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FuzzyRussianHat · 02-12-2026, 08:48 AM

Flaco “Flip” Villanueva – Starting Pitcher – Houston Hornets – 72.1% Second Ballot

Flaco Villanueva was a 6’4’’, 200 pound left-handed pitcher from Brownsville, Texas; a city of about 187,000 on the Gulf Coast on the border with Mexico. Nicknamed “Flip,” Villanueva was known for having impressive stuff along with above average control and decent movement. His velocity peaked in the 96-98 mph range with a three-pitch arsenal of cutter, curveball, and changeup. Villanueva’s ability to change speeds in particular made him one of MLB’s top strikeout guys of the era.

His stamina was solid relative to other MLB aces, but he did run into a couple major injuries over a 15-year career. Villanueva had an excellent pickoff move and was elite at holding runners, although his defense otherwise was average. He was quiet and humble with an outstanding work ethic. Being a tall lefty earned Villanueva attention as a teenager, leaving Texas for Rutgers for his collegiate career.

In three years with the Scarlet Knights, Villanueva had an 18-11 record, 2.02 ERA, 263 innings, 151 strikeouts, 169 ERA+, 31 FIP-, and 14.4 WAR. He did notably miss half of his sophomore season to an elbow strain. His college run though earned him plenty of attention ahead of the 2016 MLB Draft. Villanueva made his return to his home state as Houston picked him 22^nd overall.

He made only one regular season appearance in 2017, spending the season otherwise in minor league Corpus Christi. Villanueva did notably make three playoff appearances as the Hornets lost in the second round. Villanueva split time between the minors and majors the next two years with mixed results. Houston was a wild card in 2019 at 93-69, but got hot and made a surprise run to a World Series win over defending champ Kansas City.

Villanueva was a critical part of the playoff run, posting a 2.43 ERA over four starts with 37 strikeouts and 1.0 ERA in 29.2 innings. He had less luck in the Baseball Grand Championship with a 4.72 ERA over 34.1 innings, although he still had a 3-1 record, 48 Ks, and 1.0 WAR. The Hornets finished seventh in the event at 10-9. This earned Villanueva a full-time rotation spot, which he held through 2027 for Houston.

From 2021-24, Villanueva was the American Association leader in strikeouts, thrice getting above 300. He peaked with 318 Ks in 2024, while 2023 had his career bests for wins (24-7), ERA (2.67), and WAR (9.5). 2023 was Villanueva’s only time leading in wins. He also had 9.4 WAR in 2022 and 8.3 in 2021. Despite that, Villanueva’s only time as a Pitcher of the Year finalist was a third place in 2023. That was plenty though to get a five-year, $67,800,000 extension with the Hornets that winter.

Houston didn’t immediately follow up the World Series win with success, missing the playoffs in 2020-21. They got a division title in 2022 at 102-60, but lost in the second round. After another playoff miss in 2023, the Hornets earned the top seed in 2024 at 106-56. Houston claimed the AACS over Seattle, but lost the World Series to Washington.

Villanueva was a stud in the 2024 playoff run with a 1.38 ERA and 3-1 record in five starts, 38 strikeouts, 39 innings, and 1.7 WAR. He was even more dominant in the BFC with an 0.76 ERA over four wins, 35.1 innings, 50 strikeouts, and 2.0 WAR. Houston finished 12-7, one win short of the top spot, but fifth after tiebreakers. His ERA ranks as the 33^rd-best qualifying mark in a BGC (21 innings required) and he posted the 34^th-best pitching WAR in the event.

In August 2025, Villanueva suffered a torn meniscus that ended his season. He was still a good starter after that, but never came close to his previous peaks. The Hornets had second round playoff exits in 2025 and 2027. For his playoff career with Houston, Villanueva had a 7-5 record, 2.54 ERA, 106.1 innings, 117 strikeouts, 160 ERA+, 66 FIP-, and 3.6 WAR. He was certainly a huge reason for their two pennants and his #37 uniform would later be retired by the Hornets.

In total with Houston, Villanueva had a 170-91 record, 3.38 ERA, 2351.1 innings, 2449 strikeouts, 628 walks, 154 complete games, 30 shutouts, 121 ERA+, 76 FIP-, and 62.7 WAR. He declined his contract option after the 2027 campaign, becoming a free agent at age 31. Villanueva got a hefty six-year, $132,600,000 deal with Nashville.

