Baseball: The World's Game

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Beijing and Tianjin both continued their dominance atop the Chinese Northern League. They switched spots in the standings with the Bears first at 104-58 and the defending CLB champ Jackrabbits at 101-61. It was Beijing’s fourth straight playoff berth and Tianjin’s fifth straight. The Jackrabbit pitching staff set a NL record for fewest walks (202) while the Bears had the second best second for strikeouts at 1805, three behind their record from the prior season.

Dalian was third at 90-72, 11 games from a playoff spot despite having the Northern League MVP Hongbo Yang. Nicknamed “Otter,” it was the breakout season for the 25-year old right fielder, leading in hits (193), RBI (101), total bases (330), triple slash (.355/.383/.607), OPS (.99), wRC+ (237), and WAR (10.5). Beijing’s Youpeng Yin won back-to-back Pitcher of the Year awards. The 25- year old led in ERA (1.17), WHIP (0.60), quality starts (30), FIP- (36), and WAR (10.7). He added a 15-2 record and 293 strikeouts over 239.1 innings. Also of note, Junwei Zhu won his third Reliever of the Year and led in saves for the fourth straight season.



Guangzhou finished first in the Southern League at 99-63, earning back-to-back playoff berths. Close behind were Chengdu and Dongguan with the Clowns earning the second playoff spot at 98-64. That snapped a four-year playoff drought for Chengdu. The Donkeys, first place last year, were two games short at 96-66. Hong Kong (89-73) and Foshan (87-75) had solid seasons, but faded from contention late.

Chengdu CF Zhang Yu won the Southern League MVP, leading in hits (169), and triples (24). He added 9.8 WAR with a .837 OPS and 187 wRC+. The Clowns’ playoff hopes though would fade as Yu suffered a torn ACL in late September, knocking him out 10 months. Pitcher of the Year was Guangzhou’s Qinshu He, who posted a 1.74 ERA and 16-12 record over 269.1 innings with 291 strikeouts and 7.3 WAR.

The first place teams prevailed in the semifinal rounds with Beijing besting Chengdu 4-2 and Guangzhou topping Tianjin 4-2. This sent the Bears to the China Series for the fourth straight year and fifth time overall. For the Gamecocks, it was their third finals berth and first since 1974.



The 18^th China Series was a seven-game battle with Beijing winning over Guangzhou 4-3. 1B Guangjun Ma was the playoff hero, winning finals MVP and semifinal MVP. In 13 starts, Ma had 17 hits, 6 runs, 4 home runs, and 13 RBI. This gave the Bears their third title in four years, becoming the first team in CLB history to achieve that. Beijing is also the first time to win four titles overall in CLB history (1970, 84, 85, 87).



Other notes: Changsha’s Cong Tien Anh threw CLB’s 18^th Perfect Game on September 17, fanning five against Xiamen. Bears’ pitcher Xi Han had two no-hitters in 1987, fanning 14 against Jinan in May and striking out 10 against Zhengzhou in July. Beijing’s Robin Kwan tied the CLB single-game strikeout record, fanning 19 against Xi’an. Guodong Lin became the fourth pitcher to 3500 career strikeouts. Zhiyuan Lai and Hla Khun Mon became the third and fourth pitchers to 200 career wins.

Junjie Hsiung became the second to 2500 hits. He would play two more seasons and finish with 2824 hits, passing Shenchao An’s 2704 to become the CLB hit king. Hsiung remains the hit king as of 2037. He also won his 10^th and final Silver Slugger at shortstop. Faqing He won his ninth Gold Glove in center field.

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Taichung won the Taiwan League for the fourth straight season and set a franchise-record with a 107-55 record. They had the most runs scored (615) and fewest allowed (444) in the whole Taiwan-Philippine Association, allowing them to finish 11 games ahead of 96-66 Taipei. The Philippine League needed a tiebreaker game to determine the champ as Quezon and Cebu both finished 89-73. The Zombies prevailed to take the top spot for the third time in the 1980s. Manila, the two-time defending TPA champ, fell to a third place 78-84.

TPA MVP went to Taichung’s Chang-Rong Chang, who also won it back in 1981. The 29-year old Taiwanese first baseman led in runs (97), home runs (48), RBI (95), walks (59), total bases (358), OBP (.350), slugging (.594), OPS (.943), wRC+ (203), and WAR (9.3). Cebu’s Alex Clavijo won Pitcher of the Year in only his second season. The 23-year old lefty led in ERA (1.33), strikeouts (393), WHIP (0.71), FIP- (38), and WR (12.6). He pitched 278 innings and had a 21-5 record. Although most agreed Clavjio was the top pitcher, Taichung’s Cedric Fenny set the Austronesia Professional Baseball record with 27 wins. The 36-year old went 27-2 with a 1.38 ERA over 281 innings, 291 strikeouts, and 8.8 WAR. Also of note, Toucans closer Edhie Dalem won his third straight Reliever of the Year.



Two-time defending Sundaland Association champ Jakarta set a franchise record at 107-55, winning the Java League by 14 games over Semarang. The Jaguars led the association in runs (556) and fewest allowed (368). After taking second the prior two seasons, Medan was back atop the Malacca League at 95-67. It is the fifth playoff appearance of the 1980s for the Marlins. Pekanbaru, last year’s league winner, fell off a cliff to 69-93.

Pitcher of the Year and Sundaland Association MVP both went to Jakarta’s Hadi Ningsih. The 30-year old Indonesian lefty had a 0.94 ERA, only the second-ever sub-one ERA season for an APB starter behind Ahmad Syahmi Rusli’s 0.89 in 1982. He also led in wins (24-5), WHIP (0.61), K/BB (19.4), quality starts (34), FIP- (32) and WAR (14.1). Ningsih also struck out 408 batters over 287.1 innings and threw APB’s 14^th perfect game, striking out 12 against Palembang on April 5. It was his second career no-hitter, having also thrown one in 1984.

After taking runner-up the prior three seasons, Taichung finally took the Taiwan-Philippine Association Championship, outlasting Quezon in a seven-game classic. It is the fourth title for the Toucans, who also won it in 1981, 1966, and 1965. The Sundaland Association Championship also went the distance with Medan denying Jakarta’s three-peat. The Marlins have now won five pennants with four in the 1980s (1966, 81, 83, 84, 87).



The 23^rd Austronesia Championship was also a thriller, the first final to go seven games since a prior Taichung/Medan final in 1981. It was their third time meeting in the finale with the Toucans winning in 1981 on a walkoff and the Marlins taking it in five in 1966. Medan won it all in 1987 for their second championship, led by third-year left fielder Mohd Yusri Rusli. He won finals MVP, posting 13 hits, 6 runs, 2 doubles, 2 home runs, and 4 RBI over 14 playoff starts.



Other notes: Chun-Chia Lan became the second to 600 career home runs and became the APB home run king, passing Abracham Gumelar’s record of 604. Lan played one more season and finished with 619, holding the all-time mark for nearly 40 years. He’d end with 1413, retiring 13 short of Gumelar for the top spot. Vhon Lasam, Dave Hermillo, and Poh Tan all crossed 3500 career strikeouts, bringing it to five pitchers to have reached the mark. Cedric Fenny became the first to 200 career wins. CF Fajar Lastori won his eighth Silver Slugger.

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For the first time since their dynasty ended in 1970, Melbourne took first in the Australasia League. The Mets took the top spot at 98-64 with the top offense in the AL, scoring 701 runs. Christchurch at 95-87 was their closest competitor with Sydney at 88-74. Defending AL champ Perth was fourth at 79-83.

Leading Melbourne’s success was fourth-year 3B Thomas Silverhawk, who won Australasia League MVP. The 25-year old Australian hit the most home runs (50) and led in hits (188), average (.313), and WAR (10.5). He added a 180 wRC+ and 119 RBI. For the first time in AL history, Pitcher of the Year went to a reliever with Mets closer Scott Kyle taking it. He also became OBA’s first five-time Reliever of the Year winner. In his second season with Melbourne, the 32-year old New Zealander posted 5.4 WAR over 97 innings with 44 saves, 53 shutdowns, 149 strikeouts, and a 1.30 ERA. He also became the first OBA pitcher to cross 400 career saves. It would be his final OBA season as Kyle would spend his remaining five seasons in MLB. His 402 OBA saves would be the all-time top mark until the late 2020s.



The Pacific League title went Samoa, snapping a 13-season drought. The Sun Sox finished 89-73 and beat out defending champion Honolulu by only one game, denying the Honu their sixth title of the 1980s. It was a competitive race with only ten games separating first from seventh.

Fiji’s David Rotinsulu was named Pacific League MVP in his second season. The two-way righty from Indonesia on the mound led in wins at 25-12 and posted a 2.53 ERA over 327.2 innings with 273 strikeouts and 6.9 WAR. As an outfielder, he had 3.0 WAR with a .271/.310/.489 slash, 167 wRC+, and 14 home runs in 122 games. Honolulu’s Scottie Hunt was the Pitcher of the Year, having joined the Honu in 1985 after flaming out of MLB. The 30-year old from Portsmouth, Virginia led in ERA (2.21), strikeouts (368), quality starts (34), FIP- (70), and WAR (8.9), adding an 18-13 record in 317.2 innings. Hunt would miss all of 1988 needing elbow reconstruction surgery, then spent his remaining seasons bouncing between MLB teams.



The 28^th Oceania Championship would see the first sweep since 1970. Like in 1970, Melbourne was on the bad side of it as Samoa took the title. It is the second championship for the Sun Sox, who also won in 1973. CF Luther Barry was the finals MVP with 8 hits, 5 runs, 1 triple, and 3 RBI in the series.



Other notes: Tarzan Rao and Nigel Chalmers became the second and third OBA pitchers to 5000 career strikeouts, both passing Nathaniel Doloran’s top mark of 5026. Chalmers would retire after the season with 5144, while Rao played two more years and retired the all-time leader with 5650 Ks. Port Moresby’s Thompson Bobby had the third four home run game by an OBA slugger. Trent Atkins became the second batter to 500 home runs. He’d retire after 1989 with 564, still a distant second to Sione Hala’s 691. 3B Jarrod Stacy won his ninth Gold Glove.

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The European League’s best record in 1987 went to 98-64 Bucharest, earning a fourth straight playoff berth and a third South Division title in that stretch. Defending Soviet Series champ Kyiv was 95-67, which got the Kings the first wild card and a third consecutive berth. Minsk was North Division champ for the seventh straight season, finishing 96-66. Kazan and Warsaw were both four back at 92-70 and tied for the second wild card spot. The Crusaders took the tiebreaker game to secure their first playoff appearance since 1969. Vilnius (89-73), Riga (87-75), and Kharkiv (85-77) were also in the mix, but faded down the stretch.

Winning European League MVP was Vilnius LF Tapani Knuuti. The 28-year old from Finland was the WARlord at 8.3 and boasted Gold Glove defense along with 38 home runs, 98 RBI, and a .292/.325/.525 slash. Warsaw’s Lukasz Oleksy won Pitcher of the Year. The 28-year old Polish lefty was the leader in WHIP (0.76) and quality starts (30), adding 10.4 WAR over 278.2 innings with 363 strikeouts, a 1.58 ERA, and 20-9 record.

Both first round playoff series in the European League were five games classics that saw wild card victories. Kazan upset Bucharest and Kyiv ousted Minsk. The ELCS was familiar for the defending champion Kings, who had gotten that far seven times in the last decade. Meanwhile, the Crusaders hadn’t gotten to the ELCS since 1968. Kyiv continued its control of the European League by beating Kazan 4-1. The Kings now have 10 EL pennants and four in the last six seasons.



