18.3 Direction

We only have one cf 2 (-3) e11 in the entire set: Harry Rice. Lab earned the right to chose whomever he wants. I'm sure he is devastated that his choices don't meet with your approval.

It's funny that the owner currently in 114th place is unhappy with certain picks from the top 4. Easy solution: move up 110 places and you can pick whoever you want.

Thanks for looking me up and noticing my body of work.

I appreciate it.

I guess it's too much work to ask for "usable" cards.

I need to be more open minded and think of Yas as a CF'er...

I finished in the top 4 and picked someone I'm likely to use. If no one else uses him, oh well. If I picked Jerry Koosman because my mom grew up across the street from him (which she did), tough luck.

Johnny Bench, 1974 --> a catcher w/ 680+ PAs

1974 Buzz Capra, SP, Braves, 8R 16-8 2.28 1.138 Career bests in wins, ERA, WHIP, IP, SO, H9, HR9. In a league loaded with great pitchers such as future HOFers Gibson, Seaver, Sutton, Niekro and Carlton and All Stars John, Messersmith, Reuss, Matlack, Koosman, Rogers, Lonborg, Hooton, Dierker, Wilson, Ellis, Nolan, Richard & Marshall, Capra led the league in ERA and H9! No ATG card.
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/731773/1670/1/70

1971 Don Wilson, SP, Astros, 5R 16-10 2.45 1.022 Career bests in ERA, WHIP, H9. Led league in H9. Had 2 career no hitters and another 8 inning no hitter when lifted for a pinch hitter. No ATG card.
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/743023/1670/1/70

1983 Atlee Hammaker, SP, Giants, 6L 10-9 2.25 1.039 Led N.L. in ERA, WHIP, BB9 & SO/BB ratio. Career bests in ERA, WHIP, H9, SO9 & SO/BB ratio. No ATG card.
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/834888/1680/1/80

1971 Tony Oliva RF, Twins, 5R .337 22 81 .369 .546 .915 Led A.L. in BA & SLG. Career highs in BA, OPS+. Near career highs in SLG, OPS & OBP. Oliva was headed for the HOF until knee injuries robbed him of his speed and made him a DH. Oliva is the only player in MLB history to win the batting title in his first two seasons. Oliva was an All Star right fielder in his first 8 big league seasons, even winning a gold glove. In a pitching dominated era, in his first 8 seasons before injuring his knee, he won 3 batting titles, finished second once, third 3 times and eighth once. Some may say that Oliva already has 3 cards, but why not give him what would arguably be his best card, one that destroys RHP?
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/739082/1670/1/70

1976 Bill Robinson OF, 3B, 1B, Pirates, 3L .303 21 64 .329 .534 .864 Career highs in SLG, OPS & OPs+. Near career highs in BA & OBP. A career journeyman and late bloomer, Robinson found a home with the Pirates, and was a valuable member of the team for 7+ seasons, playing multiple positions. 1 ATG card.
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/740221/1670/1/70

1980 Mike Easler OF, Pirates 7R .338 21 74 .396 .583 .978 Career highs in BA, OBP, SLG, OPS & OPS+. Near career highs in DO & RBI. A ten year minor leaguer, working off season jobs as a bellhop and on an assembly line to support his family, in 1980 the "Hit man" got his first significant playing time in the big leagues and took advantage of his opportunity. 1 ATG card.
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/833358/1680/1/80

1966 Willie Stargell, LF, Pirates, 5R, DEF-1b-3e4/LF/RF-3(-3)16 .315 33 102 .381 .581 .962. Career high in BA.
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/41487/1660/1/60

1985 Rich Gedman C, Red Sox 5R .295 18 80 .362 .484. .846. Career highs in HITS, BA, DO, RBI & OPS. This is easily the best season for the longtime BoSox backstop. 1 ATG card
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/834244/1680/1/80

For the players below, I don't have the SOM card viewer, so I don't know the balance rating for the strong side of the card, but based on their numbers, they appear worthy of consideration. Perhaps someone with the card viewer can let us know the balance rating.

1979 Oscar Gamble, OF/DH Texas & Yankees .358 19 64 .456 .609 1.065 in 327 PA. Career highs in BA, OBP, SLG, OPS & OPS+. In 235 ABs vs. RHPs, batted .370 16 57 .468 .617 1.085, and was respectable vs. lefties, with .282, 3 HRs in 39 AB. Probably a 5R or 6R.