However, Villanueva struggled with Nashville with below league average ERAs in his first three seasons. He dealt with injuries as well, including a partially torn labrum in 2030. The Knights did get a division title in 2029, but lost in the second round with Villanueva posting a 5.12 ERA over three starts. They got back to the playoffs in 2031-32, but Villanueva wasn’t used and they didn’t make it out of the second round.

Villanueva did return to form somewhat in 2031 with a 3.85 ERA, although his strikeouts were down from his peak. He had a similar pace in 2032, but suffered a torn labrum in late July with a 9-10 month recovery time. Villanueva made one relief appearance in spring 2033 but was shellacked, getting cut by Nashville on June 14.

For the Knights, Villanueva had a 58-48 record, 4.44 ERA, 969 innings, 761 strikeouts, 268 walks, 46 complete games, 6 shutouts, 98 ERA+, 97 FIP-, and 14.1 WAR. While he wasn’t outright bad, he definitely wasn’t the big free agent splash Nashville had hoped for. Villanueva wanted to still pitch and Louisville gave him a minor league deal in September, making six poor relief appearances in Lexington. Realizing he was cooked, Villanueva retired that winter at age 37.

Villanueva finished with a 228-139 record, 3.69 ERA, 3320.1 innings, 3210 strikeouts, 896 walks, 234/428 quality starts, 200 complete games, 36 shutouts, 113 ERA+, 82 FIP-, and 76.8 WAR. He ranks 71^st in strikeouts and 97^th in K/9 (8.70) among those with 1000+ innings. Outside of that, he isn’t in the top 100 for any stats, which made Villanueva a borderline Hall of Fame choice for many voters. His forgettable 30s didn’t get him to the big tallies many voters wanted.

However, Villanueva had a lot going for him. Few guys can say they led in strikeouts four straight years. He also had two very strong playoff runs that helped Houston to pennants and a World Series win. Villanueva’s grand tallies weren’t undeniable and he didn’t have a Pitcher of the Year award, but supporters felt he had crossed the line. Villanueva missed the 66% requirement in his 2039 ballot debut at 62.1%, but made it in at 72.1% for Major League Baseball’s 2040 class.

Kwang-Sik Oh – Shortstop-Third Base – Kansas City Cougars – 66.7% Fifth Ballot

Kwang-Sik Oh was a 6’1’’, 200 pound left-handed hitting shortstop and third baseman from Ulsan, South Korea’s eighth-largest city with more than a million inhabitants. He is the third Korean-born player to make it into MLB’s HOF. Oh was a tremendous contact hitter and graded as a 10/10 overall at his peak. He was also excellent at avoiding strikeouts, although he drew walks at a below average rate.

Oh wasn’t a mere slap singles hitter, as his 162 game average got you 33 doubles, 5 triples, and 23 home runs. His power was far more pronounced facing right-handed pitching with a career .919 OPS and 160 wRC+. Facing lefties, he had a .772 OPS and a 121 wRC+. Unlike a lot of high average guys, Oh’s speed was subpar, but his baserunning and stealing skills were rock solid.

Through age 30, Oh was a career shortstop with lousy defensive metrics. He made the switch to third base after that and was a reliably average-to-above average glove there. Oh’s durability was generally strong, playing 135+ games in all but one year from 2013-29. Perhaps most importantly, Oh was an absolute gem of a human. He was a beloved team captain and one of the highest character guys the game has ever had, universally praised for his leadership, work ethic, intelligence, and selflessness. It is no surprise he became extremely popular worldwide by fans and peers alike.

Oh was one of the rare teenage South Koreans that signed a developmental deal north of the 38^th parallel, joining Hamhung in March 2009. He debuted in 2011 at age 19 and had 128 games and 34 starts over his first two seasons. Early in 2012, he had a bone marrow edema in his knee that knocked him out for months. This would be the last significant injury Oh had for the next decade. He was a full-time starter in 2013 and held that for the next five years for the Heat.

After a decent 2013, Oh rattled off four consecutive Korea League batting titles from 2014-17. He won Silver Sluggers each year and emerged as an MVP contender. From 2015-17, Oh led in OBP and WAR; posting three straight 10+ WAR seasons. His .395 average in 2017 was his peak, which ranks as the sixth-best qualifying season in East Asia Baseball history at induction. Oh’s .392 in 2016 ranks as ninth-best and that season featured a 31-game hitting streak. He also twice led in hits and led with a career-best 45 doubles in 2015.