The battle for the top record in all of Eurasian Professional Baseball ended up focused in the Asian League’s North Division. Omsk won an intense battle for the division title at 104-58; the third straight playoff berth for the Otters. Krasnoyarsk was only one back at 103-59, taking the first wild card and ending a two-year playoff skid. Yekaterinburg was also in the mix at 98-64, easily taking the second wild card for their third straight playoff berth. Bishkek won back-to-back South Divisions, running away with it at 100-62. Last year’s division winner Almaty plummeted to only 68 wins.

Novosibirsk at 91-71 also had a solid season, but fell short in the very competitive field. Still, Nitros two-way star Igor Bury won his third straight Pitcher of the Year and second AL MVP. On the mound, he set two EPB records that still stand in 2037 with a 4.67 H/9 and .152 opponent batting average. Bury also led the league in ERA (1.44), strikeouts (416), WHIP (0.73), FIP- (45), and WAR (11.6), posting a 20-6 record over 269.2 innings. He also added 2.1 WAR offensively with 87 hits and 15 home runs. His Novosibirsk teammate Dzmitry Kuliev was also notable smacking 61 home runs, becoming only the fourth in EPB history to hit 60+.

Omsk ousted Yekaterinburg 3-1 in the first round and Krasnoyarsk won 3-2 at Bishkek. This gave the Otters their second Asian League Championship Series berth in three years and sent the Cossacks back for the first time since their 1982 title. Omsk claimed the ALCS 4-2 over Krasnoyarsk, making the Otters three-time AL champs (1966, 1985, 1987)



Omsk’s first-ever EPB ring wouldn’t come in the 33^rd Soviet Series. Kyiv claimed back-to-back cups by taking the finale 4-2, making the Kings a record-setting seven time champions (1958, 59, 63, 65, 83, 86, 87). Finals MVP was American 1B Alex McGinnis, who had 12 hits, 6 runs, 3 home runs, and 6 RBI in 16 playoff starts. Kyiv also had a record-setting postseason from Sumer Cetin, who stole 16 bases, a mark that still stands as the top one as of 2037. This Kyiv group is the fourth repeat champ in EPB history, joining the Kings’ 1959-59 titles, Almaty’s 1972-73 run, and Moscow’s 1974-75. Along with their 1983 title, Kyiv is the first franchise to win three titles in a five year stretch.



Other notes: Andrey Fisyuk became the seventh pitcher to 4500 strikeouts.

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Three of the four Northern Conference playoff spots in 1987 went to repeat winners. Rotterdam, the wild card last year, had the top overall record and won the Northwest Division at 99-63. Defending conference champion Amsterdam was second at 89-73, which was still good enough to get the wild card by four games over Copenhagen. The Anacondas earned a sixth straight playoff berth, while the Ravens got their third straight. Berlin claimed back-to-back North Central Division titles at 91-71, their fourth playoff berth in five years. Copenhagen was second at 85-77 with Oslo at 84-78. The British Isles Division had a shakeup with Glasgow snapping a five-year playoff drought, taking the title at 95-67. Birmingham’s four-year division title streak ended as the Bees fell to 78-84.

Although Birmingham fell off as a team, Bees RF Sean Houston certainly didn’t, winning his fourth consecutive Northern Conference MVP. The 28-year old Scot led in home runs (63), RBI (146), runs (130), total bases (456), slugging (.708), OPS (1.062), wRC+ (193), and WAR (9.5). Rotterdam’s Xavier Pereira won Pitcher of the Year as the 28-year old Frenchman led in wins (19-8), strikeouts (269), and WAR (8.5). He added a 3.20 ERA over 269.2 innings.

Amsterdam knocked off their divisional foe Rotterdam 3-1 in the first round of the playoffs, while Berlin outlasted Glasgow in five. This pitted the Anacondas against the Barons in the Northern Conference Championship for the third time in four years. The Barons had home field advantage, but they once again fell victim to Amsterdam. The Anacondas won the series 4-1 for their fourth NC pennant in five years. They’re the first Northern Conference team to ever win four titles in five, although it had occurred twice in the Southern Conference (1969-73 Vienna and 1980-84 Zurich).



The SC’s playoff field had the same four teams as the prior year. Munich had the best record in the entire European Baseball Federation at 114-48, setting a franchise record and winning a fifth consecutive Southeast Division title. Last year’s runner-up Madrid won the Southwest Division at 101-61 for a fourth berth in five years. Two time defending European Champion Marseille was again the wild card with a 96-66 mark. Zurich’s historic hold on the South Central Division continued with a 15^th straight title. The Mountaineers dropped down to 93-69 and had to fend off a solid 89-73 Milan squad.

Seville’s Edgar “Slap” Miranda picked up the Southern Conference MVP. A two-way player, the 28-year old Spaniard on the mound led in wins at 24-5, posting a 2.87 ERA over 279.1 innings with 295 strikeouts and 6.9 WAR. As a left fielder, he added an impressive 6.2 WAR with 34 home runs, 93 RBI, and a .320/.385/.603 slash. The 13.1 WAR total goes down as one of the EBF’s finest all-time seasons, although Miranda still couldn’t get the Stingrays to the playoffs in the loaded Southwest Division. Munich’s Marlon Hoffman won back-to-back Pitcher of the Year awards. The 29-year old German posted a 22-7 record and 2.29 ERA over 263.2 innings with 315 strikeouts and 8.9 WAR.

Zurich stunned Munich 3-1 in the first round, making the Mavericks go one-and-done for the fifth straight season. Madrid would sweep division foe Marseille, denying the Musketeers’ their shot at a three-peat. It was the ninth Southern Conference Championship appearance for the Mountaineers in their 15-year playoff streak, while it was back-to-back for the Conquistadors. Madrid cruised to a sweep, the first sweep in the SCC since 1980. It is the fourth pennant for the Conquistadors, but it is their first since the 1953-55 three-peat.



The 38^th European Championship was uneventful as it saw the first finals sweep since 1974. Madrid dominated Amsterdam, giving the Conquistadors their second-ever EBF ring (1955) and leaving the Anacondas runner-up in back-to-back campaigns. Madrid is the first Spanish champion since Barcelona’s 1979 title. Finals MVP was veteran 2B Tim Castanos with the 35-year old Spaniard posting 14 hits, 4 runs, 3 home runs, and 8 RBI in 11 playoff starts.



Other notes: Christophoros Zarkadis became the second EBF hitter to 700 career home runs and passed Gabriel Staudt’s all-time mark of 701. Zarkadis also won his 10^th Silver Slugger at shortstop. He would play two more seasons and retire with 795, although he’d lose the home run king spot to Jack Kennedy by the mid 1990s. Kennedy in 1987 got his 600^th dinger, the fifth to reach that mark. Stockholm’s pitching staff allowed 1684 hits on the season, which stands in 2037 as the worst in Northern Conference history. For back-to-back seasons, there were zero no-hitters thrown. Jacob Ronnberg won his 10^th Gold Glove in right field. C Georg Drost won his eighth straight Gold Glove.

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Beisbol Sudamerica had its second expansion prior to the 1987 season and re-aligned in the process. The new additions were the south Peru-based Arequipa Arrows to the Bolivar League and the north central Argentina-based Mendoza Mutants to the Southern Cone League. With that, both leagues now had 15 teams and the decision was made to divide into three divisions of five teams each. Logistically, this also created the need for limited interleague play for the first time.



In the Bolivar League, the divisions were set up as follows: the Venezuela division had the five Venezuelan teams (Caracas, Valencia, Maracaibo, Barquisimeto, and Ciudad Guayana). The Peru-Bolivia Division had La Paz, Lima, Callao, Santa Cruz, and Arequipa; and the Colombia-Ecuador Division had Cali, Guayaquil, Medellin, Bogota, and Quito. Liga Cono Sur had to split up the seven Brazilian teams with five making up the North Division (Fortaleza, Belo Horizonte, Recife, Brasilia, Salvador). The new Southeast Division saw Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo join Rosario, Buenos Aires, and Montevideo. The South Central Division would have Cordoba, Asuncion, Santiago, Concepcion, and Mendoza.

The change also required new postseason rules as well as opposed to the prior setup with the two division winners advancing only. The new setup had the three division champions and one wild card advance with a best-of-five Divisional Series. The League Championship Series and Copa Sudamerica remained best-of-sevens. There was also a brief labor disruption, leading to teams missing around 10-12 games this season from the usual 162 game schedule.*



Defending Copa Sudamerica champion Cali won the new Colombia-Ecuador Division at 97-53, posting the best record in the Bolivar League. This gave the Cyclones a third consecutive playoff berth. Medellin, the winner of the North Division the prior season, fell to 76-77. In the Venezuela Division, Ciudad Guayana was first at 92-61, while 90-63 Caracas took the wild card. La Paz secured the Peru-Bolivia division at 92-61, ending 4 ½ games better than Lima. This ended a four-year playoff drought for the Pump Jacks.

1986 Bolivar League MVP Lincoln Ruvalcaba was traded in the offseason from Santa Cruz to La Paz. The move paid off for the Pump Jacks as the 26-year old Bolivian designated hitter won MVP yet again. In 1987, he was the leader in runs (114), home runs (57), RBI (133), total bases (422), slugging (.726), OPS (1.109), and wRC +(197) with 7.9 WAR. Ciudad Guayana’s Ruben Garcia won Pitcher of the Year for the second time in three years. The 30-year old righty from Venezuela led in strikeouts (327), K/BB (12.1), quality starts (26), FIP- (61), and WAR (9.3). He added a 16-9 record and 2.26 ER over 267.1 innings.

In the Divisional Series, both Venezuelan teams advanced as Caracas knocked out Cali 3-1 and Ciudad Guayana popped La Paz 3-1. This created a first-time Bolivar League Championship Series matchup with two division rivals, giving the Colts their second BLCS berth in three years and the Giants their third in five years. In a seven-game classic, Caracas claimed the pennant over Ciudad Guayana, giving the Colts their first title since 1972. It is the tenth overall for Caracas, tying Medellin for the most pennants for a Bolivar League team.



Concepcion finished with triple digit wins for the first time in its 14-year existence. The Chiefs at 100-53 dominated the South Central Division and had the top mark in the Southern Cone League. Concepcion also got a third playoff berth in four years. At 90-60, Rosario won the Southeast Division to snap a 51-year playoff layoff. That was the longest such drought in Beisbol Sudamerica and the Robins’ success passed the new longest active streak to Asuncion at 48 seasons. In the North Division, Fortaleza won in a tight field at 87-63 to end their own eight-year playoff skid. Belo Horizonte (83-67) and Recife (84-69) were both close, but just behind. Both also narrowly were behind defending league champ Sao Paulo, who secured the wild card at 85-65.

Despite a very middling season for Buenos Aires, they saw second baseman Kip Flores win his second Southern Cone League MVP. The 28-year old from Paraguay won a third straight Gold Glove and won the batting title with a .379 average, also leading in hits (210), and total bases (357). He added 38 home runs and 10.5 WAR with a 1.060 OPS. Rosario’s Pepito Cortina won back-to-back Pitcher of the Year awards and was ten ERA points away from a Triple Crown. The 28-year old Argentine righty led in wins at 22-8, strikeouts (421), WHIP (0.85), inning (280), quality starts (28), and WAR (9.1). He added a 2.31 ERA and 64 FIP-.

