EXPANSION (1967-1998) Infielders--IMPROVEMENT Edition

Many have said that we don't know what we are getting when we nominate cards, so I've taken some time to put some stats together from some cards, using Diamond Dope and Veterans 1975 for the park, since it's kind of neutral (10,10,10,10). I asked Bill for his permission/blessing to do this. So I'll be posting some card add ideas, thoughts, etc to hopefully keep interest up and give folks some stuff to actually discuss on the boards.

My Goals on IMPROVEMENTS:
1--Provide a card that is more representative of a player's career than their current card(s)
2--Provide a card that is fundamentally different than their current cards


1969 Sal Bando, OAK, Bats-R, 3L Balance, 3b-2e24
LH--3.2 2b, 1.8 3b, 8.4 HR, 22 BB 407/550/796, 1.346 OPS
RH—3.7 2b, 0 3b, 6.6 HR, 23 BB 274/435/553, .988 OPS
Best season from a great contributor to the A’s dynasty. This card is stronger than his 5.74m card, much better vs LHP.

1993 Jeff Blauser, ATL, Bats-R, E Balance, SS-3e21
LH—4.2 2b, 1.9 3b, 3.5 HR, 20 BB 288/453/508, .961 OPS
RH—3.6 2b, 0 3b, 1.6 HR, 19 BB 377/515/474, .990 OPS
Oft-requested card from 90s Braves. Very nice offensive card for a SS. Negative with the 3 at SS.

1973 Steve Braun, MIN, Bats-L, 3R Balance, 3b-4e27, LF-5(+2)e12
LH—3.6 2b, 3 3b, 0.5 HR, 15 BB 194/321/307, .628 OPS
RH—12 2b, 1 3b, 1 HR, 24 BB 343/501/550, 1.051 OPS
Twins hitter from 1970s, good platoon card vs RHP

1979 Julio Cruz, SEA, Bats-S, 4L Balance, 2b-2e20, Steal: *2-5,10/-(19-15)
LH—3.7 2b, 0.7 3b, 0 HR, 15 BB 395/479/449, .929 OPS
RH—1.3 2b, 0 3b, 0.7 HR, 20 BB 179/331/218, .549 OPS
Speedster, one of the first Mariners stars. Great steal and defense, probably a platoon player in ATG.

1983 Glenn Hubbard, ATL, Bats-R, 2L Balance, 2b-2e14
LH—5.1 2b, 3.4 3b, 5 HR, 13 BB 266/368/534, .922 OPS
RH—4.3 2b, 0.9 3b, 1.3 HR, 12 BB 272/367/379, .785 OPS
Better in all aspects than current 1982 card. Part of those early/mid 80s Braves teams.

1996 Edgar Renteria, FLA, Bats-R, 2R Balance, SS-2e17, Steal: *6/-(19-11)
LH—7.4 2b, 1.6 3b, 1.6 HR, 9 BB 248/318/404, .722 OPS
RH—2 2b, 0.8 3b, 1.8 HR, 7 BB 398/442/487, .929 OPS
Marlins need more help, here’s a good representation of Renteria from his rookie season. His 6.54m card is great vs LHP but this one is much better vs RHP and a little more balanced. And Marlins need him.

1975 Chris Speier, SF, Bats-R, 1L Balance, SS-2e16, 3b-4e37
LH—10.6 2b, 1.4 3b, 0.3 HR, 22 BB 310/450/473, .924 OPS
RH—4.9 2b, 1.4 3b, 3.8 HR, 12 BB 277/357/473, .830 OPS
Giants exp shortstops are terrible, and Speier deserves better. Longtime Giants SS, then with Expos. This beats his .90m card and improves his representation.

1987 Jose Uribe, SF, Bats-S, 2R Balance, SS-1e24, Steal: *4,5/-(19-12)
LH—5.1 2b, 0 3b, 3.3 HR, 0 BB 267/274/406, .680 OPS
RH—5.2 2b, 3.8 3b, 2 HR, 3 BB 349/373/529, .902 OPS
Speaking of Giants SS, Uribe was better than that cheap .60m card. Here he is as a 1 at SS, plus an acceptable bat.

