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FuzzyRussianHat · 09-17-2024, 02:03 PM

Three first ballot selections earned induction for Beisbol Sudamerica’s 2014 Hall of Fame class. Home run king Milton Becker was nearly unanimous at 99.7% and 3B Luca Ulloa was also a slam dunk at 96.0%. Pitcher Lobo Alvarado’s 71.7% was just enough to cross the 66% mark and join them Catcher Moises Avalos fell just short with 62.6% for his sixth ballot. RF Amauris Garcia also notably debuted at 50.8%. No one else crossed 50% and no players were dropped following ten failed ballots.

Milton Becker – Designated Hitter – Caracas Colts – 99.7% First Ballot

Milton Becker was a 6’1’’, 190 pound left-handed from Maracaibo, Venezuela. Despite not having a massive frame, Becker had incredible home run power. He had 10 seasons with 50+ dingers and 16 of his 19 seasons had 40+. Becker was also an excellent contact hitter with a great eye and above average strikeout rate for the league.

He wasn’t only about dingers and had 25 doubles and 5 triples per his 162 game average. Becker’s speed and baserunning were below average, but not awful like you might expect. He especially mashed against right-handed pitching with a career 1.061 OPS, 179 wRC+, and 731 home runs. Becker was no bum against lefties though with a .961 OPS and 161 wRC+.

Becker’s biggest flaw as a player was abysmal defense, but fortunately for him the Bolivar League had the designated hitter. He made about 60% of his career starts as a DH with the rest split fairly evenly between right field and first base. You could tolerate the terrible defense though for the best bat in the game in his prime. Becker would have some recurring hamstring issues, but still had a full load in the majority of his 19 seasons.

Certainly Becker’s home run heroics made him an absolute superstar, but he was also known as an absolute class act. Becker was a team captain with a tireless work ethic, great leadership, and strong intellect. He would become a worldwide baseball icon and perhaps Venezuela’s most famous citizen overall.

Becker’s power potential quickly drew attention from scouts ahead of the 1989 Beisbol Sudamerica Draft. He went third overall to Caracas and played nearly his entire pro career in the capital. It was also a perfect fit for Becker’s skillset with the Ballpark of Caracas known as a home run favorable park. Lefty power hitters especially thrived with the short porch in right at only 303 feet down the line and 367 to right-center.

Becker had some strikeout issues as a part-time starter in his rookie year, but still smacked 33 homers in only 116 games at age 20. He was a full-time starter from 1991 onward and a regular atop the home run leaderboards. Becker led in strikeouts (203) in 1993 but also led in homers (53), quickly becoming noticed in his home country.

Early in his career, Becker did represent Venezuela in the World Baseball Championship. From 1991-2001, he had 99 games and 91 starts with 99 hits, 70 runs, 13 doubles, 38 home runs, 90 RBI, 63 walks, a .321/.455/.747 slash, 231 wRC+, and 7.8 WAR. This helped make Becker beloved in Venezuela, but also popular worldwide.

Caracas was terrible in the early 1990s, averaging only 69.8 wins per season in Becker’s first five years. But by his third season, he put up many career-bests. Becker led the Bolivar League in home runs (64), OBP (.419), slugging (.742), and OPS (1.161) in 1992. This season also had career highs in slugging, OPS, wRC+ (214), WAR (10.9), and hits (212). Becker was second in MVP voting, missing out on the MVP and a Silver Slugger because of Valencia’s Nyx Navas at 11.7 WAR.

From 1992-1998, Becker was dominant as he led the league each season in OPS. That stretch also saw him lead five times in wRC+, three times in WAR, six times in slugging, four times in OBP, thrice in total bases, four times in homers, and thrice in RBI. Becker won Silver Sluggers in 1993, 94, 95, 96, and 98. A strained hamstring in 1994 and a fractured finger in 1997 was the only thing to slightly slow him down.

1993 was his first MVP, boasting league and career-bests in homers (65), runs scored (134), and total bases (417). That winter, Caracas signed Becker to an eight-year, $15,980,000 extension. Becker was second in 1995’s MVP voting, third in 1996, and second in 1997.

1995 saw the Colts’ snap a seven-year streak of losing seasons and began a run of dominance. From 1995-2006, Caracas had 11 playoff appearances, winning the Venezuela Division each time. They made the Bolivar League Championship Series in 1995, but Becker missed the playoffs to a torn hamstring.

In 1996, Caracas won the BLCS with Becker posting 8 homers, 19 hits, 13 runs, and 18 RBI with a 1.111 OPS in 16 playoff starts. The Colts would lose in Copa Sudamerica to a 115-win Recife squad. Caracas had four straight 100+ win seasons from 1996-99, but suffered first round exits in 1997 and 1998, followed by a BLCS loss in 1999. They lost in the first round of 2000, then missed the playoffs in 2001 at 80-82.

