New York State of Mind: Darryl Strawberry and Gary Carter

Let's head across town to see what going on in Flushing.

Darryl Strawberry. He was the first case where I looked at the stats and said "Wow, it's a shame what he did with his career. What might have been..."

His OB 9 and six extra-base results usually put him in the 3-4-5 slot on a team. I like that his defense is average, and the speed will surprise some people. Overall, a nice little slugger for 450 points, which can allow for nice back-up.

From the 2011 Topps set.

Gary Carter is a Met and not an Expo because I just liked this one picture best.

He's on the border with OB 7/8, which explains the five outs he has on his card. No real weaknesses, just a catcher with excellent defense who does okay with only four extra-base results (two of which are homers), and a whole lot of singles. I would park him maybe in the #2 slot (though his speed is a potential problem) or lower in the order (5-6-7) because he can still drive in runners with all those singles.

Card made from a Google image. Not hard to find.

New York State of Mind: Phil Rizzuto

So, having discussed how I did the "Legends", let's start in the Big Apple!

Phil Rizzuto represents the traditional MLB shortshop: good defense, low power. Unlike a true good-field/no-hit shortshop though, he could actually get hits (mainly singles, but whatever).

Clocking in at an OB 8, Rizzuto is a good candidate to lead off in a line-up, especially coupled with his Speed A. SS+5 is always a nice thing to have, and his low cost (240 points) allows you to take a chance of hitters with questionable fielding but better bats around the infield.

Now, there isn't a lot of power. Only three extra-base results, none being homers, will limit some stats (like RBI). But, all around not a bad little piece.

Card is from the 2011 Topps set. Link http://sportscardradio.com/sports-card-directory/product-previews-a-reviews/740-2011-topps-series-1-baseball-box-complete-set-checklist, since I loved how these cards looked.

A brief review of my "Legends" series of MLB Showdown cards

When I make my "Legends" series of MLB Showdown customs*, I have to be careful how to scrutinize the data.

1) Dead-ball era and 1960s era hitters are a pain to try and do. Just do the best you can, and I usually up the offense a little bit, imagining if they played in today's era.

2) Peaks matter. I usually take a stretch of time when the player was at the top of their game (as judged by OPS+ or ERA+ as a quick reference), not taking into account decline because frankly you remember those players at their best, don't you?

3) Take the down with the bad, don't cherry-pick. This isn't usually a problem, but players like Roy Campanella were up and down. Just smooth out the data.

4) Make an average of the peak (min. 5 seasons I prefer) and extrapolate from there.

*It's got Hall of Famers and non-Hall of Famers, so the blanket term for cards for retired players is "Legends".

Returning

My oh my, life has gotten in the way for far too long. I'm planning a wedding for this summer, so forgive me for the long absence.

Some of you may have noticed that the costs for some of the MLB Showdown pitchers differ a bit (usually costing more) from their counterparts that were actually printed. The reason being simple... the costs were originally undercosted.

Say you have a 19 pitcher (16 outs +3 Control) and a 20 pitcher (16 outs +4 Control). Assuming IP 6, the first will cost about 330 points, the second about 450 points. One step up to a 21 pitcher, and we have 550 points.

Now, a +5 control pitcher (15 outs) and a +4 control pitcher (16 outs) are functionally the same. Both are 20 pitchers.

Why is it that these 20 pitchers, with 6 IP, when stacked with other 20 pitchers with 7 IP only see a 30 point increase?

As such, a 20 pitcher with IP 7 has been bumped up a smidge to about 510 to 530 points to bring costs in line.

Also, the 2001 cards were undercosted as a whole as well. Power creep is best done when not blatant...

