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FuzzyRussianHat · 06-29-2025, 09:20 PM

Ermias Tadele – Starting Pitcher – Kampala Peacocks – 98.5% First Ballot

Ermias Tadele was a 6’2’’, 195 pound left-handed pitcher from Debre Markos, Ethiopia; a city of around 134,000 in the country’s Amhara Region. Tadele was renowned for having incredible movement on his pitches along with excellent control. His raw stuff graded as merely above average, but Tadele didn’t need to overpower you thanks to well-placed pitches that fooled hitters with zany movement.

Tadele’s fastball peaked in the 93-95 mph range and was part of a four pitch arsenal along with a changeup, screwball, and changeup. Each were considered potent, but the changeup was probably his strongest offering. Tadele’s stamina was good relative to other AAB aces and he had fantastic durability, tossing 220+ innings each year from 2011-24. He had a strong pickoff move, but graded as below average defensively otherwise.

With his incredible talents, Tadele stands as AAB’s best pitcher to date for many fans and observers. However, you could argue he still underperformed his gifts. Tadele rubbed many coaches and teammates the wrong way due to perceived selfishness and laziness. Even if he was a knucklehead, Tadele’s ability and results were undeniable.

Tadele left Ethiopia as a teenager and moved to Somalia on a developmental deal with Mogadishu in August 2004. He spent most of six years in their academy before debuting in 2010 with a 4.69 ERA over 63.1 innings at age 22. Tadele earned a full-time rotation slot the next year and delivered his good result, starting a 14-year streak of 5+ WAR seasons.

In 2014, he led the Central Conference in WAR (8.1), wins (17-15), FIP- (65), and shutouts (4), taking third in Pitcher of the Year voting. Despite his efforts, the Mighty Mice were generally in the upper-middle tier during his time. Despite good results, Tadele’s attitude and personality grated on Mogadishu’s staff. He made it clear that he was excited to cash in big in free agency, due after the 2017 season.

With that, Tadele was traded in July 2016 to Maputo for prospects. With Mogadishu, Tadele finished with a 77-70 record, 3.56 ERA, 1412.0 innings, 1223 strikeouts, 322 walks, 114 ERA+, 74 FIP, 48 complete games, 8 shutouts, and 38.1 WAR. Meanwhile the Piranhas were on the cusp and narrowly made the playoffs in 2016, although they fell to Johannesburg in the Southern Conference Championship. Tadele got destroyed in his one playoff start, allowing seven runs in 4.1 innings.

Tadele led in WAR at 8.8 in his lone full year with Maputo, who took first at 101-61. The Piranhas Luanda to win the pennant, then fell to Tadele’s former squad Mogadishu in the Africa Series. Tadele had a far better postseason in 2017 with a 1.71 ERA over 26.1 innings with 25 strikeouts. It was the perfect way to end a contract year as he approached free agency set to turn 30 in April. For Maputo, Tadele had a 22-16 record, 3.14 ERA, 321 innings, 377 strikeouts, 76 walks, 125 ERA+, 52 FIP-, and 12.8 WAR.

Kampala felt they were close to finally earning their first playoff berth and went all in, signing Tadele to a seven-year, $77,300,000 deal. It was certainly a winner, as he also gave them his best seasons, leading the Central Conference in WAR each year from 2018-23. Tadele won his first Pitcher of the Year in 2018 with a 21-6 record, 2.41 ERA, and 259 strikeouts.

The Peacocks finished 111-51 in 2018 and won their first Africa Series, defeating Johannesburg in the finale. Tadele posted a 3.32 ERA over 19 playoff innings in the series. He had a strong 2.25 ERA over 32 innings with 32 strikeouts in the Baseball Grand Championship as Kampala finished 10-9. This wasn’t Tadele’s first time on the global stage though, as he had pitched for his native Ethiopia in the World Baseball Championship.

From 2012-25, Tadele tossed 160.1 innings in the WBC with a 2.58 ERA, 14-7 record, 179 strikeouts, 45 walks, and 4.8 WAR. He notably tossed back-to-back shutouts in the 2019 edition. Ethiopia’s deepest runs with Tadele were a third place finish in 2013 and a fourth in 2024.

Tadele was second in 2019’s POTY voting despite his first ERA title (2.52) and a new best WAR to that point of 9.0. Kampala just missed the playoffs at 96-66, but bounced back for one of AAB’s all-time dynasties. The Peacocks won 109, 102, and 104 games from 2020-22 en route to three consecutive Africa Series titles. Kampala beat Johannesburg in the 2020 final, Lilongwe in 2021, and Antananarivo in 2022.

