Santa Clarita Valley Journal | Stars Bring Zalapa Home (52.02)

[mragland]

Santa Clarita Valley Journal
Vicente Lamb, Stars Reporter
December 17, 2051

VALENCIA – The Valencia front office delivered a holiday gift for local fans in the form of once and future Stars second baseman Ángel Zalapa. A sixteen-year BBA veteran and strong Hall of Fame candidate, Zalapa needs no introduction in Valencia, where he played from 2036 to 2044.

“It's good to be back where it all started for me in the BBA,” said Zalapa through an interpreter at a brief press conference following the formal announcement of his signing.

During those seasons with the Stars, Zalapa accumulated a career WAR of 45.9 (4th all-time among Stars position players), had a wRC+ of 131, and collected 939 RBI (2nd all-time) in 1460 hits (6th all-time), including 342 home runs (2nd all-time). In his career, Zalapa has made 8 all-star appearances, earned five Golden Bats, one Silk award, and one championship ring (with Omaha in 2046).

Ángel will now have an opportunity to gain some ground on those Valencia leader boards after signing a contract that could potentially keep him in Valencia through 2054. The 36 year-old is coming off a 5.7 WAR season in Portland where he slashed .275/.353/.538 and hit a remarkable 43 home runs in a park not known for being overly friendly to right-handed power hitters.

Zalapa will be sharing the right side of the Stars infield with one of the players Valencia traded him for back in '44, first baseman Yodo Sato.

“You hang around the league long enough,” remarked Zalapa, “that sort of thing is bound to happen.”

[recte44]

This warms my heart.