Oh earned MVP honors in 2015, while finishing third in 2016’s voting and second in 2017. This gave Hamhung fans something to cheer, as they had been abysmal in recent memory with only one winning season from 1991-2010. The Heat ended a playoff drought in Oh’s debut 2011 season with a first round exit. They were back below .500 the next three years before a wild card and first round exit in 2015. Hamhung spent the rest of Oh’s tenure just below .500.

The Heat wanted to keep him long-term, but it was clear that Oh was a world class talent that would have plenty of suitors. He left for free agency after the 2017 season heading towards his age 26 campaign; an incredibly young age for such a talent to hit the market. With Hamhung, Oh played 914 games with 1157 hits, 446 runs, 205 doubles, 43 triples, 108 home runs, 508 RBI, 98 steals, .369/.404/.565 slash, 162 wRC+, and 42.1 WAR.

At induction, Oh is EAB’s career leader for batting average among all players with 3000+ plate appearances. He holds #1 by a strong margin too, with the next best being at .350. Oh is also sixth in on-base percentage and 24^th in OPS among EAB qualifiers. This brief run did get him as high as 42.6% for EAB’s Hall of Fame, although he wasn’t around long enough there to get more traction than that.

Oh moved to the United States in 2018 on an eight-year, $195,800,000 deal with Kansas City, who had recently become a contender. The Cougars won the 2016 National Association pennant and lost the World Series to Charlotte, then took second in the Baseball Grand Championship. They were fresh off a second round exit in 2017, but hoped Oh could help them make a dynasty run.

In his debut, Oh won his fifth straight batting title (.358) and was the leader in hits (227) and WAR (9.9). It was a remarkable debut, winning a Silver Slugger and taking second in MVP voting. They won the Upper Midwest Division at 105-57 and earned the top seed, holding the tiebreaker over Boston. The Cougars bested the Red Sox 4-2 in the NACS with Oh earning series MVP. KC then defeated Las Vegas 4-2 for only the franchise’s second-ever World Series win, joining their 1991 triumph.

For the playoff run, Oh had 23 hits, 12 runs, 6 doubles, 1 homer, 5 RBI, .907 OPS, 182 wRC+, and 1.0 WAR; instantly earning a spot in the hearts of the Cougar faithful. He had a respectable showing in the BGC with 19 hits, 14 runs, 6 homers, 12 RBI, .810 OPS, 139 wRC+, and 0.8 WAR. Kansas City would finish 10-9, one of five teams even with the seventh-most wins.

Oh never had an MVP-level season again, but he remained excellent with 6+ WAR each of the next four years for KC. He was the leader in hits again in 2019 and won Silver Sluggers at SS from 2019-21. The Cougars were 107-55 in 2019 and repeated as National Association champs sweeping Boston, but dropped the World Series to Houston in a seven-game thriller.

He had another solid playoff run with 24 hits, 7 runs, 3 doubles, 1 homer, 4 RBI, .938 OPS, 189 wRC+, and 0.7 WAR. In the Baseball Grand Championship, Oh had 23 hits, 11 runs, 5 doubles, 4 homers, 5 RBI, .840 OPS, 130 wRC+, and 0.6 WAR. Kansas City finished 12-7 to earn a third place finish. The Cougars would be a 96-66 wild card in 2020 and got back to the NACS, falling to divisional foe Cincinnati 4-1.

That marked the end of Kansas City’s dynasty run, as they’d miss the playoffs at 85-77 in 2021. The Cougars then spent the next seven years below .500. Oh was there through 2025 and led thrice in doubles, winning his lone Silver Slugger at third base in 2025. Counting EAB, this gave him nine Sluggers for his career. His signing certainly proved a major success for Kansas City, who retired his #36 uniform for his role in their dynasty run.

With the Cougars, Oh played 1226 games with 1548 hits, 692 runs, 263 doubles, 22 triples, 220 homers, 687 RBI, .324/.350/.526 slash, 162 wRC+, and 51.2 WAR. He became a free agent for 2026 heading into his age 34 season and signed for five years and $146 million with Detroit. The Tigers were the defending World Series champ and had been a playoff regular in the 21^st Century. They hoped that like KC, Oh’s skills and leadership could help create a dynasty run.

