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FuzzyRussianHat · 03-06-2025, 04:43 AM

Raja “Jammer” Kamal – Starting Pitcher – Kuala Lumpur Leopards – 92.1% First Ballot

Raja Kamal was a 6’3’’, 195 pound left-handed pitcher from Sikandra, India; a town of around 13,500 in the Uttar Pradesh state. Kamal was known for very strong stuff with good movement and above average control. The nicknamed “Jammer” came from his 96-98 mph cutter, although his curveball was often equally frustrating for batters. Kamal also had a circle change as a third pitch in the arsenal.

Kamal’s stamina was good relative to other APB aces and he had excellent durability, tossing 200+ innings in all but his first and final seasons. He had a nice pickoff move and was an excellent defensive pitcher, winning Gold Gloves in 2008 and 2010. Kamal’s work ethic was top notch and he was also appreciated for his adaptability and loyalty.

In September 2001, Kamal left India on a developmental deal with Kuala Lumpur, who at the time was part of South Asia Baseball. Shortly after his debut, the Leopards had moved from SAB to Austronesia Professional Baseball. Kamal was already committed though to KL and stayed loyal to the Leopards for giving him a shot. Thus, he ended up as the first (and only as of 2037) Indian inducted into APB’s Hall of Fame.

Kamal spent most of five years in their academy before debuting in 2007 primarily in relief with 73.1 innings. That was his lone SAB season, as Kuala Lumpur departed for APB starting with 2008. He was a full-time starter for their APB debut and held that role 14 years with the Leopards. 2010 started a 13-year run of seasons worth 5+ WAR for Kamal with six of those worth 7+. He had a sub-two ERA seven times and 300+ strikeouts nine times. He didn’t get a ton of awards attention though, partially due to Kuala Lumpur struggling for much of their early tenure in APB.

After the 2011 season, Kamal reaffirmed his commitment to Kuala Lumpur on a five-year, $33,080,000 extension. He added another five years and $47,500,000 signed in April 2016. Kamal was best known for his run in Malaysia, but he did represent India from 2018-22 in the World Baseball Championship with a 1.85 ERA over 34 innings and 39 strikeouts.

Kamal led with a career high 341 strikeouts in 2015 and had his highest WAR at 8.4. The Leopards also earned their first-ever playoff trip in APB, but lost to Bandung in the Sundaland Association Championship. Kamal held up his end, allowing one run over seven innings in his one start.

It was 2017 when he finally broke out and earned Pitcher of the Year with a career and SA best 1.09 ERA. As of 2037, that ranks as the 15^th-best qualifying ERA in the low-scoring world of APB. On July 4, 2018, Kamal tossed APB’s 41^st perfect game in a 13 strikeout performance against Jakarta. He carried on and was third in 2021’s Pitcher of the Year voting at age 35. Kuala Lumpur made it back to the playoffs, but he struggled in his one start and they were ousted by Palembang.

This also marked the end of Kamal’s run in Kuala Lumpur, as he became a free agent for the first time at age 36. He ultimately left APB and ended up in the Central American Baseball Association, signing a three-year, $37,500,000 deal with Guatemala. The Leopards would honor him a few years later by retiring his #2 uniform.

Kamal arrived to help christen a dynasty run for the Ghosts, who won four straight Caribbean League titles from 2022-25. Kamal had a 5.4 WAR effort in 2022 and a 2.08 ERA over 17.1 playoff innings as they won the CABA Championship over Juarez. He was then a stud in the Baseball Grand Championship with a 0.63 ERA over 28.2 innings and 29 strikeouts. Guatemala was one of four times tied for ninth at 10-9.

He was still good in 2023, but was less impressive in the postseason with a 5.82 ERA over 21.2 in the CABA run and a 4.03 ERA over 22.1 innings in the BGC. Guatemala was denied the CABA repeat by a 117-win Mexico City, but finished second in the Baseball Grand Championship at 13-6. Unfortunately, Kamal’s velocity fell sharply for 2024 and he was only used for 15 relief innings. Kamal didn’t see postseason action, although the Ghosts won the CABA title again and was 9-10 in the BGC.