Jay Bell 1993
https://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/3823/1690/1/90

Jay Bell 1993
https://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/3823/1690/1/90

1993 Bell, PIT, Bats-R, 2L Balance, SS-1e12
LH--8.1 2b, 1.4 3b, 0.3 HR, 21 BB 430/551/568, 1.120 OPS
RH--3.4 2b, 2.6 3b, 0.2 HR, 13 BB 348/439/445, .884 OPS
Golden Glove and Silver Slugger in 1993. That defense is a NICE add for PIT exp.

Current 1995 Bell
LH--7.2 2b, 0.6 3b, 7 HR, 15 BB 356/457/679, 1.136 OPS
RH-- 4.2 2b, 0.9 3b, 0.3 HR, 11 BB 250/340/321, .661 OPS

Positives for the 1993 card:
Defense is very nice as a 1
The line vs RHP is much better than 1995 and passable to start both ways, where the 1995 is a platoon player.

Positive for the 1995 card:
HR power vs LHP

I think Jay Bell 1993 would be a good add.

1988 or 1991 Steve Buechele

1974 or 1982 Bill Russell

1988 or 1991 Steve Buechele

1974 or 1982 Bill Russell

1988 Steve Buechele, TEX, Bats-R, 1R Balance, 2b-2e18, 2b-3e5
LH--3.6 2b, 0.5 3b, 3.6 HR, 15 BB 204/330/374, .703 OPS
RH--2.8 2b, 1 3b, 3.3 HR, 15 BB 256/373/418, .791 OPS

1991 Steve Buechele, TEX, Bats-R, 3L Balance, 3b-2e5, 2b-3e5, SS-4e48
LH--4.4 2b, 0.9 3b, 8.8 HR, 14 BB 206/331/563, .894 OPS
RH--2.6 2b, 0 3b, 4.75 HR, 6 BB 263/324/432, .756 OPS

1989 Buechele, TEX, Bats-R, 2L Balance, 3b-2e14, 2b-3e6, SS-4e52
LH--6.5 2b, 0 3b, 5.4 HR, 11 BB 236/328/475, .803 OPS
RH--2.9 2b, 0.6 3b, 3.4 HR, 5 BB 190/243/332, .575 OPS

A pretty consistent dude. And Redundant. 1991 has interesting HR numbers vs LHP, but not substantially better then current 89. No real reason to add that I see.



1974 Bill Russell, LA, Bats-R, 2L Balance, SS-3e40, LF-2(-1)e4
LH--4.2 2b, 0.5 3b, 0.9 HR, 4 BB 341/378/418, .796 OPS
RH--1.4 2b, 1.8 3b,1.5 HR, 1 BB 253/274/343, .617 OPS

1982 Bill Russell, LA, Bats-R, E Balance, SS-4e34
LH-- 3.5 2b, 0 3b, 0 HR, 12 BB 321/409/359, .768 OPS
RH--3 2b, 0.2 3b, 1.3 HR, 13 BB 276/376/353, .729 OPS

1976 Bill Russell, LA, Bats-R, 2L Balance, SS-2e30
LH--1.2 2b, 2 3b, 1.5 HR, 0 BB 329/336/420, .756 OPS
RH--2 2b, 0 3b, 0.3 HR, 0 BB 269/275/294, .570 OPS

1977 Russell, .80m, LA, Bats-R, 2R Balance, SS-2e32
LH--2.6 2b, 1.7 3b, 1.3 HR, 0 BB 219/226/309, .535 OPS
RH--4.4 2b, 0.8 3b, 1.3 HR, 1 BB 330/342/420, .762 OPS

In my longtime project to find a Bill Russell improvement, I have been frustrated. As a SS, 1976 is marginal at best as an improvement on the 77 one we already have. 1982 has a little better offense, but is terrible on defense, and not good enough on offense to even be a DH. 1974 has the interesting LF option, but, again, do you want him playing LF on any team of yours?
Hate it, because I associate Russell with that long-time LA infield from my youth, but it's "not in the cards"

A COUPLE OF CARDS HERE WHICH COULD BE VERY USEFUL IN FRANCHISE LEAGUES.