Concepcion downed defending champ Sao Paulo 3-1 in the division series, while Fortaleza ended Rosario’s run with a sweep. This gave the Chiefs their third Southern Cone Championship appearance in four years, while it was the first in a decade for the Foxes. Concepcion cruised to their first-ever pennant, taking the series over Fortaleza 4-1. With the Chief win, three of the four teams from the 1974 expansion have now won a league pennant. Only Santa Cruz hasn’t yet as the Crawfish still haven’t posted a winning record in 14 seasons.



Concepcion became the second of the 1974 expansion squads to win Copa Sudamerica, joining Ciudad Guayana from three years earlier. The Chiefs won the 57^th edition in five games over Caracas, bringing the cup back to Chile for the first time since Santiago’s 1971 title. 1B Amerigo Orozco led the postseason charge with 20 hits, 10 runs, 6 doubles, 3 triples, and 7 RBI in 14 playoff starts.



Other notes: Lazaro Rodriguez became the third BSA pitcher to 300 career wins. He would pitch one more season and finish with 309, placing him third at retirement behind Mohamed Ramos’ 347 and Laurenco Cedillo’s 342. Pasquale Martin and AJ Nunez both got to 500 career home runs, making 24 batters to reach the milestone. CF Axel Huaman won his eight Gold Glove. Enrique Tafoya won his ninth Silver Slugger and his first as a shortstop, having won his other eight as a second baseman.

*Editor’s note: the auto scheduler didn’t adjust right to the divisional switch, thus teams didn’t play all 162 games and I didn’t catch it until it was too late. This would be resolved from 1988 onward.

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Three of the four Japan League division champs were the same for the third consecutive season. The lone exception saw defending JL champ Yokohama miss the cut at 92-70, finishing four back on 96-66 in the Capital Division. The Comets snapped a six-year playoff drought with their run. The best overall record in the Japan League was Central Division champ Osaka at 107-55. Sapporo cruised to the North Division at 97-65 and Hiroshima snagged the West Division at 95-67.

Japan League MVP and Pitcher of the Year both went to players for Hiroshima. 26-year old first baseman Tsukasa Kato won MVP, leading in home runs (62), total bases (375), slugging (.682), OPS (1.059), wRC+ (213), and WAR (9.5). He was the first 60+ homer hitter since 1979. Aiya Kodama won his sixth straight Pitcher of the Year, joining Yu-Geon Moon as the only six-time winners in East Asia Baseball history. Kodama led in ERA (1.66), strikeouts (346), WHIP (0.83), complete games (15), FIP- (35), and WAR (11.6). He finished two wins shy of a fourth Triple Crown season. Kodama would pitch one more year with the Hammerheads, then leave for MLB’s Denver Dragons.

Hiroshima upset 107-win Osaka 3-1 in the first round of the playoffs and Chiba downed Sapporo 3-1. This gave the Hammerheads back-to-back appearances in the Japan League Championship Series, while it was the first berth for the Comets since 1964. The JLCS went all seven games with the home team winning each game, which favored Chiba for their first pennant since their 1961-63 three-peat. It was the fifth title for the Comets, who also won it all in 1952.



The Korea League South Division had an intense three-team battle for the top spot. Defending East Asian champion Jeonju took the spot at 100-62, earning a third straight playoff berth. Ulsan was only one back at 99-63 and Yongin was two back at 98-64, although both still advanced as wild cards. This gave the Gold Sox four consecutive berths and the Swallows their second in three years. Daejeon was still solid, but out of the hunt at 90-72. In the North Division, Hamhung took first for back-to-back seasons at 91-71. The Heat were two games better than Seongnam.

Spiders first baseman Byung-Il Jun won his third Korea League MVP with his first back in 1982. The 30-year old lefty slugger led in home runs (51), RBI (127), total bases (387), slugging (.652), OPS (1.034), and wRC+ (176) with 7.5 WAR. Yongin’s Ju-Eon Eun won his third Pitcher of the Year as the WARlord at 9.1. He had a 61 FIP- and 2.91 ERA over 266 innings with 274 strikeouts and a 21-9 record.

The Gold Sox upset Jeonju 3-2 in a first round classic, while fellow wild card Ulsan ousted Hamhung 3-1. Yongin earned a fourth straight Korea League Championship Series appearance, while the Swallows saw their second in three years. In a rematch of the 1985 KLCS, Ulsan got revenge and claimed the series 4-2. It was the third-ever pennant for the Swallows with their other titles coming all the way back in 1936 and 1937.



The 66^th East Asian Championship pitted two franchises that had only won the overall title once prior; Ulsan was the 1937 champ and Chiba took it in 1952. The 1987 final was an all-time seven-game classic, ending for the first-time in history with an extra innings game seven. The Comets scored in the top of the tenth inning to win it 6-5. Veteran LF Chitomi Tsushima was the finals MVP, posting 22 hits, 10 runs, 2 home runs, and 6 RBI in 18 playoff starts.



Other notes: Jeonju’s Ji-Hu Kim had 40 triples, setting a new EAB single-season record that still holds as of 2037. My-Sung Lim became the 21^st batter to 600 career home runs and the 15^th to 1500 runs scored. Shuzo Toda won his eighth Gold Glove and first at shortstop, having won the prior awards at second base.

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Puebla at 97-65 had the Mexican League’s best record in 1987 after falling just short of the playoffs in the prior two years. The Pumas had a very impressive pitching staff that set four records that still hold as ML bests as of 2037. They had 1819 strikeouts and 173 walks for a 1.04 BB/9 and 10.92 K/9. In the North Division, 93-69 Torreon took first and ended a three-year playoff skid. The wild card race was very competitive with six teams within six games of each other. Ecatepec took the spot at 89-73 for back-to-back playoff berths. Guadalajara was two behind with Juarez three back, both Hermosillo and Monterrey four back, and Merida six back.

Last year’s league champ Leon dropped to 76-86. Despite their struggles, Lions RF Franco Hernandez won back-to-back Mexican League MVP honors. The 25-year old Cuban lefty led in WAR (8.7), walks (68), OBP (.399), OPS (.969), and wRC+ (200). He added a .325 average and 31 home runs. Puebla ace Junior Vergara had an incredible comeback season and became the first eight-time Pitcher of the Year winner in CABA history. He had missed all of 1986 with a torn UCL, but bounced back at age 33 in 1987 without missing a beat. Vergara led in ERA (1.80), WHIP (0.73), K/BB (25.0), WAR (11.2) and FIP- (35). He added 350 strikeouts and an 18-5 record over 230 innings.

Torreon bested Ecatepec 3-1 in the wild card round to give the Tomahawks their sixth Mexican League Championship Series appearance in their 26 year history. It was the third MLCS for Puebla of the 1980s, although they hadn’t won the pennant since 1949. The Pumas were on their way by winning the first three games of the series, but they collapsed and Torreon rallied to take the series in seven. It is only the second title for the Tomahawks, who beat Leon in the 1979 edition. Despite Junior Vergara’s incredible career, he’d never get to the CABA final with the Pumas. Puebla would have to wait until 2019 for their next ML pennant.



Defending CABA champion Costa Rica won back-to-back Caribbean League Continental Division titles. The Rays went 100-62, beating Guatemala by 12 games and Honduras by 14. The Ghosts and Horsemen would finish two and four games back in the wild card race, while last year’s wild card Nicaragua plummeted to a not nice 69 wins. In the Island Division, Bahamas finally earned a playoff spot after 25 years of mediocrity. The Buccaneers were 92-70, beating Havana by two games. The Hurricanes won the wild card and ended a nine year playoff drought. Santo Domingo’s six-year playoff streak ended as the Dolphins finished 85-77.

Leading Havana’s resurgence was Caribbean League MVP Juan Segura, the eighth overall pick in the 1985 CABA Draft. In his second season, the Cuban first baseman emerged and led the league in runs (119), total bases (380), OBP (.416), slugging (.662), and OPS (1.078). He added 9.6 WAR, 44 home runs, 117 RBI, and a .350 average. Costa Rica’s Estanislao Luna won back-to-back Pitcher of the Year, leading with a 2.08 ERA and 9.9 WAR. He added 338 strikeouts and a 22-6 record over 273 innings with a 57 FIP-. Luna spent one more year with the Rays before signing a big MLB deal with Winnipeg, but his career sadly ended in 1989 as he blew out his elbow, forcing a retirement at age 32.

Havana went on the road and upset their divisional rival Bahamas 3-2 in the wild card round, giving the Hurricanes their first Caribbean League Championship Series appearance since winning the 1975 CABA crown. The defending champ Costa Rica was too much for them though with the Rays winning the CLCS 4-1. CR now has seven CL pennants. (1932, 35, 36, 48, 77, 86, 87)



In the 77^th Central American Baseball Association Championship, Costa Rica clobbered Torreon 4-1 to give the Rays back-to-back titles. Ten CABA franchises now have repeated as overall champions. Closer Adrian Liriano was an surprising finals MVP, having joined the team in a trade with Nicaragua at the deadline. He tossed 7.1 scoreless innings in five postseason appearances with two saves and nine strikeouts. This burst of success would be the last great run for Costa Rica for a long while, as they wouldn’t get back to the CLCS until 2020.



Other notes: Mario Bueno became the eighth batter to 1500 runs scored and won his eighth Silver Slugger in center field. Junior Vergara and Conrado Gonsalez became the 20^th and 21^st pitchers to reach 3500 career strikeouts. LF Julio Santana won his 11^th Gold Glove. 2B Ricardo Dias won his 10^th Silver Slugger.

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The National Association was guaranteed a new champion in 1987 as defending champ Ottawa missed the playoffs at 85-77. Their Northeast Division had three playoff teams with Montreal first at 96-66. The Maples earned a third straight playoff berth and their sixth of the decade. Hartford at 94-68 got the first wild card and their fifth berth of the 1980s, while 91-71 Toronto got their second in three years. It was a competitive wild card race with Cincinnati finishing one back. Detroit, Baltimore, and Brooklyn were each two behind at 89-73 and Pittsburgh was three away at 88-74.

The best overall record was tied between Philadelphia and Kansas City at 100-62. The Phillies won the East Division for back-to-back playoff appearances, although it was their first title since 1971. The Cougars ended a five-year playoff drought atop the Lower Midwest Division. Louisville, who had a five-year division title streak, dropped to 84-78. In a tight Upper Midwest Division, Chicago (92-70) topped the Tigers by three games. The 1984 World Series champ Cubs are back after just falling short of the field in the two seasons in between.

Kansas City centerfielder Giovanni “Rock and Roll” Magsamen won the National Association MVP. It was a great bounce-back for the 30-year old lefty, who missed most of the prior season to a broken hand. The Kansas native was the WARlord at 8.8, posting a .905 OPS with 100 runs and 162 hits. In his first full season, Virginia Beach’s Jaime Aguero won Pitcher of the Year. The 23-year old Chilean lefty had a 2.55 ERA over 268.1 innings with 236 strikeouts, 6.7 WAR, and a 12-15 record.

In the first round of the playoffs, Hartford ousted Chicago 2-0 on the road and Montreal topped divisional foe Toronto 2-1. Both 100-win teams would get upset in the second round as the Huskies downed Philadelphia 3-1 and the Maples outlasted Kansas City 3-2. For Montreal, this got them back to the National Association Championship Series for the first time since their three berths from 1979-81, while it was the second in four years for Hartford. The NACS was an all-timer decided in game seven on a walk-off RBI single by CF Martin Barbosa for a 5-4 Montreal win. This made the Maples 10 time NA pennant winners, tied with Ottawa for the most.



