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FuzzyRussianHat · 11-29-2023, 05:47 AM

Eurasian Professional Baseball inducted two players into the Hall of Fame with the 1984 ballot, both on the first ballot. Two-way player Havlik Hloznik was the headliner with 98.2% of the vote and was joined by pitcher Nikita Titov at 81.5%. Closer Elgiz Gulyamov was close on his second try at 62.8%, Also above 50% was 2B Ali Alasgarov at 56.9% for his second ballot and SP Eryk Wozniak at 56.0% on his sixth attempt. No players were dumped from the EPB ballot after ten tries in 1984.

Havlik Hloznik – Pitcher/Outfielder – Bratislava Blue Falcons – 98.2% First Ballot

Havlik Hloznik was a 5’10’’, 200 pound two-way player from Kremnica, a town of around 5,000 people in central Slovakia. Hloznik was a right-handed pitcher, but was a left-handed hitter. Pitching was his main forte with very good stuff and movement along with above average control. Hloznik’s fastball topped out in the 97-99 mph range and was mixed with a curveball, changeup, and sinker. He was also great at holding runners and was incredibly durable, starting 30+ games in the mound with 250+ innings in all but his final two seasons.

Hloznik did this while also averaging around another 50 starts or so each year in the outfield. He wasn’t an amazing batter, but good enough to provide positive value in the lineup. Hloznik had a solid eye with respectable speed and contact ability, plus decent pop in his bat. He made about 2/3 of his non-pitching starts in right field with most of the rest in left and was a below average defender, but not awful. Hloznik was also a hard worker and very adaptable, which made him one of the most popular players of his era.

Hloznik’s potential was noticed at home in Czechoslovakia during his college days, and the Slovakian capital Bratislava picked him seventh overall in the 1963 EPB Draft. He was a full-timer immediately in the rotation and also provided 300+ plate appearances each year as a Blue Falcon. Hloznik easily claimed the 1964 Rookie of the Year, winning Rookie of the Month four times in his debut season. On the mound, he had 12 total seasons worth 6+ WAR and 12 seasons with 300+ strikeouts. In 1966, Hloznik tossed a no-hitter with nine strikeouts and two walks against Riga. He would take third in that year’s MVP voting.

1967 would be Hloznik’s finest season on the mound, winning both Pitcher of the Year and league MVP. He had career bests in ERA (1.70), innings (306.2), strikeouts (413), and WAR (12.7). Hloznik had a European League-best 10.3 WAR with a 1.81 ERA in 1970, but was second in Pitcher of the Year voting. He’d take the MVP that year though with his finest season at the plate, adding 4.0 WAR, 160 wRC+, and a .308 average. Hloznik took third in both PotY and MVP voting in 1971, ultimately his final season with Bratislava.

Despite his efforts, the Blue Falcons were consistently a bottom-rung franchise and wouldn’t make their first playoff appearance until 2003. Hloznik is still remembered fondly though, especially as a Slovakian great, and had his #4 uniform retired. With Bratislava on the mound, he had a 131-110 record, 2.27 ERA, 2812 strikeouts over 2326.2 innings, and 69.6 WAR. At the plate, he had 15.9 WAR with 672 hits, 307 runs, 77 home runs, 258 RBI, and a .258/.321/.417 slash. Hloznik became a free agent after the 1971 season and the 31-year old got a lot of attention. Moscow would win out with a six-year, $1,412,000 deal.

After a solid first season with the Mules, Hloznik won his second Pitcher of the Year in 1973 and took second in MVP voting, leading the European League in ERA (1.83) and WAR (9.0). Moscow had been a contender, but had dealt with issues getting over the hump in the playoffs. Hloznik helped change that as the Mules were the 1974 and 1975 Soviet Series winners. He won ELCS and finals MVP in 1974, then won ELCS MVP again in 1975. In 11 playoff starts, Hloznik had a 1.39 ERA, 8-2 record, 84.1 innings, 94 strikeouts, and 2.3 WAR. He also in 22 games at the plate had 22 hits, 6 runs, 3 home runs, a .306/.383/.514 slash and 0.9 WAR.

