BBA Stalwart Pitcher Kondo Retires at 40 (Hoppy Endings, pre Pre-Arby Sim) [PP:2054.37]

[neugey]

Edmonton fans perhaps were not shocked but were saddened to hear the news this last week. Fan favorite starting pitcher Aki Kondo met with the team and opted to sign his retirement papers and call it a career. It was a long and satisfying ride for the veteran right-hander, as he lasted 20 seasons as a starting pitcher in the BBA.

The Japanese-born Kondo first signed with the IFA Dr. Pepper Surg and developed nicely as a young arm. He was then drafted in the 2nd round of the 2030 draft by the Havana Sugar Kings (now BBA San Fernando). He then climbed up prospect boards, making it up #27 in 2033 before being traded to Montreal. In 2034, he joined the Blazers rotation as a 20-year-old. The first year was a little rocky, but from 2035-2038 he led the Johnson in strikeouts per nine innings with good ERA numbers and a low walk count while with the Blazers and then San Antonio.

His best BBA season was probably his final one with San Antonio in 2043. He went 17-4 with a 2.54 ERA and a 0.96 as a starter. And by now he was in his prime and making the big money in the BBA. For a 6-season stretch he made $30-33 million per year as he changed teams from San Antonio to Omaha to Phoenix. In his 30’s, he continued his career as a high caliber journeyman, returning to his San Fernando roots before a stint in Brooklyn and a second go-around with Phoenix.

But in these latter years, his velocity dropped and his security as a starter in the BBA came into doubt. In 2052 he couldn’t agree to terms with any BBA or GBC team and took the year off. But in 2053 Edmonton, impressed by the elder pitcher’s excellent control and still-effective changeup, decided to sign Kondo as a veteran option to stabilize the back end of the rotation. And he played that role admirably for two seasons.

At the time of his retirement, he had another year left on his contract with Edmonton and a player option year in 2056. But at age 40, the veteran right searched his heart and decided it was time for a new adventure. As he made the retirement official, the 4-time All-Star asked for the organization’s blessing to pursue a career immediately as a pitching coach in the BBA. His wish was granted and at this time according to sources he is interviewing with Phoenix for a minor league vacancy.

“We will miss Aki, as a fixture in our rotation and a consummate professional in our league,” said Jackrabbits GM Mike Bauer in a brief statement. “He was a stalwart pitcher who is a favorite of many fans and well regarded by so many organizations. We wish Aki the best of luck in his career transition. He has a wealth of experience to draw from and his legacy will live on as he develops young talent in our league.”

[RT60]

For a 6-season stretch he made $30-33 million per year as he changed teams from San Antonio to Omaha to Phoenix.

Ch-ching! Good move bringing him in to end his career with dignity.

[jiminyhopkins]

He has a wealth of experience to draw from and his legacy will live on as he develops young talent in our league.”

Ahh shit. Guess we have to get some young talent then.

[Jwalk100]

Aki Kondo's 230 wins places him in the Top 25 in BBA history. He is #4 All Time in losses too but he has made more starts than anyone except the Greatest Pitcher of All Time Steve Nebraska. He has 318 quality starts good for 8th All Time. Kondo is #5 in Ks, #9 in IP and #2 in HR Allowed.

[neugey]

Aki Kondo's 230 wins places him in the Top 25 in BBA history. He is #4 All Time in losses too but he has made more starts than anyone except the Greatest Pitcher of All Time Steve Nebraska. He has 318 quality starts good for 8th All Time. Kondo is #5 in Ks, #9 in IP and #2 in HR Allowed.

Wow did not realize he compared that well all-time. I figured with the league going back to 1973 there were likely more workhorses out there with bigger career numbers.

[ae37jr]

To me, Kondo is most famous for being the major cog in the Jared Gillstrom trade. Just took a quick look back now that the book is closed and everyone is retired. The haul for Gillstrom put up well over 100 WAR and might have been close to the 115 that Gillstrom had in his career(too early to do math).

Gillstrom did win a championship early in his Havana run, but did tail off some. Going from super human to a very good player a year or two after trade.

Most of the players in the deal didn't last long in Montreal. So without going into a deep dive and playing six degrees of a trade. I really can't say for sure who did better on the trade. But player for player Montreal clearly traded Gillstrom at the right time and got a much better WAR return than they would have gotten for the expensive superstar.

[niles08]

I enjoyed having Kondo pitch for us for 1 year in Omaha before I traded him to Phoenix in the deal to net me Nakamura & at the time Sugiyama (who ended up back in Phoenix lol). His 6 yr, $221M deal still gives me a bit of heartburn(even if the structure almost guaranteed it wouldn't play out that way, considering I had team options).

[usnspecialist]

To me, Kondo is most famous for being the major cog in the Jared Gillstrom trade. Just took a quick look back now that the book is closed and everyone is retired. The haul for Gillstrom put up well over 100 WAR and might have been close to the 115 that Gillstrom had in his career(too early to do math).

Gillstrom did win a championship early in his Havana run, but did tail off some. Going from super human to a very good player a year or two after trade.

Most of the players in the deal didn't last long in Montreal. So without going into a deep dive and playing six degrees of a trade. I really can't say for sure who did better on the trade. But player for player Montreal clearly traded Gillstrom at the right time and got a much better WAR return than they would have gotten for the expensive superstar.

As the man who made this deal, I can say I don't regret it at all, and that kondo was both the piece that put me over the top and also the one that was the toughest to put in. I tried every trick in the book to keep both him and get gillstrom but it wasn't going to happen.

Put kondo in the HOF, he deserves it.