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FuzzyRussianHat · 12-18-2024, 06:20 PM

Three players gained induction into the African Association of Baseball’s Hall of Fame for 2021. Based on the numbers, it could’ve easily been only two or even six with a number of guys hovering around that 66% requirement. CL Rajab Hamadi was the only no-brainer for the voters, headlining with 91.9% on his debut. Fellow reliever Mandla Ndungane joined him with a solid 76.2% on his third try.

The third inductee was 1B Boubacar Mavinga, finally making it on his tenth and final chance at 70.0%. Mavina was the first-ever tenth ballot inductee into AAB’s Hall and prior to that, no players had been inducted beyond their fifth ballot. Three other long-tenured candidates came up just short in 2021. 1B Abebe Chekol got 65.0% on his ninth ballot, CL Abba Abdul earned 64.6% for his eighth try, and SP Alemayehu Legesse received 60.4% in his tenth and final opportunity. No one else was above 50%.

For Legesse, he had gotten as close at 61.6% the prior year and was never below 40%. Legesse won three Pitcher of the Year awards with Lubumbashi and won a title with the Loggerheads and Antananarivo. He was hurt by leaving AAB at age 34, playing his final four seasons in Europe. Legesse ended with a 168-108 record, 3.55 ERA, 2359.1 innings, 2182 strikeouts, 705 walks, 115 ERA+, and 60.3 WAR.

Legesse also had a 2.82 ERA, 5-3 record, 67 innings, and 58 strikeouts in the playoffs. The lack of longevity just sank him, although scholars often cite him as one of AAB’s most notable snubs. Legesse still ranks 17^th in pitching WAR as of 2037 with 60+ being more impressive in AAB than other leagues based on how pitchers are used. That and three POTYs seemed like it would be enough, but alas.

Catcher Denis Rakotoson was also dropped after ten ballots, peaking in his final year at 43.1% with a low of 15.8% the prior year. He was hurt by both starting his official career at age 29, plus the general anti-catcher bias voters have. Rakotoson won six Silver Sluggers and earned six Africa Series wins with Kinshasa’s dynasty. He had 1165 hits, 701 runs, 298 doubles, 249 home runs, 781 RBI, a .244/.363/.467 slash, and 49.5 WAR.

If Rakotoson had his full 20s on his resume, he almost certainly would’ve gotten the accumulations needed to even overcome the block that catchers have. He ranks third in WAR among AAB catchers as of 2037. As of 2037, the only AAB Hall of Fame catcher would be class of 2026 Steven Isaac.

Rajab Hamadi – Closer – Lubumbashi Loggerheads – 91.9% First Ballot

Rajab Hamadi was a 6’1’’, 200 pound right-handed relief pitcher from Arusha, a city with around 617,000 inhabitants in northeast Tanzania. Hamadi was a fireballer with otherworldly stuff and great movement, although his control was average at best. He had the one-two punch of a 99-101 mph fastball and a nearly as quick slider. On the scale of 1/10, some scouts rated Hamadi’s stuff as high as a 15; that’s how potent his pitches were.

His stamina and durability were both decent relative to most relievers. Hamadi graded as a nice defensive pitcher who was okay at holding runners. Some critics thought he was a bit dumb and selfish, but Hamadi simply overpowered most doubters and opposing hitters over a 19-year run.

Hamadi was picked with the fourth pick of the second round, 24^th overall, by Lubumbashi in AAB’s inaugural rookie draft in 1995. He saw setup use and some closing as a rookie, then was the full-time closer for the next seven years with the Loggerheads. Hamadi was the Central Conference leader in saves in both 1997 and 2002.

In 1999 and 2000, Hamadi finished second in Reliever of the Year voting. The Loggerheads earned their first-ever playoff berth in 2000, falling in the conference final to Kinshasa’s dynasty. Lubumbashi got revenge on the Sun Cats in 2001, going 105-57 and winning their first-ever Africa Series title against Johannesburg. Hamadi had a 2.70 ERA over 10 playoff innings between the runs for the Loggerheads.

2001 was his real breakout season with 41 saves, a 1.11 ERA, 81 innings, 188 strikeouts, and 6.9 WAR. Hamadi got his first Reliever of the Year and took second in Pitcher of the Year voting. His WAR total remains the second-highest by a ROTY voter in AAB as of 2037. Hamadi proceeded to win Reliever of the Year again in 2002 and 2003 for the Loggerheads with sub-two ERAs both years. He had a 49 save streak between 7/9/01 and 7/8/02. Hamadi also tossed 28 consecutive scoreless innings in mid 2002.