Oh had his usual production in his debut with Detroit getting a wild card at 90-72, losing in the first round. The Tigers posting losing seasons the next three years as their run had come to an end. Oh was still a respectable starter in 2027-28, but his power noticeably dropped off. 2028 was also the first time he had a batting average below .300 in his career.

In 2029, Oh had a mediocre .698 OPS and 83 wRC+, but still was marginally above replacement level. He was reduced to a bench role in 2030 and spent much of the year with knee injuries, struggling to -0.3 WAR and 56 wRC+. Overall for Detroit, he had 662 games, 682 hits, 309 runs, 100 doubles, 72 home runs, 328 RBI, .299/.332/.452 slash, 113 wRC+, and 15.5 WAR. Oh hoped to play in 2031, but went unsigned all year and retired that winter at age 39.

For his combined pro career, Oh played 2802 games with 3387 hits, 1447 runs, 568 doubles, 81 triples, 400 home runs, 1523 RBI, 493 walks, 966 strikeouts, 216 steals, .332/.363/.522 slash, 151 wRC+, and 108.7 WAR. That resume all in one league is a no-doubter, but Oh did have to deal with seven seasons, including his strongest ones, being in EAB.

His Major League Baseball career had 1888 games, 2230 hits, 1001 runs, 363 doubles, 38 triples, 292 home runs, 1015 RBI, 301 walks, 718 strikeouts, 118 steals, .316/.344/.502 slash, 146 wRC+, and 66. WAR. Since the run was only 11 years, he doesn’t make any top 100 lists on the MLB leaderboards. Some Hall of Fame voters give partial credit for stats in other leagues, but others disregard it entirely. For those especially enamored with accumulations, Oh just wasn’t around long enough to belong.

Supporters fixated on Oh’s critical role in two pennants and a World Series ring for Kansas City. But even still, the lower accumulations and lack of big home run numbers hurt him with some voters. Oh debuted on the MLB ballot in 2036 at 53.4% and hovered around there with 55.3%, 49.9%, and 56.8% after. In 2040, he got the boost to 66.7%, just crossing the 66% threshold to earn a fifth ballot induction.