Becker stayed strong, winning his second MVP in 1998 with his lone batting title at .355. From 1995-2007, he hit 40+ home runs each season. Becker had an OPS above one from 1992-2003. He led the league in homers eight times, RBI seven times, total bases four times, OBP four times, and WAR three times. Becker’s third MVP win came in 1999 with 58 homers, 147 RBI, and 9.7 WAR.

He wouldn’t win MVP again, but took second in 2000 and 2002 with a third place in 2003. Becker had 12 Silver Sluggers total with nine as a DH (1993, 95, 98, 99, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07), one in right field (1994), and two at first base (1996, 98). He posted nine games with three home runs as well.

Although Caracas missed the playoffs in 2001, Becker committed to a seven-year, $37,100,000 extension that spring at age 31. Part of the reason they struggled that year is a strained hamstring cost him two months. Still, Becker had 6.3 WAR, 45 home runs, and an 1.152 OPS over 111 games. He would stay healthy for the next six years, which allowed the Colts to re-establish their hold on the division.

Caracas lost in the 2002 BLCS and had first round exits in 2004 and 2005. They would win two more Bolivar League titles in underdog efforts in 2003 and 2006. Both years, they lost in Copa Sudamerica with loss to Rio de Janeiro in 2003 and to Asuncion in 2006. They just missed the playoffs by a game in 2007, then fell to below .500 in 2008.

Becker’s biggest regret was that he never won the Cup, although three pennants and 11 division titles is far more than most players get. Becker’s playoff stats were plenty solid with 73 starts, 88 hits, 45 runs, 19 doubles, 18 home runs, 52 RBI, a .315/.379/.584 slash, 160 wRC+, and 3.6 WAR.

In his later years, it was clear Becker had a shot at Valor Melo’s home run king title of 870. He joined Melo and Diego Pena as the third member of the 700 club in 2003, then got to the 800 club in 2005. That was the number that got the most attention, but Becker was quickly rising up the lists for hits, runs, and RBI.

2006 saw Becker pass Valor Melo’s 1862 to become BSA’s all-time RBI leader. He also became the seventh member of the 3000 hit club. In 2007, Becker became the home run king, hitting 52 at age 37 to finish the season at 906. Becker then passed Melo’s 1708 runs scored to become that stat’s all-time BSA leader.

World history was also in reach as Becker was the second in any world league to cross 900 career homers. The world record was 928 set by Prometheo Garcia between his split CABA and MLB career. Becker had a sluggish start to the season and Caracas was struggling as well. He got to 927, one short while with the Colts. To the shock of many, Becker would end up traded away at the deadline. Caracas’ officials were less interested in the milestone ultimately than the fans were.

Becker was sent across the division along with $2,360,000 to Valencia for three prospects. He did finish strong in his final 41 games, hitting 14 more homers to become the world leader at 941. Becker’s hold on that title would be short-lived with the Arab League’s Nordine Soule passing him in 2011 on his way to becoming the first-ever 1000 home run hitter. Still, Becker is one of a very select few with 900+ homers even as power numbers soared in many leagues in the 21^st Century.

On September 14, Becker’s season ended with a torn labrum. He then became a free agent for the first time heading into his age 39 season. The injury originally had a 4-5 month recovery window with Becker hoping to still play somewhere. He was 211 away from Javier Herrera’s BSA hits record of 3597 and might have had a shot at it.

Unfortunately, Becker suffered a setback in January from the torn labrum that forced his retirement. Despite the awkward end with the trade, Caracas immediately brought him in to retire his #5 uniform. There were no hard feelings and he would remain a franchise icon and ambassador for decades to come.

Becker finished with 3386 hits, 1980 runs, 446 doubles, 91 triples, 941 home runs, 2226 RBI, 1131 walks, 159 stolen bases, a .320/.389/.647 slash, 174 wRC+, and 126.7 WAR. At retirement, he was the leader in homers, RBI, runs, and total bases (6837); second in hits, seventh in WAR among position players, sixth in walks drawn, second in OPS, and second in slugging percentage.

As of 2037, he’s still the home run king of South America, although Niccolo Coelho would usurp him in runs, RBI, and total bases. Becker still ranks second in those stats even against a higher offense era after his retirement. He also ranks fifth in hits and among all batters with 3000+ plate appearances is eighth in OPS and slugging and 24^th in OBP.

Becker is also tenth in WAR, losing notable points from being a DH and having porous defense. That often hurts him in discussions for the overall GOAT position player in BSA history, but he has a healthy case for South America’s greatest pure hitter. It seemed only one anti-DH grump voted against him with 99.7%, making Becker the headliner for the 2014 Hall of Fame class.