Defending World Series champion Calgary improved to 109-53, tying their franchise record set two years prior. The Cheetahs won the Northwest Division for the fourth consecutive season and got a fifth straight playoff berth, the longest active streak now in MLB. In the Southwest Division, Phoenix finished first at 96-66. This put the Firebirds back into the postseason after narrowly missing the prior year, giving them five appearances in the 1980s.

A competitive Southwest Division got both wild card spots with Albuquerque at 92-70 and San Francisco at 91-71. Close behind but short was 90-72 Denver and 89-73 San Diego. The Gold Rush earned their fourth playoff berth in five years and the Isotopes got their second in four years. Atlanta ended a five-year playoff drought and won the Southeast Division at 92-70. Tampa, Charlotte, and Jacksonville were all playoff teams the prior year, but all three were stuck in the 80s for wins in 1987. In the South Central Division, 88-74 was just enough for Houston to win the division for the fourth time in five years. 86-76 Dallas was two games back.

Calgary LF Joseph Gregoire won American Association MVP with an impressive season, falling 12 points short of a Triple Crown with his .331 average. He was about as close as any MLB batter to getting it since Sebastian Lunde last did it back in 1946. The Lethbridge, Alberta native led in home runs (52), RBI (143), runs (128), walks (114), OBP (.440), slugging (.667), OPS (1.107), and wRC+ (191), while adding 9.2 WAR. Albuquerque’s Jimmy Roussel became a three-time Pitcher of the Year winner. He led in wins (23-8), WHIP (0.98), and K/BB (11.7), posting 8.8 WAR with 245 strikeouts over 279.2 innings. It would be the pentuilmate season with the Isotopes for the 30-year old righty, as Roussel would cash in in the 1988 offseason on a five-year, $8,900,000 deal with Chicago.

In the first round of the playoffs, Albuquerque edged Houston 2-1 and Atlanta ousted San Francisco 2-0. Both second round series went the distance with defending champ Calgary outlasting the Isotopes and the Aces upsetting Phoenix. It was Atlanta’s first American Association Championship Series appearance since 1981 and their eighth appearance in total. However, the Cheetahs took them to the cleaners in five games, giving Calgary back-to-back pennants and three in five years.



In the 87^th World Series, Calgary became a repeat champion, dropping Montreal 4-1. World Series MVP went to RF Haojian Yu, who joined the Cheetahs as a free agent after winning league MVP twice with the Chinese League’s Chengdu. The 32-year old acclimated well and posted 20 hits, 11 runs, 4 doubles, 5 home runs, and 14 RBI in 15 playoff starts. Calgary is the first repeat MLB champ since Los Angeles in 1973-74 and are the only fifth franchise to repeat, joining the Angels (who also did it in 1945-46), San Diego (55-56), Philadelphia (1941-44 four-peat, plus 1917-18), and Houston (1910-12 three-peat). The 1987 Cheetahs at 109-53 go down as an all-time great team as to this point, they sit tied for the third-best record by a World Series champion. They’re only topped by 1907 Phoenix (114-48) and 1956 San Diego (112-50).



Other notes: Although he was the NACS walkoff hero, Martin Barbosa set a bad MLB record with 35 postseason strikeouts, a mark that still holds in 2037. Wichita had a team .208 batting average, which stood as the single worst effort in National Association history until 2008. Will Brenneisen and Kymani Massey joined the 600 home run club, bringing MLB’s group to 17. Samuel Dao became the 19^th pitcher to 3500 career strikeouts. Christopher Sollinger won his 13^th Gold Glove at third base.

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Outfielder Jaxson Gatewood was the lone member of Major League Baseball’s 1988 Hall of Fame Class, getting the first ballot nod with 75.3%. Four others were above 50%, but each of them was below 60%. Catchers Gavin Geogham on his sixth try and Russ Spratt on his third both received 58.7%. Closer Angelo Kiernan got 55.5% on his second ballot and 2B Bobby Davis had 51.5% on his sixth go.



Among those falling off the ballot after ten failed attempts was pitcher Landon Toungate. A 17-year veteran primarily with Phoenix, he had a 243-208 record, 3.77 ERA, 4204.1 innings, 3021 strikeouts, and 71.8 WAR. A nice Hall of Very Good career, but no better. Toungate topped out at 37.6% in his debut and ended at 15.4%.

18-year veteran RF Rowley Patrick also was dropped, peaking at 27.8% and ending at 7.8%. He played with six teams and was most prominently with Los Angeles, posting 2557 hits, 1366 runs, 468 doubles, 538 home runs, 1611 RBI, a .276/.339/.506 slash and 52.1 WAR. Another nice career, but he was never considered elite. The third player cut was pitcher Emilio Nash, who played 16 years primarily with Memphis and won 1964 Pitcher of the Year. He had a 192-142 record, 3.25 ERA, 3167.1 innings, 2911 strikeouts, and 80.3 WAR. Nash was closer to having rate stats that might have got him in, but didn’t quite have the totals. He peaked at 32.2% and ended at 7.6%.



Jaxson “Mongo” Gatewood – Right Field – New Orleans Mudcats - 75.3% First Ballot

Jaxson Gatewood was a 6’1’’, 190 pound left-handed right fielder from Senatobia, Mississippi, a town of around 8,000 people within the Memphis metropolitan area. At his peak, Gatewood was an excellent contact hitter that was very good at avoiding strikeouts and drawing walks. He had solid home run power and averaged around 30-40 dingers per year while adding around 30 doubles/triples. Gatewood had respectable speed, although his was over aggressive at times on the basepaths. He was a career right fielder and although he never won a Gold Glove, he provided very good defense. Gatewood was reliable and durable most of his run and was a hard worker, becoming very popular nationally and beloved locally.

Gatewood moved to the desert for his college career with Arizona State and was the 1965 college MVP as a sophomore and a Gold Glover as a junior As a Sun Devil, he played 146 games with 167 hits, 113 runs, 49 home runs, 97 RBI, a .312/.399/.624 slash and 8.9 WAR. This made Gatewood the top prospect for the 1966 MLB Draft and New Orleans made him the #1 overall pick. At that point, the Mudcats were fresh off a dismal 43-119 season, the second worst mark in American Association history. New Orleans had largely been among the most unsuccessful franchises in MLB history, but Gatewood would help usher in a dynasty run.

Gatewood was a full-time starter immediately, although he missed about two months of his rookie year to injury. Even in only 106 games, he posted 5.8 WAR as a rookie, winning 1967 Rookie of the Year and his first of five Silver Sluggers. He won the Slugger again in 1968, 1969, 1972, and 1973. Gatewood led in OPS in 1968 at 1.012 and took second in MVP voting. He also played with the United States in the World Baseball Championship from 1968-74, making 128 starts with 121 hits, 97 runs, 36 home runs, 97 RBI, and 5.9 WAR. Gatewood was a member of five World Champion American teams.

As the 1970s dawned, New Orleans began to win games. 1970 was their first playoff berth since 1949 and the Mudcats went on a run. Gatewood won American Association Championship Series MVP and New Orleans won its second-ever World Series, beating Toronto in the final. The Mudcats improved their record with a third place in MVP voting for Gatewood in 1971. New Orleans defeated Minneapolis in the World Series, becoming only the fifth franchise to repeat as MLB champs. Before the 1972 season, the Mudcats signed Gatewood to a hefty eight year, $3,316,000 contract extension.

1972 was Gatewood’s finest season and his lone MVP, leading the AA in the triple slash (.365/.435/.734) with a 202 wRC+ and 9.9 WAR. He put up that line and smacked a career best 46 home runs despite missing a month to injury. Gatewood was a postseason stud again and won 1972 World Series MVP as the Mudcats defeated Montreal in the final, becoming only the third franchise to three-peat as champs along with 1910-12 Houston and 1941-44 Philadelphia. New Orleans dropped a bit in 1973 but still got to the AACS, although they were ousted by eventual champ Los Angeles. Gatewood was third this year in MVP voting, his final time as a finalist. In his playoff career with the Mudcats, Gatewood had a .292/.409/.485 slash, 59 hits, 39 runs, 9 doubles, 8 home runs, 25 RBI, and 1.8 WAR over 56 starts.

Gatewood wouldn’t be a statistical leader or award winner for the rest of his run, although he was still a solid starter for another four years with New Orleans. The Mudcats spent these years outside of the playoffs in the middle of the standings with the glory days of the dynasty done. In total with New Orleans, Gatewood had 1834 hits, 1085 runs, 201 doubles, 373 home runs, 1067 RBI, a .307/.376/.572 slash, and 66.3 WAR. He would remain beloved for decades after by Mudcats fans for his role in the dynasty and his #25 uniform would later be retired.

Gatewood opted out of the remainder of his contract at age 32 and signed with Brooklyn for the 1978 season on a five-year, $2,950,000 deal. His power and contact skills in his 30s weren’t near his prime, but Gatewood still provided positive value with a decent bat and nice defense. He had four solid seasons with the Dodgers, but struggled in his fifth year and was eventually relegated to the bench. With Brooklyn, Gatewood had 572 hits, 313 runs, 110 home runs, 337 RBI, a .245/.311/.438 slash, and 13.6 WAR. 1982 was the end of his MLB career. He would play some games with minor league Gainesville in 1983, retiring after the season at age 38.

Gatewood’s final stats: 2406 hits, 1398 runs, 262 doubles, 160 triples, 483 home runs, 1404 RBI, 896 walks, a .290/./358/.535 slash, 139 wRC+, and 79.9 WAR. A nice career, but those tallies weren’t overwhelming and he wasn’t often a league leader. Especially at a slugging position like the corner outfielder, Gatewood’s grand totals were borderline. However, he was a strong playoff performer and a critical piece to one of MLB’s great dynasties. Plus, Gatewood was a fan favorite and likeable guy, which gave him enough in a weaker 1988 class to be the lone inductee with a 75.3% first ballot selection.

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The Central American Baseball Association inducted two into the Hall of Fame with the 1988 class. Outfielder Alvaro Quintana led the way as a first ballot selection with 86.3%. First baseman Carlos De La Fuente joined him and finally got the nod in his sixth time on the ballot, receiving 75.1%.



Five players fell off the CABA ballot after ten failed tries. Pitcher Aaron De Paz ended with a peak of 50.2% on his final try. In 13 years with Guatemala and Tijuana, he won 1969 Pitcher of the Year and posted a 176-118 record, 2.97 ERA, 2841.2 innings, 2696 strikeouts, and 57.3 WAR. He needed a few more years of accumulations to get across the line. A similar fate befell Sebastian Cruz, the 1966 Pitcher of the Year. In 12 seasons, he had a 17-5110 record, 2.85 ERA, 2663.1 innings, 2585 strikeouts, and 46.3 WAR. Cruz also ended with his peak on his tenth ballot with 49.1%.

Catcher Sebastian Gonzalez fell off and ended at 42.7% after peaking at 57.1% on his third try. He won five Silver Sluggers, two Gold Gloves, and two CABA rings with Jamaica, but was sunk by the general anti-catcher bias of the voters. Gonzalez had 2214 hits, 951 runs, 390 doubles, 274 home runs, 1114 RBI, a .271/.324/.435 slash, and 72.8 WAR. At retirement, he was third in WAR for CABA catchers behind the two Hall of Fame inductees Chip Perez (93.9) and Mar Pavia (91.1). As of 2037, he’s still third in WAR for catchers and no other catcher has made the hall since Perez in the 1950s, again highlighting the challenges catchers face in getting the nod.

