1912
Heinie Zimmerman, Cubs .372 14 104 .418 .571 .989, 41 DO, 14 TR, 23 SBs; Led league and had career highs in hits, DO, BA, HR, RBI, SLG, OPS, OPS+, TB & offensive WAR. A 13 year big leaguer and 3 time RBI champ with just 1 card of under $1 million, Zimmerman won the Triple Crown in 1912, but wasn't recognized for it until more than 100 years later when there was an RBI recount. To add insult to injury, he finished 6th in MVP voting that season!
1961
Ken Boyer, Cardinals .329 24 95 .397 .533 .930. Career highs in R, HITS, TR, BA, OBP & TB and 2nd career highs in SLG, OPS & OPS+. Won the fourth of 5 career Gold Gloves. From the mid 1950s to the mid 1960s, the debate raged as to who was the best third baseman in the NL, Ken Boyer or Eddie Mathews. Mathews had more power, but Boyer was the superior fielder, winning 5 Gold Gloves, including one in 1961. We have Mathews' best card, why not Boyer?
1963
Pete Ward, White Sox .295 22 84 .353 .482 .835
1964
Pete Ward, White Sox .282 23 94 .348 .473 .821
Ward was a major cog in the White Sox offense in 1963 & 1964, but was involved in an auto accident around the start of the 1965 season and was never the same thereafter. Ward had his career highs in every major offensive category in 1963 & 1964. Although Ward was a 4 fielder in 1963, he was a respectable 3e23 in 1964.
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/42606/1660/1/601970
Denis Menke, Astros .304 13 92 .392 .441 .833 Career highs in every major offensive category.
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/738125/1670/1/701971
Bill Melton, White Sox .269 33 86 .352 .492 .844. First White Sox player in team history to lead AL in HRs. Tied his own team record for HRs, which was broken by Dick Allen the following season. Career highs in HR, SLG, OPS & OPS+. 2nd career high in BA, OBP. A 3 fielder in 1971. Likely a good power option at 3B in caps of $100 mil or less.
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/738115/1670/1/701972
Richie Hebner, Pirates .300 19 72 .378 .508 .886. The lefty hitting Hebner actually hit lefties better than righties in 1972, batting a cool .383 with a .442 OBP and .600 SLG against southpaws. Slashed a respectable .269 .355 .474 vs. righties. Career highs in SLG, OPS & OPS+, and near career highs in BA, OBP, HR & DO. Usually a 4 fielder, in 1972 Hebner was a 3 in the field. The Pirates could use an Expansion Era third baseman. Hebner was a solid big leaguer for 18 years and this would easily be his best and most usable card at 3B.
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/735154/1670/1/701977
Don Money, Brewers, .279 25 83 .348 .470 .819 Career highs in HR, RBI. Near career highs in most other offensive categories.
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/738385/1670/1/70 1979
Larry Parrish, Expos .307 30 82 .357 .551 .909 Career highs in BA, SLG, OPS & OPS+. 2nd career high in HR & DO (39). Expos expansion set could use an upgrade over Tim Wallach at 3B. 2e25
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/739277/1670/1/70. 2e25
1979
Bob Horner, Braves .314 33 98 .346 .552 .898 Career highs in BA, HITS, SLG, RBI, TB. 2nd career high in HR, OPS & OPS+. 4e31.
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/835583/1680/1/801983
Bob Horner, Braves .303 20 68 .383 .528 .911 Career highs in DO, OBP, OPS & OPS+. 2nd career highs in BA. 4e17.
These are good hitting cards, but are probably more suited for DH than 3B.
1980
Buddy Bell, Texas .329 17 83 .379 .498 .877 Gold Glove. Career highs in BA, SLG, OPS & OPS+. 2nd career high in OBP.
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/830734/1680/1/801981
Carney Lansford, Red Sox .336 4 52 .389 .439 .828 AL batting champ & Silver Slugger in strike shortened season. Career highs in BA, OPS. 2nd career high in OBP.
1989
Carney Lansford, A's .336 2 52 .398 .405 .803 Career high in OBP, tied career high in BA. Highest BA for an A's player in the 50 seasons playing in spacious Oakland Coliseum dating back to 1968.
1982
Toby Harrah, Indians .304 25 78 .398 .490 .879 17 SB Career highs in BA, SLG, DO, OPS & OPS+. 2nd career high in HR. Bulletproof! I can't count the times Harry Caray reminded listeners that Harrah was spelled the same forward & backward!
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/34980/1982/2/19821987
Brook Jacoby, Indians .300 32 69 .387 .541 .928 Career highs in BA, HR, SLG, OPS & OPS+. 2nd career high in DO.
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/835855/1680/1/801990
Kelly Gruber, Blue Jays .274 31 118 .330 .512 .842 Career highs in every major offensive category except BA, where it was his 2nd career high. Gold Glove, Silver Slugger.
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/834729/1680/1/801991
Terry Pendleton, Braves .319 22 86 .363 .517.880 NL MVP Led league in BA, HITS & TB. Switch hitter. Career highs in BA, HR, SLG, OBP, OPS & OPS+. 2nd career high in RUNS, HITS & DO. 2e27
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/803545/1680/1/80