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FuzzyRussianHat · 10-13-2024, 10:48 AM

Two players received a first ballot induction for the 2016 Eurasian Professional Baseball Hall of Fame class. They had similar numbers with CF Yakov Ryzhikov at 89.6% and DH Sarxan Niftaliyev at 88.8%. SP Edmond Vardanyan fell painfully short of the 66% requirement, getting 65.3% on his fourth ballot. Also cracking 50% were LF Oleg Ivashko (57.0%, 5^th), CL Stilian Zaborov (56.2%, 2^nd), and RP Elgiz Alisher (53.0%, 3^rd). No players were dropped following ten failed ballots.

Yakov “Train” Ryzhikov – Center Field – Krasnoyarsk Cossacks – 89.6% First Ballot

Yakov Ryzhikov was a 6’0’’, 205 pound left-handed center fielder from Ust-Ilimsk, Russia; a city of about 86,000 inhabitants in the Irkutsk Oblast. Ryzhikov earned the nickname “Train” for his incredible speed and baserunning exploits. He would lead the league ten straight seasons in stolen bases and retire as the EPB steals leader. Ryzhikov was also an excellent contact hitter in his prime, winning three batting titles. He also rarely struck out, but he was below average at drawing walks.

Ryzhikov wasn’t just a singles slap hitter though, averaging 26 doubles and 19 triples per 162 games. He wasn’t one to hit homers though with only 57 for his career. Ryzhikov was a career center fielder and a reliably solid defender. He also had respectable durability at a demanding spot. Ryzhikov was a team captain, renowned for his leadership and work ethic. That and his blistering speed made him a popular favorite for Russian baseball fans.

Krasnoyarsk selected Ryzhikov 14^th overall in the 1994 EPB Draft and made him a full-time starter immediately. He missed six weeks to forearm inflammation in his rookie season, but still posted 4.4 WAR and earned Rookie of the Year honors. By his third year, he was an electric player and won his first of five Silver Sluggers. Ryzhikov led the league in runs (87), steals (113), average (.328), and OBP (.377). The 113 steals broke the previous EPB record by one.

That started his ten-year streak leading the league in steals. He also topped 7+ WAR five times in that run and topped 5+ WAR each year. Ryzhikov led in hits and batting average in both 2001 and 2002. He won Silver Sluggers in 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2003. Ryzhikov was third in 1998 MVP voting and second in 2002.

2002 was a banner year with league bests in runs (117), hits (209), steals (117), average (.335), OBP (.383), and WAR (10.7). The runs, hits, steals, and WAR marks were all career highs, as was his 33 doubles. Ryzhikov broke his own single-season steals record which held until 2010. It still ranks as the third-best as of 2037. Krasnoyarsk locked him up after the 1999 season with an eight-year, $20,920,000 extension.

Krasnoyarsk was a terrible franchise in the 1990s, but started to turn things around in the 21^st Century with a five-year playoff streak from 2001-2005. The Cossacks won the Asian League pennant in 2001, then lost in the ALCS in 2002, 2003, and 2004. They fell to Minsk in the 2001 EPB Championship despite Ryzhikov’s 16 hits, 9 runs, and 11 steals. In 31 playoff starts for the Cossacks, he had 41 hits, 15 runs, 5 doubles, 2 triples, 7 RBI, 26 steals, a .315/.360/.385 slash, and 127 wRC+.

Ryzhikov’s rate stats were excellent in 2004, but back issues plagued him for much of the season. He would be 34-years old in 2005 with three years left on the Krasnoyarsk deal. Ryzhikov shocked many by exercising his contract opt out and leaving for free agency. He frustrated many Krasnoyarsk fans too by signing a five-year, $23,400,000 deal with Yekaterinburg. The Yaks had bested the Cossacks in the last two ALCS matchups.