1976 had his second no-hitter, an eight strikeout effort against Minsk. However, Hloznik’s efforts were average at best on the whole. The next year, Moscow tried him in an opener role, but he was subpar. The Mules released him after the season and he signed back with Bratislava for 1978. Hloznik was cooked though at this point and saw limited use, retiring after the season at age 37.

Hloznik’s final stats on the mound saw a 218-180 record, 2.33 ERA, 3775.2 innings, 4493 strikeouts to 814 walks, 343/498 quality starts, 194 complete games, FIP- of 71, and 106.8 WAR. At induction, he was one of only five EPB pitchers with 100+ career WAR and more than deserving just on his pitching merits. At the plate, Hloznik added 1043 hits, 491 runs, 164 doubles, 131 home runs, 422 RBI, 358 stolen bases, a .257/.316/.427 slash, 128 wRC+, and 25.9 WAR. Along with his role in Moscow’s mid 1970s titles, Hloznik easily goes down as one of the best of the 1960s and 1970s in Eurasian Professional Baseball, well deserving of the first ballot nod at 98.2%.

Nikita Titov - Starting Pitcher – Omsk Otters – 81.5% First Ballot

Nikita Titov was a 5’10’’, 200 pound right-handed pitcher from Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan in western Russia. Titov’s biggest strength was excellent pinpoint control, but he also had above average stuff and movement in his prime. His velocity peaked at 96-98 mph with a fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup. Titov had solid stamina and durability and was considered a sparkplug personality with a great work ethic and attitude.

Titov was noticed as a high schooler and was picked 30^th overall by Krasnoyarsk in the 1955 Eurasian Professional Baseball Draft. However, he didn’t sign with the Cossacks and began a college career. Titov was still highly touted when he next became eligible in 1959, getting picked eighth overall by Omsk. He signed with the Otters and was an instant full-time member of their rotation.

Titov spent 13 and a half seasons with Omsk and put up regular solid production with ten seasons worth 5+ WAR. He wasn’t a league leader though and only once was a Pitcher of the Year finalist, taking third in the 1966 voting. That year, he posted an impressive 10.1 WAR and league best 28 quality starts. On July 14, 1968; Titov threw EPB’s tenth perfect game with seven strikeouts against Baku.

Omsk was a consistent contender during Titov’s prime with seven playoff appearances from 1963-71. The Otters had trouble in the postseason, but had a historic 1966 season where they finished 120-42 and won the Asian League title; falling in the Soviet Series to Minsk. Titov’s playoff numbers looked similar to his regular season production with a 2.92 ERA over 64.2 innings with 77 strikeouts and 2.3 WAR. In total with Omsk, Titov had a 200-162 record, 2.95 ERA, 3404.1 innings, 3641 strikeouts to 488 walks, 290/437 quality starts, and 87.5 WAR. The Otters would honor him by retiring his #20 uniform at the end of his career.

Omsk started to struggle and rebuild into the mid 1970s and decided to trade the now 36-year old Titov in the summer of 1973. He was moved along with SS Yevhen Zhokh to Kyiv in exchange for eventual Hall of Fame pitcher Yevhen Selin and pitcher Szilard Duna. The Kings ended a postseason drought that season and opted to sign Titov to a contract extension. When healthy, he was very solid with a 47-16 record, 2.06 ERA, 669.2 innings, 643 strikeouts, and 16.3 WAR over three and a half seasons with Kyiv.

Shoulder inflammation would cost Titov much of 1975. He bounced back in 1976, but suffered a torn UCL in July 1976, putting him on the shelf for 16 months. Titov was determined to make a comeback despite the odds and his age. He signed back with Omsk in September 1977, but didn’t make an appearance and was let go in the offseason. Titov would sign before the 1978 season with Irkutsk, but struggled in 26 innings of relief. He retired after the season at age 41.

Titov’s final stats: 249-181 record, 2.82 ERA, 4100 innings, 4303 strikeouts, 543 walks, 356/527 quality starts, FIP- of 76, and 103.2 WAR. His ERA was one of the higher ones among EPB Hall of Famers, but he was one of six pitchers at induction with 100+ career WAR and was the eighth pitcher to reach 4000 career strikeouts. At induction, he was also fourth all-time in wins. Titov’s longevity got him the first ballot nod with 81.5% of the vote.

