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FuzzyRussianHat · 07-19-2025, 07:02 AM

Ali Mehrjui – Starting Pitcher – Tabriz Tiger Sharks – 87.3% First Ballot

Ali Mehrjui was a 6’3’’, 200 pound right-handed starting pitcher from Orumiyeh, Iran; a city of around 736,000 near the borders with Iraq and Turkey. Mehrjui graded as above average-to-good in stuff, movement, and control. His fastball was impressive despite a 94-96 mph peak velocity. Mehrjui also had a slider and changeup in the arsenal and was very effective at changing speeds and switching between them.

Mehrjui’s exceptional traits were stamina and durability, leading the West League six times in complete games and twice in innings. He was considered an ironman and pitched 240+ innings in all 13 of his pro seasons. Mehrjui was very good at holding runners, although his defense graded as below average otherwise. He was very quiet and humble, earning praise for his loyalty and work ethic. That said, Mehrjui wasn’t one to look to for leadership and he sometimes had trouble adapting to high stress situations.

He did enter his name into the 2009 ABF Draft, but wasn’t picked and began his college career. Mehrjui dominated Iran’s amateur scene and was a top commodity once he was eligible again in 2013. Tabriz tagged him sixth overall and Mehrjui played his entire career for the Tiger Sharks. He was a full-time immediately and was third in 2014’s Rookie of the Year voting.

For his first few years, Mehrjui was mostly looked at as a solid hand who can eat innings. Such guys are needed though to begin sustained runs, which Tabriz did in 2016. They had posted only two playoff appearances in the 31 seasons total, but 2016 marked the beginning of a nine-year streak. The Tiger Sharks were a first round exit wild card to start it off in 2016-17.

2018 was the next step for both Tabriz and Mehrjui. He won his lone ERA title with a career best 1.93 and led in complete games (18), and shutouts (8) to win his lone Pitcher of the Year. That summer, the Tiger Sharks committed to a five-year, $31,200,000 extension. They had their first-ever 100+ win season at 103-59 for the top seed, but were upset by Ankara in the WLCS. This was Mehrjui’s best playoff run overall with a 2.35 ERA over 23 innings.

Mehrjui was second in 2021’s Pitcher of the Year voting, third in 2022, and second in 2024. Tabriz finished 107-55 in 2019 and won it all for the first time, defeating Dushanbe in the ABF Championship. Mehrjui ate innings and went 3-1 in the playoff run, but his ERA was 4.18 over 28 innings with 35 strikeouts. He had a similar role in the Baseball Grand Championship with a 3.71 ERA and 2-1 record in four starts, striking out 36 over 34 innings. Tabriz took top honors at 15-4, becoming the first ABF franchise to claim Grand Championship rings.

Tabriz won 109, 109, and 103 games in the next three seasons but had no pennants to show for it. They lost in the 2020 and 2022 WLCS and had a first round exit in 2021. The Tiger Sharks were a 92-70 wild card in 2023, but got hot to win the West League and upset Bishkek for the ABF Championship. Mehrjui had a 3.55 ERA over 33 innings in that run. He had an impressive 1.82 ERA over 34.2 innings in the 2023 BGC, but the Tiger Sharks struggled to 8-11.

For his playoff career, Mehrjui was a mixed bag with a 9-7 record in 21 appearances, 4.18 ERA, 148.2 innings, 171 strikeouts, 43 walks, 89 ERA+, 110 FIP-, and 1.3 WAR. His metrics were better pitching in the World Baseball Championship for Iran from 2016-25 with a 9-4 record, 3.15 ERA, 128.2 innings, 157 strikeouts, 38 walks, and 2.0 WAR. The Iranians notably had a runner-up finish in 2018 and third place in 2023.

Mehrjui notably had a career highlight on July 19, 2021 with a no-hitter against Rawalpindi with nine strikeouts and one walk. Tabriz gave him a five-year, $94 million extension in June 2023. The Tiger Sharks had a first round exit in 2024, their final playoff trip of the streak. They missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker in 2025 at 94-68, then fell to 79-83 in 2026.

In 2025, Mehrjui became the 17^th ABF ace to 3500 career strikeouts. In 2026, he was the 14^th to reach 200 career wins. Mehrjui’s production was still steady in 2026 and many figured he could keep going for a few more years. However, the quiet Mehrjui decided to make his exit after the 2026 campaign at only age 35. Tabriz retired his #19 uniform for his role in two championships and 13 years of steady service.