With Krasnoyarsk, Ryzhikov had 1735 hits, 828 runs, 237 doubles, 186 triples, 447 RBI, 1038 stolen bases, a .314/.362/.448 slash, 142 wRC+, and 79.6 WAR. The Cossacks would eventually make up with him once his playing career was done, retiring his #5 uniform. It was a surprise that the longtime captain left, but the Yaks were appealing as they had a shot to three-peat as EPB champion.

Ryzhikov was never as impressive with Yekaterinburg as a hitter. Incidentally in 2005, the Yaks were upset by Krasnoyarsk in the ALCS. They bounced back with AL pennants the next two years and back-to-back finals meetings with Moscow. Yekaterinburg lost in 2006, but won it all in 2007. Over 22 playoff starts, Ryzhikov had 26 hits, 10 runs, 6 extra base hits, 11 steals, a .313/.352/.422 slash, and 129 wRC+.

More back troubles kept him out for parts of 2006 and 2007, as did a broken collarbone the latter year. Ryzhikov played three years with Yekaterinburg and was still valuable with 366 hits, 196 runs, 65 doubles, 33 triples, 246 stolen bases, a .286/.337/.400 slash, 119 wRC+, and 14.1 WAR. He also passed Bogdan Sergeev’s 1215 to become EPB’s all-time stolen bases leader.

The run ended with a New Year’s Day 2008 blockbuster trade with Irkutsk that included six players. The trade ended up with three Hall of Famers as Ryzhikov and Class of 2028 SP Kamil Domanski went to the Ice Cats, while Class of 2024 LF Aram Sargsyan joined the Yaks. This did get him closer to home as it returned him to his home state. He still was 900 kilometers away though because Russia is really freakin’ big.

Ryzhikov had been a fixture for the Russian team in the World Baseball Championship. From 1996-2008, he had 108 games and 93 starts. For his tournament career, Ryzhikov had 110 hits, 58 runs, 20 doubles, 5 triples, 10 home runs, 42 RBI, 72 stolen bases, a .261/.330/.403 slash, 109 wRC+, and 3.4 WAR.

With Irkutsk, his bat had weakened but he still had good enough defense and baserunning for positive value. Ryzhikov had two seasons with 271 hits, 139 runs, 30 doubles, 30 triples, 73 RBI, 133 steals, a .286/.309/.381 slash, 99 wRC+, and 7.8 WAR. The Ice Cats missed the playoffs in 2007, then lost in the 2008 ALCS to Yekaterinburg.

A 39-year old free agent, Ryzhikov joined Minsk for 2010. However, a broken bone in his elbow kept him out most of the season. He still wanted to play somewhere and found a spot oddly enough in Major League Baseball. Brooklyn gave him a one-year deal for 2011 where he played 74 games and started 71. Injuries again kept him out for large chunks, including all but three playoff games. However, Brooklyn won the National Association pennant, losing to Tampa in the World Series.

This gave Ryzhikov a chance to play in the newly formed Baseball Grand Championship in its second year. The Dodgers finished fourth with Ryzhikov making 12 starts with a .209/.277/.302 slash. Brooklyn brought him back for 2012, but between declining skills and injuries, he only played 34 games. He was cut by the Dodgers after spring training 2013. Ryzhikov hoped to find a home but went unsigned, retiring that winter at age 43.

In EPB, Ryzhikov had 2411 hits, 1183 runs, 339 doubles, 254 triples, 57 home runs, 662 RBI, 482 walks, 1436 stolen bases, a .303/.350/.430 slash, 132 wRC+, and 102.3 WAR. He would lose the stolen bases crown in 2024, passed narrowly by Yuriy Isakov. Ryzhikov still ranks second as of 2037 and also ranks 14^th in WAR among position players. He sits 52^nd in hits and 53^rd in runs scored.

Among all batters with 3000+ plate appearances, his batting average sits 36^th. He’s also one of only two EPB Hall of Fame hitters with fewer than 1000 strikeouts. Adding his MLB steals, Ryzhikov’s 1461 stolen bases ranks 24^th in all of pro baseball history.

