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The Central American Baseball Association Hall of Fame inducted four players on the 1967 ballot; only the third time that four went in from one group. All four were first ballot picks as well, although with varying percentages. The stars of the class were pitcher Edgar Andunvar and first baseman Timmy Ramirez; both getting in at a strong 97.4%. Pitcher Wily Orantes made it with 83.8%, while reliever Marcos Lopez was just above the 66% cut at 67.2%. Two others, 1B Alejandro Encinas and pitcher Tirso Sepulveda, were above 50%.



Only one player was dropped after making it ten tries on the ballot. RF Samuel Sousa was the 1945 Mexican League MVP, posting 1748 hits, 864 runs, 382 home runs, 1011 RBI, and 53.1 WAR in 13 seasons with Chihuahua. He had a nice peak, but lacked the accumulations needed for serious consideration. Sousa peaked at 27.7% on his second ballot and ended at 5.0%.



Edgar Andunvar – Starting Pitcher – Guatemala Ghosts – 97.4% First Ballot

Edgar Andunvar was a 5’10’’, 195 pound left-handed pitcher from the capital of Honduras, Tegucigalpa. He was a well-rounded pitcher with solid stuff, movement, and control. Andunvar had a five-pitch arsenal with 96-98 mph peak velocity, led by an outstanding splitter. He mixed this with a strong cutter, good changeup, and decent slider and curveball. Andunvar was good at holding runners and generally very durable, not picking up any significant injuries until his 30s.

Andunvar had an excellent amateur career and was quickly viewed as the top pitching prospect in Central America. In the 1944 CABA Draft, he was picked second overall by Guatemala. This would be his best and most known run, although he only spent seven seasons with the Ghosts. They were a struggling franchise and didn’t make the postseason, but Andunvar was a strong starter right away and elite a few seasons in.

In his fourth season in 1948, Andunvar won his first Pitcher of the Year award. He won his second in 1949 and third in 1950, leading the Caribbean League in WAR and FIP- each season and ERA twice. In total with Guatemala, he had a 92-85 record, 2.92 ERA, 1583 strikeouts in 1660.2 innings, and 47.5 WAR. After the three outstanding seasons, his production dropped a noticeably in 1951, seeing his ERA increase from 2.10 to 3.56. Worried he had peaked and wanting to sell high, the Ghosts traded Andunvar to Nicaragua, receiving four prospects.

Andunvar definitely wasn’t cooked yet, as he posted his fourth Pitcher of the Year season in 1952 for the Navigators, going 23-7 with a 1.96 ERA and 8.8 WAR. This also was Andunvar’s first time in the playoffs, although he struggled in two starts. Now 31 years old and a free agent, Andunvar signed a six-year, $306,000 deal with Havana. He led in ERA for the fourth time in his Hurricanes debut, taking second in Pitcher of the Year.

Andunvar wouldn’t be a finalist in his remaining four seasons with Havana, but was still strong when healthy. An elbow strain put him out about two months in 1955 and a torn triceps the next season put him out for the entire second half. He bounced back with a strong 1957 at age 35 and posted a 69-36 record with Havana, a 2.83 ERA, 1016 strikeouts in 1082.2 innings, and 31.1 WAR. He also made two playoff starts in 1953.

The Hurricanes voided the team option for 1958, making Andunvar a free agent again. He joined Leon on a three-year deal and had a strong debut, helping the Lions end a 15-year playoff drought. In 1959, they won the CABA Championship and took the Mexican League title in 1960. In 1959, the 37-year old Andunvar won his fifth Pitcher of the Year, joining the legendary Ulices Montero as the only pitchers to do so to that point in CABA. His fifth trophy came seven years after his fourth, leading in ERA for the fifth time in his career and wins for the third.

His playoff numbers weren’t great, but he earned the CABA ring regardless. In three seasons with Leon, Andunvar had a 58-16 record, 2.53 ERA, 655 innings, 582 strikeouts, and 16.6 WAR. In October 1960, Andunvar suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee. Leon figured that was it for him and didn’t re-sign Andunvar. He wasn’t done yet, signing a three-year deal with Nicaragua at age 39. Andunvar was still good enough to hang in his return to the Navigators, but opted to retire after one season. In this last year, he became the sixth CABA pitcher to reach 250 wins and the 15^th to 3500 strikeouts.

Andunvar’s final stats: 255-158, 2.79 ERA, 3888.2 innings, 3622 strikeouts, 358/536 quality starts, FIP- of 72, and 108.2 WAR. He was the third CABA pitcher to cross 100 career WAR and retired only behind the GOAT Ulices Montero’s 165.6. Many would view him as the top CABA pitcher of his generation, making Andunvar an easy first ballot pick at 97.4%.