2021 saw Tadele’s second ERA title and Pitcher of the Year, posting career bests in ERA (2.33) and strikeouts (279). He was second in 2022’s POTY voting, then won his third trophy in 2023 with career bests in WAR (10.0), WHIP (0.87), and wins (23-1). Tadele’s .958 win percentage in 2023 set a new AAB record and his WAR total was the third-best to that point. It still ranks as the eighth-best WAR by a pitcher in AAB as of 2037.

Tadele had a weak 2020 postseason showing despite the team’s title, posting a 4.94 ERA over 23.2 innings with 18 strikeouts. He fared better in the Baseball Grand Championship with a 3.07 ERA over 29.1 innings with 35 strikeouts as Kampala was 10-9. Tadele was then outstanding in his remaining postseason outings, including a 1.06 ERA over 34 innings with 21 strikeouts in 2021. Believe it or not, he was even better in the BGC.

Over 35 BGC innings in 2021, Tadele won all four starts with a 0.51 ERA, 42 strikeouts, and 2.03 WAR. As of 2037, it is one of 33 times that a pitcher recorded 2+ WAR in the BGC, pushing Kampala to a 14-5 finish; second only to 15-4 New Orleans. Tadele kept rolling with a 1.42 ERA over 25.1 innings in the 2022 AAB title run. He then posted a 1.31 ERA over 34.1 innings with 38 strikeouts and 1.4 WAR in the 2022 BGC. The Peacocks tied for first with Caracas at 13-6, but ended up in second place as the Colts had won the head-to-head battle.

In 2023, Kampala’s four-peat bid in the Africa Series was denied in a rematch with Antananarivo. Tadele was again strong in the playoffs with a 1.52 ERA over 23.2 innings. With the Peacocks, he had a 10-3 record and 2.29 ERA over 125.2 playoff innings with 107 strikeouts, 23 walks, 180 ERA+, and 4.6 WAR. For his entire AAB career, Tadele had a 2.53 playoff ERA, 12-4 record, 156.1 innings, 135 strikeouts, 32 walks, 161 ERA+, 57 FIP-, and 5.9 WAR.

As of 2037, Tadele is AAB’s all-time leader in playoff pitching WAR, wins, and shutouts (3). He also ranks third in strikeouts. Tadele’s stats across his BGC appearances are even more tremendous with a 1.72 ERA in 130.2 innings, 11-3 record, 147 strikeouts, 15 walks, and 5.9 WAR. He ranks fifth in BGC pitching WAR and is one of only three pitchers to have a sub-two ERA and at least 125 innings. Among qualifiers, Tadele also has the best WHIP (0.75) and BB/9 (1.03) in tournament history. He also ranks 17^th in strikeouts, 14^th in innings, and his .509 opponent’s OPS is 3^rd.

After having arguably his best year in 2023, Tadele fell off in 2024 to a 3.91 ERA and only 200 strikeouts. While he was still worth 5.9 WAR, this was his weakest showing since his early years with Mogadishu. The Peacocks dynasty ended with a 84-78 record in Tadele‘s final of seven seasons. For the Kampala run he had a 131-51 record, 2.78 ERA, 1607.1 innings, 1759 strikeouts, 312 walks, 149 ERA+, 57 FIP-, and 59.2 WAR.

Tadele’s personality clashes meant his #11 uniform wasn’t retired, but he was very popular with many Peacocks fans. You could certainly argue he was the biggest final piece in turning Kampala into a dynasty. Tadele’s big game stats certainly placed him among the best in any league. He was now soon to be 37-years old though and felt he had something still to offer. Bujumbura agreed and signed Tadele for two years and $35,200,000.

It was a tough 2025 for Tadele with a 4.22 ERA over 190 innings, 112 strikeouts, and 2.6 WAR; all career worsts. His velocity had dropped into the low 90s at best in his later Kampala years, still surviving with stellar movement. Unfortunately, that started to fade as well as he peaked in the 85-87 mph range for the final year. Tadele retired after the 2025 campaign at age 37.

Tadele finished with a 239-150 record, 3.20 ERA, 3530.1 innings, 3471 strikeouts, 748 walks, 291/455 quality starts, 97 complete games, 22 shutouts, 128 ERA+, 66 FIP-, and 112.7 WAR. As of 2037, Tadele is AAB’s career leader in wins, starts (455), innings, and pitching WAR. The next best pitcher isn’t even particularly close in WAR with Bahujnana Kaimal’s 72.97 nearly 40 full points back. Tadele’s WAR is 4^th among all AAB players.