Toronto Blue Jays: 2011 edition

Ricky Romero: Starter, Control +4, IP 7, 580 points
1-5 SO, 6-8 PU, 9-14 GB, 15-17 FB, 18 BB, 19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Brandon Morrow: Starter, Control +3, IP 6, 430 points
1-9 SO, -- PU, 10-12 GB, 13-17 FB, 18-19 BB, -- 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Brett Cecil: Starter, Control +4, IP 6, 230 points
1-4 SO, 5-6 PU, 7-10 GB, 11-16 FB, 17 BB, 18 1B, 19 2B, 20 HR

Kyle Drabek: Starter, Control +0, IP 6, 40 points
1-4 SO, 5-8 PU, 9-12 GB, 13-16 FB, 17-20 BB, -- 1B, -- 2B, -- HR

Octavio Dotel: Reliever, Control +5 , IP 1, 230 points
1-7 SO, 8-9 PU, 10-11 GB, 12-17 FB, 18 BB, 19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Frank Francisco: Reliever, Control +5, IP 1, 140 points
1-7 SO, 8 PU, 9-12 GB, 13-15 FB, 16-17 BB, 18-19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Marc Rzepczynski: Reliver, Control +2, IP 1, 140 points
1-6 SO, 7-8 PU, 9-16 GB, 17-18 FB, 19-20 BB, -- 1B, -- 2B, -- HR

JP Arencibia: C+5, Onbase 5, speed C, 210 points
1-5 SO, -- GB, -- FB, 6-8 BB, 9-11 1B, -- 1B+, 12-14 2B, 15 3B, 16-20 HR

Aaron Hill: 2B+3, Onbase 6, speed A, 170 points
1 SO, 2-4 GB, 5 FB, 6-8 BB, 9-12 1B, 13 1B+, 14-17 2B, 18 3B, 19-20 HR

Yunel Escobar: SS+3, Onbase 9, speed B, 360 points
1 SO, 2-3 GB, 4 FB, 5-8 BB, 9-16 1B, -- 1B+, 17-19 2B, -- 3B, 20 HR

Edwin Encarnacion: 3B+0, Onbase 7, speed C, 170 points
1-2 SO, 3 GB, 4 FB, 5-7 BB, 8-13 1B, -- 1B+, 14-17 2B, -- 3B, 18-20 HR

Jose Batista: LR/RF+1, 3B+2, Onbase 10, speed B, 700 points
1-2 SO, -- GB, -- FB, 3-9 BB, 10-14 1B, -- 1B+, 15 2B, -- 3B, 16-20 HR

Tampa Bay Rays: 2011 edition

James Shields: Starter, Control +5, IP 8, 650 points
1-6 SO, 7-9 PU, 10-14 GB, 15-16 FB, 17 BB, 18-19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

David Price: Starter, Control +4, IP 7, 580 points
1-6 SO, 7-8 PU, 9-14 GB, 15-17 FB, 18 BB, 19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Jeff Niemann: Starter, Control +5, IP 6, 460 points
1-5 SO, 6 PU, 7-11 GB, 12-15 FB, 16 BB, 17-19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Jeremy Hellickson: Starter, Control +4, IP 6, 450 points
1-4 SO, 5-6 PU, 7-10 GB, 11-16 FB, 17-18 BB, 19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Wade Davis: Starter, Control +3, IP 6, 340 points
1-4 SO, 5 PU, 6-10 GB, 11-16 FB, 17-18 BB, 19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Kyle Farnsworth: Reliever, Control +3, IP 1, 220 points
1-6 SO, 7-9 PU, 10-17 GB, 18-19 FB, -- BB, 20 1B, -- 2B, -- HR

Joel Peralta: Reliever, Control +5, IP 1, 200 points
1-6 SO, 7 PU, 8-9 GB, 10-17 FB, 18 BB, 19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Juan Cruz: Reliever, Control +4, IP 1, 170 points
1-6 SO, 7-8 PU, 9-10 GB, 11-16 FB, 17-19 BB, -- 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Johnny Damon: DH, Onbase 7, speed A, 210 points
1-2 SO, 3 GB, 4 FB, 5-7 BB, 8-13 1B, 14 1B+, 15-17 2B, 18 3B, 19-20 HR

Kelly Shoppach: C+8, Onbase 5, speed C, 210 points
1-4 SO, 5 GB, -- FB, 6-10 BB, 11-14 1B, -- 1B+, 15 2B, -- 3B, 16-20 HR

Carlos Pena: 1B+0, Onbase 8, speed C, 280 points
1-3 SO, -- GB, -- FB, 4-10 BB, 11-14 1B, -- 1B+, 15-17 2B, -- 3B, 18-20 HR

Casey Kotchman: 1B+0, Onbase9, speed C, 270 points
1 SO, 2-3 GB 4 FB, 5-8 BB, 9-16 1B, -- 1B+, 17-19 2B, -- 20 HR

