MLB Showdown Cards

Time Machine: Centerfielders 

FP Santangelo 00: Truth is I never actually saw much of FP’s playing days. From what I gather looking at his statistics he seems like an underrated player for his day. In an era of hitting home runs and big damage Santangelo was a relatively speedy on-base player. For a guy who never hit higher than .277 would actually record a OBP of .406 in 1999. This would earn him a 10 OB and speed A. His lack of home run power would earn him a 19-20 2B, 18 1B+, 15-17 1B, 6-14 BB, 4-5 FB, 3 GB, 1-2 K. The best part of this card was his price of 350 points. He served as a great lead-off hitter for many Showdown teams.

Brian Giles 00: It is hard to remember all the sluggers from the late 90’s. In 1999 he would hit 39 homers to start a 4 year stretch of 35+ homers. He would also club 3 triples and 33 doubles with 95 walks. This earned him a 10, 17-20 HR, 15-16 2B with a 1-4 out as a speed B centerfielder. He was a hair pricey at 610. I preferred Griffey Jr. with the speed and power combo but this card was all around tank. Paired with Larry Walker 00 made for a pricey but productive middle of the order. Sadly for Giles he would move to San Diego where like Ryan Klesko and other power hitters his power numbers would die in the warning track of Petco Park.

Jim Edmonds 01: My solution to Giles 00 price problem? Jim Edmonds 01. Same OB 10, speed B, and HR 17-20. Take away a double with only a 16. Same 1-4 out (spread differently) and shave off 30 points. Something about 600 points that is tough to stomach. I would play with the 01 Cardinals any day of the week with this Edmonds and 01 McGwire with Pujols off the bench. Baseball reference has Jim Edmonds as a 6’1, 190 pounder. I remember him looking more like a 245 pound linebacker in the outfield. In 2000 he would club 42 home runs coming off a 5 home run year with the angels the year before. He also would strike out 167 times. I remember an announcer saying to get Edmonds out try high fast balls. The problem is he can hit those out.

Brett Gardner 10: Brett Gardner has other worldly speed. He stole 47 bases in 2010 and 49 in 2011. In 2010 he was able to get on base enough to earn a 10 OB. Like Santangelo this meant he was the perfect leadoff hitter. His ability no to hit home runs (5 in 2010) and still walk 79 times while hitting a .277 average. The difference is Gardner has two triples 19-20 on his chart and has a 23 speed over Santangelo’s 20 speed. This is well worth the extra 30 points for a 380 point Brett Gardner.

Josh Hamilton 10: Josh Hamilton would finally put it all together for a whole season. He would hit .359 to earn himself a 10 which is tough to do for a player with just 43 walks. He would hit 32 homers, 3 triples, 40 doubles and win the MVP. He would earn a 18-20 HR, 15-17 2B playing OF+2. He is a tank who can drive in runs including himself. Sadly injuries have mounted up for Hamilton to prevent him from getting the real elite cards his talent could earn him.