MVP
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2001 EBF Hall of Fame
Three players were added into the European Baseball Federation Hall of Fame in 2001. Two were no-doubt slam dunk first ballot guys with SP/LF Edgar Miranda at 99.6% and LF Jack Kennedy at 98.5%. They were joined by SP Johannes Soderberg, who narrowly crossed the 66% requirement. In his fourth ballot, Soderberg got the jump to 69.7%. 2B JF Bourelly had a nice debut, but fell short at 59.2%. Also above 50% was SP Cornelius Danner at 50.9% on his eighth try. No players were dropped from the ballot after ten tries.
Edgar “Slap” Miranda – Starting Pitcher/Left Field – Seville Stingrays – 99.6% First Ballot
Edgar Miranda was a 6’2’’, 200 pound right-handed pitcher and outfielder from Leganes, Spain; a city of around 185,000 inhabitants within metropolitan Madrid. Miranda was well rounded on the mound with very good stuff, movement, and control. His fastball regularly hit 97-99 mph and he countered it with an all-time epic 10/10 changeup. Miranda also had a strong curveball he could go to, but the one-two punch earned plenty of whiffs. He had great stamina and durability, tossing 270+ innings each season except his first and last.
Miranda’s pitching alone was elite, but his two-way ability made him a true legend. He was a great batter with a .301 career average and 38 home runs per 162 games. Miranda had a solid eye, respectable strikeout rate, and good gap power, especially against lefties. He was a smart baserunner, but was pretty slow. Still, Miranda managed to have respectable range in left field, where he started when not pitching. He graded out as above average defensively in left and below average as a pitcher, as his ability to hold runners was iffy.
There had been a few two-way guys in EBF’s early years, but none that could call themselves elite at both spots. Miranda emerged in the Spanish amateur ranks as someone who had the tools to be special. Seville had the #1 overall pick in 1981 and used it on Miranda, who would spend nearly his entire pro career with the Stingrays. He was a full-time two-way starter immediately and his durability would be legendary. Every year with Seville had 30+ starts on the mound and 110+ starts at the plate.
Miranda took second in Rookie of the Year voting in 1982. He was easily the top hitter among regular pitchers, winning his first of nine consecutive Silver Sluggers in his rookie campaign. He would post 11 straight seasons worth 4+ WAR offensively despite losing some games due to the nature of the split. He had eight seasons with 30+ home runs.
That didn’t slow the workload down, leading in innings pitched in his second and third seasons. In his fourth season, he topped the Southern Conference in strikeouts with a career-best. Seville snapped a seven-year playoff drought, although they lost in the first round. The Stingrays would sign him after this campaign to a six-year, $6,050,000 contract extension.
Miranda also was a rarely-seen two-way player in the World Baseball Championship for Spain from 1982-95. As a pitcher, he had 213.2 innings with a 12-10 record, 3.33 ERA, 285 strikeouts, 110 ERA+, and 5.5 WAR. Miranda had 58 games at the plate with 53 hits, 35 runs, 12 doubles, 16 home runs, 39 RBI, a .265/.336/.585 slash, 160 wRC+, and 2.5 WAR.
1986 was his best year by WAR at 9.7 on the mound, plus 5.8 at the plate. He led in quality starts and complete games, but took third in Pitcher of the Year voting and second in MVP voting. The next year, he led in wins at 24-5, which Miranda grab his first MVP. He continued his two-way excellence, but Seville couldn’t get over the hump, missing the playoffs from 1986-91. Still, Miranda received a four-year, $6,320,000 contract extension in March 1991.
In 1992, Miranda was the leader in innings, strikeouts, and WAR, while posting a career best 2.35 ERA. He also had 35 home runs and 4.9 WAR at the plate. This got him his second MVP and his lone Pitcher of the Year at age 33. Seville made it back to the playoffs and Miranda had a 2.65 ERA in two starts, but they again were one-and-done. This would be his last time playing in the postseason.
Miranda had two more solid seasons, but the Stingrays retreated back to the middle of the standings. He decided to decline the contract option remaining, becoming a free agent for the first time at age 36. He would remain popular with Seville and see his #36 uniform eventually retired. Miranda surprised many by signing with Belgrade, who had been a bottom-rung team in recent memory. He inked a three-year, $7,680,000 deal with the Bruisers.