02-12-2026, 08:48 AM	#2721
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 3,194	2040 MLB Hall of Fame (Part 2) Flaco “Flip” Villanueva – Starting Pitcher – Houston Hornets – 72.1% Second Ballot Flaco Villanueva was a 6’4’’, 200 pound left-handed pitcher from Brownsville, Texas; a city of about 187,000 on the Gulf Coast on the border with Mexico. Nicknamed “Flip,” Villanueva was known for having impressive stuff along with above average control and decent movement. His velocity peaked in the 96-98 mph range with a three-pitch arsenal of cutter, curveball, and changeup. Villanueva’s ability to change speeds in particular made him one of MLB’s top strikeout guys of the era. His stamina was solid relative to other MLB aces, but he did run into a couple major injuries over a 15-year career. Villanueva had an excellent pickoff move and was elite at holding runners, although his defense otherwise was average. He was quiet and humble with an outstanding work ethic. Being a tall lefty earned Villanueva attention as a teenager, leaving Texas for Rutgers for his collegiate career. In three years with the Scarlet Knights, Villanueva had an 18-11 record, 2.02 ERA, 263 innings, 151 strikeouts, 169 ERA+, 31 FIP-, and 14.4 WAR. He did notably miss half of his sophomore season to an elbow strain. His college run though earned him plenty of attention ahead of the 2016 MLB Draft. Villanueva made his return to his home state as Houston picked him 22^nd overall. He made only one regular season appearance in 2017, spending the season otherwise in minor league Corpus Christi. Villanueva did notably make three playoff appearances as the Hornets lost in the second round. Villanueva split time between the minors and majors the next two years with mixed results. Houston was a wild card in 2019 at 93-69, but got hot and made a surprise run to a World Series win over defending champ Kansas City. Villanueva was a critical part of the playoff run, posting a 2.43 ERA over four starts with 37 strikeouts and 1.0 ERA in 29.2 innings. He had less luck in the Baseball Grand Championship with a 4.72 ERA over 34.1 innings, although he still had a 3-1 record, 48 Ks, and 1.0 WAR. The Hornets finished seventh in the event at 10-9. This earned Villanueva a full-time rotation spot, which he held through 2027 for Houston. From 2021-24, Villanueva was the American Association leader in strikeouts, thrice getting above 300. He peaked with 318 Ks in 2024, while 2023 had his career bests for wins (24-7), ERA (2.67), and WAR (9.5). 2023 was Villanueva’s only time leading in wins. He also had 9.4 WAR in 2022 and 8.3 in 2021. Despite that, Villanueva’s only time as a Pitcher of the Year finalist was a third place in 2023. That was plenty though to get a five-year, $67,800,000 extension with the Hornets that winter. Houston didn’t immediately follow up the World Series win with success, missing the playoffs in 2020-21. They got a division title in 2022 at 102-60, but lost in the second round. After another playoff miss in 2023, the Hornets earned the top seed in 2024 at 106-56. Houston claimed the AACS over Seattle, but lost the World Series to Washington. Villanueva was a stud in the 2024 playoff run with a 1.38 ERA and 3-1 record in five starts, 38 strikeouts, 39 innings, and 1.7 WAR. He was even more dominant in the BFC with an 0.76 ERA over four wins, 35.1 innings, 50 strikeouts, and 2.0 WAR. Houston finished 12-7, one win short of the top spot, but fifth after tiebreakers. His ERA ranks as the 33^rd-best qualifying mark in a BGC (21 innings required) and he posted the 34^th-best pitching WAR in the event. In August 2025, Villanueva suffered a torn meniscus that ended his season. He was still a good starter after that, but never came close to his previous peaks. The Hornets had second round playoff exits in 2025 and 2027. For his playoff career with Houston, Villanueva had a 7-5 record, 2.54 ERA, 106.1 innings, 117 strikeouts, 160 ERA+, 66 FIP-, and 3.6 WAR. He was certainly a huge reason for their two pennants and his #37 uniform would later be retired by the Hornets. In total with Houston, Villanueva had a 170-91 record, 3.38 ERA, 2351.1 innings, 2449 strikeouts, 628 walks, 154 complete games, 30 shutouts, 121 ERA+, 76 FIP-, and 62.7 WAR. He declined his contract option after the 2027 campaign, becoming a free agent at age 31. Villanueva got a hefty six-year, $132,600,000 deal with Nashville. However, Villanueva struggled with Nashville with below league average ERAs in his first three seasons. He dealt with injuries as well, including a partially torn labrum in 2030. The Knights did get a division title in 2029, but lost in the second round with Villanueva posting a 5.12 ERA over three starts. They got back to the playoffs in 2031-32, but Villanueva wasn’t used and they didn’t make it out of the second round. Villanueva did return to form somewhat in 2031 with a 3.85 ERA, although his strikeouts were down from his peak. He had a similar pace in 2032, but suffered a torn labrum in late July with a 9-10 month recovery time. Villanueva made one relief appearance in spring 