Lubumbashi dropped to 74-88 in Hamadi’s final year of 2003. He decided to test out free agency at age 29, ending the Loggerheads run with 257 saves, a 1.99 ERA, 566 innings, 1014 strikeouts, 295 walks, 205 ERA+, and 31.8 WAR. For his impressive eight year run and role in their first championship, Lubumbashi would retire Hamadi’s #29 uniform in 2015.

Hamadi signed a one-year deal with Dar es Salaam in 2004 at $1,240,000 and delivered. He led with a career best 43 saves, won his fourth straight Reliever of the Year, and helped the Sabercats go 114-48 en route to an Africa Series title over Kinshasa. Hamadi also became AAB’s first-ever four-time ROTY winner and was the first to reach 300 career saves.

Hamadi was merely okay in the playoffs (3.86 ERA over 11.2 innings) but his acquisition helped Dar es Salaam tie AAB’s single-season wins record to that point. While his playoff stats were never amazing, Hamadi did post strong numbers for Tanzania in the World Baseball Championship from 2001-15. He made 16 starts and 12 relief appearances for a 10-4 record, 2.32 ERA, 101 innings, 204 strikeouts, 36 walks, 152 ERA+, and 4.1 WAR.

For the next decade, Hamadi would be a journeyman who bounced around between ten different teams and three different leagues. He maintained the closer role for four more seasons, playing with Harare in 2005, Antananarivo in 2006, Addis Ababa in 2007, and Mogadishu in 2008. It would be Hamadi’s season with the Brahmas that stood out the most in this era.

Hamadi led in saves for the fourth time (39) with a career-best 0.81 ERA, 150 strikeouts, and 5.4 WAR over 89.1 innings. Not only did he win his fifth Reliever of the Year, but he was AAB’s second-ever closer to win Pitcher of the Year. Hamadi’s 0.81 ERA is the lowest-ever by a ROTY winner in AAB history as of 2037. He’s also one of only three in AAB to win ROTY five times as of present day. Addis Ababa repeated as Central Conference champ, but lost the Africa Series to Durban.

With Mogadishu in 2008, Hamadi became the first to 400 career saves, a mark no other AAB closer reached until Sipho Zuke in 2035. That would be his final year as a full-time closer, although he still pitched for another seven seasons. Hamadi signed with Johannesburg in 2009, but was traded to Athens of the European Baseball Federation in the summer. Then in 2010, he joined up with MLB’s Austin Amigos. That season would be shortened by a sprained AC joint in his shoulder.

Hamadi’s production was sporadic in this era, but still usually was decent even if he was reduced to a very limited role. He spent 2011 in Germany with Cologne, then returned to the African Association for his final four seasons. Hamadi played for Nairobi in 2012, Harare in 2013, Addis Ababa in 2014, and Antananarivo in 2015. He did struggle in his limited playoff action at the end, finishing his AAB postseason career with an unremarkable 3.70 ERA over 41.1 innings, 7 saves, 76 strikeouts, 110 ERA+, and 1.1 WAR. He retired after the 2015 season at age 41.

For his AAB career, Hamadi had a 79-70 record, 444 saves, 497 shutdowns, 1.97 ERA, 1054.1 innings, 1856 strikeouts, 489 walks, 207 ERA+, and 58.1 WAR. As of 2037, Hamadi is AAB’s career leader in saves and games pitched (887). He also dominates the rate stats among all pitchers with 1000 innings. Hamadi has the best ERA, H/9 (4.57), K/9 (15.84), opponent’s average (.150), slugging (.246), and OPS (.506). His .260 OBP ranks third best and including starters, Hamadi ranks 21^st in pitching WAR and 69^th in strikeouts.

Adding his limited EBF/MLB stints, Hamadi had 451 saves and 523 shutdowns, 1130.2 innings, 1952 strikeouts, 510 walks, 208 ERA+, and 60.5 WAR. Among all closers in baseball history as of 2037, Hamadi is 30^th in saves, 25^th in strikeouts, 45^th in shutdowns, 21^st in WAR, 16^th in ERA+, 25^th in FIP-, and 40^th in opponent’s OPS.

Many rate Hamadi as AAB’s all-time top all-time closer, although his contemporary Tewderos Tadesse has a close case, as does later 400+ save club member Sipho Zuke. Hamadi certainly stacks up favorably with some of the best relievers in any world league. Hamadi’s raw dominance was something to behold in his prime, which earned him 91.9% and the headline spot for AAB’s 2021 Hall of Fame class.

