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FuzzyRussianHat · 03-08-2024, 05:32 PM

Chinese League Baseball had a two player Hall of Fame class with both guys receiving a first ballot addition. SP Xinyu Dai led the way at 91.9% and was joined by fellow pitcher Jianfeng Han at 81.5%. Closer Huyi Gao very nearly joined them in his third attempt, but fell just short of the 66% requirement with 64.2%. No one else was above 50% with only two even narrowly getting over the 1/3 mark.

Three players fell off the ballot after ten failed tries. Closer Yuzeng Liang was as high as 59.7% in his second ballot, but plummeted to 11.3% by the end. In 17 seasons, he won Reliever of the Year twice and had 272 saves, 366 shutdowns, 1.57 ERA, 800.1 innings, 1310 strikeouts, and 39.7 WAR. Liang’s numbers weren’t too out of place versus some other relievers that got into the CLB HOF, but bouncing around between ten teams and lower innings than many other closers hurt him.

Two starters were dropped as well. Li Jin came incredibly close at 62.1% in his third ballot, but he fell off a cliff to 8.1% at the end. In 12 seasons with three teams, he had a 142-117 record, 2.17 ERA, 2507.1 innings, 2734 strikeouts, and 77.9 WAR. His official career started at age 27, costing him a few prime years of accumulations that might have gotten him across the line. For Liao Chen, he peaked at 40.8% in 1989 and ended at 6.9%. In 11 seasons mostly with Wuhan, he had one Pitcher of the Year, a 156-114 record, 2.19 ERA, 2598 innings, 2245 strikeouts, and 62.0 WAR. Chen was another who didn’t quite have the longevity to stand out among the other pitchers in CLB’s low offense environment.

Xinyu Dai – Starting Pitcher - Shenzhen Spartans – 91.9% First Ballot

Xinyu Dai was a 5’10’’, 200 pound right-handed pitcher from the Chinese capital Beijing. Dai had excellent movement on his pitches with good stuff and above average control. He had a great 97-99 mph fastball that was mixed with a slider, changeup, and curveball. Dai had excellent stamina and was very durable for most of his career.

Dai was spotted as a teenage amateur in January 1973 and signed to a developmental deal with Shenzhen. His entire career in China was as a Spartan, making his debut in an opener role in 1976 at age 20. He was a full-timer for the next 11 years, although Dai would also see mixed usage out of the bullpen. He became a popular player in China for his work in the World Baseball Championship from 1979-94. He had a 17-9 record, 3.11 ERA, 237.2 innings, 304 strikeouts, and 6.6 WAR in the WBC and helped China win world titles in 1979, 1993, and 1994.

Dai emerged as an ace by 1978 and was considered by many to be China’s best pitcher soon after. From 1979-85, he led the Southern League in WAR six times, ERA twice, wins once, innings once, strikeouts twice, WHIP twice, K/BB thrice, complete games twice, and FIP- five times. Dai won Pitcher of the Year three times (1982, 83, 84), while taking second in 1979 and 1980 and third in 1985. Shenzhen gave him a seven-year, $2,218,000 extension in fall 1980.

Dai tossed a no-hitter on September 7, 1981 with 11 strikeouts and 2 walks against Kunming. He helped Shenzhen to the playoffs in 1979, but they suffered a semifinal defeat. The Spartans wouldn’t get back to the playoffs in Dai’s tenure and were at the bottom of CLB by the mid 1980s. Dai still chugged along as the only redeeming part of that era for Shenzhen. The Spartans would retire his #24 uniform once his pro career was over.

Dai’s contract ended after the 1987 season and the 32-year old had worldwide offers, although his production had dropped noticeably in his last two years as a Spartan. This ended his CLB career with a 145-125 record, 1.92 ERA, 2611 innings, 2957 strikeouts, 459 walks, 132 complete games, 60 FIP-, and 84.2 WAR. He didn’t have the longevity to be at the top of the leaderboards, but it was impressive dominance. Even being stuck on some bad Shenzhen teams, the CLB voters thought Dai was an obvious choice with a 91.9% first ballot nod.

There would still be eight more years of pro baseball for Dai. He went to America on a five-year, $7,100,000 deal with MLB’s Nashville Knights. Dai had four seasons ultimately in Nashville, who was also a bottom rung franchise. He was quite solid there though with 27.6 WAR, a 3.54 ERA, 63-65 innings, 1153.1 innings, 786 strikeouts, and 113 ERA+. The Knights voided the team option year of 1992, making Dai a free agent again at age 36.

