[FuzzyRussianHat]

For the first time since 2025, no players were added into the African Association of Baseball’s Hall of Fame for 2030. CL Deon Westerveld narrowly missed the 66% requirement with 63.2% for his fifth ballot. 1B Lifa Moyo was the next closest at 57.4% on his fourth try. 1B Herve Otepa had the top debut at 54.1%. RF Anthony Chongo was the other player above 50% with 50.7% on his eighth ballot. No players were dropped after ten failed ballots.



SP Paulin Pongo deserves a special mention though as he seemed on his way until dealt a bad hand by fate. He fell below 5% on his eighth ballot and was dropped, peaking at 22.2%. Pongo won three Pitcher of the Year awards for Kinshasa between 2012-15. Unfortunately, two UCL tears meant he was effectively done by age 31 after the 2017 season.

Pongo had a 118-83 record, 3.41 ERA, 1901 innings, 2064 strikeouts, 630 walks, 119 ERA+, 75 FIP-, and 49.7 WAR. His brief brilliance still puts him 35^th in pitching WAR and 49^th in strikeouts as of 2037. If not for the injuries, Pongo likely would’ve gotten his own bust next to the other greats. But alas, the Baseball Gods can be cruel towards the ulnar collateral ligament. Pongo is one of only a select few in the game’s history to miss out on enshrinement while boasting three Pitcher of the Year trophies.