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Two pitchers made it into the Austronesia Professional Baseball Hall of Fame for the 1997 class. Both guys were first ballot selections, but both only narrowly breached the 66% requirement for induction. Ed Arua had 71.3% and Eka Mattalatta received 67.9%. Also above 50% on their debuts were three closers; Ting-Wei Ping (57.4%), Hong Quinonez (55.8%), and Afriza Bachdim (55.1%).



Dropped after ten ballots was designated hitter Po-Yu Shao, who played 14 years with his hometown Kaohsiung. Shao came very close, reaching 60.7% in his debut and in 1995. He ended at 53.2% and had a low at 45.9%. Shao won six Silver Sluggers, was finals MVP twice, and won four titles with the Steelheads. Shao led in home runs seven times and posted 1556 hits, 1015 runs, 592 home runs, 1160 RBI, 2304 strikeouts, a .218/.297/.497 slash, 154 wRC+, and 61.8 WAR. He was very much a “three true outcomes” type and there were enough voters who dinged Shao for being a DH and for his deficiencies. Still, it is surprising someone with his power was left out, especially considering his prominent role in Kaohsiung’s dynasty.

Also dropped from the ballot was closer Lee Tira, who bounced around between APB, MLB, and EPB in his career. In APB, he had 315 saves, 1.69 ERA, 859.1 innings, 1128 strikeouts, and 29.1 WAR. His stats were comparable to some others who got into the APB Hall, but Tira didn’t have any Reliever of the Year awards. He came close with 57.3% in his debut, but eventually ended at 37.0%.



Ed Arua – Starting Pitcher – Batam Blue Raiders – 71.3% First Ballot

Ed Arua was a 5’9’’, 195 pound right-handed pitcher from Surabaya, Indonesia. He was known for having very good control with solid movement and respectable stuff. His 94-96 mph cut fastball was his top pitch, although Arua also fooled batters with a strong screwball, good sinker, and okay changeup. He had solid stamina and was considered great at holding runners and a good defensive pitcher. However, Arua was very outspoken and controversial, known for his many inflammatory hot takes. Even with his talent, a lot of teammates and fans didn’t think Arua was worth the hassle.

Arua’s potential was evident as a teenager with Batam signing him in late 1972 as an amateur free agent. He spent just over five years in their developmental system, making his debut in 1978 at age 21 with 59 innings. The plan was to put Arua full-time in the 1979 rotation, but he suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in May. Some worried that this could derail his career, but Arua returned from the injury as a legitimate ace.

In 1981, Arua took second in Pitcher of the Year by leading in wins, ERA, and WHIP. He never won the top award, but placed third in 1983, second again in 1984, and third in 1985. Arua led in wins twice and ERA twice and posted six straight seasons worth 6.5+ WAR. He also pitched for the Indonesian national team from 1981-88 in the World Baseball Championship, posting a 13-4 record, 3.01 ERA, 140.2 innings, 155 strikeouts, and 2.7 WAR.

On April 1, 1982, Arua tossed a no-hitter with 10 strikeouts and one walk against Pekanbaru. He one-upped himself on September 4, tossing a perfect game against his hometown team Surabaya with 14 strikeouts. Despite being a strong ace, Batam was middling in his run. Arua only had one playoff start in his career, getting rocked in 1985 with six earned runs against him in 2.2 innings. In total with Batam, Arua had a 112-81 record, 1.80 ERA, 1970.2 innings, 2166 strikeouts, and 52.1 WAR.

The Blue Raiders weren’t sure what to do with Arua. His talent was undeniable, but his outspoken nature was starting to cause trouble. In March 1986, Batam committed long-term to the 29-year old with a seven-year, $6,300,000 extension. The Blue Raiders dropped to 75-87 and started to have buyers’ remorse. They ultimately decided to go with a full rebuild, which did pay off as they would contend in the 1990s. Batam traded Arua after the 1986 season to Tainan for five prospects.

Arua was never nearly as dominant in his time with the Titans. He was average to below average in his first three seasons, allowing the most home runs in 1989. He flat out stunk in 1990 and was moved out of the rotation full-time. In early 1991, shoulder inflammation required surgery and effectively ended Arua’s career at age 35. With Tainan, he had a 46-57 record, 3.18 ERA, 894.2 innings, 830 strikeouts, 166 walks, and 8.7 WAR.