11-29-2023, 05:47 AM	#743
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 2,937	1984 EPB Hall of Fame Eurasian Professional Baseball inducted two players into the Hall of Fame with the 1984 ballot, both on the first ballot. Two-way player Havlik Hloznik was the headliner with 98.2% of the vote and was joined by pitcher Nikita Titov at 81.5%. Closer Elgiz Gulyamov was close on his second try at 62.8%, Also above 50% was 2B Ali Alasgarov at 56.9% for his second ballot and SP Eryk Wozniak at 56.0% on his sixth attempt. No players were dumped from the EPB ballot after ten tries in 1984. Havlik Hloznik – Pitcher/Outfielder – Bratislava Blue Falcons – 98.2% First Ballot Havlik Hloznik was a 5’10’’, 200 pound two-way player from Kremnica, a town of around 5,000 people in central Slovakia. Hloznik was a right-handed pitcher, but was a left-handed hitter. Pitching was his main forte with very good stuff and movement along with above average control. Hloznik’s fastball topped out in the 97-99 mph range and was mixed with a curveball, changeup, and sinker. He was also great at holding runners and was incredibly durable, starting 30+ games in the mound with 250+ innings in all but his final two seasons. Hloznik did this while also averaging around another 50 starts or so each year in the outfield. He wasn’t an amazing batter, but good enough to provide positive value in the lineup. Hloznik had a solid eye with respectable speed and contact ability, plus decent pop in his bat. He made about 2/3 of his non-pitching starts in right field with most of the rest in left and was a below average defender, but not awful. Hloznik was also a hard worker and very adaptable, which made him one of the most popular players of his era. Hloznik’s potential was noticed at home in Czechoslovakia during his college days, and the Slovakian capital Bratislava picked him seventh overall in the 1963 EPB Draft. He was a full-timer immediately in the rotation and also provided 300+ plate appearances each year as a Blue Falcon. Hloznik easily claimed the 1964 Rookie of the Year, winning Rookie of the Month four times in his debut season. On the mound, he had 12 total seasons worth 6+ WAR and 12 seasons with 300+ strikeouts. In 1966, Hloznik tossed a no-hitter with nine strikeouts and two walks against Riga. He would take third in that year’s MVP voting. 1967 would be Hloznik’s finest season on the mound, winning both Pitcher of the Year and league MVP. He had career bests in ERA (1.70), innings (306.2), strikeouts (413), and WAR (12.7). Hloznik had a European League-best 10.3 WAR with a 1.81 ERA in 1970, but was second in Pitcher of the Year voting. He’d take the MVP that year though with his finest season at the plate, adding 4.0 WAR, 160 wRC+, and a .308 average. Hloznik took third in both PotY and MVP voting in 1971, ultimately his final season with Bratislava. Despite his efforts, the Blue Falcons were consistently a bottom-rung franchise and wouldn’t make their first playoff appearance until 2003. Hloznik is still remembered fondly though, especially as a Slovakian great, and had his #4 uniform retired. With Bratislava on the mound, he had a 131-110 record, 2.27 ERA, 2812 strikeouts over 2326.2 innings, and 69.6 WAR. At the plate, he had 15.9 WAR with 672 hits, 307 runs, 77 home runs, 258 RBI, and a .258/.321/.417 slash. Hloznik became a free agent after the 1971 season and the 31-year old got a lot of attention. Moscow would win out with a six-year, $1,412,000 deal. After a solid first season with the Mules, Hloznik won his second Pitcher of the Year in 1973 and took second in MVP voting, leading the European League in ERA (1.83) and WAR (9.0). Moscow had been a contender, but had dealt with issues getting over the hump in the playoffs. Hloznik helped change that as the Mules were the 1974 and 1975 Soviet Series winners. He won ELCS and finals MVP in 1974, then won ELCS MVP again in 1975. In 11 playoff starts, Hloznik had a 1.39 ERA, 8-2 record, 84.1 innings, 94 strikeouts, and 2.3 WAR. He also in 22 games at the plate had 22 hits, 6 runs, 3 home runs, a .306/.383/.514 slash and 0.9 WAR. 1976 had his second no-hitter, an eight strikeout effort against Minsk. However, Hloznik’s efforts were average at best on the whole. The next year, Moscow tried him in