Vancouver gave him a one year, $2,120,000 deal. Dai was decent, but the Volcanoes would trade him in late June to Atlanta for two prospects. The Aces were in the midst of a division title streak and trying to finally get over the playoff hump. They lost again in the American Association Championship Series, but Dai had a solid 2.96 ERA and 3-0 record in 24.1 playoff innings. Atlanta decided to give him a three-year extension worth $7,160,000.

Dai was excellent in 1993 at age 37, posting 7.7 WAR. He was weaker the next year, but still ate a lot of innings. Dai struggled in the 1993 playoffs, but was strong in 1994. Still, Atlanta couldn’t claim the pennant. Dai did have a 3.41 ERA, 7-1 record, 63.1 innings, and 43 strikeouts with the Aces. He would struggle in 1995 and get cut in June. Atlanta briefly brought him back on a minor league deal, but cut him again a few weeks later. Dai ended the season in Montreal’s minor league system, retiring that winter at age 39. For his Atlanta tenure, he had a 41-40 record, 4.12 ERA, 803.1 innings, 432 strikeouts, and 16.4 WAR.

The MLB career for Dai was a 112-110 record, 3.74 ERA, 2099.1 innings, 1292 strikeouts, 616 walks, 148/264 quality starts, 117 complete games, and 46.4 WAR. For his combined pro career, he had a 257-235 record, 2.73 ERA, 4710.1 innings, 4249 strikeouts, 1075 walks, 249 complete games, 123 ERA+, 70 FIP-, and 130.6 WAR. Dai was popular, but maybe not noticed as much as he should’ve been due to mostly being on weaker teams. He quietly was one of the most impressive pro pitchers of his era.

Jianfeng Han – Starting Pitcher – Dongguan Donkeys – 81.5% First Ballot

Jianfeng Han was a 6’3’’, 200 pound right-handed pitcher from Zaozhuang, a city with just under four million people in East China’s Shandong province. Han was a fireballer who just blew you away with his great stuff and an incredible 99-101 mph fastball. He also had a good changeup and curveball, but his movement and control were both below average. Still, Han’s power alone was often enough to retire most hitters. He was also a good defensive pitcher and considered an intelligent pitcher. Work ethic concerns would by a criticism from some in the game.

Every inning of Han’s pro career came with Dongguan, but that isn’t where he started. It was Nanjing who signed him as a teenage amateur free agent in 1973. After two years in the developmental system, he was promoted to the reserve roster for the 1976 season. In spring training though, he and three other prospects were shipped off to Dongguan for veteran pitcher Haiqiang Wu. Han would make four relief appearances in 1976 to start his Donkeys career.

Han was a full-time starter and pretty good in 1977, taking second in Rookie of the Year voting. A partially torn labrum would cost him half of the 1978 season. He bounced back from that with steady innings and led the Southern League with 320 strikeouts in 1980, but he led in walks the next year. When he was on, Han was impressive. On 7/17/80, he threw a no-hitter with 10 strikeouts and two walks against Shenzhen. He tossed a second no-no on 5/22/82 with nine Ks and no walks against Xiamen. On 8/9/84, Han tied the single-game strikeout record with 19 Ks against Shenzhen. Most impressive about that was that he got his 19 Ks in only 7.1 innings; all of the other instances needed eight or more innings.

Han never won the top award, but three times was second in Pitcher of the Year voting (1982, 1986, 1987). Dongguan gave him a six-year, $3,630,000 extension before the 1984 season. Han led in ERA and WAR in 1986 and had five seasons with 300+ strikeouts. 1986 also saw the Donkeys get their first playoff berth since 1973, although they lost in the semifinal. This would be the only postseason appearances Han would see in his career.

Disaster struck in April 1988 when Han tore his ulnar collateral ligament, knocking him out 14 months. He made it back and impressive hadn’t lost his velocity in 1989, although his effectiveness was down slightly. Han really struggled in 1990 and was moved to the bullpen. At age 35, he decided to call it quits. Dongguan would honor him soon after by retiring his #3 uniform.

Han’s final stats: 168-129 record, 2.15 ERA, 2900.2 innings, 3467 strikeouts, 753 walks, 285/363 quality starts, 91 complete games, 81 FIP-, and 61.6 WAR. His stats actually weren’t too different from the two pitchers that fell off the ballot after ten seasons, but Han’s strikeouts and stellar fastball made him remembered more prominently. At induction, he was sixth all-time in strikeouts and still sits eighth as of 2037. Han’s WAR and advanced stats are at the bottom of CLB Hall of Famers, but he also had the misfortune of a big injury knocking him out early. Han received 81.5% and a first ballot induction as the second player in CLB’s 1996 Hall of Fame class.