Ben Zobrist: 2B+3, LF/RF+1, Onbase 8, speed A, 320 points
1-3 SO, -- GB, 4-5 FB, 6-9 BB, 10-12 1B, 13 1B+, 14-17 2B, 18 3B, 19-20 HR

Reid Brignac: SS+3, Onbase 3, speed B, 30 points
1-4 SO, 5 GB, -- FB, 6-7 BB, 8-15 1B, -- 1B+, 16-18 2B, -- 3B, 19-20 HR

Evan Longoria: 3B+3, Onbase 8, speed B, 300 points
1 SO, 2 GB, 3-4 FB, 5-10 BB, 11-14 1B, -- 1B+, 15-17 2B, -- 3B, 18-20 HR

Desmond Jennings: LF/RF+2, Onbase 8, speed A, 270 points
1-2 SO, -- GB, 3-4 FB, 5-9 BB, 10-14 1B, 15 1B+, 16-17 2B, 18 3B, 19-20 HR

Matt Joyce: LF/RF+1, Onbase 8, speed A, 270 points
1-4 SO, -- GB, -- FB, 5-7 BB, 8-13 1B, 14 1B+, 15-18 2B, -- 3B, 19-20 HR

BJ Upton: CF+2, LF/RF+1, Onbase 7, speed A, 300 points
1-5 SO, -- GB, -- FB, 6-10 BB, 11 1B, 12-13 1B+, 14-16 2B, 17 3B, 18-20 HR

New York Yankees: 2011 edition

CC Sabathia: Starter, Control +5, IP 7, 520 points
1-6 SO, 7 PU, 8-12 GB, 13-15 FB, 16 BB, 17-19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Ivan Nova: Starter, Control +4, IP 6, 460 points
1-4 SO, 5 PU, 6-13 GB, 14-16 FB, 17-18 BB, 19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Bartolo Colon: Starter, Control +3, IP 6, 430 points
1-5 SO, 6-7 PU, 8-13 GB, 14-17 FB, 18 BB, 19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

AJ Burnett: Starter, Control +3, IP 6, 200 points
1-6 SO, 7 PU, 8-13 GB, 14-16 FB, 17-18 BB, -- 1B, 19 2B, 20 HR

Mariano Rivera: Reliever, Control +4, IP 1, 220 points
1-6 SO, 7-8 PU, 9-14 GB, 15-18 FB, 19 BB, 20 1B, -- 2B, -- HR

David Robertson: Reliever, Control +6, IP 1, 160 points
1-10 SO, -- PU, 11-15 GB, -- FB, 16-18 BB, 19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Luis Ayala: Reliever, Control +4, IP 1, 140 points
1-5 SO, 6 PU, 7-14 GB, 15-16 FB, 17-18 BB, 19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Jorge Posada: DH/1B+0, Onbase 7, Speed C, 210 points
1-2 SO, 3-4 GB, 5-6 FB, 7-10 BB, 11-14 1B, -- 1B+, 15-17 2B, -- 3B, 18-20 HR

Russell Martin: C+6, Onbase 7, speed B, 220 points
1-2 SO, -- GB, 3-4 FB, 5-8 BB, 9-14 1B, -- 1B+, 15-17 2B, -- 3B, 18-20 HR

Mark Teixeira: 1B+0, Onbase 7, speed C, 300 points
1-2 SO, -- GB, 3 FB, 4-8 BB, 9-12 1B, -- 1B+, 13-15 2B, -- 3B, 16-20 HR

Robinson Cano: 2B+3, Onabse 8, speed B, 310 points
1-3 SO, -- GB, 4 FB, 5-6 BB, 7-14 1B, -- 1B+, 15-18 2B, -- 3B, 19-20 HR

Derek Jeter: SS+1, Onabse 8, speed B, 200 points
1-2 SO, 3-4 GB, -- FB, 5-7 BB, 8-16 1B, 17 1B+, 18-19 2B, -- 3B, 20 HR

Alex Rodriguez: 3B+3, Onbase 9, speed C, 370 points
1-2 SO, -- GB, 3-5 FB, 6-9 BB, 10-14 1B, -- 1B+, 15-17 2B, -- 3B, 18-20 HR