Kamal retired after the 2024 season at age 39, giving him Guatemala tallies of a 35-17 record, 3.04 ERA, 511.2 innings, 449 strikeouts, 73 walks, 131 ERA+, and 9.6 WAR. For his combined pro career, he had a 235-182 record, 2.21 ERA, 4032 innings, 4682 strikeouts, 730 walks, 146 complete games, 37 shutouts, 123 ERA+, and 99.7 WAR.

In APB, which was his entire Kuala Lumpur run sans 2007, Kamal had a 195-163 record, 2.05 ERA, 3447 innings, 4175 strikeouts, 627 walks, 124 complete games, 33 shutouts, 123 ERA+, 71 FIP-, and 90.0 WAR. As of 2037, Kamal is 38^th in wins, 31^st in innings, 68^th in complete games, 58^th in shutouts, 16^th in strikeouts, and 24^th in WAR among pitchers.

Among those with 1000+ innings, Kamal’s ERA ranks 48^th, his 0.89 WHIP is 75^th, and his .540 opponent’s OPS is 59^th. Kamal’s 10.90 K/9 is 66^th and his 6.37 H/9 ranks 91^st. His .200/.242/.298 triple slash is 91^st/85^th/59^th. Kamal probably falls just short of what many view as the “inner circle” level, but his Hall of Fame candidacy was close to a sure thing. At 92.1%, he was the second of three debuts to earn induction with Austronesia Professional Baseball’s 2027 class.

Yu-Ren Lin – Pitcher – Taipei Tigercats – 76.8% First Ballot

Yu-Ren Lin was a 6’7’’, 200 pound right-handed pitcher from Chingshui, Taiwan; a district within Taichung City. Lin had great stuff and stellar movement in his prime, although his control was subpar for most of his run. His fastball peaked in the 96-98 mph range and was mixed in with a changeup, splitter, and cutter. All four options were generally viewed as equally potent.

Lin’s stamina was a bit below average relative to other APB aces and the high pitch counts from his weak control often kept him from going deeper into games. He still gave you full workloads generally with reliable durability. Lin struggled to hold runners once they got on and he was lousy defensively. You weren’t going to outwork Lin though, who drew praise for his work ethic, adaptability, intelligence, and selflessness.

He wasn’t at the top of prospect lists as he attended the Taiwan Sports University in Taoyuan. Lin was the first pick of the third round, 41^st overall, in the 2004 APB Draft by Taipei. He ultimately spent his entire APB career with the Tigercats, although his use was limited initially. Lin’s first four seasons from 2006-09 were spent between use from the bullpen and as a back-end starter, posting unremarkable production. Lin did show his first flash of greatness on August 15, 2009, tossing a no-hitter with 10 strikeouts and three walks against Kaohsiung.

Lin was moved to the rotation full-time in 2010 and held that role for 11 years with Taipei. He generally wasn’t a league leader apart from having the most wins in 2012 and 2018. Lin did notably toss a second no-hitter on July 24, 2012 with 12 Ks and 3 BB facing Taichung. Lin was reliably worth 4+ WAR during his run as a starter and topped 7+ WAR in three seasons. He never was a Pitcher of the Year finalist, although it was going to be hard to complete in the Taiwan-Philippine Association with Zamboanga’s Ching-Chen Yao and Oliverio Sampoerna.

Taipei dominated the Taiwan League during Lin’s tenure, taking first from 2009-10 and then from 2012-20. He stayed loyal throughout, inking a four-year, $22,360,000 extension in April 2012 and a five-year, $49,500,000 extension in April 2016. The knock on the Tigercats was their inability to win the TPA title despite their dominance. From 2009-15, they won 98+ games each year and had zero pennants to show for it.

The Tigercats did finally win the pennant over Davao in 2016, falling to Semarang in the Austronesia Championship. Taipei was defeated in 2017 and 2018 by Zamboanga, who had also ousted them from 2013-15. Lin would have his third no-hitter on September 8, 2017 with 12 Ks and 2 BB against Tainan. The Tigercats finally got one over on the Zebras in 2019, but lost the APB finale to Palembang. Lin’s playoff stats were a mixed bag in his career, finishing with a 2.30 ERA over 113.2 innings, 118 ERA+, 7-6 record, 111 strikeouts, and 2.4 WAR.