2033 but was shellacked, getting cut by Nashville on June 14. For the Knights, Villanueva had a 58-48 record, 4.44 ERA, 969 innings, 761 strikeouts, 268 walks, 46 complete games, 6 shutouts, 98 ERA+, 97 FIP-, and 14.1 WAR. While he wasn’t outright bad, he definitely wasn’t the big free agent splash Nashville had hoped for. Villanueva wanted to still pitch and Louisville gave him a minor league deal in September, making six poor relief appearances in Lexington. Realizing he was cooked, Villanueva retired that winter at age 37. Villanueva finished with a 228-139 record, 3.69 ERA, 3320.1 innings, 3210 strikeouts, 896 walks, 234/428 quality starts, 200 complete games, 36 shutouts, 113 ERA+, 82 FIP-, and 76.8 WAR. He ranks 71^st in strikeouts and 97^th in K/9 (8.70) among those with 1000+ innings. Outside of that, he isn’t in the top 100 for any stats, which made Villanueva a borderline Hall of Fame choice for many voters. His forgettable 30s didn’t get him to the big tallies many voters wanted. However, Villanueva had a lot going for him. Few guys can say they led in strikeouts four straight years. He also had two very strong playoff runs that helped Houston to pennants and a World Series win. Villanueva’s grand tallies weren’t undeniable and he didn’t have a Pitcher of the Year award, but supporters felt he had crossed the line. Villanueva missed the 66% requirement in his 2039 ballot debut at 62.1%, but made it in at 72.1% for Major League Baseball’s 2040 class. Kwang-Sik Oh – Shortstop-Third Base – Kansas City Cougars – 66.7% Fifth Ballot Kwang-Sik Oh was a 6’1’’, 200 pound left-handed hitting shortstop and third baseman from Ulsan, South Korea’s eighth-largest city with more than a million inhabitants. He is the third Korean-born player to make it into MLB’s HOF. Oh was a tremendous contact hitter and graded as a 10/10 overall at his peak. He was also excellent at avoiding strikeouts, although he drew walks at a below average rate. Oh wasn’t a mere slap singles hitter, as his 162 game average got you 33 doubles, 5 triples, and 23 home runs. His power was far more pronounced facing right-handed pitching with a career .919 OPS and 160 wRC+. Facing lefties, he had a .772 OPS and a 121 wRC+. Unlike a lot of high average guys, Oh’s speed was subpar, but his baserunning and stealing skills were rock solid. Through age 30, Oh was a career shortstop with lousy defensive metrics. He made the switch to third base after that and was a reliably average-to-above average glove there. Oh’s durability was generally strong, playing 135+ games in all but one year from 2013-29. Perhaps most importantly, Oh was an absolute gem of a human. He was a beloved team captain and one of the highest character guys the game has ever had, universally praised for his leadership, work ethic, intelligence, and selflessness. It is no surprise he became extremely popular worldwide by fans and peers alike. Oh was one of the rare teenage South Koreans that signed a developmental deal north of the 38^th parallel, joining Hamhung in March 2009. He debuted in 2011 at age 19 and had 128 games and 34 starts over his first two seasons. Early in 2012, he had a bone marrow edema in his knee that knocked him out for months. This would be the last significant injury Oh had for the next decade. He was a full-time starter in 2013 and held that for the next five years for the Heat. After a decent 2013, Oh rattled off four consecutive Korea League batting titles from 2014-17. He won Silver Sluggers each year and emerged as an MVP contender. From 2015-17, Oh led in OBP and WAR; posting three straight 10+ WAR seasons. His .395 average in 2017 was his peak, which ranks as the sixth-best qualifying season in East Asia Baseball history at induction. Oh’s .392 in 2016 ranks as ninth-best and that season featured a 31-game hitting streak. He also twice led in hits and led with a career-best 45 doubles in 2015. Oh earned MVP honors in 2015, while finishing third in 2016’s voting and second in 2017. This gave Hamhung fans something to cheer, as they had been abysmal in recent memory with only one winning season from 1991-2010. The Heat ended a playoff drought in Oh’s debut 2011 season with a first round exit. They were back below .500 the next three years before a wild card and first round exit in 2015. Hamhung spent the rest of Oh’s tenure just below .500. The Heat wanted to keep him long-term, but it was clear that Oh was a world class talent that would have plenty of suitors. He left for free agency after the 2017 season heading towards his age 26 campaign; an incredibly young age for such a talent to hit the market. With Hamhung, Oh played 914 games with 1157 hits, 446 runs, 205 doubles, 43 triples, 108 home runs, 508 RBI, 98 steals, .369/.404/.565 slash, 162 wRC+, and 42.1 WAR. At induction, Oh is EAB’s career leader for batting average among all players with 3000+ plate appearances. He holds #1 by a strong margin too, with the next best being at .350. Oh is also sixth in on-base percentage and 24^th in OPS among EAB qualifiers. This brief run did get him as high as 42.6% for EAB’s Hall