Mehrjui finished with a 212-140 record, 3.07 ERA, 3364.2 innings, 3818 strikeouts, 654 walks, 264/408 quality starts, 201 complete games, 32 shutouts, 117 ERA+, 92 FIP-, and 57.9 WAR. As of 2037, Mehrjui ranks 11^th in wins, 2^nd in complete games (one away from Oskar Tamm for first), 12^th in shutouts, 14^th in innings, 23^rd in strikeouts, and 38^th in WAR among pitchers.

He doesn’t make the top 100 in any of the rate stats and advanced metrics keep Mehrjui outside of the inner circle for many scholars. He was rarely overwhelmingly dominant, but he gave you steady and consistent production every time out. Mehrjui might have made a run at some of the big accumulations if he stuck around, but the humble man was happy with his accomplishments. Those accolades earned Mehrjui a first ballot induction at 87.3% as part of the 2032 Hall of Fame class for the Asian Baseball Federation.

Shahid “Polar Bear” Safaq – Left Field – Tehran Tarpons – 75.9% First Ballot

Shahid Safaq was a 6’7’’, 200 pound left-handed left fielder from Karachi, Pakistan. His big frame earned the nickname “Polar Bear,” as he and fellow 2032 inductee Habib Saquib anchored the Tehran lineup for many years. Safaq was similarly an impressive power hitter with 44 home runs, 39 doubles, and 7 triples per his 162 game average.

Safaq was also a very good contact hitter with a decent eye for walks and a below average strikeout rate. He especially dominated right-handed pitching (1.022 OPS, 181 wRC+) but was still dangerous for lefties (.868 OPS, 143 wRC+). Despite the big frame, Safaq was merely below average and not awful in terms of baserunning speed and ability.

Most of Safaq’s starts in in left field, although he occasionally played center and right. He graded as a reliably solid defender in the corners, but was awful in center. Perhaps his biggest disadvantage compared to Saquib was durability with back and knee troubles limiting him in a couple seasons. Safaq still became very popular for his efforts, but left a somewhat different legacy from his fellow Karachiite.

A big part of that was personality with Saquib being a beloved team captain. By comparison, Safaq was very outspoken and thick-headed, rubbing many the wrong way. Still, Safaq could lead effectively at times and was likewise critical to Tehran’s success. He signed a developmental deal in February 2010 and spent most of four years in their academy. Safaq debuted in 2013 at age 20, but played only seven games in the regular season and four in the playoffs.

Tehan’s playoff streak had started in 2013 prior to Safaq’s debut. He was a part-timer in 2014 with 91 games and 47 starts, then had a full-time role through 2026. From 2015-22, Safaq was worth 6.9+ WAR each season. He led the West League in doubles with 43 in 2016 and with a career-best 47 in 2018. Safaq also had a career best 105 runs in 2018 and led the WL in total bases and WAR.

He was third in 2015 and 2016’s MVP voting and second in both 2017 and 2018. Safaq had Silver Sluggers in 2015, 17, and 18 and notably hit for the cycle in 2016 against Kabul. Safaq signed an eight-year, $70,960,000 extension with the Tarpons in September 2017.

With this came Tehran’s dynasty run. They set the ABF wins record in 2015 at 115-47, but had a shocking first round loss to Shiraz. The Tarpons bounced back at 102-60 in 2016 and defeated Dushanbe for the ABF Championship. In 2017, Tehran had arguably the best team in ABF history to that point at 116-46, defeating Asgabat in the ABF Championship.

Safaq was a beast in the 2017 playoff run, winning LCS MVP and posting 21 hits, 11 runs, 3 doubles, 7 homers, 10 RBI, 1.181 OPS, and 1.6 WAR. He was even better in both editions of the Baseball Grand Championship. Tehran was 11-8 in a five-way tie for fifth in 2016, then 11-8 in a five-way tie for fourth in 2017. In both events, Safaq was good for 2.1 WAR, posting a combined 4.2 WAR in 38 games with 51 hits, 32 runs, 4 doubles, 26 homers, 50 RBI, .364/.431/.950 slash, and 1.381 OPS.

Overall for Tehran, Safaq had 47 playoff games with 45 hits, 22 runs, 7 doubles, 11 homers, 27 RBI, .278/.341/.549 slash, 169 wRC+, and 2.3 WAR. He also had strong numbers for Pakistan in the World Baseball Championship with 142 games from 2015-29, 133 hits, 90 runs, 20 doubles, 46 home runs, 105 RBI, .266/.362/.582 slash, and 6.8 WAR. Safaq led all players with 25 RBI in the 2021 runner-up finish for Pakistan. He was also a part of their 2029 World Championship win, albeit as a veteran backup by that point.

