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FuzzyRussianHat · 08-18-2023, 01:05 PM

Estefan “Hammerhand” Salinas – Right Field – Indianapolis Racers – 68.4% Ninth Ballot

Estefan Salinas was a 6’2’’, 200 pound left-handed right fielder from West Chester, Ohio; a township of around 60,000 located 18 miles north of Cincinnati. Salinas was both a solid contract hitter and someone with an excellent eye who was very adept at getting on base. He was among the best of the era at drawing walks and avoiding strikeouts. He had terrific speed and used that to turn doubles into triples. Salinas’ power wasn’t outstanding, but he’d occasionally hit 20+ homers. Salinas was a career right fielder and despite his speed, was an absolutely abysmal defender. He was a hard worker though and very durable for most of his career.

Salinas went to Kansas for college and in four seasons and 192 games with the Jayhawks, he had 209 hits, 126 runs, 24 home runs, 110 RBI, and 8.3 WAR. Indianapolis was enamored and selected Salinas first overall in the 1941 MLB Draft, but were unable to come to terms with him. He returned to Kansas for his senior year and was picked again by the Racers in 1942, this time second overall. Salinas inked the deal and would be a full-time starter for Indy for the next 12 years.

Salinas won two Silver Sluggers, in 1949 and 1950, but was never in the MVP conversation. He’d steadily give you around 4-6 WAR per season though. Salinas led the National Association in stolen bases thrice with Indianapolis and led in runs (116) and OBP (.418) in 1952. The Racers made playoff runs in 1951 and 1952, making it to the NACS in the former and taking World Series runner-up in the latter. Salinas struggled in the playoff runs, but was still liked enough to see his #9 uniform retired after 12 years of service. With Indy, Salinas had 2180 hits, 1164 runs, 260 doubles, 162 triples, 182 home runs, 844 RBI, 879 walks, a .314/.391/.477 slash and 58.6 WAR. He also was a starter in 1947 and 1954 for the United States in the World Baseball Championship, winning a world title in both seasons.

1954 saw a noticeable drop in his productivity and Indianapolis traded the now 34-year old Salinas that offseason to Baltimore. After one unremarkable season with the Orioles, he signed a four-year deal with Montreal. Salinas saw a resurgence with the Maples, leading in stolen bases three times and posted career highs in 1957 with 72 steals and 7.2 WAR. He posted 581 hits, 297 runs, a .318/.397/.451 slash and 15.9 in Montreal. There, he crossed 2500 career hits and 1500 runs scored

In his fourth year with the Maples, he was benched and eventually traded to Tampa in the summer. That concluded his MLB tenure, although he’d head down under in 1960, signing at age 39 with OBA’s Melbourne. He led the Australasia League in OBP and stolen bases that year, but would be traded the next summer to Honolulu. Salinas finished out 1961 with the Honu and retired at age 40. He crossed 3000 career professional hits, ending with 3198, but fell short of the line in MLB.

Salinas’ final MLB stats: 2944 hits, 1577 runs, 364 doubles, 209 triples, 228 home runs, 1086 RBI, 1195 walks, 860 stolen bases, a .311/.389/.467 slash, 145 wRC+, and 76.1 WAR. At retirement, he was fourth all-time in stolen bases and eighth in triples. But lower power guys often have trouble standing out to the voters and without many major awards, Salinas hung around the 50-59% range consistently for years. He got to 61.9% and 62.0% in 1971 and 1972, then on his ninth attempt in 1973, converted just enough non-believers to cross the line at 68.4%.

Abraham Reimer – Starting Pitcher – Portland Pacifics – 68.0% Sixth Ballot

Abraham Reimer was a 6’3’’, 200 pound left-handed starting pitcher from Springfield, Oregon; a city of around 60,000 located just west of Eugene. Reimer had solid stuff with average to slightly above average control and movement. He had 96-98 mph peak velocity and a four-pitch arsenal of a fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup. The slider was typically viewed as his premiere pitch. Reimer had terrific stamina and durability and you knew were getting consistent innings from him.