of Fame, although he wasn’t around long enough there to get more traction than that. Oh moved to the United States in 2018 on an eight-year, $195,800,000 deal with Kansas City, who had recently become a contender. The Cougars won the 2016 National Association pennant and lost the World Series to Charlotte, then took second in the Baseball Grand Championship. They were fresh off a second round exit in 2017, but hoped Oh could help them make a dynasty run. In his debut, Oh won his fifth straight batting title (.358) and was the leader in hits (227) and WAR (9.9). It was a remarkable debut, winning a Silver Slugger and taking second in MVP voting. They won the Upper Midwest Division at 105-57 and earned the top seed, holding the tiebreaker over Boston. The Cougars bested the Red Sox 4-2 in the NACS with Oh earning series MVP. KC then defeated Las Vegas 4-2 for only the franchise’s second-ever World Series win, joining their 1991 triumph. For the playoff run, Oh had 23 hits, 12 runs, 6 doubles, 1 homer, 5 RBI, .907 OPS, 182 wRC+, and 1.0 WAR; instantly earning a spot in the hearts of the Cougar faithful. He had a respectable showing in the BGC with 19 hits, 14 runs, 6 homers, 12 RBI, .810 OPS, 139 wRC+, and 0.8 WAR. Kansas City would finish 10-9, one of five teams even with the seventh-most wins. Oh never had an MVP-level season again, but he remained excellent with 6+ WAR each of the next four years for KC. He was the leader in hits again in 2019 and won Silver Sluggers at SS from 2019-21. The Cougars were 107-55 in 2019 and repeated as National Association champs sweeping Boston, but dropped the World Series to Houston in a seven-game thriller. He had another solid playoff run with 24 hits, 7 runs, 3 doubles, 1 homer, 4 RBI, .938 OPS, 189 wRC+, and 0.7 WAR. In the Baseball Grand Championship, Oh had 23 hits, 11 runs, 5 doubles, 4 homers, 5 RBI, .840 OPS, 130 wRC+, and 0.6 WAR. Kansas City finished 12-7 to earn a third place finish. The Cougars would be a 96-66 wild card in 2020 and got back to the NACS, falling to divisional foe Cincinnati 4-1. That marked the end of Kansas City’s dynasty run, as they’d miss the playoffs at 85-77 in 2021. The Cougars then spent the next seven years below .500. Oh was there through 2025 and led thrice in doubles, winning his lone Silver Slugger at third base in 2025. Counting EAB, this gave him nine Sluggers for his career. His signing certainly proved a major success for Kansas City, who retired his #36 uniform for his role in their dynasty run. With the Cougars, Oh played 1226 games with 1548 hits, 692 runs, 263 doubles, 22 triples, 220 homers, 687 RBI, .324/.350/.526 slash, 162 wRC+, and 51.2 WAR. He became a free agent for 2026 heading into his age 34 season and signed for five years and $146 million with Detroit. The Tigers were the defending World Series champ and had been a playoff regular in the 21^st Century. They hoped that like KC, Oh’s skills and leadership could help create a dynasty run. Oh had his usual production in his debut with Detroit getting a wild card at 90-72, losing in the first round. The Tigers posting losing seasons the next three years as their run had come to an end. Oh was still a respectable starter in 2027-28, but his power noticeably dropped off. 2028 was also the first time he had a batting average below .300 in his career. In 2029, Oh had a mediocre .698 OPS and 83 wRC+, but still was marginally above replacement level. He was reduced to a bench role in 2030 and spent much of the year with knee injuries, struggling to -0.3 WAR and 56 wRC+. Overall for Detroit, he had 662 games, 682 hits, 309 runs, 100 doubles, 72 home runs, 328 RBI, .299/.332/.452 slash, 113 wRC+, and 15.5 WAR. Oh hoped to play in 2031, but went unsigned all year and retired that winter at age 39. For his combined pro career, Oh played 2802 games with 3387 hits, 1447 runs, 568 doubles, 81 triples, 400 home runs, 1523 RBI, 493 walks, 966 strikeouts, 216 steals, .332/.363/.522 slash, 151 wRC+, and 108.7 WAR. That resume all in one league is a no-doubter, but Oh did have to deal with seven seasons, including his strongest ones, being in EAB. His Major League Baseball career had 1888 games, 2230 hits, 1001 runs, 363 doubles, 38 triples, 292 home runs, 1015 RBI, 301 walks, 718 strikeouts, 118 steals, .316/.344/.502 slash, 146 wRC+, and 66. WAR. Since the run was only 11 years, he doesn’t make any top 100 lists on the MLB leaderboards. Some Hall of Fame voters give partial credit for stats in other leagues, but others disregard it entirely. For those especially enamored with accumulations, Oh just wasn’t around long enough to belong. Supporters fixated on Oh’s critical role in two pennants and a World Series ring for Kansas City. But even still, the lower accumulations and lack of big home run numbers hurt him with some voters. Oh debuted on the MLB ballot in 2036 at 53.4% and hovered around there with 55.3%, 49.9%, and 56.8% after. In 2040, he got the boost to 66.7%, just crossing the 66% threshold to earn a fifth ballot induction. __________________ 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)