Also dropped was Yovani Pena, who won three straight MVPs from 1959-61 with Honduras. He played 16 years, but petered out with some injuries woes after his big run, finishing with 1858 hits, 1190 runs, 274 doubles, 208 triples, 382 home runs, 1019 RBI, a .258/.351/.528 slash, and 71.6 WAR. Often, big awards and rings (he won two with the Horsemen) will get a guy the push even if the totals are low, but Pena peaked at only 28.0% and ended at 8.2%. Lastly dropped was Closer Kesnel Mondesir, who won one Reliever of the Year and pitched 16 seasons. However, half of that was in MLB, although his CABA tenure had 248 saves, a 2.19 ERA, 612.2 innings, 759 strikeouts, and 21.1 WAR. He peaked at 33.5% in his debut and ended at 8.2%.



Alvaro Quintana – Right Field – Costa Rica Rays – 86.3% First Ballot

Alvaro Quintana was a 6’3’’, 205 pound left-handed right fielder from Tipitapa, Nicaragua; a city of around 150,000 people part of the Managua metropolitan area. Quintana was a stellar slugger that averaged around 40 home runs per season in his career while hitting for a respectable average. He struck out a lot, but was still above average at drawing walks. Quintana had below average speed and didn’t leg out many triples, but his powerful bat still got you around 30 doubles per season. He spent his entire career in right field and was a subpar defender, but he was very durable and made 135+ starts in 15 different seasons.

Quintana was quickly identified as one of the top Central American amateur prospects coming into the 1967 CABA Draft. Costa Rica picked him second overall and he started half of his rookie season. Quintana was a full-time starter in his second year, although it wasn’t until his fourth year that he really broke out. He smacked 48 home runs with a 1.018 OPS and 8.5 WAR, earning his first of five Silver Sluggers and a third place finish in MVP voting. This also helped get the Rays their first playoff berth in 14 seasons. Costa Rica was convinced they found a star and signed Quintana to a five-year, $1,252,000 extension. He was also a regular in the World Baseball Championship for his native Nicaragua with 128 games between 1967-84. In that stretch, he had 104 hits, 78 runs, 21 doubles, 34 home runs, 67 RBI, and 4.4 WAR.

With the Rays, Quintana won additional Silver Sluggers in 1972, 1973, and 1975. He was third in 1972’s MVP voting and third again in 1975. He hit 40+ home runs four times with Costa Rica, although the Rays would be a middling team during this period. Much to the chagrin of their fans, Quintana declined his contract option after the 1975 season and entered free agency at age 30. Enough fans still remembered him fondly and his #32 uniform would eventually be retired by the franchise. With Costa Rica, Quintana had 1326 hits, 685 runs, 238 doubles, 298 home runs, 806 RBI, a .304/.354/.576 slash and 44.5 WAR.

Quintana stayed in the Continental Division and signed a six-year, $2,048,000 deal with Salvador. He was good, but not incredible, in his first two years with the Stallions. His third season of 1978 would be his finest however with career bests in home runs (53), runs (107), and RBI (124). This earned Quintana his fifth and final Silver Slugger and his lone MVP, while also ending Salvador’s 11-year playoff drought. He had 14 hits, 7 runs, 5 doubles, 3 home runs, and 11 RBI in the playoffs as the Stallions won the Caribbean League title, eventually falling in the CABA Championship to Juarez.

His next two seasons would still be starter quality, but easily the weakest of his career to that point. Salvador made the playoffs again in 1979, but lost in the CLCS to Santiago. With the Stallions, Quintana had 789 hits, 457 runs, 158 doubles, 198 home runs, 507 RBI, a .277/.328/.553 slash and 21.8 WAR. He declined his contract option and became a free agent for 1981 at age 35. MLB money came calling and he signed a three-year, $2,370,000 deal with Houston.

Quintana had a respectable year starting for the Hornets in 1982 with 3.6 WAR, but they would cut him after one game in 1982. He returned to CABA and signed with Mexico City and showed he could still hack it, posting 38 home runs and 5.9 WAR in his one season with the Aztecs. That run got Quintana another MLB contact, this time for $2,040,000 with Indianapolis. He was merely okay in 1983 and eventually was benched in 1984, opting to retire after the season at age 39. In his MLB tenure, he had 342 hits, 65 home runs, 192 RBI, and 4.2 WAR.

For his CABA career, Quintana boasted 2260 hits, 1218 runs, 422 doubles, 534 home runs, 1407 RBI, a .293/.343/.568 slash, 151 wRC+, and 72.1 WAR. The accumulations aren’t at the top of the Hall of Fame leaderboard, but being the 24^th guy to 500 home runs helped. He was popular as well among fans both with Costa Rica, Salvador, and in his native Nicaragua. That helped solidify his case with the majority of the skeptical voters and Quintana received a first ballot induction at 86.3%.



Carlos De La Fuente – First Base – Chihuahua Warriors – 75.1% Sixth Ballot

Carlos De La Fuente was a 6’2’’, 180 pound left-handed first baseman from Aguascalientes, a city of around a million people in central Mexico. He was a well-rounded hitter with very solid contact skills and a great eye for drawing walks and avoiding strikeouts. De La Fuente wasn’t a prolific home run hitter, but still added 25-30 per year. He had great gap power though and thrice was a league leader in doubles. Carlos had below average speed and played exclusively defensively at first ball, along with some starts as a designated hitter. De La Fuente was viewed as a slightly below average defender.

De La Fuente was a young draft pick, selected at age 19 by Chihuahua with the 6^th pick in the 1956 CABA Draft. He debuted at age 21, but saw very limited action in his first two seasons. He was worked into a pinch hitting role in 1960, then a part-time starter in 1961. De La Fuente stepped up big though in the 1961 postseason, getting 9 runs, 10 hits, 3 home runs, and 9 RBI in 12 games. The Warriors won the CABA Championship for only the second time and De La Fuente was Finals MVP. That run helped make him one of Chihuahua’s favorite players.

He became a full-time starter after that, leading in doubles twice, walks twice, average once, OBP thrice, wRC+ once, and WAR once. De La Fuente never won MVP, but took third in 1962, second in 1964, and third in 1967. Carlos won three Silver Sluggers (1963, 64, 67). He also played for Mexico in the World Baseball Championship, although usually as a backup. He played 69 games with 29 starts from 1962-73, posting 33 hits, 18 runs, 11 home runs, 31 RBI, and 1.2 WAR.

Although De La Fuente was steady and successful, Chihuahua declined as the 1960s progressed. They made the playoffs in 1962, but began a multi-decade drought after that and were below 60 wins by 1969. De La Fuente was one of the lone redeeming things of that era of Warriors baseball and would see his #21 uniform eventually retired. He had an unfortunate end to his run as he dealt with post-concussion syndrome from an off-the-field injury from late 1970 through mid-1971. In total with Chihuahua, De La Fuente had 1931 hits, 965 runs, 358 doubles, 294 home runs, 972 RBI, a .329/.398/.555 slash, and 72.4 WAR. Now 35 years old after the 1972 season, Carlos opted for free agency for the first time.

When he returned from the concussion, he still looked solid in 1971 and MLB’s Albuquerque gave him a four year, $1,304,000 deal. De La Fuente was decent with the Isotopes, playing two-and-a-half seasons with 324 hits, 165 runs, 51 home runs, 180 RBI, and 5.6 WAR. A fractured foot cost him part of 1974 and Albuquerque would cut him in the summer. He returned for 19 games that fall to Mexico with Queretaro. De La Fuente’s next step was an unexpected one, heading to the Pacific League on a two-year, $288,000 deal with Fiji.

Carlos had two solid seasons with the Freedom and even was All-Star game MVP at age 39 in 1976. With Fiji, he posted 9.0 WAR in two seasons with 302 hits, 141 runs, 46 home runs, and 139 RBI. De La Fuente came back to CABA and Puerto Rico signed him for three years, $1,036,000. He got to the 2000 hit, 1000 run, and 1000 RBI milestones in his one year with the Pelicans, but he was a borderline player in his one season there. He retired after the 1977 season at age 40.

De La Fuente’s entire pro career had 2714 hits, 1329 runs, 501 doubles, 407 home runs, 1356 RBI, a .307/.378/.514 slash, and 88.1 WAR. That’s a good run, but even altogether he’d be a borderline case. For just CABA, he had 2088 hits, 1021 runs, 384 doubles, 310 home runs, 1037 RBI, a .323/.392/.541 slash, 171 wRC+, and 73.5 WAR. Only three CABA Hall of Famers had a better career OBP and two of those were the legendary Kiko Velazquez and Prometheo Garcia. Still, De La Fuente’s totals were on the lower end and he remained outside of the HOF for his first five ballots. He gradually gained steam, starting at 53.1% and falling just short at 65.4% on his fifth attempt. The sixth one got him the push he needed and De La Fuente took his spot in the Hall of Fame with 75.1%.

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East Asia Baseball had three first-ballot Hall of Famers in the 1988 class, although none of them were slam dunks. 2B Dong-Hyuk Lee was the most impressive of the group with a solid 80.8%. Meanwhile, pitchers Je-Myung Choi and Tae-Hong Kim both got in with 67.0%; only one percent above the 66% requirement. Closer Kyeong Pyo became very close to making it a four-player class, but missed the cut with 64.2% on his third ballot.



One player was dropped after ten ballots in pitcher Tsugunosuke Okabe, who pitched 16 years with Kawasaki. He had a 215-129 record, 2.96 ERA, 3187.1 innings, 2719 strikeouts, and 66.1 WAR. A nice career, but no major awards or league leading seasons sunk him. Okabe peaked at 48.5% on his second ballot and ended at 43.0%. The Killer Whales did retire his #9 uniform, so Okabe does at least remain fondly remembered by Kawasaki’s fan base.



Dong-Hyuk Lee – Second Base – Hamhung Heat – 80.8% First Ballot

Dong-Hyuk Lee was a 6’0’’, 205 pound right-handed second baseman from Sungho, a North Korean county of around 80,000 people located a half hour east of Pyongyang. Lee was an excellent contact hitter that won three batting titles in his career. He also was very good at drawing walks and better than most at avoiding strikeouts. Lee had a good pop on his bat and averaged around 25-30 doubles, 15-20 triples, and 25-35 home runs per year. He was also one of the quicker baserunners of that era of Korean baseball. Lee was a career second baseman and firmly below average defensively, but his bat was unmatched for the position.

Lee was considered one of the better North Korean amateurs and as such was selected by Hamhung with the 24^th pick of the 1972 EAB Draft. He was a full-time starter immediately and won the 1973 Rookie of the Year with 3.8 WAR. His third season began a streak of six straight Silver Sluggers., with a seventh in 1982. Lee never won MVP, but came close with a second place in 1976, third in 1980, and third in 1982. He also became extremely popular nationally as part of the DPRK’s World Baseball Championship team. Lee played 122 games for North Korea between 1974-87 and posted 98 hits, 61 runs, 30 home runs, 66 RBI, and 2.9 WAR.

Hamhung generally had winning seasons during Lee’s tenure, but they only would make the playoffs twice while he was there without a series win. Lee remained a popular player and would see his #25 uniform retired later on. When his deal with the Heat expired after the 1982 season, he became a rare North Korean defector to the United States. MLB’s Cleveland wanted to make him a millionaire and signed Lee to a five year, $5,340,000 deal.