Reimer attended the University of Houston and in three seasons with the Cougars, had a 26-10 record in 39 starts with a 2.11 ERA, 323.2 innings, 343 strikeouts, and 12.0 WAR. The impressive college resume earned him the 18^th overall pick by Portland in the 1944 MLB Draft. Reimer was a part-time starter as a rookie, then a full-time member of the rotation onward. He had mixed results though and struggled in 1948, allowing an American Association worst 48 home runs. He bounced back with respectable stats in his next few years with the Pacifics, including a career-best 2.54 ERA in 1952. Reimer was never a Pitcher of the Year finalist though and Portland didn’t make the playoffs in his eight year tenure. In total, he had a 110-127 record, 3.79 ERA, 2036 innings, 1554 strikeouts, and 31.0 WAR. His biggest moment with the Pacifics was a no-hitter on May 28, 1947 against Los Angeles with seven strikeouts and three walks.

Reimer tested free agency after a good 1952 and at age 29, signed with San Diego. Reimer was a back of the rotation guy though, posting a 4.73 ERA and 9.6 WAR in 645.1 innings over three years. He did earn a World Series ring in 1955 as the Seals begin their 1950s dynasty, posting middling numbers in three playoff starts with a 4.35 ERA. Reimer entered free agency again and at age 32, joined Toronto for the 1956 season.

Interestingly enough, his mid 30s saw his best statistical production. In two years with the Timberwolves, he had a 3.00 ERA over 509.2 innings with 11.2 WAR. Reimer then signed a five-year, $470,00 deal with Phoenix and had four respectable years with the Firebirds, posting a 3.35 ERA and 72-47 record with 21.3 WAR over 1076 innings. Reimer had a 3.26 ERA in 30.1 innings in the 1960 postseason as Phoenix won the World Series. The Firebirds cut him before the 1962 campaign and he spent one forgettable year with Memphis, retiring at age 38.

Reimer’s final stats: 262-241 record, 3.76 ERA, 4448.2 innings, 3265 strikeouts to 1343 walks, 309/577 quality starts, 260 complete games, a FIP- of 93, and 74.4 WAR. His ERA was worse than any other pitcher in the MLB Hall of Fame at that point and advanced stats suggested Reimer was merely an above average pitcher that happened to stick around for ages. He compiled enough totals though to sway the voters who value longevity greatly and hovered in the 50% range for five years. In 1973 with no standout starting pitchers on the ballot, enough tossed Reimer an extra vote to get him to 68%, enough for sixth ballot induction.