For his career, Arua had a 158-138 record, 2.23 ERA, 2865.1 innings, 2996 strikeouts, 438 walks, 266/346 quality starts, 126 complete games, 115 ERA+, 82 FIP-, and 60.8 WAR. Batam would later retire his #20 uniform and he was a legit ace during his Blue Raiders run. Still, Arua’s tallies are among the lower end of the APB Hall of Fame leaderboard, plus he lacked awards or playoff accolades. He definitely was a borderline choice, but the 1997 ballot didn’t have any no-doubt guys or strong returners. There were enough voters sold and those who didn’t want to leave the ballot blank, giving Arua the first ballot induction at 71.3%.



Eka Mattalatta - Starting Pitcher – Medan Marlins – 67.9% First Ballot

Eka Mattalatta was a 5’11’’, 195 pound right-handed pitcher from from Surabaya, Indonesia. Mattalatta wasn’t dominant at any facet, but gave you above average control and movement with decent stuff. He had 94-96 mph velocity on his fastball, but countered it with very good changeup. Mattalatta also had a forkball and slider in his arsenal. He had great stamina and was considered a good defensive pitcher that knew how to hold runners. Mattalatta also was a good hitter by pitcher standards with a .194/.208/.235 slash and 2.3 WAR in his career, winning Silver Sluggers in 1981, 82, and 83. He would clash with teammates though, considered thick-headed and greedy.

Mattalatta emerged as a top-end Indonesian prospect coming out of the amateur ranks. With the third pick of the 1975 APB Draft, Medan selected Mattalatta. They didn’t use him at all in 1976 though and only gave him four relief appearances in 1977. Mattalatta became a full-time starter from 1978 onward. His debut in the rotation was strong, leading the Sundaland Association in wins and quality starts. Mattalatta won Rookie of the Year and was second in Pitcher of the Year voting.

Mattalatta was third in Pitcher of the Year voting in 1980, but wouldn’t ever win the award or be a finalist again. He had steady production with the Marlins, but wasn’t a league leader. It was Mattalatta’s playoff success that earned him acclaim. Medan made the playoffs four times from 1980-84 and won the Sundaland Association pennant in 1981, 83, and 84. The Marlins were unable to win the APB title, but it certainly wasn’t Mattalatta’s fault. In nine playoff starts for Medan, he had a 1.32 ERA, 75 innings, 57 strikeouts, and 2.0 WAR. That effort was a big reason his #48 would be retired eventually by the Marlins.

For his Medan tenure, Mattalatta had a 119-98 record, 2.14 ERA, 2138 innings, 1984 strikeouts, 401 walks, 212/254 quality starts, and 38.1 WAR. He became a free agent after the 1985 season at age 32 and inked a six-year, $5,170,000 contract with Semarang. Mattalatta’s stats declined a bit with age, posting very average stats with the Sliders.

They would win two pennants in his tenure, 1988 and 1990. Mattalatta missed the 1988 postseason to injury, but was there to earn his first APB ring in 1990 as Semarang beat Cebu in the final. For his Sliders tenure, Mattalatta had a 65-49 record, 2.36 ERA, 1100.2 innings, 1013 strikeouts, and 7.2 WAR. Semarang would trade him in 1991, oddly enough to the team they beat in the championship. The Sliders sent him and 1B Dan Ong to Cebu for 3B Raymond Jo.

Mattalatta pitched one year with the Crows and posted 5.2 WAR, his highest since his Medan days. The Crows won the Taiwan-Philippine Association title again and bested Batam for the APB title. Mattalatta posted a 2.60 ERA over 27.2 playoff innings in the run, earning his second APB ring and sixth Association pennant. Mattalatta decided to retire with the title in winter 1991 at age 37.

Mattalatta had a 196-158 record, 2.25 ERA, 3490.2 innings, 3234 strikeouts, 632 walks, 329/412 quality starts, 190 complete games, 109 ERA+, FIP- of 96, and 50.7 WAR. His rate stats and WAR were very much among the weakest of those who made the APB Hall of Fame. Mattalatta’s playoff successes though won over many voters that were skeptical of his resume. He had more longevity than his HOF classmate Ed Arua, but was less efficient. A case could be made that the 1997 was an all-time weak class for the APB HOF, but APB voters a very pitcher-centric and were loath to leave a blank ballot. Mattalatta just narrowly crossed the 66% requirement at 67.9% to earn a first ballot induction.