He also ranks 4^th in strikeouts, 7^th in complete games, and 3^rd in shutouts. On the downside, Tadele’s longevity meant he leads in hits allowed at 3182 and is 9^th in losses. Among pitchers with 1000+ innings, Tadele is 22^nd in ERA, 22^nd in WHIP (1.11), 24^th in opponent’s OPS (.660), and 22^nd in BB/9 (1.91). With those stats, it isn’t a surprise that most view Tadele as the African Association of Baseball’s greatest pitcher through its first 40+ seasons.

If the regular season stats didn’t sway you, Tadele’s playoff stats were incredibly elite. His Baseball Grand Championship numbers were even more incredible considering that was against the best of the best. Tadele was probably on pace for a Hall of Fame career before the Kampala signing, but that run made him an African baseball legend.

The franchise had never made the playoffs prior to his signing. He was there seven years, which saw the Peacocks win four Africa Series titles, five conference titles, and finish second twice in the Grand Championship. Tadele certainly cemented himself as an inner-circle legend, co-headlining AAB’s 2031 HOF class at 98.5% alongside his former teammate Relebogile Matima. Tadele also is considered by many to be the top player yet to come out of Ethiopia.

Ange “Village Idiot” Ndikuriyo – Right Field – Cape Town Cowboys – 77.3% First Ballot

Ange Ndikuriyo was a 6’1’’, 200 pound left-handed right fielder from Kibuye, Rwanda; a town of about 12,000 people on the eastern shores of Lake Kivu. Ndikuriyo was an excellent home run hitter with very good contact skills against both sides. His 162 game average got you 48 home runs and 35 doubles, which made Ndikuriyo his conference’s leader in slugging percentage four times in AAB. He also had an above average eye for drawing walks and avoiding strikeouts.

Ndikuriyo was a pretty good baserunner, but was limited by subpar speed. That also meant he had poor range as a career right fielder, posting lousy defensive metrics. Ndikuriyo also had a few starts in left field and as a designated hitter, but more than 80% of his starts came in right. His durability was quite strong, which pushed him to an 18-year career along with a stellar work ethic. Ndikuriyo was a true fan favorite and was affectionately nicknamed “Village Idiot,” for his endearing self-deprecating sense of humor.

In June 2008, a teenaged Ndikuriyo left Rwanda for South Africa on a developmental deal with Cape Town. His entire AAB career came with the Cowboys, who called him up in 2012 as a full-time starter at age 20. Ndikuriyo hit 50 home runs with 137 RBI to earn 2012 Rookie of the Year honors. He would hit at least 47 home runs in all nine of his seasons for Cape Town.

Ndikuriyo’s third season was his best by almost all metrics, earning his first MVP and Silver Slugger. His 2014 was only the third Triple Crown hitting season to that point in AAB with career and Southern Conference bests in runs (133), hits (207), doubles (60), homers (64), RBI (179), total bases (459), average (.352), slugging (.781), OPS (1.197), wRC+ (200), and WAR (9.9). He also had his best OBP at .417. The 179 RBI fell one short of the then-AAB record and still ranks as the 13^th-best in any league as of 2037. Ndikuriyo’s OPS also is the 14^th-best qualifying in AAB with the total bases ranking 10^th.

He went onto win MVP again in 2016 and 2018 with a second place finish in 2020. Ndikuriyo earned Silver Sluggers from 2016-20, a stretch where he led in RBI, OPS, and slugging thrice; wRC+ twice and total bases, and once in runs, homers, and WAR. Despite Ndikuriyo’s efforts, Cape Town was generally mediocre and averaged 76.3 wins per season during his tenure. They only had two winning seasons, falling one win short of the playoffs in 2017 at 93-69 and an 82-80 mark the next year.

After that 2017 campaign, Cape Town signed Ndikuriyo to an eight-year, $56,980,000 extension. They hoped contention was imminent, but the Cowboys were back below .500 by the end of the decade. Ndikuriyo was a beloved superstar, but had grown frustrated with nine years of general mediocrity. He also knew he had the talent to play on the biggest stage, thus he opted out of his contract after the 2020 season and tested free agency at age 29.

This ended his career in Africa, finishing with 1375 games, 1499 hits, 959 runs, 368 doubles, 477 home runs, 1150 RBI, 592 walks, 1065 strikeouts, 90 stolen bases, .300/.375/.665 slash, 1.040 OPS, 172 wRC+, and 58.4 WAR. Ndikuriyo was THE reason to watch baseball in Cape Town in the 2010s and the Cowboys later honored him by retiring his #3 uniform. But only staying in AAB for nine years limited his final accumulations.