08-18-2023, 01:05 PM	#516
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 3,014	1973 MLB Hall of Fame (Part 2) Estefan “Hammerhand” Salinas – Right Field – Indianapolis Racers – 68.4% Ninth Ballot Estefan Salinas was a 6’2’’, 200 pound left-handed right fielder from West Chester, Ohio; a township of around 60,000 located 18 miles north of Cincinnati. Salinas was both a solid contract hitter and someone with an excellent eye who was very adept at getting on base. He was among the best of the era at drawing walks and avoiding strikeouts. He had terrific speed and used that to turn doubles into triples. Salinas’ power wasn’t outstanding, but he’d occasionally hit 20+ homers. Salinas was a career right fielder and despite his speed, was an absolutely abysmal defender. He was a hard worker though and very durable for most of his career. Salinas went to Kansas for college and in four seasons and 192 games with the Jayhawks, he had 209 hits, 126 runs, 24 home runs, 110 RBI, and 8.3 WAR. Indianapolis was enamored and selected Salinas first overall in the 1941 MLB Draft, but were unable to come to terms with him. He returned to Kansas for his senior year and was picked again by the Racers in 1942, this time second overall. Salinas inked the deal and would be a full-time starter for Indy for the next 12 years. Salinas won two Silver Sluggers, in 1949 and 1950, but was never in the MVP conversation. He’d steadily give you around 4-6 WAR per season though. Salinas led the National Association in stolen bases thrice with Indianapolis and led in runs (116) and OBP (.418) in 1952. The Racers made playoff runs in 1951 and 1952, making it to the NACS in the former and taking World Series runner-up in the latter. Salinas struggled in the playoff runs, but was still liked enough to see his #9 uniform retired after 12 years of service. With Indy, Salinas had 2180 hits, 1164 runs, 260 doubles, 162 triples, 182 home runs, 844 RBI, 879 walks, a .314/.391/.477 slash and 58.6 WAR. He also was a starter in 1947 and 1954 for the United States in the World Baseball Championship, winning a world title in both seasons. 1954 saw a noticeable drop in his productivity and Indianapolis traded the now 34-year old Salinas that offseason to Baltimore. After one unremarkable season with the Orioles, he signed a four-year deal with Montreal. Salinas saw a resurgence with the Maples, leading in stolen bases three times and posted career highs in 1957 with 72 steals and 7.2 WAR. He posted 581 hits, 297 runs, a .318/.397/.451 slash and 15.9 in Montreal. There, he crossed 2500 career hits and 1500 runs scored In his fourth year with the Maples, he was benched and eventually traded to Tampa in the summer. That concluded his MLB tenure, although he’d head down under in 1960, signing at age 39 with OBA’s Melbourne. He led the Australasia League in OBP and stolen bases that year, but would be traded the next summer to Honolulu. Salinas finished out 1961 with the Honu and retired at age 40. He crossed 3000 career professional hits, ending with 3198, but fell short of the line in MLB. Salinas’ final MLB stats: 2944 hits, 1577 runs, 364 doubles, 209 triples, 228 home runs, 1086 RBI, 1195 walks, 860 stolen bases, a .311/.389/.467 slash, 145 wRC+, and 76.1 WAR. At retirement, he was fourth all-time in stolen bases and eighth in triples. But lower power guys often have trouble standing out to the voters and without many major awards, Salinas hung around the 50-59% range consistently for years. He got to 61.9% and 62.0% in 1971 and 1972, then on his ninth attempt in 1973, converted just enough non-believers to cross the line at 68.4%. Abraham Reimer – Starting Pitcher – Portland Pacifics – 68.0% Sixth Ballot Abraham Reimer was a 6’3’’, 200 pound left-handed starting pitcher from Springfield, Oregon; a city of around 60,000 located just west of Eugene. Reimer had solid stuff with average to slightly above average control and movement. He had 96-98 mph peak velocity and a four-pitch arsenal of a fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup. The slider was typically viewed as his premiere pitch. Reimer had terrific stamina and durability and you knew were getting consistent innings from him. Reimer attended the University of Houston and in three seasons with the Cougars, had a 26-10 record in 39 starts with a 2.11 ERA, 323.2 innings, 343 strikeouts, and 12.0 WAR. The impressive college resume earned him the 18^th overall pick by Portland in the 1944 MLB Draft. Reimer was a part-time starter as a rookie, then a full-time member of the rotation onward. He had mixed results though and struggled in 1948, allowing an American Association worst 48 home runs. He bounced back with respectable stats in his next few years with the Pacifics, including a career-best 2.54 ERA in 1952. Reimer was never a Pitcher of the Year finalist though and Portland didn’t make the playoffs in his eight year tenure. In total, he had a 110-127 record, 3.79 ERA, 2036 innings, 1554 strikeouts, and 31.0 WAR. His biggest moment with the Pacifics was a no-hitter on May 28, 1947 against Los Angeles with seven strikeouts and three walks. Reimer tested free agency after a good 1952 and at age 29, signed with San Diego. Reimer was a back of the rotation guy though, posting a 4.73 ERA and 9.6 WAR in 645.1 innings over three years. He did earn a World Series ring in 1955 as the Seals begin their 1950s dynasty, posting middling numbers in three playoff starts with a 4.35 ERA. Reimer entered free agency again and at age 32, joined Toronto for the 1956 season. Interestingly enough, his mid 30s saw his best statistical production. In two years with the Timberwolves, he had a 3.00 ERA over 509.2 innings with 11.2 WAR. Reimer then signed a five-year, $470,00 deal with Phoenix and had four respectable years with the Firebirds, posting a 3.35 ERA and 72-47 record with 21.3 WAR over 1076 innings. Reimer had a 3.26 ERA in 30.1 innings in the 1960 postseason as Phoenix won the World Series. The Firebirds cut him before the 1962 campaign and he spent one forgettable year with Memphis, retiring at age 38. Reimer’s final stats: 262-241 record, 3.76 ERA, 4448.2 innings, 3265 strikeouts to 1343 walks, 309/577 quality starts, 260 complete games, a FIP- of 93, and 74.4 WAR. His ERA was worse than any other pitcher in the MLB Hall of Fame at that point and advanced stats suggested Reimer was merely an above average pitcher that happened to stick around for ages. He compiled enough totals though to sway the voters who value longevity greatly and hovered in the 50% range for five years. In 1973 with no standout starting pitchers on the ballot, enough tossed Reimer an extra vote to get him to 68%, enough for sixth ballot induction. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)