1954 Smokey Burgess C, Reds .368 4 46 .432 .510 .942 in 392 PA. Career highs in BA, OBP, OPS & OPS+. Near career highs in H, DO, BB & SLG. In 266 ABs vs. RHP, batted .372 4 37 .444 .530 .975., including 22 DO. Despite his poor D, I can't believe that we all missed nominating Burgess during the recent ATG catcher addition. Probably a 7R-9R.

1977 Cliff Johnson C, 1B, OF, DH, Astros, Yankees .297 22 54 .407 .584 .991 Career highs in HR, OBP, SLG, OPS & OPS+. Near career high in BA. A career journeyman and late bloomer limited by poor D in his early career, Johnson usually hit well when given an opportunity to play. In 144 ABs vs. LHP, batted .354 13 30 .466 .701 1.167. Probably a 7L-9L.

1954 Ted Kluszewski, 1B, Reds .326 49 141 .407 .642 1.049. Led N.L. in HRs and RBI. Career highs in BA, HR, RBI, BB, OBP, SLG, OPS, OPS+ & TB. 2nd in MVP voting to HOFer Willie Mays. Batted .347 36 104 .437 .706 1.143 vs. RHP and a respectable .287 13 37 .340 .518 .858 vs. LHP. Probably a 4R or 5R card and would be a big improvement over Big Klu's chronically under performing $6 mil card.

1973 Steve Rogers, SP, Expos 10-5, 1.54 ERA, 1.060 WHIP, 6.2 H/9, 3.3 BB/9, in 134 IP. Made 17 starts for the '73 Expos. Career long Expo, who despite 13 years with some really bad Expo teams, starting in 1973, somehow managed to go 158-152 during his career. Very underrated pitcher. If I remember correctly, this Rogers card was a reverso card where he was really tough on LHBs.

Gamble is 1R, LF and RF 4 (0) e 12
Burgess is 8R, c-4(+1)e9,T-20(pb-2)
Cliff Johnson is 6L, c-4(+2)e16, T-20
Klu is 4R, 4e6
Rogers is 5L

If you're able please include the team too. It makes it easier to pop them in the master spreadsheet.
tks

I would start the second base conversation with:

2017 Jose Altuve

1912 Larry Doyle .330/.393/.471 MVP

1914 Johnny Evers .279/.390/.338 MVP

1931 Frankie Frisch .311/.368/.396 MVP

1937 Charlie Gehringer .371/.458/.520 MVP

1925 Rogers Hornsby .403/.489/.756 Triple Crown, MVP

1894 Bobby Lowe .346/.401/.520

1966 Joe Morgan .285/.410/.391 an Astro card for Joe
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/38499/1660/1/60

1883 Jack Burdock .330/.353/.475

1941 Creepy Crespie .279/.355/.350 better card

1945 George Hausmann .279/.356/.339

1908 Amby McConnell .279/.343/.335

1977 Don Money .279/.348/.470 2B primary position (along with lf and 3B)
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/738385/1670/1/70

1939 Heinie Mueller .279/.342/.437 also plays SS, 3B, LF, RF switch-hitter

1954 Danny O'Connell .279/.326/.357 also plays SS, 3B, 1B

1991 Lou Whitaker .279/.391/.489
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/42817/1690/1/90

1997 Roberto Alomar .333/.390/.500

1969 Mike Andrews .293/.390/.455 much better card
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/30239/1660/1/60

2003 Marcus Giles .316/.390/.526 if I remember, a pretty mean platoon player

1924 George Grantham .316/.390/.458

1907 Otto Knabe .255/.339/.338

1981 Jerry Remy .307/.368/.338
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/840015/1680/1/80

1927 Lew Fonseca .311/.333/.404

1996 Rex Hudler .311/.337/.553
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/2857/1690/1/90

1912 Frank Laporte .311/.366/.393

1998 Fernando Vina .311/.386/.427
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/3053/1690/1/90

1997 Craig Counsell .299/.376/.396

1921 Rogers Hornsby .397/.458/.639 also eligible at lf, ss, 1B, 3B

1930 Frankie Frisch .346/.407/.520

1960 Pete Runnels .320/.401/.394 also corner infielder
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/40447/1660/1/60

1951 Eddie Stanky .247/.401/.369

1969 Horace Clarke .285/.339/.367
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/32119/1660/1/60

2008 Mark DeRosa .285/.376/.481 all infield positions plus corner outfield
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/291/2008/1/2008

1993 Scott Fletcher .285/.341/.402
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/33842/1690/1/90

2011 Howie Kendrick .285/.338/.464
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/599/2011/1/2011

2005 Hector Luna .285/.344/.409 all positions except C & 1B

1945 Eddie Mayo .285/.347/.405 better card

1999 Pokey Reese .285/.330/.417
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/3467/1999/1/1999

Here's an interesting platoon card.