As of 2037 in AAB, Ndikuriyo ranks 81^st in runs, 57^th in total bases (3330), 79^th in doubles, 30^th in home runs, 41^st in RBI, and 30^th in WAR for position players. There were some voters who felt Ndikuriyo wasn’t around long enough to deserve the Hall of Fame spot, especially since he wasn’t even top 100 in hits. Plus, the lack of team success was used against him by detractors. The rate stats show his dominance though, as among batters with 3000+ plate appearances, Ndikuriyo’s OPS ranks 8^th and his triple slash ranks 50^th/44^th/6^th.

The majority of voters agreed that Ndikuriyo’s nine year run was remarkable enough to get the nod and many gave him at least some credit for his later run in Major League Baseball. Some wonder if he could’ve ended up alongside guys like Mwarami Tale and Felix Chaula in final totals had he stuck around. In any event, Ndikuriyo received 77.3% to secure a first ballot induction, bookending an impressive three-player 2031 class for the African Association of Baseball.

Ndikuriyo still had the second half of his career to go, beginning in 2021 on a four-year, $81,400,000 deal with MLB’s New Orleans. The Mudcats had earned three playoff berths in the prior five years, but hadn’t made it out of the second round of the playoffs. In 2021, New Orleans stunned many with an incredible 112-50 season. The Mudcats went all the way and won the World Series over Detroit, staking their claim as one of MLB’s best-ever teams.

The 2021 debut was Ndikuriyo’s best MLB season with 46 home runs, .945 OPS, and 5.7 WAR. Most importantly, he was World Series MVP, posting 19 hits, 12 runs, 3 doubles, 6 homers, 17 RBI, .946 OPS, and 0.8 WAR over 18 playoff starts. New Orleans then earned the Baseball Grand Championship crown with a 15-4 finish. Ndikuriyo’s BGC stats were solid with 16 hits, 15 runs, 5 doubles, 7 home runs, 14 RBI, 10 walks, .991 OPS, 163 wRC+, and 0.8 WAR. He absolutely solidified his spot as a world class player with that run.

Ndikuriyo regressed to a .752 OPS, 106 wRC+, and 2.0 WAR in 2022. He bounced back the next two years, finishing his New Orleans run with 607 games, 598 hits, 336 runs, 100 doubles, 161 home runs, 384 RBI, .267/.324/.532 slash, 133 wRC+, and 16.4 WAR. The Mudcats had a second round exit in 2023, but missed the playoffs his other two seasons both at 86-76. Ndikuriyo did have a 1.125 OPS in his six playoff games in 2023, ultimately the final playoff games of his career.

Now 33-years old, Ndikuriyo surprisingly couldn’t find a long-term deal. He signed for one year and $7,800,000 in 2025 with Halifax, posting .809 OPS, 129 wRC+, 2.5 WAR, 35 home runs, and 85 RBI. He went to Salt Lake City in 2026, but missed more than half of the season to injury. Ndikuriyo was on a strong pace with 2.7 WAR and .988 OPS over 72 games.

Ndikuriyo joined Sacramento in 2027, but stunk with -0.5 WAR and .678 OPS over 110 games and 78 starts. Atlanta gave him a look in 2028 with respectable tallies in 121 games and 94 starts, posting 2.5 WAR, .887 OPS, and 2.5 WAR. Ndikuriyo wrapped with Hartford in 2029 with .945 OPS and 1.7 WAR in 78 games and 43 starts. He went unsigned in 2030 and retired that winter at age 30.

For his MLB tenure, Ndikuriyo had a very solid career with 1143 games, 1107 hits, 597 runs, 177 doubles, 274 home runs, 705 RBI, 283 walks, 655 strikeouts, .274/.325/.526 slash, 130 wRC+, and 25.3 WAR. He wasn’t generally in awards conversations, but that was a quite respectable run for a guy who joined a new league at age 29.

Ndikuriyo’s grand totals for his pro career had 2518 games, 2606 hits, 1556 runs, 545 doubles, 27 triples, 781 home runs, 1855 RBI, 875 walks, 1720 strikeouts, 119 stolen bases, .288/.353/.603 slash, .956 OPS, 154 wRC+, and 83.6 WAR. Ndikuriyo falls short of being a true “inner-circle” type guy, but his Cape Town run especially made him a worthy choice for a Hall of Fame slot in AAB.