In 2019, Safaq led in total bases (373), slugging (.658), OPS (1.027), wRC+ (200), and WAR (9.7). He won another Silver Slugger and was second in MVP voting again. Tehran was a wild card with a first round exit in both 2018 and 2019, the final gasps of the dynasty run. From 2020-23, they were below 70 wins each year. 2020 was on pace for Safaq’s best personal year with 46 homers, 1.183 OPS, and 7.9 WAR in only 109 games, but he lost two months to a strained PCL.

Safaq’s outspoken nature earned him critics in the early 2020s as he was upset with Tehran’s steep decline. He still played well, leading total bases (390), slugging (.674), OPS (1.038), and wRC+ (169) again in 2021. This was his career best for total bags home runs with 52, winning his final Silver Slugger. Safaq still had strong efforts in 2022 and 2024, but he’d be limited by injuries for much of the remaining years. 2022 notably saw a 31-game hitting streak in the early summer, one of only nine 30+ streaks in ABF history.

In 2023, he lost more than two months between a severely strained hip miscle and strained hamstring. Safaq’s 2024 ended with a torn PCL and 2025 featured a fractured finger that sidelined him shortly after returning. Tehran had rebounded a bit and were back near .500 at this point and cautiously gave Safaq a two-year, $28,400,000 extension in July 2025. They had a winning season in 2026, but hamstring troubles limited Safaq and they missed the playoffs.

Safaq didn’t meet the vesting criteria for the remaining year and became a free agent for the first time at age 34. Based on his previous highs and success on the WBC stage, Safaq had suitors from across the globe. He left Iran for Major League Baseball on a four-year, $78,400,000 deal with Houston. Safaq had an impressive debut season despite losing a few games to back issues, getting 46 homers, 106 RBI, 6.4 WAR, and 1.058 OPS over 127 games.

His previous playoff successes didn’t carry over in 2027 with a .699 OPS and 0.1 WAR. Houston fell in the second round despite a 104-win season. The Hornets had division titles and first round defeats in 2028-29. Safaq was still a good starter when healthy, but couldn’t replicate that debut pace. He was relegated to a bench role with only 48 games in 2030. Houston finished 111-51 for the top seed in the American Association, but was upset in the second round with Safaq not getting used in the playoffs.

For his MLB tenure, Safaq had 414 games, 457 hits, 253 runs, 69 doubles, 13 triples, 109 home runs, 295 RBI, .300/.344/.576 slash, 137 wRC+, and 12.8 WAR. It was certainly a nice effort for a guy debuting in the league in his mid 30s. Safaq wanted to play somewhere in 2031, but most squads felt he was well over the hill by this point. Safaq retired that winter shortly after his 39^th birthday. His combined pro career had 2074 games, 2317 hits, 1240 runs, 503 doubles, 86 triples, 565 home runs, 486 walks, 1668 strikeouts, .309/.356/.626 slash, 171 wRC+, and 96.8 WAR.

Tehran quickly retired Safaq’s #38 uniform for his role in their repeat. For the Tarpons, he had 1660 games, 1860 hits, 987 runs, 434 doubles, 73 triples, 456 home runs, 1160 RBI, 385 walks, 1402 strikeouts, .312/.359/.638 slash, 180 wRC+, and 84.0 WAR. The later injuries and his MLB departure did keep his accumulations lower than one would expect based on his prime.

As of 2037, Safaq ranks 86^th in runs, 100^th in hits, 56^th in total bases (3808), 65^th in doubles, 34^th in homers, 47^th in RBI, and 36^th in WAR among position players. Safaq’s .998 OPS is 11^th among all ABF batters with 3000+ plate appearances and his triple slash ranks 35^th/43^rd/10^th.

There were some voters who said no to the Polar Bear between the lower accumulations and his outspoken personality. However, Safaq’s hitting efficiency and starring role in Tehran’s repeat titles was enough for the majority of voters. His 75.9% was less emphatic than Saquib’s 99.0%, but they stood together as first ballot inductees for the 2032 Asian Baseball Federation Hall of Fame class. Many still argue the 2017 Tarpons are ABF’s best-ever team, although the Grand Champion 2019 Tabriz Tiger Sharks and Baku’s 2030s dynasty squads have their own strong cases.