12-18-2024, 06:20 PM	#1897
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 3,401	2021 AAB Hall of Fame (Part 1) Three players gained induction into the African Association of Baseball’s Hall of Fame for 2021. Based on the numbers, it could’ve easily been only two or even six with a number of guys hovering around that 66% requirement. CL Rajab Hamadi was the only no-brainer for the voters, headlining with 91.9% on his debut. Fellow reliever Mandla Ndungane joined him with a solid 76.2% on his third try. The third inductee was 1B Boubacar Mavinga, finally making it on his tenth and final chance at 70.0%. Mavina was the first-ever tenth ballot inductee into AAB’s Hall and prior to that, no players had been inducted beyond their fifth ballot. Three other long-tenured candidates came up just short in 2021. 1B Abebe Chekol got 65.0% on his ninth ballot, CL Abba Abdul earned 64.6% for his eighth try, and SP Alemayehu Legesse received 60.4% in his tenth and final opportunity. No one else was above 50%. For Legesse, he had gotten as close at 61.6% the prior year and was never below 40%. Legesse won three Pitcher of the Year awards with Lubumbashi and won a title with the Loggerheads and Antananarivo. He was hurt by leaving AAB at age 34, playing his final four seasons in Europe. Legesse ended with a 168-108 record, 3.55 ERA, 2359.1 innings, 2182 strikeouts, 705 walks, 115 ERA+, and 60.3 WAR. Legesse also had a 2.82 ERA, 5-3 record, 67 innings, and 58 strikeouts in the playoffs. The lack of longevity just sank him, although scholars often cite him as one of AAB’s most notable snubs. Legesse still ranks 17^th in pitching WAR as of 2037 with 60+ being more impressive in AAB than other leagues based on how pitchers are used. That and three POTYs seemed like it would be enough, but alas. Catcher Denis Rakotoson was also dropped after ten ballots, peaking in his final year at 43.1% with a low of 15.8% the prior year. He was hurt by both starting his official career at age 29, plus the general anti-catcher bias voters have. Rakotoson won six Silver Sluggers and earned six Africa Series wins with Kinshasa’s dynasty. He had 1165 hits, 701 runs, 298 doubles, 249 home runs, 781 RBI, a .244/.363/.467 slash, and 49.5 WAR. If Rakotoson had his full 20s on his resume, he almost certainly would’ve gotten the accumulations needed to even overcome the block that catchers have. He ranks third in WAR among AAB catchers as of 2037. As of 2037, the only AAB Hall of Fame catcher would be class of 2026 Steven Isaac. Rajab Hamadi – Closer – Lubumbashi Loggerheads – 91.9% First Ballot Rajab Hamadi was a 6’1’’, 200 pound right-handed relief pitcher from Arusha, a city with around 617,000 inhabitants in northeast Tanzania. Hamadi was a fireballer with otherworldly stuff and great movement, although his control was average at best. He had the one-two punch of a 99-101 mph fastball and a nearly as quick slider. On the scale of 1/10, some scouts rated Hamadi’s stuff as high as a 15; that’s how potent his pitches were. His stamina and durability were both decent relative to most relievers. Hamadi graded as a nice defensive pitcher who was okay at holding runners. Some critics thought he was a bit dumb and selfish, but Hamadi simply overpowered most doubters and opposing hitters over a 19-year run. Hamadi was picked with the fourth pick of the second round, 24^th overall, by Lubumbashi in AAB’s inaugural rookie draft in 1995. He saw setup use and some closing as a rookie, then was the full-time closer for the next seven years with the Loggerheads. Hamadi was the Central Conference leader in saves in both 1997 and 2002. In 1999 and 2000, Hamadi finished second in Reliever of the Year voting. The Loggerheads earned their first-ever playoff berth in 2000, falling in the conference final to Kinshasa’s dynasty. Lubumbashi got revenge on the Sun Cats in 2001, going 105-57 and winning their first-ever Africa Series title against Johannesburg. Hamadi had a 2.70 ERA over 10 playoff innings between the runs for the Loggerheads. 