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West Africa Baseball inducted its second Hall of Fame member in 1980 as pitcher Jackson Manirakiza joined outfielder VJ Balogun. Manirakiza was a first-ballot pick at 80.1%. One other debutant, SS Joseph Amabne, was above 50% with 54.6%. CL Johnson Madu (48.6%) and CF Stephen Tshukudu (44.6%) also had respectable debuts. No players were dropped after ten ballots with the longest tenured being on his fourth try.



Jackson “Rainmaker” Manirakiza – Starting Pitcher – 80.1% First Ballot

Jackson Manirakiza was a 5’9’’, 195 pound left-handed pitcher from Muyinga, a city of around 100,000 in northeastern Burundi. Manirakiza wasn’t outstanding at anything, but was well rounded with respectable control, stuff, and movement. His velocity peaked in the 96-98 mph range with a five pitch arsenal of fastball, curveball, forkball, changeup, and splitter. Manirakiza was considered very durable, although his stamina was average. He was a solid defensive pitcher and was known as a very hard working and adaptable player.

When West Africa Baseball was officially formed for the 1975 season, Manirakiza was 25-years old and already somewhat established on the semipro ranks. The “Rainmaker” went to Nigeria and signed a five-year, $882,000 deal with Lagos to begin his WAB career. Manirakiza had a solid debut season, followed by a great second year with the Eastern League’s best ERA at 2.00. This earned a second in Pitcher of the Year voting. The season also saw a no-hitter with 19 strikeouts and one walk against Ouagadougou.

Lagos was a regular contender in the first decade of WAB and Manirakiza had an important role. His playoff stats were merely okay with a 3.77 ERA over 76.1 innings for a 3-6 record with 86 strikeouts and 1.1 WAR. The Lizards got to the championship in 1977, 78, and 79 and came away with the cup in both 78 and 79. In total with Lagos, Manirakiza had an 83-41 record, 2.72 ERA, 1082 innings, 1313 strikeouts, and 31.6 WAR. He would also wear the Lagos cap at induction, although his WAB career would be split almost evenly.

Manirakiza was a free agent after the 1979 title season at age 30 and signed a six-year, $1,544,000 deal with EL rival Kano. He led in WHIP in his first two seasons with the Condors and also led in both strikeouts and WAR in 1981. Manirakiza won his lone Pitcher of the Year in 1981 and would take third in 1983 voting.

Kano made the playoffs thrice in Manirakiza’s five-year tenure, getting to the championship but falling in 1984 to Nouakchott. In six playoff starts with the Condors, he had a 4.21 ERA over 36.1 innings. For his entire Kano run, Manirakiza posted a 2.70 ERA, 84-35 record, 1078.1 innings, 1171 strikeouts, and 24.8 WAR. His WAB run ended after the 1984 season as the Condors bought out the final year of his contract.

Now 35 years old, Manirakiza drew some international attention and signed a two-year, $1,560,000 deal in Mexico with Juarez. Despite being healthy, the Jesters only used him in relief over 8.2 innings, although they were scoreless. Juarez let him go and he played 1986 with Leon with only eight innings He did bank $700,000 though, which was more than double his best salary of $264,000 with Kano in the still fledgling WAB. Manirakiza would retire after the 1986 season at age 37.

Manirakiza’s final WAB stats saw a 167-76 record, 2.71 ERA, 2160.1 innings, 2484 strikeouts, 412 walks, 201/318 quality starts, 74 FIP- and 56.4 WAR. His stats wouldn’t be eye popping compared to some other Halls of Fame, but WAB would see fewer innings from its great starters due to play style. Manirakiza’s rate stats certainly would fit in on the later leaderboards and he was a solid pitcher for two successful early franchises, including a dynasty run for Lagos. The voters felt this resume made Manirakiza worthy of being WAB’s first Hall of Fame pitcher, getting in with 80.1% on his debut.