07-19-2025, 07:02 AM	#2332
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 2,812	2032 ABF Hall of Fame (Part 2) Ali Mehrjui – Starting Pitcher – Tabriz Tiger Sharks – 87.3% First Ballot Ali Mehrjui was a 6’3’’, 200 pound right-handed starting pitcher from Orumiyeh, Iran; a city of around 736,000 near the borders with Iraq and Turkey. Mehrjui graded as above average-to-good in stuff, movement, and control. His fastball was impressive despite a 94-96 mph peak velocity. Mehrjui also had a slider and changeup in the arsenal and was very effective at changing speeds and switching between them. Mehrjui’s exceptional traits were stamina and durability, leading the West League six times in complete games and twice in innings. He was considered an ironman and pitched 240+ innings in all 13 of his pro seasons. Mehrjui was very good at holding runners, although his defense graded as below average otherwise. He was very quiet and humble, earning praise for his loyalty and work ethic. That said, Mehrjui wasn’t one to look to for leadership and he sometimes had trouble adapting to high stress situations. He did enter his name into the 2009 ABF Draft, but wasn’t picked and began his college career. Mehrjui dominated Iran’s amateur scene and was a top commodity once he was eligible again in 2013. Tabriz tagged him sixth overall and Mehrjui played his entire career for the Tiger Sharks. He was a full-time immediately and was third in 2014’s Rookie of the Year voting. For his first few years, Mehrjui was mostly looked at as a solid hand who can eat innings. Such guys are needed though to begin sustained runs, which Tabriz did in 2016. They had posted only two playoff appearances in the 31 seasons total, but 2016 marked the beginning of a nine-year streak. The Tiger Sharks were a first round exit wild card to start it off in 2016-17. 2018 was the next step for both Tabriz and Mehrjui. He won his lone ERA title with a career best 1.93 and led in complete games (18), and shutouts (8) to win his lone Pitcher of the Year. That summer, the Tiger Sharks committed to a five-year, $31,200,000 extension. They had their first-ever 100+ win season at 103-59 for the top seed, but were upset by Ankara in the WLCS. This was Mehrjui’s best playoff run overall with a 2.35 ERA over 23 innings. Mehrjui was second in 2021’s Pitcher of the Year voting, third in 2022, and second in 2024. Tabriz finished 107-55 in 2019 and won it all for the first time, defeating Dushanbe in the ABF Championship. Mehrjui ate innings and went 3-1 in the playoff run, but his ERA was 4.18 over 28 innings with 35 strikeouts. He had a similar role in the Baseball Grand Championship with a 3.71 ERA and 2-1 record in four starts, striking out 36 over 34 innings. Tabriz took top honors at 15-4, becoming the first ABF franchise to claim Grand Championship rings. Tabriz won 109, 109, and 103 games in the next three seasons but had no pennants to show for it. They lost in the 2020 and 2022 WLCS and had a first round exit in 2021. The Tiger Sharks were a 92-70 wild card in 2023, but got hot to win the West League and upset Bishkek for the ABF Championship. Mehrjui had a 3.55 ERA over 33 innings in that run. He had an impressive 1.82 ERA over 34.2 innings in the 2023 BGC, but the Tiger Sharks struggled to 8-11. For his playoff career, Mehrjui was a mixed bag with a 9-7 record in 21 appearances, 4.18 ERA, 148.2 innings, 171 strikeouts, 43 walks, 89 ERA+, 110 FIP-, and 1.3 WAR. His metrics were better pitching in the World Baseball Championship for Iran from 2016-25 with a 9-4 record, 3.15 ERA, 128.2 innings, 157 strikeouts, 38 walks, and 2.0 WAR. The Iranians notably had a runner-up finish in 2018 and third place in 2023. Mehrjui notably had a career highlight on July 19, 2021 with a no-hitter against Rawalpindi with nine strikeouts and one walk. Tabriz gave him a five-year, $94 million extension in June 2023. The Tiger Sharks had a first round exit in 2024, their final playoff trip of the streak. They missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker in 2025 at 94-68, then fell to 79-83 in 2026. In 2025, Mehrjui became the 17^th ABF ace to 3500 career strikeouts. In 2026, he was the 14^th to reach 200 career wins. Mehrjui’s production was still steady in 2026 and many figured he could keep going for a few more years. However, the quiet Mehrjui decided to make his exit after the 2026 campaign at only age 35. Tabriz