He only lasted one season with Belgrade. Miranda looked surprisingly pedestrian on the mound with the Bruisers, although his batting numbers remained quite good. However, on July 27, 1995, Miranda suffered a torn labrum. This ended his season and also his career, as he decided to retire that winter at age 37.
As a pitcher, Miranda finished with a 246-160 record, 3.21 ERA, 3822.2 innings, 3936 strikeouts, 663 walks, 309/480 quality starts, 178 complete games, 118 ERA+, 81 FIP-, and 89.5 WAR. At induction, he was ninth all-tie in wins, ninth in strikeouts, and 12th in pitching WAR. He’s still top 20 in each as of 2037, boasting a pitching resume that on its own would get Miranda a Hall of Fame spot.
Offensively, he had 1834 hits, 1021 runs, 280 doubles, 416 home runs, 1069 RBI, a .301/.365/.563 slash, 158 wRC+, and 68.1 WAR. If Miranda had just his batting numbers, you could still credibly argue in favor of induction. His combined WAR of 157.6 placed him at induction only behind Jacob Ronnberg (169.2) and Christophoros Zarkadis (164.0).
At this point, only EPB legend Igor Bury had him beat in combined WAR for a two-way guy (180.0 total, although he was more skewed with 138.9 on the mound. As of 2037, he has the third most WAR of any two-way player and the second most offensive WAR. When discussing two-way guys, Miranda is a top-five level guy in world baseball history. His lack of playoff success was probably the one thing keeping him from being a unanimous Hall of Famer, getting 99.6%.
Jack “Fingers” Kennedy – Left Field – Zurich Mountaineers – 98.5% First Ballot
Jack Kennedy was a 6’0’’, 195 pound left-handed left fielder from Newbridge, Ireland; a town of 24,000 people located about an hour southwest of Dublin. Kennedy was a prolific home run hitter that also hit effectively for average. He had seven seasons with 50+ home runs and 12 with 40+. Kennedy was good at drawing walks, but did have a poor strikeout rate. He wasn’t just about dingers, averaging around 25-35 doubles/triples per season.
Kennedy was a very savvy and crafty baserunner despite having subpar speed. He was a career left fielder and was firmly mediocre with his glove. Kennedy had good durability though and socked dingers at a remarkable clip, making him extremely popular. His notoriety among the general public almost approached that of another famous Jack Kennedy.
Kennedy’s power potential caught the eye of a scout from Zurich in attendance at a prospects camp in Dublin. As a 16-year old, he signed a developmental deal with the Mountaineers in late 1970. It would be one of all-time great finds, as Kennedy played a huge role in Zurich’s historic division title streak. He became one of a select few to debut at age 19 with 39 games and 5 starts in 1974. That would be the second year of the record 21-season streak.
Kennedy was a full-time starter in 1975 and immediately succeeded with 6.6 WAR and a career and conference best 38 doubles. This earned him his first of three straight Silver Sluggers. In 1976, he took third in Southern Conference MVP voting with a 10.3 WAR, 54 home run season. Kennedy had 9.1 WAR in only 130 games in 1977 and led in slugging at .682. That earned him second in MVP voting.
A hamstring strain and elbow inflammation cost Kennedy half of the 1978 campaign. Kennedy bounced back to take third in 1979 MVP voting and third in 1982. Just before the 1980 season, Zurich inked him to an eight-year, $5,350,000 contract extension. The Mountaineers hoped he could finally get them over that hump. During their historic division title streak, Zurich had 12 Southern Conference Championship appearances. They won the pennant in 1976, 1980, 1982, 1983, and 1984. However, each time they were denied in the European Championship.
In his playoff career, Kennedy played 162 games with 158 starts, picking up 145 hits, 79 runs, 21 doubles, 38 home runs, 84 RBI, a .233/.276/.454 slash, 110 wRC+, and 3.7 WAR. Although not bad numbers, he did get some flack for not being more dominant in the postseason, shouldering some blame for their lack of a title. He also played for Ireland from 1976-96 in the World Baseball Championship and dominated that field. In 175 games, he had 169 hits, 127 runs, 83 home runs, 145 RBI, a .265/.341/.700 slash, 188 wRC+, and 10.5 WAR.