Nick Swisher: LF/RF+2, Onbase 9, speed C, 340 points
1-3 SO, -- GB, 4 FB, 5-10 BB, 11-15 1B, -- 1B+, 16-18 2B, -- 3B, 19-20 HR

Andruw Jones: LF/RF+1, Onbase 8, speed C, 330 points
1-4 SO, -- GB, -- FB, 5-9 BB, 10-14 1B, -- 1B+, 15-16 2B, -- 3B, 17-20 HR

Brett Gardner: LF/RF+2, Onbase 8, speed A, 260 points
1-2 SO, 3-5 GB, -- FB, 6-9 BB, 10-14 1B, 15-16 1B+. 17-18 2B, 19 3B, 20 HR

Curtis Granderson: OF+2, Onbase 9, speed A, 600 points
1-3 SO, -- GB, 4 FB, 5-9 BB, 10-12 1B, 13 1B+, 14-15 2B, 16 3B, 17-20 HR

Boston Red Sox: 2011 edition

In case people are curious about the players I chose, almost all had a card in the 2011 Topps baseball card set, which I put the stats onto. This is why some teams like the BoSox have more members than the teams I like; it's just easier to roll with what you have.

Josh Beckett: Starter, Control +5, IP 6, 510 points
1-6 SO, 7-8 PU, 9-12 GB, 13-16 FB, 17 BB, 18-19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Jon Lester: Starter, Control +5, IP 6, 460 points
1-6 SO, -- PU, 7-13 GB, 14-15 FB, 16-17 BB, 18-19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Clay Buchholz: starter, Control +4, IP 6, 450 points
1-5 SO, 6-7 PU, 8-12 GB, 13-16 FB, 17-18 BB, 19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Tim Wakefield: Starter, Control +3, IP 5, 260 points
1-4 SO, 5-6 PU, 7-10 GB, 11-16 FB, 17 BB, 18-19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

John Lackey: starter, Control +0, IP 6, 160 points
1-4 SO, 5-7 PU, 8-13 GB, 14-18 FB, 19 BB, 20 1B, -- 2B, -- HR

Alfredo Aceves: Reliever, Control +5, IP 1, 180 points
1-4 SO, 5-6 PU, 7-10 GB, 11-16 FB, 17-18 BB, 19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Daniel Bard: Reliever, Control + 5, IP 1, 180 points
1-6 SO, 7 PU, 8-15 GB, 16-17 FB, 18 BB, 19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Jonathan Papelbon: Reliever, Control +4, IP 1, 210 points
1-10 SO, -- PU, 11-13 GB, 14-18 FB, 19 BB, -- 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

David Ortiz: DH, Onbase 10, speed C, 510 points
1 SO, -- GB, 2-4 FB, 5-9 BB, 10-13 1B, --1B+, 14-17 2B, -- 3B, 18-20 HR

Jarrod Saltalamacchia: Onbase 6, Speed C, C+6, 210 points
1-4 SO, -- GB, 5 FB, 6-8 BB, 9-11 1B, -- 1B+, 12-15 2B, 16 3B, 17-20 HR

Jason Varitek: Onbase 6, speed C, C+3, 170 points
1-3 SO, 4 GB, 5 FB, 6-9 BB, 10-12 1B -- 1B+, 13-16 2B, -- 3B, 17-20 HR

Adrian Gonzalez: 1B+1, Onbase 10, speed C, 500 points
1-2 SO, -- GB, 3-4 FB, 5-8 BB, 9-14 1B, -- 1B+, 15-17 2B, -- 3B, 18-20 HR

Dustin Pedroia: 2B+4, Onbase 9, speed B, 420 points
1 SO, 2-3 GB, 4 FB, 5-8 BB, 9-13 1B, 14-15 1B+, 16-18 2B, -- 3B, 19-20 HR

Marco Scutaro: SS+2, Onbase 8, speed B, 250 points
-- SO, 1-2 GB, 3-4 FB, 5-7 BB, 8-15 1B, -- 1B+, 16-19 2B, -- 3B, 20 HR

Kevin Youkilis: 3B+2, Onbase 9, speed C, 360 points
1-2 SO, -- GB, 3-4 FB, 5-10 BB, 11-14 1B, -- 1B+, 15-18 2B, -- 3B, 19-20 HR