Timmy “Flipper” Ramirez – First Baseman - Mexicali Maroons – 97.4% First Ballot

Timmy Ramirez was a 6’2’’, 195 pound left-handed first baseman from San Luis Potosi, Mexico; a major city in the central part of the country. Ramirez was an outstanding home run hitter in his prime, leading Mexico in dingers in six different seasons and RBI thrice. He was also a very solid contact hitter with good gap power. Ramirez didn’t walk as much as you’d expect from a slugger, but he didn’t strike out a ton. He was a slow baserunner who spent almost his entire career defensively at first base. Had the Mexican League used the designated hitter, that would have been his ideal spot as Ramirez was a horrible defender. But with his power, work ethic, and loyalty, Ramirez became a beloved figure in Mexican baseball.

His power and potential was noticed immediately as the 19-year old Ramirez was picked first overall in the 1941 CABA Draft by Mexicali. He was on the developmental roster in 1942 and made only 30 plate appearances in 1943. Ramirez’s first full season saw a bench role in 1944, followed by solid results as a starter in 1945. It was 1946 that Ramirez arrived, smacking 51 home runs in the first of five consecutive seasons leading the Mexican League. This season included a four home run game against Leon and Timmy too second in MVP voting.

In 1947, Ramirez won his first MVP and first Silver Slugger, leading the league with 47 home runs despite missing a month with a fractured finger. He was back in full for his second MVP and Silver Slugger in 1948; becoming CABA’s single-season home run king with 61. 1949 was just as dominant, although he was third in MVP voting. In 1950, Ramirez beat his own home run record with 65 and took his third MVP and Silver Slugger. 65 homers wouldn’t get matched until 1976 in CABA and not topped until 1979. He also boasted a 49-game on base streak during the 1950 run.

During this stretch, Mexicali began a dynasty with six straight North Division titles from 1949-54. They won the Mexican League title in 1950, 51, 52, 53, and 54; and won the overall CABA title in 1953 and 54. In 50 career playoff games, Ramirez had 58 hits, 26 runs, 12 doubles, 8 home runs, and 28 RBI. He missed the 1951 postseason and the entire second half with a broken kneecap. A strained groin put him out two months in 1952, although he still had 43 home runs in only 116 games. In 1953, Ramirez led in home runs for the sixth and final time, posting his seventh season with an OPS above 1.000.

After this season, Ramirez saw his production drop dramatically from elite to merely above average. 1954 and 1955 were his final full seasons, then recurring injuries; particularly with his hamstrings, meant he missed multiple months each year from 1956-1959. The Maroons faded into a mid-tier team spot, although he was still a beloved figure who would have his #16 retired. Ramirez was also nationally popular as one of the leaders of the Mexican National Team in the World Baseball Championship. In 135 games from 1947-58, he had 125 hits, 104 runs, 68 home runs, 107 RBI, and 6.9 WAR. Mexico won the world title in 1949 and 1950 with Ramirez putting up 18 home runs and 33 RBI in those two runs.

In 1960, the now 38-year old Ramirez was traded by Mexicali, although there were no hard feelings between the franchise and its biggest hero. He was moved to Salvador for two players and missed most of 1960 with assorted injuries. While there, he did become CABA’s fourth hitter to reach 600 home runs. The Stallions released him and he signed for his final season with Hermosillo purely in a reserve and mentor role. Ramirez retired after the 1961 season at age 39

The final stats: 2292 hits, 1242 runs, 352 doubles, 605 home runs, 1473 RBI, a .300/.356/.598 slash, 186 wRC+ and 88.1 WAR. In his peak run from 1946-1955, he averaged 45.7 home runs per season; numbers that are still impressive even in later decades that have more power generally. If not for the injuries, Ramirez may have had a legit shot to chase some of Prometheo Garcia’s all-time power numbers. Regardless, “Flipper” was a no doubt Hall of Famer as a stud slugger who led Mexicali’s 1950s dynasty.



Wily Orantes – Starting Pitcher – Monterrey Matadors – 83.8% First Ballot

Wily Orantes was a 5’10’’, 180 pound right-handed pitcher from Tampico, a city of about 300,000 people just off the gulf coast in east-central Mexico. Orantes was a bit of a late bloomer who never was going to overwhelm you with his stuff at 94-96 mph. He always had good control and in his later seasons developed tremendous movement, being a rare player who peaked in his early 30s. Orantes was an extreme groundballer with his changeup as his best pitch, mixed with a decent fastball, slider, and occasional knuckle curve. His stamina was considered poor for a starter, only posting 14 complete games while most CABA Hall of Famers had triple-digits. To his credit, Orantes was a great defender, winning Gold Gloves in 1948, 52, 53, and 55.

Orantes was picked eighth overall in the 1945 CABA Draft by Monterrey and spent 1946 on the reserve roster. He was a reliever his rookie season of 1947, and not a particularly good one with negative WAR. He became a starter from here on, but he was merely above average in his first four seasons in the rotation. Orantes did throw a no-hitter in 1950 against Hermosillo with 11 strikeouts and one walk, but he generally received little attention for a then weak Matadors squad. Orantes had bad forearm inflammation in late 1950 and then needed surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow, putting him out most of 1951.

