Many talented pitchers have toed the rubber in the Maui Adult Baseball League over the years, but by most statistical metrics, these five stand out above the rest. All are in the top 5 in career ERA and WHIP, have led their respective teams to MABL Championships, and have collected their fair share of individual accolades along the way.
The all-time leader in wins (59), WHIP (1.08), and shutouts (7), Fausto Allosada dominated MABL hitters for 19 seasons before leaving the island in 2020. With more than twice as many complete games (54) than anyone else, Fausto finished a mind-blowing 83% of games he started for the Central Rays, Maui Marlins, and primarily, the Upcountry Dirtbags. The product of UH-Hilo struck out 10 batters in a game 11 times in his MABL career, and won 5 MABL Championships to go with 1 MVP award and 2 Cy Young awards.
The Central Rays’ Bryant Sparkman burst into the league in 2013 following a standout career at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Sparkman was the Spring 2013 MABL Rookie of the Year, following that up with MVP awards for the Spring and Summer 2014 seasons. Bryant ranks 3rd in career wins (48), ERA (2.44), and WHIP (1.13), 2nd in strike outs (579), and is the league’s all-time leader in saves (18). Over his previous 18 seasons, Sparkman has helped the Rays to 3 MABL Championships.
The Spring 2018 season belonged to the Randy Button, who went 7-2 with a 1.39 ERA and 0.94 WHIP over 77.2 IP (including postseason), picking up a Cy Young award and leading the Kihei Centipedes to their first MABL Championship in the process. The Central Washington alum ranks 5th in career ERA (2.50) and WHIP (1.21), and is 4th all-time in K/9 (9.52). Button holds the MABL record for strikeouts in a 9-inning game with 19.
The MABL record for strikeouts (not in a 9-inning game) belongs to Enmanuel Yajure, whose 22 strikeouts over 13 innings lead the West Maui Brewers to their first MABL Championship during the Summer 2018 season. Manny’s 17 games of 10 or more strikeouts is the most in league history, as are his 3 MVP awards. He ranks 4th all time in ERA (2.45) and WHIP (1.18), second in saves (13), and first in K/9 (10.51) and opponent’s batting average (.187). Manny lead the Brewers to 4 straight Championship appearances, including two titles.
Over the past few years, the most dominant MABL pitcher has been the La Perouse Pirates’ Joe McFarlin. The winner of 4 of the past 5 Cy Young awards, Joe Mac is the all-time leader in career ERA (2.03), and is second in WHIP (1.12) and opponent’s batting average (.207). A 3-time MABL Champion with the Pirates, McFarlin’s 25-7 career record gives him the best winning percentage (.781) among pitchers with at least 200 innings pitched.
I’ve faced and respected ALL of these great pitchers except for Button who I played behind. It’s interesting to note a common denominator — they are not only all superior on the mound, but ALL of them played the game the right way and did so much more than pitch to give their teams a chance to win. Fausto was a magician — it seemed to come so easy for him, like he was at 60% rpm every game. As tough as all of them are/were, I feel privileged to have been on the same baseball field with each of them for their approach and who they are as humans. Awesome article!
I appreciate that Kevin! I appreciate you my friend. To be honest, you exemplify the love and passion for the game. Your the reason guys like us come together. The baseball Ohana is a special one that only ball players can understand. And we (ball players) are cool with that It’s been an honor playing alongside you in this wonderful league. You are a true baseball player both on the field and in your heart.
Congrats Fausto! Absolute gamer. Learned a lot from this dude in my one “championship” season with the Dirtbags. We were one hell of a 1-2 punch that year my friend.
I love these articles that pay homage to the ballers, the league and the game. I had the privilege;(at 47, on my last leg) of catching Fausto during one or two of our 4 straight at the time He was so good All the traits of an Elite game IQ on the mound; multiple speeds on the fastball, locating the slider…PRECISE location, arm angles, waste spots Cat-like fielder. Deceptively quick pick off moves. I’m biased, but I’d have love to see Barry Takahashi in this article. I’d take these two to start in a playoff doubleheader down one game any time any place..(Except Kalama Park after 3:00 pm
Dave, I think you’re dead on with Barry — and the amazing thing is that even as the league has gotten younger, Barry continues to be an impact player on an elite team.
But there still can be only one Kevin Spaise! Only one who can daze and confound catchers across the decades with his dazzling base running..Shoot that 4 hole all day baby!
Its great to learn about Emmanuel Yajure piching performance and hoy well he did it.
I know I’m late for the party, but I have to say it’s been a genuine pleasure (and nightmare) playing with and against these MABL greats. Each have their own unique qualities.
I don’t want to take anything away from Bryant’s gem last Sunday, but Fausto’s return was one of those storybook moments. In true form, he gave the Dirtbags a complete game, masterpiece. Fausto, thank you for giving us one last afternoon of greatness.