03-08-2024, 05:32 PM	#1043
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 2,590	1996 CLB Hall of Fame Chinese League Baseball had a two player Hall of Fame class with both guys receiving a first ballot addition. SP Xinyu Dai led the way at 91.9% and was joined by fellow pitcher Jianfeng Han at 81.5%. Closer Huyi Gao very nearly joined them in his third attempt, but fell just short of the 66% requirement with 64.2%. No one else was above 50% with only two even narrowly getting over the 1/3 mark. Three players fell off the ballot after ten failed tries. Closer Yuzeng Liang was as high as 59.7% in his second ballot, but plummeted to 11.3% by the end. In 17 seasons, he won Reliever of the Year twice and had 272 saves, 366 shutdowns, 1.57 ERA, 800.1 innings, 1310 strikeouts, and 39.7 WAR. Liang’s numbers weren’t too out of place versus some other relievers that got into the CLB HOF, but bouncing around between ten teams and lower innings than many other closers hurt him. Two starters were dropped as well. Li Jin came incredibly close at 62.1% in his third ballot, but he fell off a cliff to 8.1% at the end. In 12 seasons with three teams, he had a 142-117 record, 2.17 ERA, 2507.1 innings, 2734 strikeouts, and 77.9 WAR. His official career started at age 27, costing him a few prime years of accumulations that might have gotten him across the line. For Liao Chen, he peaked at 40.8% in 1989 and ended at 6.9%. In 11 seasons mostly with Wuhan, he had one Pitcher of the Year, a 156-114 record, 2.19 ERA, 2598 innings, 2245 strikeouts, and 62.0 WAR. Chen was another who didn’t quite have the longevity to stand out among the other pitchers in CLB’s low offense environment. Xinyu Dai – Starting Pitcher - Shenzhen Spartans – 91.9% First Ballot Xinyu Dai was a 5’10’’, 200 pound right-handed pitcher from the Chinese capital Beijing. Dai had excellent movement on his pitches with good stuff and above average control. He had a great 97-99 mph fastball that was mixed with a slider, changeup, and curveball. Dai had excellent stamina and was very durable for most of his career. Dai was spotted as a teenage amateur in January 1973 and signed to a developmental deal with Shenzhen. His entire career in China was as a Spartan, making his debut in an opener role in 1976 at age 20. He was a full-timer for the next 11 years, although Dai would also see mixed usage out of the bullpen. He became a popular player in China for his work in the World Baseball Championship from 1979-94. He had a 17-9 record, 3.11 ERA, 237.2 innings, 304 strikeouts, and 6.6 WAR in the WBC and helped China win world titles in 1979, 1993, and 1994. Dai emerged as an ace by 1978 and was considered by many to be China’s best pitcher soon after. From 1979-85, he led the Southern League in WAR six times, ERA twice, wins once, innings once, strikeouts twice, WHIP twice, K/BB thrice, complete games twice, and FIP- five times. Dai won Pitcher of the Year three times (1982, 83, 84), while taking second in 1979 and 1980 and third in 1985. Shenzhen gave him a seven-year, $2,218,000 extension in fall 1980. Dai tossed a no-hitter on September 7, 1981 with 11 strikeouts and 2 walks against Kunming. He helped Shenzhen to the playoffs in 1979, but they suffered a semifinal defeat. The Spartans wouldn’t get back to the playoffs in Dai’s tenure and were at the bottom of CLB by the mid 1980s. Dai still chugged along as the only redeeming part of that era for Shenzhen. The Spartans would retire his #24 uniform once his pro career was over. Dai’s contract ended after the 1987 season and the 32-year old had worldwide offers, although his production had dropped noticeably in his last two years as a Spartan. This ended his CLB career with a 145-125 record, 1.92 ERA, 2611 innings, 2957 strikeouts, 459 walks, 132 complete games, 60 FIP-, and 84.2 WAR. He didn’t have the longevity to be at the top of the leaderboards, but it was impressive dominance. Even being stuck on some bad Shenzhen teams, the CLB voters thought Dai was an obvious choice with a 91.9% first ballot nod. There would still be eight more years of pro baseball for Dai. He went to America on a five-year, $7,100,000 deal with MLB’s Nashville Knights. Dai had four seasons ultimately in Nashville, who was also a bottom rung franchise. He was quite solid there though with 27.6 WAR, a 3.54 ERA, 63-65 innings, 1153.1 innings, 786 strikeouts, and 113 ERA+. The Knights voided the team option year of 1992, making Dai a free agent again at age 36. Vancouver gave him a one year, $2,120,000 deal. Dai was decent, but the Volcanoes would trade him in late June to Atlanta for two prospects. The Aces were in the midst of a division title streak