From 1982-84, Kennedy led the conference each year home runs and led twice in runs. 1983 also had the lead and career bests in RBI (137), slugging (.726), OPS (1.121), and wRC+ (225) along with a blistering 11.8 WAR. This finally won Kennedy the MVP, a tough egg to crack sharing a conference with guys like Richard Rautenstrauch and Jacob Ronnberg. 1984 had a career high 65 home runs and 129 RBI. Kennedy won Silver Sluggers in 1983 and 1984 and took second in 1984 MVP voting.
In 1987, the 32-year old Kennedy suffered a ruptured MCL in early August, knocking him out nine months. Still, Zurich gave him another five years and $5,120,000. He was still great in these next few years, but generally less dominant and bothered by nagging injuries. From 1985-92, the Mountaineers’ playoff woes were more pronounced with five one-and-dones and three conference finals defeats.
Kennedy started racking up career accolades. In 1990, he was the third to reach 700 career home runs and the 11th to 2500 hits. By 1992, he was EBF’s home run king, passing Zarkadis’ career mark of 795. Kennedy had a resurgence with 54 homers in 1992, leading the conference for the fourth time in his career. In 1993, Kennedy crossed 2000 RBI, a mark only reached by Ronnberg a month earlier. It was now a battle between Kennedy and Ronnberg seemingly as to who would finish atop the leaderboards. 1993 also had Kennedy join the 3000 hit club.
1993 was the 21st season of the Zurich division title streak and the year they finally got over the hump. The 38-year old Kennedy stepped up in the playoffs with 15 hits, 9 runs, 3 homers, and 10 RBI in 13 games, finally earning the European Championship. It was the crowning moment in an all-time career, grasping the ring after having so many shots.
Kennedy’s contract expired with that title and he was a free agent for the first time at age 39. He didn’t want to end his career yet, signing a two-year, $3,880,000 deal with Amsterdam. Kennedy was merely okay in one season with the Anacondas. This season, Kennedy crossed 2000 career runs, a mark only reached by Ronnberg two months earlier.
After one season with Amsterdam, he was traded in the offseason back to Zurich for two pitchers. Unfortunately, he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in April 1995, effectively ending his career. Kennedy tried to find a home in 1996, but went unsigned. He played one final WBC with Ireland in 1996, then retired that winter at age 42. Zurich immediately retied his #31 uniform.
Kennedy’s final statistics were 3155 hits, 2021 runs, 553 doubles, 124 triples, 875 home runs, 2107 RBI, 1008 walks, 364 stolen bases, a .299/.362/.623 slash, 173 wRC+, and 140.3 WAR. Kennedy retired the home run king and would only be passed by Harvey Coyle in the 2020s. He retired second to Ronnberg in both RBI and runs scored and as of 2037 still sits fourth and third, respectively. Kennedy also was the all-time doubles leader at retirement and remains fifth. He was third in WAR among position players and remains fifth in 2037.
In the playoffs as of 2037, Kennedy is also second all-time in home runs, fifth in RBI, fifth in runs, and sixth in hits. Any conversation about EBF’s all-time best hitters includes Kennedy, who makes the top five list of just about anyone putting such a list together. He received 98.5% to join the 2001 EBF Hall of Fame class.
Johannes Soderberg – Starting Pitcher – Stockholm Swordsmen – 69.7% Fourth Ballot
Johannes Soderberg was a 6’0’’, 170 pound left-handed pitcher from Gothenburg; Sweden’s second largest city with around 600,000 people. Soderberg was known for having outstanding movement on his pitches and very good stuff, although his control was below average. His fastball only was 93-95 mph, but he was a very rare guy with six different pitches. Soderberg’s curveball was his best pitch, but his forkball, splitter, slider, and changeup were all threats.
Soderberg’s stamina was decent, but he didn’t have as many complete games as most other all-time greats. Injuries did cost him chunks of many seasons, but his ability to change speeds and switch between pitches allowed him to still thrive.
Soderberg stood out in high school career as one of Sweden’s rising baseball stars. Stockholm decided to pick him out of high school with the 10th overall pick in the 1971 EBF Draft. They kept him on the developmental roster for 1972 and 1973. Soderberg debuted at age 21 with four starts in 1974 with limited success. He would then be a part-time starter in 1975 and struggled with a 4.64 ERA.