retired his #19 uniform for his role in two championships and 13 years of steady service. Mehrjui finished with a 212-140 record, 3.07 ERA, 3364.2 innings, 3818 strikeouts, 654 walks, 264/408 quality starts, 201 complete games, 32 shutouts, 117 ERA+, 92 FIP-, and 57.9 WAR. As of 2037, Mehrjui ranks 11^th in wins, 2^nd in complete games (one away from Oskar Tamm for first), 12^th in shutouts, 14^th in innings, 23^rd in strikeouts, and 38^th in WAR among pitchers. He doesn’t make the top 100 in any of the rate stats and advanced metrics keep Mehrjui outside of the inner circle for many scholars. He was rarely overwhelmingly dominant, but he gave you steady and consistent production every time out. Mehrjui might have made a run at some of the big accumulations if he stuck around, but the humble man was happy with his accomplishments. Those accolades earned Mehrjui a first ballot induction at 87.3% as part of the 2032 Hall of Fame class for the Asian Baseball Federation. Shahid “Polar Bear” Safaq – Left Field – Tehran Tarpons – 75.9% First Ballot Shahid Safaq was a 6’7’’, 200 pound left-handed left fielder from Karachi, Pakistan. His big frame earned the nickname “Polar Bear,” as he and fellow 2032 inductee Habib Saquib anchored the Tehran lineup for many years. Safaq was similarly an impressive power hitter with 44 home runs, 39 doubles, and 7 triples per his 162 game average. Safaq was also a very good contact hitter with a decent eye for walks and a below average strikeout rate. He especially dominated right-handed pitching (1.022 OPS, 181 wRC+) but was still dangerous for lefties (.868 OPS, 143 wRC+). Despite the big frame, Safaq was merely below average and not awful in terms of baserunning speed and ability. Most of Safaq’s starts in in left field, although he occasionally played center and right. He graded as a reliably solid defender in the corners, but was awful in center. Perhaps his biggest disadvantage compared to Saquib was durability with back and knee troubles limiting him in a couple seasons. Safaq still became very popular for his efforts, but left a somewhat different legacy from his fellow Karachiite. A big part of that was personality with Saquib being a beloved team captain. By comparison, Safaq was very outspoken and thick-headed, rubbing many the wrong way. Still, Safaq could lead effectively at times and was likewise critical to Tehran’s success. He signed a developmental deal in February 2010 and spent most of four years in their academy. Safaq debuted in 2013 at age 20, but played only seven games in the regular season and four in the playoffs. Tehan’s playoff streak had started in 2013 prior to Safaq’s debut. He was a part-timer in 2014 with 91 games and 47 starts, then had a full-time role through 2026. From 2015-22, Safaq was worth 6.9+ WAR each season. He led the West League in doubles with 43 in 2016 and with a career-best 47 in 2018. Safaq also had a career best 105 runs in 2018 and led the WL in total bases and WAR. He was third in 2015 and 2016’s MVP voting and second in both 2017 and 2018. Safaq had Silver Sluggers in 2015, 17, and 18 and notably hit for the cycle in 2016 against Kabul. Safaq signed an eight-year, $70,960,000 extension with the Tarpons in September 2017. With this came Tehran’s dynasty run. They set the ABF wins record in 2015 at 115-47, but had a shocking first round loss to Shiraz. The Tarpons bounced back at 102-60 in 2016 and defeated Dushanbe for the ABF Championship. In 2017, Tehran had arguably the best team in ABF history to that point at 116-46, defeating Asgabat in the ABF Championship. Safaq was a beast in the 2017 playoff run, winning LCS MVP and posting 21 hits, 11 runs, 3 doubles, 7 homers, 10 RBI, 1.181 OPS, and 1.6 WAR. He was even better in both editions of the Baseball Grand Championship. Tehran was 11-8 in a five-way tie for fifth in 2016, then 11-8 in a five-way tie for fourth in 2017. In both events, Safaq was good for 2.1 WAR, posting a combined 4.2 WAR in 38 games with 51 hits, 32 runs, 4 doubles, 26 homers, 50 RBI, .364/.431/.950 slash, and 1.381 OPS. Overall for Tehran, Safaq had 47 playoff games with 45 hits, 22 runs, 7 doubles, 11 homers, 27 RBI, .278/.341/.549 slash, 169 wRC+, and 2.3 WAR. He also had strong numbers for Pakistan in the World Baseball Championship with 142 games from 2015-29, 133 hits, 90 runs, 20 doubles, 46 home runs, 105 RBI, .266/.362/.582 slash, and 6.8 WAR. Safaq