1979 RON CEY; 3B -2e16, .281/.389 OBP hit 28 Homers in 487 at bats, by far the Penguins best card; solid against RHP and absolutely destroys lefties. Dodgers

https://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/731939/1670/1/70


1979 Davey Lopes 2B-3-e20, CF -3e7 (+1) .265/.372 OBP, 28Homers, Stealing-AA balance 7L, Versatile card whereas Lopes can play both 2B and CF, could make for a good platoon player, just like Cey he punishes LH pitching, also his best card. Dodgers

https://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/737180/1670/1/70


1982 Tim Wallach 3B-2e22, 1B-3e11, .268/.310 28 Hrs, balance 7L, also destroys LH pitching, would make for a good platoon player for the Expos at either first or third base.

https://365.strat-o-matic.com/player/842546/1680/1/80

Andy...

Are you sure about that Bando card?

Bando played on the A's in 1969.
https://onlinegames.strat-o-matic.com/p ... /1660/1/60

Andy...

Are you sure about that Bando card?

Bando played on the A's in 1969.
https://onlinegames.strat-o-matic.com/p ... /1660/1/60

Yes he’s OAK

Buddy Bell 1980 1984
Toby Harrah 1982
Graig Nettles 1977

Buddy Bell 1980 1984
Toby Harrah 1982
Graig Nettles 1977

1980 Buddy Bell, TEX, Bats-R, 3R Balance, 3b-1e11, SS-4e16
LH--0.8 2b, 0.4 3b, 2.5 HR, 8 BB 340/389/431, .819 OPS
RH--7.8 2b, 1.3 3b, 6.2 HR, 3 BB 402/419/671, 1.089 OPS

1984 Buddy Bell, TEX, Bats-R, 2L Balance, 3b-1e23
LH--5.8 2b, 3 3b, 2.6 HR, 16 BB 391/487/607, 1.094 OPS
RH--8.4 2b, 0.3 3b, 1 HR, 10 BB 348/415/471, .885 OPS

Current 1979 Bell, 4.02m, TEX, Bats-R, 1L Balance, 3b-1e17, SS-4e16
LH--3.2 2b, 0 3b, 6.8 HR, 6 BB 342/384/575, .959 OPS
RH--9.7, 2b, 0.6 3b, 2 HR, 0 BB 323/329/481, .810 OPS

Wouldn't mind a new Buddy Bell card, but it needs to be different than 1979. 1984 is a better OBP card, while I think I like the RH power of the 1980 card. (With his lack of speed, that OBP isn't going to play as well as it would for a speedier guy.) That 80 card might be used in a RH park for a cheaper 3b...…..





1982 Toby Harrah, CLE, Bats-R, 2L Balance, 3b-3e13, 2b-4e8, SS-4e28, Steal: *6/-(19-6), BULLETPROOF
LH--5 2b, 1 3b, 5.5 HR, 15 BB 403/508/667, 1.176 OPS
RH--3.4 2b, 0.2 3b, 5.6 HR, 16 BB 314/441/548, .988 OPS

Current 1977 Harrah, 5.92m, TEX, Bats-R, 1L Balance, 3b-3e16, SS-4e38, Steal: *4,6/- (19-12)
LH--3.9 2b, 1.5 3b, 5.3 HR, 27 BB 305/505/599, 1.104 OPS
RH--3.6 2b, 0.6 3b, 7.5 HR, 26 BB 249/457/599, 1.066 OPS

Positives: Bulletproof, will hit for a better average than 1977. However, 1977 provides more HR and BB than 82.




1977 Graig Nettles, NYY, Bats-L, 1R Balance, 3b-1e13
LH--5.7 2b, 0.5 3b, 6.6 HR, 10 BB 245/322/517, .839 OPS
RH--0.3 2b, 0.3 3b, 13 HR, 12 BB 248/339/668, 1.007 OPS

1976 Graig Nettles, NYY, Bats-L, 7R Balance, 3b-2e19, SS-4e48
LH--4.8 2b, 0 3b, 5.3 HR, 8 BB 110/193/319, .512 OPS
RH--5.8 2b, 0 3b, 12.2 HR, 12 BB 370/452/821, 1.273 OPS

Current 1978 Nettles, 5.90m, NYY, Bats-L, 5R Balance, 3b-1e11, SS-4e49
LH--2 2b, 0 3b, 4 HR, 8 BB 218/291/361, .652 OPS
RH--4.6 2b, 0.3 3b, 9.2 HR, 10 BB 357/428/697, 1.125 OPS

76 & 77 are slight improvements over 1978 in some ways. 76 is slightly better than 78 vs RHP, 77 is more balanced.