06-29-2025, 09:20 PM	#2296
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 3,460	2031 AAB Hall of Fame (Part 2) Ermias Tadele – Starting Pitcher – Kampala Peacocks – 98.5% First Ballot Ermias Tadele was a 6’2’’, 195 pound left-handed pitcher from Debre Markos, Ethiopia; a city of around 134,000 in the country’s Amhara Region. Tadele was renowned for having incredible movement on his pitches along with excellent control. His raw stuff graded as merely above average, but Tadele didn’t need to overpower you thanks to well-placed pitches that fooled hitters with zany movement. Tadele’s fastball peaked in the 93-95 mph range and was part of a four pitch arsenal along with a changeup, screwball, and changeup. Each were considered potent, but the changeup was probably his strongest offering. Tadele’s stamina was good relative to other AAB aces and he had fantastic durability, tossing 220+ innings each year from 2011-24. He had a strong pickoff move, but graded as below average defensively otherwise. With his incredible talents, Tadele stands as AAB’s best pitcher to date for many fans and observers. However, you could argue he still underperformed his gifts. Tadele rubbed many coaches and teammates the wrong way due to perceived selfishness and laziness. Even if he was a knucklehead, Tadele’s ability and results were undeniable. Tadele left Ethiopia as a teenager and moved to Somalia on a developmental deal with Mogadishu in August 2004. He spent most of six years in their academy before debuting in 2010 with a 4.69 ERA over 63.1 innings at age 22. Tadele earned a full-time rotation slot the next year and delivered his good result, starting a 14-year streak of 5+ WAR seasons. In 2014, he led the Central Conference in WAR (8.1), wins (17-15), FIP- (65), and shutouts (4), taking third in Pitcher of the Year voting. Despite his efforts, the Mighty Mice were generally in the upper-middle tier during his time. Despite good results, Tadele’s attitude and personality grated on Mogadishu’s staff. He made it clear that he was excited to cash in big in free agency, due after the 2017 season. With that, Tadele was traded in July 2016 to Maputo for prospects. With Mogadishu, Tadele finished with a 77-70 record, 3.56 ERA, 1412.0 innings, 1223 strikeouts, 322 walks, 114 ERA+, 74 FIP, 48 complete games, 8 shutouts, and 38.1 WAR. Meanwhile the Piranhas were on the cusp and narrowly made the playoffs in 2016, although they fell to Johannesburg in the Southern Conference Championship. Tadele got destroyed in his one playoff start, allowing seven runs in 4.1 innings. Tadele led in WAR at 8.8 in his lone full year with Maputo, who took first at 101-61. The Piranhas Luanda to win the pennant, then fell to Tadele’s former squad Mogadishu in the Africa Series. Tadele had a far better postseason in 2017 with a 1.71 ERA over 26.1 innings with 25 strikeouts. It was the perfect way to end a contract year as he approached free agency set to turn 30 in April. For Maputo, Tadele had a 22-16 record, 3.14 ERA, 321 innings, 377 strikeouts, 76 walks, 125 ERA+, 52 FIP-, and 12.8 WAR. Kampala felt they were close to finally earning their first playoff berth and went all in, signing Tadele to a seven-year, $77,300,000 deal. It was certainly a winner, as he also gave them his best seasons, leading the Central Conference in WAR each year from 2018-23. Tadele won his first Pitcher of the Year in 2018 with a 21-6 record, 2.41 ERA, and 259 strikeouts. The Peacocks finished 111-51 in 2018 and won their first Africa Series, defeating Johannesburg in the finale. Tadele posted a 3.32 ERA over 19 playoff innings in the series. He had a strong 2.25 ERA over 32 innings with 32 strikeouts in the Baseball Grand Championship as Kampala finished 10-9. This wasn’t Tadele’s first time on the global stage though, as he had pitched for his native Ethiopia in the World Baseball Championship. From 2012-25, Tadele tossed 160.1 innings in the WBC with a 2.58 ERA, 14-7 record, 179 strikeouts, 45 walks, and 4.8 WAR. He notably tossed back-to-back shutouts in the 2019 edition. Ethiopia’s deepest runs with Tadele were a third place finish in 2013 and a fourth in 2024. Tadele was second in 2019’s POTY voting despite his first ERA title (2.52) and a new best WAR to that point of 9.0. Kampala just missed the playoffs at 96-66, but bounced back for one of AAB’s all-time dynasties. The Peacocks won 109, 102, and 104 games from 2020-22 en route to three consecutive Africa Series titles. Kampala beat Johannesburg in the 2020 final, Lilongwe in 2021, and Antananarivo in 2022. 