It isn’t always easy for leadoff guys to get noticed with their lack of power output. However, Ryzhikov’s baserunning, contact, and defensive value gave him an impressive 19-year career. The voters put him in convincingly at 89.6% to lead EPB’s 2016 Hall of Fame class.

Sarxan “Cosmo” Niftaliyev – Designated Hitter – Yekaterinburg Yaks- 88.8% First Ballot

Sarxan Niftaliyev was a 6’3’’, 200 pound left-handed hitter from Sudogda, Russia; a town of about 10,000 people in the Vladimir Oblast about 120 miles east of Moscow. Niftaliyev was nicknamed “Cosmo,” as in cosmonaut due to his love of all things space. He was considered one of the most endearing personalities of the era, renowned for his leadership, loyalty, work ethic, and intelligence. Niftaliyev emerged as a beloved face throughout Russian baseball.

At the plate, Niftaliyev was a solid contact and power hitter with a decent eye for walks and avoiding strikeouts. He was especially potent against right-handed pitching with a career 167 wRC+ and .908 OPS. Against lefties, he only saw a 111 wRC+ and .687 OPS. This still netted him 35 home runs and 28 doubles per his 162 game average.

He was a comically slow and clumsy baserunner. Niftaliyev’s extreme lack of athleticism was baffling considering his excellent bat. He only made 92 starts in the field for his career and was atrocious at second base. Luckily for Niftaliyev, the designated hitter was an option for his entire career, where he thrived. He also had outstanding durability and apart from his rookie year, he played 150+ in each of his EPB seasons.

Even without any defensive value, Niftaliyev’s hitting potential intrigued scouts from a young age. Out of high school, he was picked 13^th overall by Krasnoyarsk in the 1992 EPB Draft. Niftaliyev opted to pass and attend college, coming back eligible in 1995. Yekaterinburg picked him eighth overall and he spent the next 12 years with the Yaks. He started most of 1996 with respectable results, then earned the full-time job from then onward. Niftaliyev was third in Rookie of the Year voting.

He didn’t emerge as truly elite until his third season, which saw his first Silver Slugger and a second place MVP finish. Niftaliyev then grabbed back-to-back MVPs in 1999 and 2000 (although oddly enough didn’t win the Slugger either year). In 1999, Niftaliyev led the Asian League in total bases (378), slugging (.629), OPS (1.002), and wRC+ (212). Those were all career highs, as was his 43 home runs, 109 RBI, 100 runs, .324 average, .373 OBP, and 9.0 WAR. Niftaliyev led in runs scored with 93 in 2000.

After the 2000 season, Niftaliyev signed an eight-year, $17,620,000 extension with the Yaks. Yekaterinburg emerged as a contender by 1999 and especially thrived after EPB shrunk with the 2000 exodus. The Yaks earned 13 playoff berths from 1999-2011. With Niftaliyev, they won the Asian league title in 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2007. The Yaks won it all in 2003, 2004, and 2007. The 2004 squad at 116-48 also ranks amongst EPB’s all-time best teams.

Niftaliyev won additional Sluggers in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2007. He was third in 2005’s MVP voting, then won the top honor for the third time in 2007. Over 86 playoff starts, Niftaliyev had 92 hits, 30 runs, 17 doubles, 3 triples, 8 home runs, 31 RBI, a .287/.337/.434 slash, 130 wRC+, and 2.8 WAR. His leadership helped usher in a dynasty run and his #16 uniform would later be retired by Yekaterinburg.

From 1999-2005, Niftaliyev also made appearances for Russia in the World Baseball Championship with 56 games and 37 starts. He had 35 hits, 23 runs, 5 doubles, 12 home runs, 27 RBI, a .219/.288/.475 slash, 114 wRC+, and 1.0 WAR. In total with Yekaterinburg, Niftaliyev had 1959 hits, 933 runs, 327 doubles, 394 home runs, 1093 RBI, a .291/.345/.524 slash, 162 wRC+, and 65.4 WAR.