In 1976, Soderberg looked like the ace that Stockholm hoped he could be, leading the Northern Conference in ERA with 1.66. However, he suffered a torn flexor tendon in late July. A setback in his recovery required surgery, keeping Soderberg out 19 months in total and putting his career future in doubt. He missed the entire 1977 season.
Soderberg made a remarkable comeback in 1978, leading the conference with 9.2 WAR and posting career bests in wins at 23-8 and 328 strikeouts. He won Pitcher of the Year and helped Stockholm extend their postseason streak to five years. The Swordsmen again went one-and-done though. They had a seven-year streak from 1974-80 with five one-and-dones and two defeats in the conference final.
Soderberg earned a three-year, $1,510,000 contract extension beginning in 1980. 1979 would see another major injury with a fractured elbow in August. He bounced back with good efforts and had a huge 1982 postseason. Stockholm snuck into the playoffs that year at 83-79, but put together an unexpected run to the European Championship. Soderberg went 4-1 in five playoff starts with a 2.48 ERA over 36.1 innings, 32 strikeouts, and 140 ERA+. 1982 also featured a no-hitter on July 6 against Athens with six strikeouts and two walks. Two weeks after the no-hitter, Soderberg signed a five-year, $3,900,000 extension.
In addition to his Stockholm run, Soderberg regularly pitched for Sweden in the World Baseball Championship. From 1979-91, he had 29 appearances with 170.2 innings, 14-10 record, 3.06 ERA, 219 strikeouts, 121 ERA+, and 5.1 WAR. In 1983 and 1984, Soderberg led the Northern Conference in ERA both years. He was third in 1983 Pitcher of the Year voting and won the award for the second time in 1984.
Stockholm fell to the bottom of the standings soon after, bottoming at 64 wins in both 1986 and 1987. A strained triceps cost Soderberg three months in 1986. The Swordsmen looked to be sellers as they were rebuilding and traded Soderberg in May 1987 to Munich for three prospects. He looked solid with the Mavericks, but was beat up in his one playoff start for Munich. For his entire playoff career, Soderberg had a 3.49 ERA over 90.1 innings with 66 strikeouts.
Between Stockholm and Munich in 1987, Soderberg had 7.1 WAR and still looked to be a top-level arm. Now 35 years old, Soderberg was a free agent for the first time. MLB came calling and Cleveland signed him to a three-year, $4,460,000 deal. Soderberg was delightfully average in his one season as a Cobra. Cleveland would trade him and CF Aaron Gale to Atlanta in the offseason for three prospects.
Soderberg looked okay in four starts with the Aces, but they decided to cut him. He was unemployed for only six days, signing with Brooklyn. Soderberg had decent success with the Dodgers, but a herniated disc cost him the second half. His efforts were good enough though for Brooklyn to give him a two-year, $3,600,000 extension.
A sprained ankle cost Soderberg half of 1990, but he still was a serviceable arm in the back of the rotation. In May 1991, he suffered a torn rotator cuff, putting him out for ten months. That ended his four year run in MLB with a 25-29 record, 3.31 ERA, 585.1 innings, 412 strikeouts, 107 ERA+, and 8.8 WAR.
Soderberg wanted to keep pitching and Stockholm brought him home on a one-year, $1,440,000 deal. Sadly, the injury tanked his velocity with his fastball now at 86-88 mph. Soderberg stunk with a 5.33 ERA and retired after the season at age 40. Still, the Swordsmen honored him by retiring his #12 uniform.
For his EBF tenure, Soderberg had a 169-120 record, 2.74 ERA, 2788.1 innings, 2977 strikeouts, 739 walks, 262/374 quality starts, 59 complete games, 129 ERA+, 72 FIP-, and 76.2 WAR. His rate stats were very good, but his accumulations were on the low end compared to other Hall of Famers. Soderberg was above 60% in his first three ballots, but fell just short each time of the 66% requirement. In 1999, he was less than a point shy at 65.5%. 2001 saw the bump to 69.7%, giving Soderberg a fourth ballot induction as part of a strong EBF class.
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