an opener role, but he was subpar. The Mules released him after the season and he signed back with Bratislava for 1978. Hloznik was cooked though at this point and saw limited use, retiring after the season at age 37. Hloznik’s final stats on the mound saw a 218-180 record, 2.33 ERA, 3775.2 innings, 4493 strikeouts to 814 walks, 343/498 quality starts, 194 complete games, FIP- of 71, and 106.8 WAR. At induction, he was one of only five EPB pitchers with 100+ career WAR and more than deserving just on his pitching merits. At the plate, Hloznik added 1043 hits, 491 runs, 164 doubles, 131 home runs, 422 RBI, 358 stolen bases, a .257/.316/.427 slash, 128 wRC+, and 25.9 WAR. Along with his role in Moscow’s mid 1970s titles, Hloznik easily goes down as one of the best of the 1960s and 1970s in Eurasian Professional Baseball, well deserving of the first ballot nod at 98.2%. Nikita Titov - Starting Pitcher – Omsk Otters – 81.5% First Ballot Nikita Titov was a 5’10’’, 200 pound right-handed pitcher from Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan in western Russia. Titov’s biggest strength was excellent pinpoint control, but he also had above average stuff and movement in his prime. His velocity peaked at 96-98 mph with a fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup. Titov had solid stamina and durability and was considered a sparkplug personality with a great work ethic and attitude. Titov was noticed as a high schooler and was picked 30^th overall by Krasnoyarsk in the 1955 Eurasian Professional Baseball Draft. However, he didn’t sign with the Cossacks and began a college career. Titov was still highly touted when he next became eligible in 1959, getting picked eighth overall by Omsk. He signed with the Otters and was an instant full-time member of their rotation. Titov spent 13 and a half seasons with Omsk and put up regular solid production with ten seasons worth 5+ WAR. He wasn’t a league leader though and only once was a Pitcher of the Year finalist, taking third in the 1966 voting. That year, he posted an impressive 10.1 WAR and league best 28 quality starts. On July 14, 1968; Titov threw EPB’s tenth perfect game with seven strikeouts against Baku. Omsk was a consistent contender during Titov’s prime with seven playoff appearances from 1963-71. The Otters had trouble in the postseason, but had a historic 1966 season where they finished 120-42 and won the Asian League title; falling in the Soviet Series to Minsk. Titov’s playoff numbers looked similar to his regular season production with a 2.92 ERA over 64.2 innings with 77 strikeouts and 2.3 WAR. In total with Omsk, Titov had a 200-162 record, 2.95 ERA, 3404.1 innings, 3641 strikeouts to 488 walks, 290/437 quality starts, and 87.5 WAR. The Otters would honor him by retiring his #20 uniform at the end of his career. Omsk started to struggle and rebuild into the mid 1970s and decided to trade the now 36-year old Titov in the summer of 1973. He was moved along with SS Yevhen Zhokh to Kyiv in exchange for eventual Hall of Fame pitcher Yevhen Selin and pitcher Szilard Duna. The Kings ended a postseason drought that season and opted to sign Titov to a contract extension. When healthy, he was very solid with a 47-16 record, 2.06 ERA, 669.2 innings, 643 strikeouts, and 16.3 WAR over three and a half seasons with Kyiv. Shoulder inflammation would cost Titov much of 1975. He bounced back in 1976, but suffered a torn UCL in July 1976, putting him on the shelf for 16 months. Titov was determined to make a comeback despite the odds and his age. He signed back with Omsk in September 1977, but didn’t make an appearance and was let go in the offseason. Titov would sign before the 1978 season with Irkutsk, but struggled in 26 innings of relief. He retired after the season at age 41. Titov’s final stats: 249-181 record, 2.82 ERA, 4100 innings, 4303 strikeouts, 543 walks, 356/527 quality starts, FIP- of 76, and 103.2 WAR. His ERA was one of the higher ones among EPB Hall of Famers, but he was one of six pitchers at induction with 100+ career WAR and was the eighth pitcher to reach 4000 career strikeouts. At induction, he was also fourth all-time in wins. Titov’s longevity got him the first ballot nod with 81.5% of the vote. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)