MLB Showdown Cards

Time Machine 

Fernando Tatis 00: Some players really make you scratch your head about how they earned the cards they did. Tatis known as a serviceable backup infielder for much of his career had a tank of a thirdbase card in 2000. The reason? In 1999 he would have more than a fourth of his career homers with 34 of his 113. He would have over 40% of his steals with 21 of his 50 career steals. Not to mention 107 of his 448 RBI. All this was aided by his 2 grand slam inning in 1999. He earned a 10, speed A, 18-20 HR, 16-17 2B, 15 1B+ with +1 fielding for 570 points. He can do a lot of good things at a hefty tag.

Alex Rodriguez 09: I love this card. A-rod would struggle with injuries this year but still have almost double the homers as doubles (30 to 17). This card is pure power and nothing else as a 10, speed B(17), 17-20 HR, 11-16 1B with +0 fielding. For only 470 points this guy will help out any power team and can bat anywhere along the line-up. Cheapish power is such a rarity I can forgive A-rod for being who he is. Add this to the list of great A-rod cards.

Wade Boggs 00: This is the only legal card of the hall of famer. If we were making Showdown cards for his whole career he would have been 1 of the 2 11’s 6 times including every year from 1985-1989. He was accused of not being a team player over the years and not being a good situational hitter. That he would not hit behind runners or sacrifice. Oh how much Billy Beane and his crew would have appreciated having a guy who could get 200 hits and 100 walks. In 1999 he would produce a 9, speed C, 20 HR, 19 2B, 10-18 1B, +1 fielding for 220 points.

Jose Bautista 09: This is obviously the seed in which home run kings grow out of. No one saw the explosion Bautista would have in 2010 and beyond coming from this year. 13 homers, 3 triple, 13 doubles in 404 AB’s is a bit light for the 3 time all-star. He earned himself an 8, speed B (16), 20 HR, 19 3B, 18 2B, +0 fielding for 220 points. That change in approach at the plate really has done wonders for him.

Ken Caminiti 01P: It is tough to tell who really broke open the flood gates on steroid use in the eyes of the public. I can’t remember a time when Canseco wasn’t trying to get attention for it. He would retire in 2001 after a productive career including his 1996 MVP award season. He admitted to having substance abuse issue with alcohol, cocaine and steroids. The further removed I get from this situation my feeling of betrayal disappears and my feeling of pity increases. The old story I told myself that this was a selfish, money hungry, glory seeking athlete trying to cash in doesn’t seem to add up. It seems more reasonable that this was a young man who for whatever reason believed (at least in deed) that substances would solve his problems. I understand many people will disagree with me for a variety of reasons as this is an emotional subject so we will move on to what we all agree on. His 2001 Pennant Run card is pretty darn good. With his 9, speed B, 18-20 HR, 17 2B, 16 1B+ with +1 fielding.

Last years thirdbase Timemachine: Chipper Jones 00, Scott Rolen 00, Troy Glaus 01, Jeff Cirrillo 00, Bill Mueller 00
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