led all players with 25 RBI in the 2021 runner-up finish for Pakistan. He was also a part of their 2029 World Championship win, albeit as a veteran backup by that point. In 2019, Safaq led in total bases (373), slugging (.658), OPS (1.027), wRC+ (200), and WAR (9.7). He won another Silver Slugger and was second in MVP voting again. Tehran was a wild card with a first round exit in both 2018 and 2019, the final gasps of the dynasty run. From 2020-23, they were below 70 wins each year. 2020 was on pace for Safaq’s best personal year with 46 homers, 1.183 OPS, and 7.9 WAR in only 109 games, but he lost two months to a strained PCL. Safaq’s outspoken nature earned him critics in the early 2020s as he was upset with Tehran’s steep decline. He still played well, leading total bases (390), slugging (.674), OPS (1.038), and wRC+ (169) again in 2021. This was his career best for total bags home runs with 52, winning his final Silver Slugger. Safaq still had strong efforts in 2022 and 2024, but he’d be limited by injuries for much of the remaining years. 2022 notably saw a 31-game hitting streak in the early summer, one of only nine 30+ streaks in ABF history. In 2023, he lost more than two months between a severely strained hip miscle and strained hamstring. Safaq’s 2024 ended with a torn PCL and 2025 featured a fractured finger that sidelined him shortly after returning. Tehran had rebounded a bit and were back near .500 at this point and cautiously gave Safaq a two-year, $28,400,000 extension in July 2025. They had a winning season in 2026, but hamstring troubles limited Safaq and they missed the playoffs. Safaq didn’t meet the vesting criteria for the remaining year and became a free agent for the first time at age 34. Based on his previous highs and success on the WBC stage, Safaq had suitors from across the globe. He left Iran for Major League Baseball on a four-year, $78,400,000 deal with Houston. Safaq had an impressive debut season despite losing a few games to back issues, getting 46 homers, 106 RBI, 6.4 WAR, and 1.058 OPS over 127 games. His previous playoff successes didn’t carry over in 2027 with a .699 OPS and 0.1 WAR. Houston fell in the second round despite a 104-win season. The Hornets had division titles and first round defeats in 2028-29. Safaq was still a good starter when healthy, but couldn’t replicate that debut pace. He was relegated to a bench role with only 48 games in 2030. Houston finished 111-51 for the top seed in the American Association, but was upset in the second round with Safaq not getting used in the playoffs. For his MLB tenure, Safaq had 414 games, 457 hits, 253 runs, 69 doubles, 13 triples, 109 home runs, 295 RBI, .300/.344/.576 slash, 137 wRC+, and 12.8 WAR. It was certainly a nice effort for a guy debuting in the league in his mid 30s. Safaq wanted to play somewhere in 2031, but most squads felt he was well over the hill by this point. Safaq retired that winter shortly after his 39^th birthday. His combined pro career had 2074 games, 2317 hits, 1240 runs, 503 doubles, 86 triples, 565 home runs, 486 walks, 1668 strikeouts, .309/.356/.626 slash, 171 wRC+, and 96.8 WAR. Tehran quickly retired Safaq’s #38 uniform for his role in their repeat. For the Tarpons, he had 1660 games, 1860 hits, 987 runs, 434 doubles, 73 triples, 456 home runs, 1160 RBI, 385 walks, 1402 strikeouts, .312/.359/.638 slash, 180 wRC+, and 84.0 WAR. The later injuries and his MLB departure did keep his accumulations lower than one would expect based on his prime. As of 2037, Safaq ranks 86^th in runs, 100^th in hits, 56^th in total bases (3808), 65^th in doubles, 34^th in homers, 47^th in RBI, and 36^th in WAR among position players. Safaq’s .998 OPS is 11^th among all ABF batters with 3000+ plate appearances and his triple slash ranks 35^th/43^rd/10^th. There were some voters who said no to the Polar Bear between the lower accumulations and his outspoken personality. However, Safaq’s hitting efficiency and starring role in Tehran’s repeat titles was enough for the majority of voters. His 75.9% was less emphatic than Saquib’s 99.0%, but they stood together as first ballot inductees for the 2032 Asian Baseball Federation Hall of Fame class. Many still argue the 2017 Tarpons are ABF’s best-ever team, although the Grand Champion 2019 Tabriz Tiger Sharks and Baku’s 2030s dynasty squads have their own strong cases. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)