After being typically pretty durable, Lee’s Cobras debut was plagued with various injuries. He fared better in 1984, but again had injury issues in 1985. 1986 saw Lee reach his potential with a Silver Slugger at age 35, posting 6.1 WAR and 31 home runs. Cleveland was hopeful that his final year of the contract would see similar marks, but tragedy struck in spring training. Lee suffered a broken kneecap that forced his retirement that summer at age 36. With the Cobras, he had 467 hits, 279 runs, 80 home runs, 239 RBI, and 15.5 WAR.

For his EAB and Hamhung run, Lee had 1710 hits, 890 runs, 262 doubles, 184 triples, 255 home runs, 944 RBI, a .334/.394/.606 slash, and 64.6 WAR. The totals were low and there had been very few guys to make the Hall of Fame without getting to 2000 hits. Second base had also been a tough position to get a look in at, but his seven EAB Silver Sluggers and popularity went a long way even if the tallies are borderline. Lee not only got in, but do so on the first ballot with 80.8%.



Je-Myung Choi – Starting Pitcher – Busan Blue Jays – 67.0% First Ballot

Je-Myung Choi was a 6’1’’, 200 pound right-handed pitcher from Seoul, South Korea. Choi was known for having excellent control with very good movement, allowing him to thrive despite merely above average stuff. He briefly had 96-98 mph velocity, but sat in the 94-96 mph range most of his career. Choi had a filthy slider that he mixed with a sinker and curveball. He had respectable stamina and was known as a leader and hard worker.

Choi’s potential was noticed even coming out of Woosung High School and there were teams wanting him to skip college. Daegu was so enamored that they picked him with the #1 overall pick in the 1965 EAB Draft. Choi didn’t spend a second with the Diamondbacks though, declining to sign with them and opting for Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul. He dominated the college ranks with 372.2 innings over three years with a 1.76 ERA, 34-7 record, 487 strikeouts, and 17.4 WAR. Choi was next eligible in the 1968 EAB Draft and was even more highly prized. He again was picked #1 overall, but this time by Changwon.

Choi signed with the Crabs and began his pro career in 1969, becoming a full-time starter immediately and posting 6.1 WAR as a rookie. He’d have eight straight seasons with 5+ WAR to start his career and gradually improved, although Choi rarely was a league leader. In 1971 and 1973, he finished third in Pitcher of the Year voting. Choi also pitched for South Korea in the World Baseball Championship in his early years. From 1969-75, he had 129.1 WBC innings with a 2.85 ERA, 109 strikeouts, and 3.1 WAR. He also earned a World Championship ring in 1969.

In total with Changwon, Choi had a 79-63 record, 2.83 ERA, 1295.2 innings, 1114 strikeouts, and 31.2 WAR. Statistically, it was his most impressive run, but the Crabs were consistently crap. Choi was due free agency after the 1974 season and Changwon figured they wouldn’t be able to keep him, so he was traded before the season for three prospects to Sapporo. Choi’s lone season with the Swordfish was perhaps his finest, leading the Japan League in WAR (8.0) and wins at 22-6. He was second in Pitcher of the Year voting and posted a 0.57 ERA in 15.2 playoff innings, although Sapporo would fall in the JLCS to Kyoto.

Now 27 years old, Choi entered free agency and signed a seven-year, $2,344,000 contract with Busan. This was his longest run and the team he entered the Hall of Fame with, although Choi was never a Pitcher of the Year finalist with the Blue Jays. 1978 was on pace for a shot at the award as he won the ERA title at 2.56 and led in WHIP, but a torn back muscle cost Choi the final two months of the season. After that, his production started to fall towards more middling results.

Busan would win the Korea League title in 1980, but this was Choi’s worst year and he was relegated to only two relief appearances in the playoffs. In total with Busan, he had a 110-74 record, 3.25 ERA, 1681.2 innings, 1324 strikeouts, and 24.5 WAR. He would earn his 200^th win with the Blue Jays, becoming the 32^nd pitcher to reach the mark. Choi signed for 1982 with Bucheon as a back-end starter, but was traded near the deadline to Kitakyushu for two catchers. After finishing out the season with the Kodiaks, Choi retired at only age 35.

Choi’s final stats: 221-154 record, 3.07 ERA, 3423 innings, 2851 strikeouts, 583 walks, 291/432 quality starts, 87 FIP-, and 66.7 WAR. The tallies were respectable for someone out of the game in his mid 30s, but still definitely on the lower end compared to others in the EAB Hall of Fame. Choi didn’t have the big awards, league leading totals, or playoff stats, making him appear on the surface as a very borderline case. Still, in his debut he managed to make it in as a first ballot selection, albeit barely with 67.0%.



Tae-Hong “Boomer” Kim – Starting Pitcher – Yongin Gold Sox – 67.0% First Ballot

Tae-Hong Kim was a 6’0’’, 200 pound left-handed pitcher from Seoul, South Korea. He was a hard thrower with 98-100 mph peak velocity and strong stuff, although his control was also solid with decent movement. Kim mixed four pitches in his arsenal; fastball, curveball, changeup, and splitter; each with respectable potency. He had excellent stamina and durability for much of his career and was pretty good at holding runners. Kim was very well respected as a great leader, hard worker, and was considered a very knowledgeable pitcher.

Kim was signed as a teenager amateur free agent by Yongin in 1960 and spent the next four years in their developmental academy. He made his debut in 1964 at age 21 and was primed to be a full-time starter, although he missed half the season to a herniated disc. Still, his debut was impressive enough in a half season to take second in Rookie of the Year voting. Kim was a solid starter for the next three years, then emerged as a genuine ace in his fourth year. The Gold Sox began finding success as well, winning five straight Korea League South Division titles. Pyongyang’s dynasty got in the way of deeper runs in those first four years.

Kim won Pitcher of the Year three straight years from 1968-70. He led the Korea League in FIP- each of those years and led in WAR twice. Kim would take third in 1972 Pitcher of the Year voting as well. With Pyongyang out of the way in 1970, Yongin finally broke through to win the KL pennant, although they were defeated in the EAB Championship by Hiroshima. Kim’s postseason numbers were unremarkable with a 3.74 ERA in 12 starts with 84.1 innings, 3-5 record, 81 strikeouts, and 1.1 WAR. He was a big reason they got into the field though with five seasons worth 7.5+ WAR.

The Gold Sox retreated to the middle of the pack into the early 1970s and Kim’s run there would end after the 1973 season. Yongin retired his #17 uniform and he’d remain a well-known franchise figure. It was going to be difficult to match the money Kim was going to draw and ultimately no EAB team could beat MLB’s money. The 31-year old Kim went to Texas and signed a six-year, $2,128,000 deal with Dallas. He struggled a bit adjusting in his first year with the Dalmatians, then had a pretty solid second year that was capped by a no-hitter on August 31 against San Antonio.

Shoulder inflammation cost Kim much of 1976, but he bounced back with a very solid 1977. Dallas emerged as a contender by this point and he had a very good postseason with a 2.13 ERA over five starts and 38 innings. Kim’s efforts helped the Dalmatians win their first World Series. Injuries would plague him the next few years, but he was very effective when healthy, even leading the American Association in ERA and WHIP in 1979. However, 1977 was Kim’s final full season of production. He’d miss the 1980 postseason run, but would receive his second ring as Dallas again won the World Series.

Kim sporadically pitched in the World Baseball Championship in these later years for South Korea after pitching in 1966 and 1967. He added starts from 1977-80 and in total had a 3.45 ERA with 78.1 innings, and 96 strikeouts. In the playoffs with Dallas, he had a 3.41 ERA in nine starters with 66 innings and 36 strikeouts. With the Dalmatians in total, he had an 88-63 record, 3.25 ERA, 1438.1 innings, 1046 strikeouts, and 30.1 WAR.

A torn back muscle, a torn labrum, and shoulder inflammation were among the injuries in the final years with Dallas. His tenure ended officially when the Dalmatians declined to protect him in the 1981 MLB Expansion Draft. Kim was picked in the fourth round by Virginia Beach, but the Vikings would cut him at the end of spring training. He signed with Miami, but only had three appearances with the Mallards and two starts in minor league Fort Myers. Kim was cut again and returned home to South Korea, finishing 1982 with 9.1 innings for Changwon. He retired after the season at age 40.

For his entire pro career, Kim had a 253-152 record, 3.01 ERA, 3889.2 innings, 3705 strikeouts, and 93.5 WAR; which would be a rock solid Hall of Fame case. But he was to be judged on his East Asia Baseball stats, which was basically just his Yongin run. That was 164-89, 2.87 ERA, 2438 innings, 2655 strikeouts, 202/303 quality starts, 113 complete games, 75 FIP-, and 63.6 WAR. Certainly an impressive decade, but smaller accumulations since he left for Dallas. This hurt him with the voters who dislike guys that leave, but he was still a well-liked player generally and one of a select few to win three Pitcher of the Year awards. Kim barely received the first ballot nod with 67.0%, but earned his spot regardless among EAB’s greats.

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Two players secured spots in Beisbol Sudamerica’s Hall of Fame in 1988. They were both first ballot guys, but both in the 70% range. First baseman Afonso Revela got 74.4% and closer Pedro Heredia received 72.0%. Two others came close, but fell just short of the 66% mark. 1B Cy Cavazos got 61.7% on his fifth ballot and SP Manuel Gonzalez earned 59.6% on his eighth go. For both Cavazos and Gonzalez, this was the highest mark they had received. No players were dropped following ten ballots.



Afonso Revela – First Base – Santiago Saints – 74.4% First Ballot

Afonso Revela was a 6’0’’, 200 pound left-handed first baseman from Santos, Brazil; a city with around 430,000 people located about two hours south of greater Sao Paulo. Revela was very popular because he flat out hit dingers, posting a stretch of 11 straight seasons with 40+ home runs and topping 50+ eight times in that run. He also drew a ton of walks, often times with teams pitching around him. However, Revela struck out a ton and was a below average contact hitter. He was very much a “three true outcomes” type of hitter. Revela was a career first baseman and a terrible defender to boot. But he was a hard worker and hit dongs, a combo that will keep one employed in professional baseball.

Revela was signed as a teenage amateur free agent by Santiago in 1963, although it would be some time before he saw much playing time. His contact hitting was abysmal early in his career and with no designed hitter in the Southern Cone League, even with his power he didn’t have a spot. Revela officially debuted with a few at bats in 1967, but was primarily a pinch hitter through 1971. Plus, Santiago was in the midst of their dominant run in the Southern Cone League, so open spots were limited. Although he didn’t make any postseason starts, Revela received a Copa Sudamerica ring in 1971.

By 1972, Revela earned a full-time spot in the lineup and had cultivated his power to justify the spot, leading the league with 53 home runs. In 1973 and 1975, he took third in MVP voting. Revela never won the top award or a Silver Slugger, the curse of sharing a position and league with the eventual all-time home run king Valor Melo. In 1975, Revela became the single-season home run champ with 69 bombs. He held that title one season, as Melo crushed 74 the next year. Revela also played in the World Baseball Championship from 1973-76 for Brazil with 17 home runs and 25 RBI over 130 at bats.

Despite Revela’s success, his rise came with the end of Santiago’s run at the top with their decade-long playoff streak ending in 1974. Still, his towering homers would be fondly remembered and the Saints would retire his #39 uniform. In total with Santiago, Revela had 905 hits, 658 runs, 356 home runs, 692 RBI, a .254/.349/.586 slash, and 41.3 WAR. He became a free agent at age 31 following the 1977 season and signed a six-year, $2,290,000 deal with Rio de Janeiro.