Niftaliyev did surprise many by declining his contract option after the 2007 season, becoming a free agent for the first time at age 35. He signed a three-year, $10,880,000 deal with Minsk. Niftaliyev never reached his Yaks heights with the Miners, but was still a reliable bat with 500 hits, 244 runs, 72 doubles, 100 home runs, 251 RBI, a .279/.325/.495 slash, 142 wRC+, and 10.9 WAR. Niftaliyev struggled in his two postseason runs for Minsk, which saw an European League pennant in 2008 and ELCS loss in 2009.

Now 38-years old, Niftaliyev had trouble finding a landing spot and had to leave EPB. He ended up in West Africa Baseball oddly enough and bounced around for three years. Niftaliyev played with Monrovia in 2011, Ouagadougou in 2012, and Yaounde in 2013. He had alright results with 271 hits, 161 runs, 70 home runs, 190 RBI, 134 wRC+, and 5.1 WAR. Niftaliyev was unsigned in 2014 and retired that winter at age 42.

For his combined pro career, Niftaliyev had 2730 hits, 1338 runs, 452 doubles, 564 home runs, 1534 RBI, 702 walks, a .287/.340/.522 slash, 155 wRC+, and 81.5 WAR. Just in EPB, he finished with 2459 hits, 1177 runs, 399 doubles, 494 home runs, 1344 RBI, a .288/.341/.518 slash, 158 wRC+, and 76.4 WAR.

As of 2037, Niftaliyev ranks 57^th in WAR among position players, 46^th in hits, 56^th in runs, 31^st in homers, and 29^th in RBI. Among all batters with 3000+ plate appearances, he’s 39^th in OPS (.859) and 46^th in slugging. Niftaliyev was an impressive hitter and one of the few to win three MVPs, as well as a recognizable face during Yekaterinburg’s 2000s dominance. Even without defensive value, most voters were sold on Niftaliyev’s resume. At 88.8%, he was the second member of EPB’s 2016 Hall of Fame class.