2021 saw Tadele’s second ERA title and Pitcher of the Year, posting career bests in ERA (2.33) and strikeouts (279). He was second in 2022’s POTY voting, then won his third trophy in 2023 with career bests in WAR (10.0), WHIP (0.87), and wins (23-1). Tadele’s .958 win percentage in 2023 set a new AAB record and his WAR total was the third-best to that point. It still ranks as the eighth-best WAR by a pitcher in AAB as of 2037. Tadele had a weak 2020 postseason showing despite the team’s title, posting a 4.94 ERA over 23.2 innings with 18 strikeouts. He fared better in the Baseball Grand Championship with a 3.07 ERA over 29.1 innings with 35 strikeouts as Kampala was 10-9. Tadele was then outstanding in his remaining postseason outings, including a 1.06 ERA over 34 innings with 21 strikeouts in 2021. Believe it or not, he was even better in the BGC. Over 35 BGC innings in 2021, Tadele won all four starts with a 0.51 ERA, 42 strikeouts, and 2.03 WAR. As of 2037, it is one of 33 times that a pitcher recorded 2+ WAR in the BGC, pushing Kampala to a 14-5 finish; second only to 15-4 New Orleans. Tadele kept rolling with a 1.42 ERA over 25.1 innings in the 2022 AAB title run. He then posted a 1.31 ERA over 34.1 innings with 38 strikeouts and 1.4 WAR in the 2022 BGC. The Peacocks tied for first with Caracas at 13-6, but ended up in second place as the Colts had won the head-to-head battle. In 2023, Kampala’s four-peat bid in the Africa Series was denied in a rematch with Antananarivo. Tadele was again strong in the playoffs with a 1.52 ERA over 23.2 innings. With the Peacocks, he had a 10-3 record and 2.29 ERA over 125.2 playoff innings with 107 strikeouts, 23 walks, 180 ERA+, and 4.6 WAR. For his entire AAB career, Tadele had a 2.53 playoff ERA, 12-4 record, 156.1 innings, 135 strikeouts, 32 walks, 161 ERA+, 57 FIP-, and 5.9 WAR. As of 2037, Tadele is AAB’s all-time leader in playoff pitching WAR, wins, and shutouts (3). He also ranks third in strikeouts. Tadele’s stats across his BGC appearances are even more tremendous with a 1.72 ERA in 130.2 innings, 11-3 record, 147 strikeouts, 15 walks, and 5.9 WAR. He ranks fifth in BGC pitching WAR and is one of only three pitchers to have a sub-two ERA and at least 125 innings. Among qualifiers, Tadele also has the best WHIP (0.75) and BB/9 (1.03) in tournament history. He also ranks 17^th in strikeouts, 14^th in innings, and his .509 opponent’s OPS is 3^rd. After having arguably his best year in 2023, Tadele fell off in 2024 to a 3.91 ERA and only 200 strikeouts. While he was still worth 5.9 WAR, this was his weakest showing since his early years with Mogadishu. The Peacocks dynasty ended with a 84-78 record in Tadele‘s final of seven seasons. For the Kampala run he had a 131-51 record, 2.78 ERA, 1607.1 innings, 1759 strikeouts, 312 walks, 149 ERA+, 57 FIP-, and 59.2 WAR. Tadele’s personality clashes meant his #11 uniform wasn’t retired, but he was very popular with many Peacocks fans. You could certainly argue he was the biggest final piece in turning Kampala into a dynasty. Tadele’s big game stats certainly placed him among the best in any league. He was now soon to be 37-years old though and felt he had something still to offer. Bujumbura agreed and signed Tadele for two years and $35,200,000. It was a tough 2025 for Tadele with a 4.22 ERA over 190 innings, 112 strikeouts, and 2.6 WAR; all career worsts. His velocity had dropped into the low 90s at best in his later Kampala years, still surviving with stellar movement. Unfortunately, that started to fade as well as he peaked in the 85-87 mph range for the final year. Tadele retired after the 2025 campaign at age 37. Tadele finished with a 239-150 record, 3.20 ERA, 3530.1 innings, 3471 strikeouts, 748 walks, 291/455 quality starts, 97 complete games, 22 shutouts, 128 ERA+, 66 FIP-, and 112.7 WAR. As of 2037, Tadele is AAB’s career leader in wins, starts (455), innings, and pitching WAR. The next best pitcher isn’t even particularly close in WAR with Bahujnana Kaimal’s 72.97 nearly 40 full points back. Tadele’s WAR is 4^th among