He had four more seasons with 50+ homers with the Redbirds and led the Southern Cone League twice. Revela helped at the box office in Rio, but the team was a lower tier one still. In five seasons, he had 648 hits, 454 runs, 267 home runs, 517 RBI, a .253/.338/.593 slash and 26.5 WAR. In 1982, Revela became the seventh BSA hitter to 600 career home runs. He declined his contract option year after the season and found big money with MLB’s Charlotte, who was excited to bring his power to North Carolina. Revela signed a three-year, $2,940,000 deal with the Canaries and hit 33 homers as a starter there. He also posted -2.0 WAR with an American Association worst 221 strikeouts and a .172 average. Revela opted to retire after this season at age 36.

For his BSA career, Revela had 1553 hits, 1112 runs, 159 doubles, 623 home runs, 1209 RBI, 815 walks, a .254/.345/.589 slash, 175 wRC+, and 67.8 WAR. He was seventh on the all-time home run list at induction, but was overshadowed by Valor Melo’s power in his era. Unlike the well-rounded Melo as well, Revela really wasn’t that good at anything outside of the homers. Chicks dig the long ball though, as did enough Hall of Fame voters to put Revela in on the first ballot with 74.4%.



Pedro Heredia – Closer – Buenos Aires Atlantics – 72.0% First Ballot

Pedro Heredia was a 6’1’’, 200 pound right-handed relief pitcher from La Plata, Argentina; a city with a metro of more than 900,000 located an hour east of Buenos Aires. Heredia’s fastball was the stuff of legends with 99-101 mph peak velocity. He also mixed in a great curveball with solid control and decent movement, making him a tough pitcher to solve. Heredia was also very durable and ready to step in whenever called upon. He was a carefree and weird guy that didn’t lean into the fame, but the fans loved the fastball.

It was clear though that he didn’t have the stamina to be a starting pitcher, which meant he wasn’t the most sought after prospect after his amateur career. Nearby Buenos Aires noticed him though and picked him 80^th overall in the 1971 Beisbol Sudamerica Draft; the first pick of the fourth round. He was thrown into the closer role immediately and excelled in that orle for the next eight seasons with the Atlantics. He had four seasons with a sub-one ERA and five seasons with 6+ WAR; a rarity for a reliever. On multiple occasions, his FIP- was in the single digits.

Heredia was Reliever of the Year in his rookie season and took second in Rookie of the Year voting. He then won five straight Reliever of the Year awards from 1975-79; joining Chano Angel as BSA’s only six-time winners of the award. He led the Southern Cone League in saves twice and posted a streak of 60 successful save opportunities that lasted from August 31, 1974 to May 27, 1976. Heredia also posted 51 straight scoreless innings from 8/10/77 to 6/30/78. There’s no easy way to check the records for all leagues for these specific stats, but they may both be world records. When he was on, he was simply untouchable.

This would serve Buenos Aires well as they put together their own six year playoff streak from 1975-80. The Atlantics won the 1975 Copa Sudamerica with Heredia tossing 10 scoreless innings with 22 strikeouts in that postseason run. Buenos Aires would fall in the league championship the next four years with Heredia posting a 1.65 playoff ERA over 32.2 innings with 69 strikeouts and 9 saves. He also pitched for Argentina from 1972-86 in the World Baseball Championship with a 2.34 ERA over 65.1 innings, 25 saves, and 126 strikeouts.

In 1979, he posted 7.0 WAR over 92.2 innings with 192 strikeouts, 44 saves, and a 0.68 ERA. This effort earned Heredia the Pitcher of the Year, the first reliever to win the award in Southern Cone League history. His contract expired after the 1979 season with Buenos Aires at age 30 and to the surprise of most, this marked the end of his South American career. Even more surprising was that he left for the newly formed South Asia Baseball. There had been plenty of prime players leaving to a more prestigious league, but someone going to a new and weaker league while at their peak was unheard of. Heredia never gave much detail to the media as to why he decided to leave, but he joined Yangon for the 1980 season.

He bounced around in six SAB seasons, although he was still great in the newly formed league. Heredia pitched with Yangon in 1980, Jaipur in 1981, Bengaluru in 1982, Yangon again in 1983, both Jaipur and Ahmedabad in 1984, and Yangon once more in 1985. Heredia won Reliever of the Year in 1980, 81, 82 and 84; giving him the award ten times in total. He also was third in 1980 and 1985 voting. He won a championship ring in 1982 with the Blazers.

In total in South Asia Baseball, Heredia had 212 saves, 1.41 ERA, 475 innings, 955 strikeouts, 90 walks, 18 FIP-, and 30.5 WAR. His 1985 was the weakest of the season, but he was still worth 4.4 WAR. He went unsigned in 1986 with his final appearances coming in the 1986 WBC. Heredia was unsigned again in 1987 and retired that winter at age 38.

For his entire pro career, Heredia had 521 saves, 1.20 ERA, 1164.1 innings, 2321 strikeouts, 213 walks, 607 shutdowns, a 284 ERA+, 15 FIP-, and 78.3 WAR. That line puts him among the absolute best relievers in pro baseball history. Despite his dominance, his BSA Hall of Fame candidacy was solely based on the Buenos Aires run with 309 saves and 366 shutdowns, a 1.04 ERA, 689.1 innings, 1366 strikeouts, 123 walks, 311 ERA+, 13 FIP-, and 47.8 WAR. Only Chano Angel had a better ERA among BSA Hall of Famers, but there were voters that still voted against him for leaving when he did. Still, his eight years with the Atlantics were historically dominant, seeing his #29 uniform retired. Enough voters were impressed by this peak to put him in even with only 309 saves, making Heredia a first ballot Hall of Famer at 72.0%.

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The European Baseball Federation added right fielder Nikolai Yevsikov into the Hall of Fame as the lone member of the 1988 class. He didn’t make the 66% cut by a ton, but his 70.9% earned him a first ballot selection. Four others were above 50%, led by 1B Alex Zonneveld at 63.1% on his debut. 1B Isak Steffensen got 59.3% on his sixth ballot, RF Edin Janezic received 54.5% for his eighth try, and SP Ugo Musacci picked up 51.9% for his third go.



Pitcher Eddie Hadzic fell off the ballot after ten failed tries, ending with his highest tally at 47.0% after falling as low as 7.5% the prior year. The left-handed Swede spent 14 years between Stockholm and London with a 165-98 record, 2.64 ERA, 2609.1 innings, 2650 strikeouts, and 56.3 WAR. A nice career, but no major awards and not enough dominance to make up for lower accumulations.



Nikolai Yevsikov – Right Field – Rotterdam Ravens – 70.9% First Ballot

Nikolai Yevsikov was a 6’0’’, 200 pound left-handed hitting right fielder from Yaroslavl, Russia; a city of around 575,000 people located about four hours northeast of Moscow. Yevsikov was known for having an incredible eye, retiring as the EBF’s all-time leader in walks drawn. His contact skills were merely average, but he still led the Northern Conference in OBP four times despite never batting above .300 and posting average strikeout rates. Yevsikov also had nice power with around 30-35 home runs per year and 20 doubles per season. His speed was okay on the basepaths, but his range was terrible defensively. Yevsikov was a career right fielder and an abysmal one at that, very much a guy that would’ve been a full-time DH if the EBF used one. He worked hard, was durable, and got on base, making Yevsikov a valuable player regardless.

He left the Soviet Union as a teenager and ended up playing college baseball in England at the University of Cambridge. Yevsikov was picked in the sixth round of the 1962 EBF Draft by Oslo, but decided to decline their contract offer and return to college. In the 1963 Draft, Rotterdam picked him early in the fifth round, 135^th overall. Yevsikov signed the deal and began his pro career, which would be entirely based out of the Netherlands with the Ravens.

Yevsikov saw limited pinch hit appearances in 1964, but earned the full-time job the next year and held it for nearly the next two decades. He won three Silver Sluggers from 1968-70, although he was never a conference MVP finalist. Yevsikov led the conference in walks drawn seven times and OBP four times and was the RIB leader in 1969. He had five 100+ RBI seasons and had seven seasons with 35+ home runs, peaking with 43 dingers in 1972. Yevsikov’s bat was a steady presence in the Rotterdam lineup.

The Ravens were a consistent contender during his tenure, making the playoffs 12 times with eight division titles. Yevsikov twice was named conference finals MVP (1969 & 1972) and in 119 career playoff starts, he had 115 hits, 74 runs, 25 home runs, 60 RBI, 56 walks, a .271/.360/.498 slash, and 5.4 WAR Rotterdam made it to the Northern Conference Championship eight times in his tenure and four times won the European Championship (1969, 72, 77, 80). All the while, Yevsikov was there as a critical part of the Ravens success.

He also was allowed back home in Russia to play on the World Baseball Championship team, although he only made 34 starts in 68 games from 1971-81. He posted 34 hits, 34 runs, 16 home runs, 36 RBI, and 28 walks. Yevsikov posted a tournament best 19 runs scored in 1977 as the Russian team made the semifinal round. Yevsikov continued his steady production into his mid 30s and only finally started to see a power decline as he approached 40. In his final season, he only mustered 15 home runs with a .224 average. Yevsikov opted to retire after the 1982 season at age 41 and immediately had his #15 uniform retired as one of Rotterdam’s all-time best players.

Yevsikov’s final stats saw 2467 hits, 1498 runs, 355 doubles, 567 home runs, 1563 RBI, 1446 walks, a .263/.367/.490 slash, 158 wRC+, and 85.0 WAR. He passed Afonso Dida’s 1348 to become EBF’s all-time leader in walks and still holds the mark as of 2037. At induction though, his batting average was the lowest who had gotten into the EBF Hall and he lacked major awards. Still, Yevsikov was the fifth guy to reach 500 home runs, the walks king, and a four-time champ. There were still doubters who poo-poo’d his low average and atrocious defense, but enough defenders gave Yevsikov the first ballot selection at 70.9%.

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The 1988 Eurasian Professional Baseball Hall of Fame ballot saw no players inducted for the first time since 1978. Starting pitcher Serhiy Belov was the closest to reaching the 66% threshold with 63.1% on his fourth try. Three others were above 50% with SP Eryk Wozniak at 53.5% on his final attempt, closer Marius Patrascu at 50.6% in his third go, and SP Artyom Rudsaev at 50.2% on his tenth and final ballot.



For Wozniak, he had a 15 year career primarily with Minsk and got as close as 65.5% on his second ballot. He had a 219-108 record, 2.56 ERA, 3266.2 innings, 3234 strikeouts, and 64.5 WAR. Wozniak won two titles with the Miners and had a 2.85 ERA over 211.2 playoff innings, but he was never a league leader or award winner, which banished him to the Hall of Good despite a fine career.

Rudasev pitched 15 years with Kazan and also got tantalizingly close with 64.7% on his debut ballot. He was the 1968 Pitcher of the Year and posted a 193-106 record, 2.24 ERA, 2822 innings, 2929 strikeouts, and 91.2 WAR. Rudasev’s advanced stats (FIP- of 64, ERA 145) make a stronger case that he was a snub and he won two rings with the Crusaders. The totals just weren’t high enough though for enough voters to keep him on the outside.

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Brad Nelson joined the Oceania Baseball Association Hall of Fame as the lone member of the 1988 class. He was a slam dunk choice, getting in with 98.9% on his debut ballot. Only one other player was above 50% with pitcher Kent Thackray at 50.2% for his fourth attempt.