2020 was their weakest season of the run by record at 88-74, but they ousted Manila for the TPA pennant and got revenge in the APB Championship over the Panthers. That run was Lin’s finest effort at age 37, posting a 0.60 ERA over 30 playoff innings with 22 strikeouts. Taipei finished 9-10 in the 2020 Baseball Grand Championship with Lin having a 3.98 ERA and 88 ERA+ over 31.2 innings.

In 2020, Lin also reached the 200 win and 3000 strikeout milestones. But his production had dipped some in the regular season and for 2021, he was taken out of the full-time rotation into a split bullpen/starter role and only posted 0.8 WAR. Lin’s contract expired that winter and he became a free agent for the first time heading towards age 39.

Lin managed to impress Major League Baseball’s Raleigh in the offseason and landed a two-year, $16 million deal for the expansion squad’s second season. He underwhelmed in spring training and was cut in early April after only one poor relief appearance. Salt Lake City grabbed him a week later, but he was little better with an 8.59 ERA over 14.2 relief innings. The Loons cut him in July and he spent the rest of the year with minor league Laredo. Lin retired that winter at age 39 and immediately had his #27 uniform retired back in Taipei.

For the Tigercats, Lin had a 212-114 record, 2.35 ERA, 2933.2 innings, 3137 strikeouts, 756 walks, 47 complete games, 20 shutouts, 117 ERA+, 75 FIP-, and 70.3 WAR. As of 2037, Lin is 23^rd in wins, 71^st in innings, 66^th in strikeouts, 15^th in walks, and 46^th in WAR among pitchers. He was also 34^th in WAR among pitchers in the postseason.

Lin wasn’t overly dominant and wasn’t viewed as a top three level pitcher in his prime, but he was steadily a top ten to top five level guy. Although he lacked the big accolades, Lin was remembered favorably as a key figure during Taipei’s reign of dominance in the Taiwan League. His effort specifically in 2020 when the Tigercats finally won it all was one of the most recent and endearing memories of Lin for the voters. Thus, he got 76.8% for a first ballot induction and the third slot in Austronesia Professional Baseball’s 2027 Hall of Fame class.