Wilson Betemit: 3B +1, Onbase 8, speed B, 250 points
1-4 SO, -- GB, -- FB, 5-7 BB, 8-14 1B, -- 1B+, 15-18 2B, 19 3B, 20 HR

Carl Crawford: LF/RF +1, Onbase 6, speed A, 160 points
1-2 SO, 3-4 GB, -- FB, 5-6 BB, 7-11 1B, 12 1B+, 13-16 2B, 17-18 3B, 19-20 HR

Jacoby Ellsbury: CF +3, LF/RF +2, Onbase 9, Speed A, 450 points
1-2 SO, 3 GB, 4 FB, 5-7 BB, 8-13 1B, 14 1B+, 15-18 2B, -- 3B, 19-20 HR

Baltimore Orioles: 2011 edition

Sorry for the slight delay.

Remember, these are the Orioles of the 2011 season, not 2012.

Jeremy Guthrie: Starter, Control +4, IP 6, 450 points
1-4 SO, 5-8 PU, 9-12 GB, 13-16 FB, 17 BB, 18-19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Zach Britton: Starter, Control +2, IP 6, 330 Points
1-4 SO, 5-6 PU, 7-14 GB, 15-17 FB, 18-19 BB, 20 1B, -- 2B, -- HR

Brian Matusz (based on 2010 stats): starter, Control +3, IP 5, 260 Points
1-5 SO, 6-7 PU, 8-10 GB, 11-16 FB, 17-18 BB, 19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Koji Uehara: Reliever, Control +4, IP 1, 190 points
1-9 SO, -- PU, 10-12 GB, 13-19 FB, -- BB, -- 1B, --2B, 20 HR

Jim Johnson: Reliever, Control +5, IP 1, 170 points
1-4 SO, 5-7 PU, 8-14 GB, 15-16 FB, 17 BB, 18-19 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

EDIT: This one was misplaced, so he's added now.
Kevin Gregg: Reliever, Control +2, IP 1, 90 points
1-6 SO, 7 PU, 8-11 GB, 12-16 FB, 17-19 BB, -- 1B, 20 2B, -- HR

Vladimir Guerrero: DH, Onbase 7, Speed C, 190 Points
1 SO, 2-3 GB, 4-5 FB, 6-7 BB, 8-14 1B, -- 1B+, 15-18 2B, -- 3B, 19-20 HR

Matt Wieters: C, Onbase 7, C+8, Speed C, 270 points
1-2 SO, 3 GB, 4 FB, 5-7 BB, 8-13 1B, -- 1B+, 14-17 2B, -- 3B, 18-20 HR

JJ Hardy: SS, Onbase 6, SS+5, Speed B, 270 points
1-4 SO, -- GB, -- FB, 5-6 BB, 7-11 1B, -- 1B+, 12-15 2B, -- 3B, 16-20 HR

Mark Reynolds: 1B/3B +0, Onbase 7, speed C, 270 points
1-5 SO, -- GB, --FB, 6-10 BB, 11-12 1B, -- 1B+, 12-15 2B, -- 3B, 16-20 HR

Nick Markakis: LF/RF +2, Onbase 8, speed B, 240 points
1 SO, 2-4 GB, -- FB, 5-7 BB, 8-15 1B, 16 1B+, 17-19 2B, -- 3B, 20 HR

Luke Scott: LF/RF +1, 1B+0, Onbase 6, speed C, 220 points
1-4 SO, -- GB, --FB, 5-8 BB, 9-12 1B, --1B+, 13-16 2B, -- 3B, 17-20 HR

Adam Jones: OF +1, Onbase 7, speed B, 260 points
1-4 SO, 5 GB, -- FB, 6-7 BB, 8-13 1B, 14 1B+, 15-17 2B, -- 3B, 18-20 HR

Offseason baseball

I've not been on much, somewhat due to work but also due to the lack of much to talk about in baseball (in particular with my beloved Orioles).

I will, however, be ambitious. I did a set of MLB Showdown cards based on the 2011 season, and since I have no plans for doing a 2012 sets, save for some rookies, I will start to post them.

Tomorrow: Baltimore Orioles
Thursday: Boston Red Sox
Friday: New York Yankees
Saturday: Tampa Bay Rays
Sunday: Toronto Blue Jays

See you then!