10-13-2024, 10:48 AM	#1697
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 3,096	2016 EPB Hall of Fame Two players received a first ballot induction for the 2016 Eurasian Professional Baseball Hall of Fame class. They had similar numbers with CF Yakov Ryzhikov at 89.6% and DH Sarxan Niftaliyev at 88.8%. SP Edmond Vardanyan fell painfully short of the 66% requirement, getting 65.3% on his fourth ballot. Also cracking 50% were LF Oleg Ivashko (57.0%, 5^th), CL Stilian Zaborov (56.2%, 2^nd), and RP Elgiz Alisher (53.0%, 3^rd). No players were dropped following ten failed ballots. Yakov “Train” Ryzhikov – Center Field – Krasnoyarsk Cossacks – 89.6% First Ballot Yakov Ryzhikov was a 6’0’’, 205 pound left-handed center fielder from Ust-Ilimsk, Russia; a city of about 86,000 inhabitants in the Irkutsk Oblast. Ryzhikov earned the nickname “Train” for his incredible speed and baserunning exploits. He would lead the league ten straight seasons in stolen bases and retire as the EPB steals leader. Ryzhikov was also an excellent contact hitter in his prime, winning three batting titles. He also rarely struck out, but he was below average at drawing walks. Ryzhikov wasn’t just a singles slap hitter though, averaging 26 doubles and 19 triples per 162 games. He wasn’t one to hit homers though with only 57 for his career. Ryzhikov was a career center fielder and a reliably solid defender. He also had respectable durability at a demanding spot. Ryzhikov was a team captain, renowned for his leadership and work ethic. That and his blistering speed made him a popular favorite for Russian baseball fans. Krasnoyarsk selected Ryzhikov 14^th overall in the 1994 EPB Draft and made him a full-time starter immediately. He missed six weeks to forearm inflammation in his rookie season, but still posted 4.4 WAR and earned Rookie of the Year honors. By his third year, he was an electric player and won his first of five Silver Sluggers. Ryzhikov led the league in runs (87), steals (113), average (.328), and OBP (.377). The 113 steals broke the previous EPB record by one. That started his ten-year streak leading the league in steals. He also topped 7+ WAR five times in that run and topped 5+ WAR each year. Ryzhikov led in hits and batting average in both 2001 and 2002. He won Silver Sluggers in 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2003. Ryzhikov was third in 1998 MVP voting and second in 2002. 2002 was a banner year with league bests in runs (117), hits (209), steals (117), average (.335), OBP (.383), and WAR (10.7). The runs, hits, steals, and WAR marks were all career highs, as was his 33 doubles. Ryzhikov broke his own single-season steals record which held until 2010. It still ranks as the third-best as of 2037. Krasnoyarsk locked him up after the 1999 season with an eight-year, $20,920,000 extension. Krasnoyarsk was a terrible franchise in the 1990s, but started to turn things around in the 21^st Century with a five-year playoff streak from 2001-2005. The Cossacks won the Asian League pennant in 2001, then lost in the ALCS in 2002, 2003, and 2004. They fell to Minsk in the 2001 EPB Championship despite Ryzhikov’s 16 hits, 9 runs, and 11 steals. In 31 playoff starts for the Cossacks, he had 41 hits, 15 runs, 5 doubles, 2 triples, 7 RBI, 26 steals, a .315/.360/.385 slash, and 127 wRC+. Ryzhikov’s rate stats were excellent in 2004, but back issues plagued him for much of the season. He would be 34-years old in 2005 with three years left on the Krasnoyarsk deal. Ryzhikov shocked many by exercising his contract opt out and leaving for free agency. He frustrated many Krasnoyarsk fans too by signing a five-year, $23,400,000 deal with Yekaterinburg. The Yaks had bested the Cossacks in the last two ALCS matchups. With Krasnoyarsk, Ryzhikov had 1735 hits, 828 runs, 237 doubles, 186 triples, 447 RBI, 1038 stolen bases, a .314/.362/.448 slash, 142 wRC+, and 79.6 WAR. The Cossacks would eventually make up with him once his playing career was done, retiring his #5 uniform. It was a surprise that the longtime captain left, but the Yaks were appealing as they had a shot to three-peat as EPB champion. Ryzhikov was never as impressive with Yekaterinburg as a hitter. Incidentally in 2005, the Yaks were upset by Krasnoyarsk in the ALCS. They bounced back with AL pennants the next two years and back-to-back finals meetings with Moscow. Yekaterinburg lost in 2006, but won it all in 2007. Over 22 