03-06-2025, 04:43 AM	#2128
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 2,798	2027 APB Hall of Fame (Part 2) Raja “Jammer” Kamal – Starting Pitcher – Kuala Lumpur Leopards – 92.1% First Ballot Raja Kamal was a 6’3’’, 195 pound left-handed pitcher from Sikandra, India; a town of around 13,500 in the Uttar Pradesh state. Kamal was known for very strong stuff with good movement and above average control. The nicknamed “Jammer” came from his 96-98 mph cutter, although his curveball was often equally frustrating for batters. Kamal also had a circle change as a third pitch in the arsenal. Kamal’s stamina was good relative to other APB aces and he had excellent durability, tossing 200+ innings in all but his first and final seasons. He had a nice pickoff move and was an excellent defensive pitcher, winning Gold Gloves in 2008 and 2010. Kamal’s work ethic was top notch and he was also appreciated for his adaptability and loyalty. In September 2001, Kamal left India on a developmental deal with Kuala Lumpur, who at the time was part of South Asia Baseball. Shortly after his debut, the Leopards had moved from SAB to Austronesia Professional Baseball. Kamal was already committed though to KL and stayed loyal to the Leopards for giving him a shot. Thus, he ended up as the first (and only as of 2037) Indian inducted into APB’s Hall of Fame. Kamal spent most of five years in their academy before debuting in 2007 primarily in relief with 73.1 innings. That was his lone SAB season, as Kuala Lumpur departed for APB starting with 2008. He was a full-time starter for their APB debut and held that role 14 years with the Leopards. 2010 started a 13-year run of seasons worth 5+ WAR for Kamal with six of those worth 7+. He had a sub-two ERA seven times and 300+ strikeouts nine times. He didn’t get a ton of awards attention though, partially due to Kuala Lumpur struggling for much of their early tenure in APB. After the 2011 season, Kamal reaffirmed his commitment to Kuala Lumpur on a five-year, $33,080,000 extension. He added another five years and $47,500,000 signed in April 2016. Kamal was best known for his run in Malaysia, but he did represent India from 2018-22 in the World Baseball Championship with a 1.85 ERA over 34 innings and 39 strikeouts. Kamal led with a career high 341 strikeouts in 2015 and had his highest WAR at 8.4. The Leopards also earned their first-ever playoff trip in APB, but lost to Bandung in the Sundaland Association Championship. Kamal held up his end, allowing one run over seven innings in his one start. It was 2017 when he finally broke out and earned Pitcher of the Year with a career and SA best 1.09 ERA. As of 2037, that ranks as the 15^th-best qualifying ERA in the low-scoring world of APB. On July 4, 2018, Kamal tossed APB’s 41^st perfect game in a 13 strikeout performance against Jakarta. He carried on and was third in 2021’s Pitcher of the Year voting at age 35. Kuala Lumpur made it back to the playoffs, but he struggled in his one start and they were ousted by Palembang. This also marked the end of Kamal’s run in Kuala Lumpur, as he became a free agent for the first time at age 36. He ultimately left APB and ended up in the Central American Baseball Association, signing a three-year, $37,500,000 deal with Guatemala. The Leopards would honor him a few years later by retiring his #2 uniform. Kamal arrived to help christen a dynasty run for the Ghosts, who won four straight Caribbean League titles from 2022-25. Kamal had a 5.4 WAR effort in 2022 and a 2.08 ERA over 17.1 playoff innings as they won the CABA Championship over Juarez. He was then a stud in the Baseball Grand Championship with a 0.63 ERA over 28.2 innings and 29 strikeouts. Guatemala was one of four times tied for ninth at 10-9. He was still good in 2023, but was less impressive in the postseason with a 5.82 ERA over 21.2 in the CABA run and a 4.03 ERA over 22.1 innings in the BGC. Guatemala was denied the CABA repeat by a 117-win Mexico City, but finished second in the Baseball Grand Championship at 13-6. Unfortunately, Kamal’s velocity fell sharply for 2024 and he was only used for 15 relief innings. Kamal didn’t see postseason action, although the Ghosts won the CABA title again and was 9-10 in the BGC. Kamal retired after the 2024 season at age 39, giving him Guatemala tallies of a 35-17 record, 3.04 ERA, 511.2 innings, 449 strikeouts, 73 walks, 131 ERA+, and 9.6 WAR. For his combined pro career, he had a 235-182 record, 2.21 ERA, 4032 innings, 4682 strikeouts, 730 walks, 146 complete games, 37 shutouts, 123 ERA+, and 99.7 WAR. In APB, which was his entire Kuala Lumpur run sans 2007, Kamal had a 195-163 record, 2.05 ERA, 3447 innings, 4175 strikeouts, 627 walks, 124 complete games, 33 shutouts, 123 ERA+, 71 FIP-, and 90.0 WAR. As of 2037, Kamal is 38^th in wins, 31^st in innings, 68^th in complete games, 58^th in shutouts, 16^th in strikeouts, and 24^th in WAR among pitchers. Among those with 1000+ innings, Kamal’s ERA ranks 48^th, his 0.89 WHIP is 75^th, and his .540 opponent’s OPS is 59^th. Kamal’s 10.90 K/9 is 66^th and his 6.37 H/9 ranks 91^st. His .200/.242/.298 triple slash is 91^st/85^th/59^th. Kamal probably falls just short of what many view as the “inner circle” level, but his Hall of Fame candidacy