all AAB players. He also ranks 4^th in strikeouts, 7^th in complete games, and 3^rd in shutouts. On the downside, Tadele’s longevity meant he leads in hits allowed at 3182 and is 9^th in losses. Among pitchers with 1000+ innings, Tadele is 22^nd in ERA, 22^nd in WHIP (1.11), 24^th in opponent’s OPS (.660), and 22^nd in BB/9 (1.91). With those stats, it isn’t a surprise that most view Tadele as the African Association of Baseball’s greatest pitcher through its first 40+ seasons. If the regular season stats didn’t sway you, Tadele’s playoff stats were incredibly elite. His Baseball Grand Championship numbers were even more incredible considering that was against the best of the best. Tadele was probably on pace for a Hall of Fame career before the Kampala signing, but that run made him an African baseball legend. The franchise had never made the playoffs prior to his signing. He was there seven years, which saw the Peacocks win four Africa Series titles, five conference titles, and finish second twice in the Grand Championship. Tadele certainly cemented himself as an inner-circle legend, co-headlining AAB’s 2031 HOF class at 98.5% alongside his former teammate Relebogile Matima. Tadele also is considered by many to be the top player yet to come out of Ethiopia. Ange “Village Idiot” Ndikuriyo – Right Field – Cape Town Cowboys – 77.3% First Ballot Ange Ndikuriyo was a 6’1’’, 200 pound left-handed right fielder from Kibuye, Rwanda; a town of about 12,000 people on the eastern shores of Lake Kivu. Ndikuriyo was an excellent home run hitter with very good contact skills against both sides. His 162 game average got you 48 home runs and 35 doubles, which made Ndikuriyo his conference’s leader in slugging percentage four times in AAB. He also had an above average eye for drawing walks and avoiding strikeouts. Ndikuriyo was a pretty good baserunner, but was limited by subpar speed. That also meant he had poor range as a career right fielder, posting lousy defensive metrics. Ndikuriyo also had a few starts in left field and as a designated hitter, but more than 80% of his starts came in right. His durability was quite strong, which pushed him to an 18-year career along with a stellar work ethic. Ndikuriyo was a true fan favorite and was affectionately nicknamed “Village Idiot,” for his endearing self-deprecating sense of humor. In June 2008, a teenaged Ndikuriyo left Rwanda for South Africa on a developmental deal with Cape Town. His entire AAB career came with the Cowboys, who called him up in 2012 as a full-time starter at age 20. Ndikuriyo hit 50 home runs with 137 RBI to earn 2012 Rookie of the Year honors. He would hit at least 47 home runs in all nine of his seasons for Cape Town. Ndikuriyo’s third season was his best by almost all metrics, earning his first MVP and Silver Slugger. His 2014 was only the third Triple Crown hitting season to that point in AAB with career and Southern Conference bests in runs (133), hits (207), doubles (60), homers (64), RBI (179), total bases (459), average (.352), slugging (.781), OPS (1.197), wRC+ (200), and WAR (9.9). He also had his best OBP at .417. The 179 RBI fell one short of the then-AAB record and still ranks as the 13^th-best in any league as of 2037. Ndikuriyo’s OPS also is the 14^th-best qualifying in AAB with the total bases ranking 10^th. He went onto win MVP again in 2016 and 2018 with a second place finish in 2020. Ndikuriyo earned Silver Sluggers from 2016-20, a stretch where he led in RBI, OPS, and slugging thrice; wRC+ twice and total bases, and once in runs, homers, and WAR. Despite Ndikuriyo’s efforts, Cape Town was generally mediocre and averaged 76.3 wins per season during his tenure. They only had two winning seasons, falling one win short of the playoffs in 2017 at 93-69 and an 82-80 mark the next year. After that 2017 campaign, Cape Town signed Ndikuriyo to an eight-year, $56,980,000 extension. They hoped contention was imminent, but the Cowboys were back below .500 by the end of the decade. Ndikuriyo was a beloved superstar, but had grown frustrated with nine years of general mediocrity. He also knew he had the talent to play on the biggest stage, thus he opted out of his contract after the 2020 season and tested free agency at age 29. This ended his career in Africa, finishing with 1375 games, 1499 hits, 