MLB Showdown Cards

#ShotsFriday Last Years 2nd and 3rd Place Cards

               We definitely started #ShotsFriday this year with a bang… I couldn’t help myself I have been waiting since October to use that one. The first shot of the year went to @Piatz1019, for which he will brag about until October. He took the Triple-Crowner Miguel Cabrera. @TherealJohnR also had Cabrera. Our champs from the past two years @KyleVanPelt and @TomWyliehart both picked Jumbo Trumbo. @Roktikitiki thought about copying @Tomwyliehart all year (not the worst strategy I have ever heard). Instead he teamed up with Mike Trout who also went deep, which will save a lot of kicking in the pants. @GregLeasure picked Josh Hamilton hit a laser beam for the Leasure-beam, for the last time till June. Believe it or not these 6 men who all enjoyed their Friday night are looking up to one man… the Homering Homer himself, @BucNforthecard (texted me his pick which I have provided a picture of below) of the Bull Pedro Alvarez who double-shooted this week. Sadly Pedro is tied with Trumbo and Miggy for the lead on the player board with 2. Remember to tweet who you think will go deep this Friday using our hashtag #ShotsFriday or at me @MLBShowdownguru. Then spend your day supporting your favorite players and enjoying your favorite work appropriate beverage.

@BucNforthecard’s text

@Chris_Roth came in second place last year on #Shotsfriday so he was awarded two cards. He picked one player with two great years.

               Some players were sadly born before MLB Showdown (and many of our players). We admire their statistics and wonder how would they have done in the modern game. We will never know exactly how but MLB Showdown customs let us dream and extrapolate. Roy Campanella was strong defensive catcher with a power bat (I would have loved to have seen him play). Anyone who has been stolen on at will has been waiting for this card. His 1952 card has the strongest possible arm in Showdown, stronger than any arm previously made (by 2). His C+13 is worth drafting by itself. Add that with an 8, 18-20 HR card it is a nice alternative to Piazza 2000.

               His 1953 card was much weaker defensively as only a C+10. He made up for it by being a 10 OB with 18-20 HR power for 630 points. I imagine any all-star game or pointless league will see a lot of him in play. The most amazing thing about Campanella is he never played an out at any position other than catcher. In the modern game he would have played some corner outfield and first base to save his knees. He would have DHed in interleague play. He would have had a longer career (in theory). That is if a manager to survive with him not behind the plate.

@Roktikitiki came in third last year so he received one card. He choose

               I am going to allow @Roktikitiki the pleasure of explaining why he choose Mike Kingery 1994 as his custom card, as he has a wonderful avenue to do that on our Wednesday segment of Card of the Week. Look for it in two weeks. The interesting thing about making this card was the 1994 season was strike shortened. Kingery did not even play full time in the strike shortened season but still but up good numbers. He hit .349 with a .402 OBP though he was not eligible to win the batting title (which was won by Tony Gwynn with a .394) Kingery had only 346 PA and needed 363 to have 3.1 PA/G to be eligible. In that time he had 4 homers, 8 triple and 27 doubles which is potent for so few at bats. He also played all over the outfield and 3 innings at first base (which I believe we got a picture of). If you don’t need a homer as a pinger player he is actually a fantastic option.

Twitter-Board

2: @BucNforthecard

1: @TomWyliehart – 2012 Champ

1: @KyleVanPelt – 2011 Champ

1: @Roktikitiki

1: TherealJohnR

1: @GregLeasure

1: @Piatz1019

0: @MLBShowdownguru – I write the blog. I can put myself on the leaderboard with 0 homers. I do what I want.

Player Board

2: Pedro Alvarez

2: Mark Trumbo

2: Miguel Cabrera

1: Josh Hamilton

1: Mike Trout