was close to a sure thing. At 92.1%, he was the second of three debuts to earn induction with Austronesia Professional Baseball’s 2027 class. Yu-Ren Lin – Pitcher – Taipei Tigercats – 76.8% First Ballot Yu-Ren Lin was a 6’7’’, 200 pound right-handed pitcher from Chingshui, Taiwan; a district within Taichung City. Lin had great stuff and stellar movement in his prime, although his control was subpar for most of his run. His fastball peaked in the 96-98 mph range and was mixed in with a changeup, splitter, and cutter. All four options were generally viewed as equally potent. Lin’s stamina was a bit below average relative to other APB aces and the high pitch counts from his weak control often kept him from going deeper into games. He still gave you full workloads generally with reliable durability. Lin struggled to hold runners once they got on and he was lousy defensively. You weren’t going to outwork Lin though, who drew praise for his work ethic, adaptability, intelligence, and selflessness. He wasn’t at the top of prospect lists as he attended the Taiwan Sports University in Taoyuan. Lin was the first pick of the third round, 41^st overall, in the 2004 APB Draft by Taipei. He ultimately spent his entire APB career with the Tigercats, although his use was limited initially. Lin’s first four seasons from 2006-09 were spent between use from the bullpen and as a back-end starter, posting unremarkable production. Lin did show his first flash of greatness on August 15, 2009, tossing a no-hitter with 10 strikeouts and three walks against Kaohsiung. Lin was moved to the rotation full-time in 2010 and held that role for 11 years with Taipei. He generally wasn’t a league leader apart from having the most wins in 2012 and 2018. Lin did notably toss a second no-hitter on July 24, 2012 with 12 Ks and 3 BB facing Taichung. Lin was reliably worth 4+ WAR during his run as a starter and topped 7+ WAR in three seasons. He never was a Pitcher of the Year finalist, although it was going to be hard to complete in the Taiwan-Philippine Association with Zamboanga’s Ching-Chen Yao and Oliverio Sampoerna. Taipei dominated the Taiwan League during Lin’s tenure, taking first from 2009-10 and then from 2012-20. He stayed loyal throughout, inking a four-year, $22,360,000 extension in April 2012 and a five-year, $49,500,000 extension in April 2016. The knock on the Tigercats was their inability to win the TPA title despite their dominance. From 2009-15, they won 98+ games each year and had zero pennants to show for it. The Tigercats did finally win the pennant over Davao in 2016, falling to Semarang in the Austronesia Championship. Taipei was defeated in 2017 and 2018 by Zamboanga, who had also ousted them from 2013-15. Lin would have his third no-hitter on September 8, 2017 with 12 Ks and 2 BB against Tainan. The Tigercats finally got one over on the Zebras in 2019, but lost the APB finale to Palembang. Lin’s playoff stats were a mixed bag in his career, finishing with a 2.30 ERA over 113.2 innings, 118 ERA+, 7-6 record, 111 strikeouts, and 2.4 WAR. 2020 was their weakest season of the run by record at 88-74, but they ousted Manila for the TPA pennant and got revenge in the APB Championship over the Panthers. That run was Lin’s finest effort at age 37, posting a 0.60 ERA over 30 playoff innings with 22 strikeouts. Taipei finished 9-10 in the 2020 Baseball Grand Championship with Lin having a 3.98 ERA and 88 ERA+ over 31.2 innings. In 2020, Lin also reached the 200 win and 3000 strikeout milestones. But his production had dipped some in the regular season and for 2021, he was taken out of the full-time rotation into a split bullpen/starter role and only posted 0.8 WAR. Lin’s contract expired that winter and he became a free agent for the first time heading towards age 39. Lin managed to impress Major League Baseball’s Raleigh in the offseason and landed a two-year, $16 million deal for the expansion squad’s second season. He underwhelmed in spring training and was cut in early April after only one poor relief appearance. Salt Lake City grabbed him a week later, but he was little better with an 8.59 ERA over 14.2 relief innings. The Loons cut him in July and he spent the rest of the year with minor league Laredo. Lin retired that winter at age 39 and immediately had his #27 uniform retired back in Taipei. For the Tigercats, Lin had a 212-114 record, 2.35 ERA, 2933.2 innings, 3137 strikeouts, 756 walks, 47 complete games, 20 shutouts, 117 ERA+, 75 FIP-, and 70.3 WAR. As of 2037, Lin is 23^rd in wins, 71^st in innings, 66^th in strikeouts, 15^th in walks, and 46^th in WAR among pitchers. He was also 34^th in WAR among pitchers in the postseason. Lin wasn’t overly dominant and wasn’t viewed as a top three level pitcher in his prime, but he was steadily a top ten to top five level guy. Although he lacked the big accolades, Lin was remembered favorably as a key figure during Taipei’s reign of dominance in the Taiwan League. His effort specifically in 2020 when the Tigercats finally won it all was one of the most recent and endearing memories of Lin for the voters. Thus, he got 76.8% for a first ballot induction and the third slot in Austronesia Professional Baseball’s 2027 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)