a first ballot induction at 90.9% to round out EBF’s 1990 class.