09-17-2024, 02:03 PM	#1621
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 2,623	2014 BSA Hall of Fame (Part 1) Three first ballot selections earned induction for Beisbol Sudamerica’s 2014 Hall of Fame class. Home run king Milton Becker was nearly unanimous at 99.7% and 3B Luca Ulloa was also a slam dunk at 96.0%. Pitcher Lobo Alvarado’s 71.7% was just enough to cross the 66% mark and join them Catcher Moises Avalos fell just short with 62.6% for his sixth ballot. RF Amauris Garcia also notably debuted at 50.8%. No one else crossed 50% and no players were dropped following ten failed ballots. Milton Becker – Designated Hitter – Caracas Colts – 99.7% First Ballot Milton Becker was a 6’1’’, 190 pound left-handed from Maracaibo, Venezuela. Despite not having a massive frame, Becker had incredible home run power. He had 10 seasons with 50+ dingers and 16 of his 19 seasons had 40+. Becker was also an excellent contact hitter with a great eye and above average strikeout rate for the league. He wasn’t only about dingers and had 25 doubles and 5 triples per his 162 game average. Becker’s speed and baserunning were below average, but not awful like you might expect. He especially mashed against right-handed pitching with a career 1.061 OPS, 179 wRC+, and 731 home runs. Becker was no bum against lefties though with a .961 OPS and 161 wRC+. Becker’s biggest flaw as a player was abysmal defense, but fortunately for him the Bolivar League had the designated hitter. He made about 60% of his career starts as a DH with the rest split fairly evenly between right field and first base. You could tolerate the terrible defense though for the best bat in the game in his prime. Becker would have some recurring hamstring issues, but still had a full load in the majority of his 19 seasons. Certainly Becker’s home run heroics made him an absolute superstar, but he was also known as an absolute class act. Becker was a team captain with a tireless work ethic, great leadership, and strong intellect. He would become a worldwide baseball icon and perhaps Venezuela’s most famous citizen overall. Becker’s power potential quickly drew attention from scouts ahead of the 1989 Beisbol Sudamerica Draft. He went third overall to Caracas and played nearly his entire pro career in the capital. It was also a perfect fit for Becker’s skillset with the Ballpark of Caracas known as a home run favorable park. Lefty power hitters especially thrived with the short porch in right at only 303 feet down the line and 367 to right-center. Becker had some strikeout issues as a part-time starter in his rookie year, but still smacked 33 homers in only 116 games at age 20. He was a full-time starter from 1991 onward and a regular atop the home run leaderboards. Becker led in strikeouts (203) in 1993 but also led in homers (53), quickly becoming noticed in his home country. Early in his career, Becker did represent Venezuela in the World Baseball Championship. From 1991-2001, he had 99 games and 91 starts with 99 hits, 70 runs, 13 doubles, 38 home runs, 90 RBI, 63 walks, a .321/.455/.747 slash, 231 wRC+, and 7.8 WAR. This helped make Becker beloved in Venezuela, but also popular worldwide. Caracas was terrible in the early 1990s, averaging only 69.8 wins per season in Becker’s first five years. But by his third season, he put up many career-bests. Becker led the Bolivar League in home runs (64), OBP (.419), slugging (.742), and OPS (1.161) in 1992. This season also had career highs in slugging, OPS, wRC+ (214), WAR (10.9), and hits (212). Becker was second in MVP voting, missing out on the MVP and a Silver Slugger because of Valencia’s Nyx Navas at 11.7 WAR. From 1992-1998, Becker was dominant as he led the league each season in OPS. That stretch also saw him lead five times in wRC+, three times in WAR, six times in slugging, four times in OBP, thrice in total bases, four times in homers, and thrice in RBI. Becker won Silver Sluggers in 1993, 94, 95, 96, and 98. A strained hamstring in 1994 and a fractured finger in 1997 was the only thing to slightly slow him down. 1993 was his first MVP, boasting league and career-bests in homers (65), runs scored (134), and total bases (417). That winter, Caracas signed Becker to an eight-year, $15,980,000 extension. Becker was second in 1995’s MVP voting, third in 1996, and second in 1997. 