Orantes bounced back from that injury with increased success, posting a career best 5.2 WAR in 1952 and topping it with 6.9 WAR the next year. He also was selected for the Mexican team in the World Baseball Championship as a reliever mostly, pitching from 1950-54 with a 3.90 ERA over 27.2 innings.

It was 1955 at age 29 when Orantes finally put it all together. He led Mexican with a 1.56 ERA and 0.80 WHIP, winning Pitcher of the Year. He would lead in ERA four straight seasons and WHIP three of the four, winning Pitcher of the Year again in 1956 and 1958 and taking second in 1957. This stretch coincided with a dynasty run for Monterrey, who won four straight Mexican League titles from 1955-58. In 1955 and 57, they were the overall CABA champion. In 12 playoff starts, Orantes had a 6-4 record, 2.91 ERA, 65 innings, and 36 strikeouts.

Orantes had similar success to start 1959, but disaster struck in late June with a torn rotator cuff injury, This put Orantes out for the rest of 1959 and the majority of 1960 with only 14 innings coming late that year. He hoped 1961 could be a true comeback, but after only 12.1 innings, he tore the rotator cuff again. This effectively ended his career at age 35. For his efforts, Monterrey retired his #35 uniform.

The final stats for Orantes: 156-89, 2.42 ERA, 2341.2 innings, 2050 strikeouts, 382 walks, 234//336 quality starts, 80 FIP-, and 53.1 WAR. His tallies are very low compared to other Hall of Famers between both major injuries and not being a big innings or strikeout guy even in his prime. His ERA and WHIP numbers look very deserving though. Three Pitcher of the Year awards and a key role in a dynasty put Orantes over the top despite lacking some of the counting stats, getting him the first ballot nod at 83.8%.



Marcos Lopez – Pitcher – Monterrey Matadors – 67.2% First Ballot

Marcos Lopez was a 6’2’’, 175 pound left-handed pitcher from Texcoco, a city of around 250,000 people located 25 kilometers northeast of Mexico City. Lopez was a hard thrower with 99-101 mph velocity and excellent control, although his movement was viewed as a bit below average. He had an incredible fastball, mixed with a good screwball and circle change, an alright curveball, and rarely used straight change. Lopez was great at holding runners and considered a good defensive pitcher. The five-pitch arsenal made him a starter initially, but poor stamina meant he spent the second half of his career exclusively in relief.

Lopez was highly touted thanks to that fastball and a rare CABA Draft pick as a high schooler, selected 13^th overall by Chihuahua. He ultimately didn’t come to terms with the Warriors, opting to play college ball. When he was up for the draft again in 1948, Monterrey selected him 14^th overall. For his first six seasons with the Matadors, Lopez was a starting pitcher. After average results in the first two years, he would lead Mexico in ERA three straight years (1951, 52, 53). He never won Pitcher of the Year, although he was second in 1951, third in 1952 and 53, and second again in 1954.

For the 1955 season, the 29-year old Lopez was moved to the bullpen and spent the rest of his career there. His teammate and Hall of Fame classmate Wily Orantes took over as the Monterrey ace and they began their dynasty. Lopez was the closer in 1955 and 56, finishing third in Reliever of the Year in the former and second in the latter. The Matadors won their Mexican League titles and Lopez earned two CABA rings in 1955 and 57. In 26 postseason innings, he had seven saves with an unremarkable 4.50 ERA.

Lopez saw less use in 1957 and that offseason, Monterrey traded him with prospect LF Connor Militello to Santiago for LF Yonelvy Villalobos. Lopez was rarely more than middle relief from here on. After one year with the Sailfish, the now 33-year old signed for 1959 with Salvador. Monterrey brought him back for 1960, then he signed with Ecatepec for 1961. The Explosion traded him back to the Matadors at the deadline and Lopez retired with Monterrey at age 35. In total with Monterrey, Lopez had an 88-78 record, 75 saves, 2.32 ERA, 1552 innings, 1871 strikeouts, and 39.2 WAR. The franchise would also retire his #23 uniform.

His final stats: 95-82 record, 105 saves and 174 shutdowns, 2.49 ERA, 1683.1 innings, 1991 strikeouts, 270 walks, 132/184 quality starts, and 40.9 WAR. He occupies a weird spot statistically where voters couldn’t figure out if he should be judged on starter standards, the lesser reliever standards, or a bit of both. Although he had a few great years, his tallies as well beneath the typical starter in the CABA Hall. In a vacuum, the numbers look good for a reliever sans the lack of saves, but almost all of his peak numbers were pre-bullpen. His strange resume swayed enough voters to get Lopez in on the first ballot, although just barely at 67.2%.