959 runs, 368 doubles, 477 home runs, 1150 RBI, 592 walks, 1065 strikeouts, 90 stolen bases, .300/.375/.665 slash, 1.040 OPS, 172 wRC+, and 58.4 WAR. Ndikuriyo was THE reason to watch baseball in Cape Town in the 2010s and the Cowboys later honored him by retiring his #3 uniform. But only staying in AAB for nine years limited his final accumulations. As of 2037 in AAB, Ndikuriyo ranks 81^st in runs, 57^th in total bases (3330), 79^th in doubles, 30^th in home runs, 41^st in RBI, and 30^th in WAR for position players. There were some voters who felt Ndikuriyo wasn’t around long enough to deserve the Hall of Fame spot, especially since he wasn’t even top 100 in hits. Plus, the lack of team success was used against him by detractors. The rate stats show his dominance though, as among batters with 3000+ plate appearances, Ndikuriyo’s OPS ranks 8^th and his triple slash ranks 50^th/44^th/6^th. The majority of voters agreed that Ndikuriyo’s nine year run was remarkable enough to get the nod and many gave him at least some credit for his later run in Major League Baseball. Some wonder if he could’ve ended up alongside guys like Mwarami Tale and Felix Chaula in final totals had he stuck around. In any event, Ndikuriyo received 77.3% to secure a first ballot induction, bookending an impressive three-player 2031 class for the African Association of Baseball. Ndikuriyo still had the second half of his career to go, beginning in 2021 on a four-year, $81,400,000 deal with MLB’s New Orleans. The Mudcats had earned three playoff berths in the prior five years, but hadn’t made it out of the second round of the playoffs. In 2021, New Orleans stunned many with an incredible 112-50 season. The Mudcats went all the way and won the World Series over Detroit, staking their claim as one of MLB’s best-ever teams. The 2021 debut was Ndikuriyo’s best MLB season with 46 home runs, .945 OPS, and 5.7 WAR. Most importantly, he was World Series MVP, posting 19 hits, 12 runs, 3 doubles, 6 homers, 17 RBI, .946 OPS, and 0.8 WAR over 18 playoff starts. New Orleans then earned the Baseball Grand Championship crown with a 15-4 finish. Ndikuriyo’s BGC stats were solid with 16 hits, 15 runs, 5 doubles, 7 home runs, 14 RBI, 10 walks, .991 OPS, 163 wRC+, and 0.8 WAR. He absolutely solidified his spot as a world class player with that run. Ndikuriyo regressed to a .752 OPS, 106 wRC+, and 2.0 WAR in 2022. He bounced back the next two years, finishing his New Orleans run with 607 games, 598 hits, 336 runs, 100 doubles, 161 home runs, 384 RBI, .267/.324/.532 slash, 133 wRC+, and 16.4 WAR. The Mudcats had a second round exit in 2023, but missed the playoffs his other two seasons both at 86-76. Ndikuriyo did have a 1.125 OPS in his six playoff games in 2023, ultimately the final playoff games of his career. Now 33-years old, Ndikuriyo surprisingly couldn’t find a long-term deal. He signed for one year and $7,800,000 in 2025 with Halifax, posting .809 OPS, 129 wRC+, 2.5 WAR, 35 home runs, and 85 RBI. He went to Salt Lake City in 2026, but missed more than half of the season to injury. Ndikuriyo was on a strong pace with 2.7 WAR and .988 OPS over 72 games. Ndikuriyo joined Sacramento in 2027, but stunk with -0.5 WAR and .678 OPS over 110 games and 78 starts. Atlanta gave him a look in 2028 with respectable tallies in 121 games and 94 starts, posting 2.5 WAR, .887 OPS, and 2.5 WAR. Ndikuriyo wrapped with Hartford in 2029 with .945 OPS and 1.7 WAR in 78 games and 43 starts. He went unsigned in 2030 and retired that winter at age 30. For his MLB tenure, Ndikuriyo had a very solid career with 1143 games, 1107 hits, 597 runs, 177 doubles, 274 home runs, 705 RBI, 283 walks, 655 strikeouts, .274/.325/.526 slash, 130 wRC+, and 25.3 WAR. He wasn’t generally in awards conversations, but that was a quite respectable run for a guy who joined a new league at age 29. Ndikuriyo’s grand totals for his pro career had 2518 games, 2606 hits, 1556 runs, 545 doubles, 27 triples, 781 home runs, 1855 RBI, 875 walks, 1720 strikeouts, 119 stolen bases, .288/.353/.603 slash, .956 OPS, 154 wRC+, and 83.6 WAR. Ndikuriyo falls short of being a true “inner-circle” type guy, but his Cape Town run especially made him a worthy choice for a Hall of Fame slot in AAB. __________________ 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)