1995 saw the Colts’ snap a seven-year streak of losing seasons and began a run of dominance. From 1995-2006, Caracas had 11 playoff appearances, winning the Venezuela Division each time. They made the Bolivar League Championship Series in 1995, but Becker missed the playoffs to a torn hamstring. In 1996, Caracas won the BLCS with Becker posting 8 homers, 19 hits, 13 runs, and 18 RBI with a 1.111 OPS in 16 playoff starts. The Colts would lose in Copa Sudamerica to a 115-win Recife squad. Caracas had four straight 100+ win seasons from 1996-99, but suffered first round exits in 1997 and 1998, followed by a BLCS loss in 1999. They lost in the first round of 2000, then missed the playoffs in 2001 at 80-82. Becker stayed strong, winning his second MVP in 1998 with his lone batting title at .355. From 1995-2007, he hit 40+ home runs each season. Becker had an OPS above one from 1992-2003. He led the league in homers eight times, RBI seven times, total bases four times, OBP four times, and WAR three times. Becker’s third MVP win came in 1999 with 58 homers, 147 RBI, and 9.7 WAR. He wouldn’t win MVP again, but took second in 2000 and 2002 with a third place in 2003. Becker had 12 Silver Sluggers total with nine as a DH (1993, 95, 98, 99, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07), one in right field (1994), and two at first base (1996, 98). He posted nine games with three home runs as well. Although Caracas missed the playoffs in 2001, Becker committed to a seven-year, $37,100,000 extension that spring at age 31. Part of the reason they struggled that year is a strained hamstring cost him two months. Still, Becker had 6.3 WAR, 45 home runs, and an 1.152 OPS over 111 games. He would stay healthy for the next six years, which allowed the Colts to re-establish their hold on the division. Caracas lost in the 2002 BLCS and had first round exits in 2004 and 2005. They would win two more Bolivar League titles in underdog efforts in 2003 and 2006. Both years, they lost in Copa Sudamerica with loss to Rio de Janeiro in 2003 and to Asuncion in 2006. They just missed the playoffs by a game in 2007, then fell to below .500 in 2008. Becker’s biggest regret was that he never won the Cup, although three pennants and 11 division titles is far more than most players get. Becker’s playoff stats were plenty solid with 73 starts, 88 hits, 45 runs, 19 doubles, 18 home runs, 52 RBI, a .315/.379/.584 slash, 160 wRC+, and 3.6 WAR. In his later years, it was clear Becker had a shot at Valor Melo’s home run king title of 870. He joined Melo and Diego Pena as the third member of the 700 club in 2003, then got to the 800 club in 2005. That was the number that got the most attention, but Becker was quickly rising up the lists for hits, runs, and RBI. 2006 saw Becker pass Valor Melo’s 1862 to become BSA’s all-time RBI leader. He also became the seventh member of the 3000 hit club. In 2007, Becker became the home run king, hitting 52 at age 37 to finish the season at 906. Becker then passed Melo’s 1708 runs scored to become that stat’s all-time BSA leader. World history was also in reach as Becker was the second in any world league to cross 900 career homers. The world record was 928 set by Prometheo Garcia between his split CABA and MLB career. Becker had a sluggish start to the season and Caracas was struggling as well. He got to 927, one short while with the Colts. To the shock of many, Becker would end up traded away at the deadline. Caracas’ officials were less interested in the milestone ultimately than the fans were. Becker was sent across the division along with $2,360,000 to Valencia for three prospects. He did finish strong in his final 41 games, hitting 14 more homers to become the world leader at 941. Becker’s hold on that title would be short-lived with the Arab League’s Nordine Soule passing him in 2011 on his way to becoming the first-ever 1000 home run hitter. Still, Becker is one of a very select few with 900+ homers even as power numbers soared in many leagues in the 21^st Century. On September 14, Becker’s season ended with a torn labrum. He then became a free agent for the first time heading into his age 39 season. The injury originally had a 4-5 month recovery window with Becker hoping to still play somewhere. He was 211 away from Javier Herrera’s BSA hits record of 3597 and might have had a shot at it. Unfortunately, Becker suffered a setback in January from the torn labrum that forced his retirement. Despite the awkward end with the trade, Caracas immediately brought him in to retire his #5 uniform. There were no hard feelings and he would remain a franchise icon and ambassador for decades to come. Becker finished with 3386 hits, 1980 runs, 446 doubles, 91 triples, 941 home runs, 2226 RBI, 1131 walks, 159 stolen bases, a .320/.389/.647 slash, 174 wRC+, and 126.7 WAR. At retirement, he was the leader in homers, RBI, runs, and total bases (6837); second in hits, seventh in WAR among position players, sixth in walks drawn, second in OPS, and second in slugging percentage. As of 2037, he’s still the home run king of South America, although Niccolo Coelho would usurp him in runs, RBI, and total bases. Becker still ranks second in those stats even against a higher offense era after his retirement. He also ranks fifth in hits and among all batters with 3000+ plate appearances is eighth in OPS and slugging and 24^th in OBP. Becker is also tenth in WAR, losing notable points from being a DH and having porous defense. That often hurts him in discussions for the overall GOAT position player in BSA history, but he has a healthy case for South America’s greatest pure hitter. It seemed only one anti-DH grump voted against him with 99.7%, making Becker the headliner for the 2014 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)