and trying to finally get over the playoff hump. They lost again in the American Association Championship Series, but Dai had a solid 2.96 ERA and 3-0 record in 24.1 playoff innings. Atlanta decided to give him a three-year extension worth $7,160,000. Dai was excellent in 1993 at age 37, posting 7.7 WAR. He was weaker the next year, but still ate a lot of innings. Dai struggled in the 1993 playoffs, but was strong in 1994. Still, Atlanta couldn’t claim the pennant. Dai did have a 3.41 ERA, 7-1 record, 63.1 innings, and 43 strikeouts with the Aces. He would struggle in 1995 and get cut in June. Atlanta briefly brought him back on a minor league deal, but cut him again a few weeks later. Dai ended the season in Montreal’s minor league system, retiring that winter at age 39. For his Atlanta tenure, he had a 41-40 record, 4.12 ERA, 803.1 innings, 432 strikeouts, and 16.4 WAR. The MLB career for Dai was a 112-110 record, 3.74 ERA, 2099.1 innings, 1292 strikeouts, 616 walks, 148/264 quality starts, 117 complete games, and 46.4 WAR. For his combined pro career, he had a 257-235 record, 2.73 ERA, 4710.1 innings, 4249 strikeouts, 1075 walks, 249 complete games, 123 ERA+, 70 FIP-, and 130.6 WAR. Dai was popular, but maybe not noticed as much as he should’ve been due to mostly being on weaker teams. He quietly was one of the most impressive pro pitchers of his era. Jianfeng Han – Starting Pitcher – Dongguan Donkeys – 81.5% First Ballot Jianfeng Han was a 6’3’’, 200 pound right-handed pitcher from Zaozhuang, a city with just under four million people in East China’s Shandong province. Han was a fireballer who just blew you away with his great stuff and an incredible 99-101 mph fastball. He also had a good changeup and curveball, but his movement and control were both below average. Still, Han’s power alone was often enough to retire most hitters. He was also a good defensive pitcher and considered an intelligent pitcher. Work ethic concerns would by a criticism from some in the game. Every inning of Han’s pro career came with Dongguan, but that isn’t where he started. It was Nanjing who signed him as a teenage amateur free agent in 1973. After two years in the developmental system, he was promoted to the reserve roster for the 1976 season. In spring training though, he and three other prospects were shipped off to Dongguan for veteran pitcher Haiqiang Wu. Han would make four relief appearances in 1976 to start his Donkeys career. Han was a full-time starter and pretty good in 1977, taking second in Rookie of the Year voting. A partially torn labrum would cost him half of the 1978 season. He bounced back from that with steady innings and led the Southern League with 320 strikeouts in 1980, but he led in walks the next year. When he was on, Han was impressive. On 7/17/80, he threw a no-hitter with 10 strikeouts and two walks against Shenzhen. He tossed a second no-no on 5/22/82 with nine Ks and no walks against Xiamen. On 8/9/84, Han tied the single-game strikeout record with 19 Ks against Shenzhen. Most impressive about that was that he got his 19 Ks in only 7.1 innings; all of the other instances needed eight or more innings. Han never won the top award, but three times was second in Pitcher of the Year voting (1982, 1986, 1987). Dongguan gave him a six-year, $3,630,000 extension before the 1984 season. Han led in ERA and WAR in 1986 and had five seasons with 300+ strikeouts. 1986 also saw the Donkeys get their first playoff berth since 1973, although they lost in the semifinal. This would be the only postseason appearances Han would see in his career. Disaster struck in April 1988 when Han tore his ulnar collateral ligament, knocking him out 14 months. He made it back and impressive hadn’t lost his velocity in 1989, although his effectiveness was down slightly. Han really struggled in 1990 and was moved to the bullpen. At age 35, he decided to call it quits. Dongguan would honor him soon after by retiring his #3 uniform. Han’s final stats: 168-129 record, 2.15 ERA, 2900.2 innings, 3467 strikeouts, 753 walks, 285/363 quality starts, 91 complete games, 81 FIP-, and 61.6 WAR. His stats actually weren’t too different from the two pitchers that fell off the ballot after ten seasons, but Han’s strikeouts and stellar fastball made him remembered more prominently. At induction, he was sixth all-time in strikeouts and still sits eighth as of 2037. Han’s WAR and advanced stats are at the bottom of CLB Hall of Famers, but he also had the misfortune of a big injury knocking him out early. Han received 81.5% and a first ballot induction as the second player in CLB’s 1996 Hall of Fame class. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)