Brad Nelson – Starting Pitcher – Samoa Sun Sox – 98.9% First Ballot

Brad Nelson was a 6’0’’, 195 pound left-handed starting pitcher from Norsup, a village on the Malakula Island within the nation of Vanuatu. The island has around 22,000 people, while the entirety of Vanuatu has only around 350,000 people. Nelson had great stuff with good movement, although his control was often lousy. His velocity peaked at 94-96 mph, but he had an incredible changeup and mixed it well with a slider, forkball, and sinker. Nelson’s ability to change speeds made him one of the top strikeout pitchers of his era despite his wildness. He was also considered quite durable with solid stamina.

Despite his obscure origins, Nelson picked up the game immediately as a child and became known as Vanuatu’s greatest baseball prospect as an amateur. In the 1967 OBA Draft, Samoa selected him with the #1 overall pick. Nelson saw part-time use in his rookie year and was iffy when given more innings the next two years. He had the most losses in 1969 and six times allowed more walks than any pitcher in the Pacific League. Although his control was never good, Nelson greatly improved his stuff by his fourth season to emerge as an ace. In 1970, he tossed a no-hitter against Tahiti with 10 strikeouts and two walks.

Nelson led the PL in strikeouts four straight seasons from 1972-75 and won Pitcher of the Year in 1972, 73, and 75. He also led in innings pitched thrice, wins twice, and had the top ERA in 1973 with 1.81. Nelson had a five-year stretch of 8+ WAR seasons, helping Samoa earn its first-ever Pacific League titles in 1972 and 1973. The Sun Sox would take their first OBA title in 1973 with Nelson posting a 1.74 ERA over 31 playoff innings with Samoa. The Sun Sox wouldn’t make the playoffs again in his run, although they remained a top-half team. He’d win his fourth Pitcher of the Year in 1978 and finished second in 1976’s voting.

Nelson had his second career no-hitter with 14 strikeouts and five walks against New Caledonia in 1972. He tossed his third in 1976 against Guadalcanal with 14 Ks and three walks, joining Te Paoro Rangi as the only OBA pitchers with three or more no-hitters at that point. Nelson also struck out 20 in a 1972 game against New Caledonia, tying the then single-game record. In total with Samoa, Nelson had a 201-153 record, 2.43 ERA, 3375 innings, 4100 strikeouts, and 6.7 WAR.

After an excellent 1978, Nelson’s ERA rose to 3.67 in 1979, the second worst mark of his career. The Sun Sox were rebuilding at this point and decided to trade the 33-year old Nelson to Perth for three prospects. He’d still remain popular with Samoan fans and the franchise would retire his #14 uniform. Nelson bounced back and was having a respectable season with the Penguins, but he suffered a torn flexor tendon in August, putting his career in doubt.

Perth let him go into free agency and Nelson found a home with Honolulu on a two-year, $672,000 deal. His strikeout numbers were well from his peak, but he put together a solid full 1981 that earned him a third in Pitcher of the Year voting. The Honu won the PL title but lost in the Oceania Championship with one poor start for Nelson. He was used less in 1982, but was decent when called upon. 1982 was the first OBA title for Honolulu, who posted a dynasty run in the 1980s. Nelson had one respectable start in the championship against Auckland and earned his second OBA ring. He decided to retire here at age 35.

Nelson’s final stats: 248-176 record, 2.43 ERA, 4047.2 innings, 4783 strikeouts to 1490 walks, 389/516 quality starts, 156 complete games, 88 FIP-, and 77.2 WAR. He was the second pitcher to reach 4500+ career strikeouts and his career ERA is among the best of the OBA Hall of Fame starters even with all the walks. The 1490 walks does hold the distinction of the most allowed in OBA history still as of 2037. However, Nelson often got out of those jams with strikeouts. Four Pitcher of the Year awards and two rings pretty much makes you a lock and Nelson received the no-doubt first ballot nod with 98.9%.

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After nine times on the ballot, pitcher Vitorio Pinga earned a spot as the lone member of the 1988 Austronesia Professional Baseball Hall of Fame class. He barely crossed the 66% mark, but did so regardless at 67.3%. Fellow pitcher Kai Diaz barely missed out at 65.6% on his third attempt. Two others on their debut were above 50% with 1B Po-Yu Shao at 60.7% and closer Lee Tira at 57.3%.



SP Jonah Miranda was dropped after ten failed ballots, falling to 3.4% at the end with a peak of 23.0% on his second try. He was hurt by starting late with his official APB stats starting in 1965 and a bad injury in 1971. Still in a short burst, Miranda had a Pitcher of the Year award with a 110-66 record, 2.42 ERA, 1638.1 innings, 1630 strikeouts, and 46.6 WAR between Manila and Tainan. He didn’t have the tenure though to get the nod, although his numbers actually weren’t too dissimilar to Pinga’s.



Vitorio Pinga – Starting Pitcher – Medan Marlins – 67.3% First Ballot

Vitorio Pinga was a 5’10’’, 195 pound right-handed starting pitcher from the capital of the Philippines, Manila. Pinga was best known for having great movement on his pitches while having average stuff and below average control. He had a 95-97 mph fastball and a great splitter along with a good forkball and decent slider. Pinga had good stamina earlier in his career and was known as a strong defensive pitcher, winning a Gold Glove in 1968.

Pinga was already 26-years old and an established top pitcher throughout the Philippines when Austronesia Professional Baseball was formed for the 1965 season. He had numerous suitors and ultimately signed a two-year, $92,400 deal with Quezon. Pinga immediately was the ace for the Zombies, taking third in Pitcher of the Year voting in 1965 with 8.0 WAR. He had three solid seasons with Quezon with a 61-29 record, 2.12 ERA, 836 innings, 784 strikeouts, and 22.5 WAR. Pinga led the Taiwan-Philippine Association in ERA in 1967. Pinga also pitched for his home country in the World Baseball Championship from 1966-71. He made 10 appearances for the Philippines with 55.2 innings, 3.88 ERA, and 48 strikeouts.

Quezon had three solid seasons to start APB, but fell short of Manila for the league title. After signing a one-year extension, Pinga entered free agency for 1968 at age 29. With more money available a few years into APB’s existence, Pinga scored a seven-year, $941,000 deal with Medan. He took second in Pitcher of the Year voting in his Marlins debut; the closest he’d come to winning the award. Medan won the Malacca League in 1968 and 1969, although they fell in the Sundaland Association Championship both seasons. Pinga’s playoff stats were forgettable with a 0-4 record and 3.20 ERA over 25.1 innings.

Pinga had four solid seasons with the Marlins, including a no-hitter with nine strikeouts and one walk against Singapore on April 25, 1971. In 1972, Pinga’s production fell off and that summer, he suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament. This knocked him out for the entire 1973 season. Pinga attempted a comeback in 1974 with limited use, but he tore the UCL again that summer. He was unsigned in 1975 and retired that winter at age 36.

Pinga’s final stats: 136-82 record, 2.19 ERA, 2066.1 innings, 1917 strikeouts, 485 walks, 194/251 quality starts, 92 complete games, 73 FIP-, and 53.1 WAR. It was a nice run over a short official career, although he still lacked any major awards or big statistical notes. The bar was lower for accumulations for the early Hall of Fame classes, but Pinga’s numbers weren’t enough for many voters. He debuted at 41.8% and bounced around between the 40-50% range for his first six ballots. Pinga surprised many with 62.2% on his seventh ballot, but dropped to 48.2% the next year. With a weak field in 1988 and some voters not wanting a blank ballot, Pinga got the boost to 67.3% to earn a ninth ballot induction.

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Chinese League Baseball didn’t have any players inducted into the Hall of Fame with the 1988 voting. Closer Yi Li was the closest to crossing the 66% threshold with 61.7% in his fourth ballot. Another reliever, Yuzeng Liang, got 59.7% on his second ballot. The highest debut was 2B Zhangsung Long with 43.4%. No players were dropped after ten ballots.

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After making V.J. Balogun the first West African Baseball Hall of Famer in 1987, the 1988 ballot had little of note. SP Souleymane Moussa was the top performer on his second ballot, but was far from induction with only 29.4%. No one else was over 20%.

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The 42^nd World Baseball Championship was hosted in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti and was the first in the Caribbean since 1972 in Puerto Rico. Division 1 was incredible competitive with four teams finishing 6-3; Ecuador, defending runner-up Chile, El Salvador, and Pakistan. Venezuela was one back at 5-4 with Belgium, Greece, and Norway each 4-5. The tiebreaker between the 6-3 teams went to Ecuador for only their third-ever division title (1965, 1952). In Division 2, the United States went unbeaten at 9-0 with Colombia the closest competitor at 7-2. The Americans are back into the elite eight after missing the prior two seasons, earning their 36^th elite eight berth. The Philippines dominated Division 3 at 9-0 for their 11^th division title, their first in five years. China was tied for second at 6-3 with Bangladesh, keeping the Chinese out of the elite eight for the fourth consecutive season; their longest drought since the 1960s.

In Division 4, Haiti took first at 7-2, edging out Australia and Japan both by a game. It is the fourth division title for the Haitians and back-to-back berths. Nigeria claimed Division 5 at 7-2, one ahead of South Korea and two better than North Korea, Spain, and the Netherlands. It was the third division title for the Nigerians (1979, 1982).

Jamaica won Division 6 at 7-2, topping Germany and Russia by one and Austria, Mexico, and Vietnam each by two. It is the first division title for the Jamaicans, becoming the 58^th different nation to advance out of the divisional stage. Defending World Champion Brazil secured Division 7 at 7-2, topping Peru by one. The Brazilians have advanced 22 times to the elite eight. And in Division 8, Italy ended up on top at 7-2, defeating Canada and Indonesia by one each. The Italians got their third straight division title and their 11^th overall.

In the Double Round Robin Group A, the United States were first at 5-1, advancing along with 3-3 Italy. Ecuador and Jamaica both finished 2-4. The Americans advanced to the semifinal for the 33^rd time, while it was only the fifth for the Italians and back-to-back for them. Group B saw the Philippines first at 4-2, advancing to the final four for the eighth time. Brazil and Haiti were both 3-3 and Nigeria was 2-4. The tiebreaker sent the defending world champion Brazilians forward; their 11^th semifinal appearance.

The United States swept Brazil 3-0 in the semifinal to unseat the defending champs, while Italy topped the Philippines 3-1. The Filipinos were officially third with the Brazilians fourth. The Americans advanced to an unprecedented 29^th championship berth, while it was the deepest ever run for the Italians.



The United States returned to their throne in 1988, winning the 42^nd World Baseball Championship with a 4-1 series win over Italy. The Americans now have 26 of the first 42 WBC crowns. RF Quinn Iosifian was the WBC MVP, a 25-year old who plays for Los Angeles. The Stockton, California native in 23 tournament games had 36 hits, 25 runs, 15 home runs, 25 RBI, a .404/.465/.933 slash and 2.9 WAR. Best Pitcher was Ecuador’s Aquilino Collazo, who signed with MLB’s Miami for 1988 after a nice run as a closer with Rio de Janeiro and La Paz. The 31-year old lefty pitched 18 innings with four saves, 36 strikeouts, three walks, and one earned run allowed.




Other notes: Indonesia’s Yanti Hardiansyah was the fifth player in WBC history to hit for the cycle, doing it against Bolivia. The lone no-hitter in 1988 was thrown by North Korea’s Han-Soo Hu with 11 strikeouts and one walk against Serbia.