playoff starts, Ryzhikov had 26 hits, 10 runs, 6 extra base hits, 11 steals, a .313/.352/.422 slash, and 129 wRC+. More back troubles kept him out for parts of 2006 and 2007, as did a broken collarbone the latter year. Ryzhikov played three years with Yekaterinburg and was still valuable with 366 hits, 196 runs, 65 doubles, 33 triples, 246 stolen bases, a .286/.337/.400 slash, 119 wRC+, and 14.1 WAR. He also passed Bogdan Sergeev’s 1215 to become EPB’s all-time stolen bases leader. The run ended with a New Year’s Day 2008 blockbuster trade with Irkutsk that included six players. The trade ended up with three Hall of Famers as Ryzhikov and Class of 2028 SP Kamil Domanski went to the Ice Cats, while Class of 2024 LF Aram Sargsyan joined the Yaks. This did get him closer to home as it returned him to his home state. He still was 900 kilometers away though because Russia is really freakin’ big. Ryzhikov had been a fixture for the Russian team in the World Baseball Championship. From 1996-2008, he had 108 games and 93 starts. For his tournament career, Ryzhikov had 110 hits, 58 runs, 20 doubles, 5 triples, 10 home runs, 42 RBI, 72 stolen bases, a .261/.330/.403 slash, 109 wRC+, and 3.4 WAR. With Irkutsk, his bat had weakened but he still had good enough defense and baserunning for positive value. Ryzhikov had two seasons with 271 hits, 139 runs, 30 doubles, 30 triples, 73 RBI, 133 steals, a .286/.309/.381 slash, 99 wRC+, and 7.8 WAR. The Ice Cats missed the playoffs in 2007, then lost in the 2008 ALCS to Yekaterinburg. A 39-year old free agent, Ryzhikov joined Minsk for 2010. However, a broken bone in his elbow kept him out most of the season. He still wanted to play somewhere and found a spot oddly enough in Major League Baseball. Brooklyn gave him a one-year deal for 2011 where he played 74 games and started 71. Injuries again kept him out for large chunks, including all but three playoff games. However, Brooklyn won the National Association pennant, losing to Tampa in the World Series. This gave Ryzhikov a chance to play in the newly formed Baseball Grand Championship in its second year. The Dodgers finished fourth with Ryzhikov making 12 starts with a .209/.277/.302 slash. Brooklyn brought him back for 2012, but between declining skills and injuries, he only played 34 games. He was cut by the Dodgers after spring training 2013. Ryzhikov hoped to find a home but went unsigned, retiring that winter at age 43. In EPB, Ryzhikov had 2411 hits, 1183 runs, 339 doubles, 254 triples, 57 home runs, 662 RBI, 482 walks, 1436 stolen bases, a .303/.350/.430 slash, 132 wRC+, and 102.3 WAR. He would lose the stolen bases crown in 2024, passed narrowly by Yuriy Isakov. Ryzhikov still ranks second as of 2037 and also ranks 14^th in WAR among position players. He sits 52^nd in hits and 53^rd in runs scored. Among all batters with 3000+ plate appearances, his batting average sits 36^th. He’s also one of only two EPB Hall of Fame hitters with fewer than 1000 strikeouts. Adding his MLB steals, Ryzhikov’s 1461 stolen bases ranks 24^th in all of pro baseball history. It isn’t always easy for leadoff guys to get noticed with their lack of power output. However, Ryzhikov’s baserunning, contact, and defensive value gave him an impressive 19-year career. The voters put him in convincingly at 89.6% to lead EPB’s 2016 Hall of Fame class. Sarxan “Cosmo” Niftaliyev – Designated Hitter – Yekaterinburg Yaks- 88.8% First Ballot Sarxan Niftaliyev was a 6’3’’, 200 pound left-handed hitter from Sudogda, Russia; a town of about 10,000 people in the Vladimir Oblast about 120 miles east of Moscow. Niftaliyev was nicknamed “Cosmo,” as in cosmonaut due to his love of all things space. He was considered one of the most endearing personalities of the era, renowned for his leadership, loyalty, work ethic, and intelligence. Niftaliyev emerged as a beloved face throughout Russian baseball. At the plate, Niftaliyev was a solid contact and power hitter with a decent eye for walks and avoiding strikeouts. He was especially potent against right-handed pitching with a career 167 wRC+ and .908 OPS. Against lefties, he only saw a 111 wRC+ and .687 OPS. This still netted him 35 home runs and 28 doubles per his 162 game average. He was a comically slow and clumsy baserunner. Niftaliyev’s extreme lack of athleticism was baffling considering his excellent bat. He only made 92 starts in the field for his career and was atrocious