2001 was his real breakout season with 41 saves, a 1.11 ERA, 81 innings, 188 strikeouts, and 6.9 WAR. Hamadi got his first Reliever of the Year and took second in Pitcher of the Year voting. His WAR total remains the second-highest by a ROTY voter in AAB as of 2037. Hamadi proceeded to win Reliever of the Year again in 2002 and 2003 for the Loggerheads with sub-two ERAs both years. He had a 49 save streak between 7/9/01 and 7/8/02. Hamadi also tossed 28 consecutive scoreless innings in mid 2002. Lubumbashi dropped to 74-88 in Hamadi’s final year of 2003. He decided to test out free agency at age 29, ending the Loggerheads run with 257 saves, a 1.99 ERA, 566 innings, 1014 strikeouts, 295 walks, 205 ERA+, and 31.8 WAR. For his impressive eight year run and role in their first championship, Lubumbashi would retire Hamadi’s #29 uniform in 2015. Hamadi signed a one-year deal with Dar es Salaam in 2004 at $1,240,000 and delivered. He led with a career best 43 saves, won his fourth straight Reliever of the Year, and helped the Sabercats go 114-48 en route to an Africa Series title over Kinshasa. Hamadi also became AAB’s first-ever four-time ROTY winner and was the first to reach 300 career saves. Hamadi was merely okay in the playoffs (3.86 ERA over 11.2 innings) but his acquisition helped Dar es Salaam tie AAB’s single-season wins record to that point. While his playoff stats were never amazing, Hamadi did post strong numbers for Tanzania in the World Baseball Championship from 2001-15. He made 16 starts and 12 relief appearances for a 10-4 record, 2.32 ERA, 101 innings, 204 strikeouts, 36 walks, 152 ERA+, and 4.1 WAR. For the next decade, Hamadi would be a journeyman who bounced around between ten different teams and three different leagues. He maintained the closer role for four more seasons, playing with Harare in 2005, Antananarivo in 2006, Addis Ababa in 2007, and Mogadishu in 2008. It would be Hamadi’s season with the Brahmas that stood out the most in this era. Hamadi led in saves for the fourth time (39) with a career-best 0.81 ERA, 150 strikeouts, and 5.4 WAR over 89.1 innings. Not only did he win his fifth Reliever of the Year, but he was AAB’s second-ever closer to win Pitcher of the Year. Hamadi’s 0.81 ERA is the lowest-ever by a ROTY winner in AAB history as of 2037. He’s also one of only three in AAB to win ROTY five times as of present day. Addis Ababa repeated as Central Conference champ, but lost the Africa Series to Durban. With Mogadishu in 2008, Hamadi became the first to 400 career saves, a mark no other AAB closer reached until Sipho Zuke in 2035. That would be his final year as a full-time closer, although he still pitched for another seven seasons. Hamadi signed with Johannesburg in 2009, but was traded to Athens of the European Baseball Federation in the summer. Then in 2010, he joined up with MLB’s Austin Amigos. That season would be shortened by a sprained AC joint in his shoulder. Hamadi’s production was sporadic in this era, but still usually was decent even if he was reduced to a very limited role. He spent 2011 in Germany with Cologne, then returned to the African Association for his final four seasons. Hamadi played for Nairobi in 2012, Harare in 2013, Addis Ababa in 2014, and Antananarivo in 2015. He did struggle in his limited playoff action at the end, finishing his AAB postseason career with an unremarkable 3.70 ERA over 41.1 innings, 7 saves, 76 strikeouts, 110 ERA+, and 1.1 WAR. He retired after the 2015 season at age 41. For his AAB career, Hamadi had a 79-70 record, 444 saves, 497 shutdowns, 1.97 ERA, 1054.1 innings, 1856 strikeouts, 489 walks, 207 ERA+, and 58.1 WAR. As of 2037, Hamadi is AAB’s career leader in saves and games pitched (887). He also dominates the rate stats among all pitchers with 1000 innings. Hamadi has the best ERA, H/9 (4.57), K/9 (15.84), opponent’s average (.150), slugging (.246), and OPS (.506). His .260 OBP ranks third best and including starters, Hamadi ranks 21^st in pitching WAR and 69^th in strikeouts. Adding his limited EBF/MLB stints, Hamadi had 451 saves and 523 shutdowns, 1130.2 innings, 1952 strikeouts, 510 walks, 208 ERA+, and 60.5 WAR. Among all closers in baseball history as of 2037, Hamadi is 30^th in saves, 25^th in strikeouts, 45^th in shutdowns, 21^st in WAR, 16^th in ERA+, 25^th in FIP-, and 40^th in opponent’s OPS. Many rate Hamadi as AAB’s all-time top all-time closer, although his contemporary Tewderos Tadesse has a close case, as does later 400+ save club member Sipho Zuke. Hamadi certainly stacks up favorably with some of the best relievers in any world league. Hamadi’s raw dominance was something to behold in his prime, which earned him 91.9% and the headline spot for AAB’s 2021 Hall of Fame class. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports The Level Playing Field: Alternate MLB History From 1884-Onward Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)