Would be great for the Rays franchise and likely to be used otherwise at lower caps...

2009 Reid Brignac ss-2b 7R .278/.301/.444 - doubles machine vs righties

http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/90808/2009/1/2009

Sorry, have been away with very little access. See team additions to the names below.

If you're able please include the team too. It makes it easier to pop them in the master spreadsheet.
tks

I would start the second base conversation with:

2017 Jose Altuve Houston Astros

1912 Larry Doyle .330/.393/.471 MVP New York Giants

1914 Johnny Evers .279/.390/.338 MVP Boston Braves

1931 Frankie Frisch .311/.368/.396 MVP St. Louis Cardinals

1937 Charlie Gehringer .371/.458/.520 MVP Detroit TIgers

1925 Rogers Hornsby .403/.489/.756 Triple Crown, MVP St. Louis Cardinals

1894 Bobby Lowe .346/.401/.520 Boston Braves

1966 Joe Morgan .285/.410/.391 an Astro card for Joe Houston Astros
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/38499/1660/1/60

1883 Jack Burdock .330/.353/.475 Boston Braves

1941 Creepy Crespie .279/.355/.350 better card St. Louis Cardinals

1945 George Hausmann .279/.356/.339 New York Giants

1908 Amby McConnell .279/.343/.335 Boston Red Sox

1977 Don Money .279/.348/.470 2B primary position (along with lf and 3B) Milwaukee Brewers
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/738385/1670/1/70

1939 Heinie Mueller .279/.342/.437 also plays SS, 3B, LF, RF switch-hitter Philadelphia Phillies

1954 Danny O'Connell .279/.326/.357 also plays SS, 3B, 1B Milwaukee Braves

1991 Lou Whitaker .279/.391/.489 Detroit Tigers
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/42817/1690/1/90

1997 Roberto Alomar .333/.390/.500 Baltimore Orioles

1969 Mike Andrews .293/.390/.455 much better card Boston Red Sox
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/30239/1660/1/60

2003 Marcus Giles .316/.390/.526 if I remember, a pretty mean platoon player Atlanta Braves

1924 George Grantham .316/.390/.458 Chicago Cubs

1907 Otto Knabe .255/.339/.338 Philadelphia Phillies

1981 Jerry Remy .307/.368/.338 Boston Red Sox
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/840015/1680/1/80

1927 Lew Fonseca .311/.333/.404 Cleveland Indians

1996 Rex Hudler .311/.337/.553 California Angels
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/2857/1690/1/90

1912 Frank Laporte .311/.366/.393 St. Louis Browns/Washington Senators

1998 Fernando Vina .311/.386/.427 Milwaukee Brewers
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/3053/1690/1/90

1997 Craig Counsell .299/.376/.396 Colorado Rockies/Florida Marlins

1921 Rogers Hornsby .397/.458/.639 also eligible at lf, ss, 1B, 3B St. Louis Cardinals

1930 Frankie Frisch .346/.407/.520 St. Louis Cardinals

1960 Pete Runnels .320/.401/.394 also corner infielder Boston Red Sox
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/40447/1660/1/60

1951 Eddie Stanky .247/.401/.369 New York Giants

1969 Horace Clarke .285/.339/.367 New York Yankees
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/32119/1660/1/60

2008 Mark DeRosa .285/.376/.481 all infield positions plus corner outfield Chicago Cubs
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/291/2008/1/2008

1993 Scott Fletcher .285/.341/.402 Boston Red Sox
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/33842/1690/1/90

2011 Howie Kendrick .285/.338/.464 Los Angeles Angels
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/599/2011/1/2011

2005 Hector Luna .285/.344/.409 all positions except C & 1B St. Louis Cardinals

1945 Eddie Mayo .285/.347/.405 better card Detroit Tigers

1999 Pokey Reese .285/.330/.417 Cincinnati Reds
http://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/3467/1999/1/1999

I'd like to see the 1986 or 1987 Kirby Puckett (or both)
He was my go to guy in card and dice tournaments in that decade

Why not a word about when the long overdue polls for the rest of 18.3 will be initiated? Or has Rosie just abdicated his stewardship over the process?