at second base. Luckily for Niftaliyev, the designated hitter was an option for his entire career, where he thrived. He also had outstanding durability and apart from his rookie year, he played 150+ in each of his EPB seasons. Even without any defensive value, Niftaliyev’s hitting potential intrigued scouts from a young age. Out of high school, he was picked 13^th overall by Krasnoyarsk in the 1992 EPB Draft. Niftaliyev opted to pass and attend college, coming back eligible in 1995. Yekaterinburg picked him eighth overall and he spent the next 12 years with the Yaks. He started most of 1996 with respectable results, then earned the full-time job from then onward. Niftaliyev was third in Rookie of the Year voting. He didn’t emerge as truly elite until his third season, which saw his first Silver Slugger and a second place MVP finish. Niftaliyev then grabbed back-to-back MVPs in 1999 and 2000 (although oddly enough didn’t win the Slugger either year). In 1999, Niftaliyev led the Asian League in total bases (378), slugging (.629), OPS (1.002), and wRC+ (212). Those were all career highs, as was his 43 home runs, 109 RBI, 100 runs, .324 average, .373 OBP, and 9.0 WAR. Niftaliyev led in runs scored with 93 in 2000. After the 2000 season, Niftaliyev signed an eight-year, $17,620,000 extension with the Yaks. Yekaterinburg emerged as a contender by 1999 and especially thrived after EPB shrunk with the 2000 exodus. The Yaks earned 13 playoff berths from 1999-2011. With Niftaliyev, they won the Asian league title in 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2007. The Yaks won it all in 2003, 2004, and 2007. The 2004 squad at 116-48 also ranks amongst EPB’s all-time best teams. Niftaliyev won additional Sluggers in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2007. He was third in 2005’s MVP voting, then won the top honor for the third time in 2007. Over 86 playoff starts, Niftaliyev had 92 hits, 30 runs, 17 doubles, 3 triples, 8 home runs, 31 RBI, a .287/.337/.434 slash, 130 wRC+, and 2.8 WAR. His leadership helped usher in a dynasty run and his #16 uniform would later be retired by Yekaterinburg. From 1999-2005, Niftaliyev also made appearances for Russia in the World Baseball Championship with 56 games and 37 starts. He had 35 hits, 23 runs, 5 doubles, 12 home runs, 27 RBI, a .219/.288/.475 slash, 114 wRC+, and 1.0 WAR. In total with Yekaterinburg, Niftaliyev had 1959 hits, 933 runs, 327 doubles, 394 home runs, 1093 RBI, a .291/.345/.524 slash, 162 wRC+, and 65.4 WAR. Niftaliyev did surprise many by declining his contract option after the 2007 season, becoming a free agent for the first time at age 35. He signed a three-year, $10,880,000 deal with Minsk. Niftaliyev never reached his Yaks heights with the Miners, but was still a reliable bat with 500 hits, 244 runs, 72 doubles, 100 home runs, 251 RBI, a .279/.325/.495 slash, 142 wRC+, and 10.9 WAR. Niftaliyev struggled in his two postseason runs for Minsk, which saw an European League pennant in 2008 and ELCS loss in 2009. Now 38-years old, Niftaliyev had trouble finding a landing spot and had to leave EPB. He ended up in West Africa Baseball oddly enough and bounced around for three years. Niftaliyev played with Monrovia in 2011, Ouagadougou in 2012, and Yaounde in 2013. He had alright results with 271 hits, 161 runs, 70 home runs, 190 RBI, 134 wRC+, and 5.1 WAR. Niftaliyev was unsigned in 2014 and retired that winter at age 42. For his combined pro career, Niftaliyev had 2730 hits, 1338 runs, 452 doubles, 564 home runs, 1534 RBI, 702 walks, a .287/.340/.522 slash, 155 wRC+, and 81.5 WAR. Just in EPB, he finished with 2459 hits, 1177 runs, 399 doubles, 494 home runs, 1344 RBI, a .288/.341/.518 slash, 158 wRC+, and 76.4 WAR. As of 2037, Niftaliyev ranks 57^th in WAR among position players, 46^th in hits, 56^th in runs, 31^st in homers, and 29^th in RBI. Among all batters with 3000+ plate appearances, he’s 39^th in OPS (.859) and 46^th in slugging. Niftaliyev was an impressive hitter and one of the few to win three MVPs, as well as a recognizable face during Yekaterinburg’s 2000s dominance. Even without defensive value, most voters were sold on Niftaliyev’s resume. At 88.8%, he was the second member of EPB’s 2016 Hall of Fame class. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports The Level Playing Field: Alternate MLB History From 1884-Onward Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)