Lineup: The Padres have some stellar on-base 8 guys to lead things off. Notably, the lineup does not feature a single OB 10 hitter, which is going to scare a lot of Showdown managers. However, Veres is a solid leadoff guy (and very similar to his original Showdown card). Next up is all-time great and Padres legend Tony Gwynn, who's got a chart with lots of extra base potential! Despite being an OB8, I actually like this card more than the original card. Following him is a card I think every manager will be fascinated by for 510 points -- amazing Greg Vaughn! He's basically Sammy Sosa from the original set, but with speed A and a walk at 3! This is a guy I think we can all get behind. Unfortunately, this isn't MVP Ken Caminiti, but he's solid. From there, it's a lot of solid guys, although I would move Jim Leyritz way up in this lineup (he'd be hitting cleanup for me). Overall, it's a decent but not extremely intimidating lineup, especially from the steroid era. Personally, I'm excited to create a Padres squad that mixes these cards with the original Showdown 00 cards (especially with Ryan Klesko, Reggie Sanders, and Phil Nevin)!!
Rotation: It's a really shame that Kevin Brown left San Diego, as he put up Cy Young worthy stats in 1998. Brown put up an 8.6 WAR in 1998, far exceeding Greg Maddux's 6.6 and Cy Young Winner Tom Glavine's 6.1 WAR. Oddly enough, he finished third... with teammate Trevor Hoffman finishing second! He's a Tier 2 that doesn't give up doubles, and brings a complete foundational piece to the rotation. However, Andy Ashby brings a second ace to bear. Although some will be wary of a Control 3, his 1-18 out is extremely tempting and let's him shut down lineups on a hot rolling day! Sterling Hitchcock is basically his original card, although unfortunately surrenders a HR in 1998. Joey Hamilton is a solid #4 starter. Overall, it's a top-heavy rotation that'll probably lean on its bullpen later in the rotation.
Bullpen: The bullpen is led by 1998's NL Cy Young runner-up: Trevor Hoffman! The current hall of famer was shutting guys down in all his glory in 1998, putting together this incredible card! His best support is the stellar Donnie Wall, who's great value and provides a lot of much needed IP to this bullpen to support the #3 and 4 starters. Miceli is solid (and a starter for the Tigers the next season!), and Boehringer is bad. Overall, not a spectacular bullpen, but you don't want to be trailing them late in the game as Hoffman comes to the mound!
Overall: This is a fun, albeit unspectacular team! It's just cool having a solid Padres squad to play with and I'm a big fan of mixing/matching them with the OG Padres cards (which were surprisingly stellar). However, I cannot say I'm surprised they got destroyed by the Yankees in the 1998 WS, although I'm sad Greg Vaughn and Kevin Brown were gone from the team so quickly. Below, I've got non-pinstripe versions of the stud players for the Showdown purists out there!
100% agree with your analysis as "a fun, albeit unspectacular team". Some card that would absolutely be a ton of fun to use. Hoffman obviously an absolute stud, love how the top of the lineup is all on base at 3-Tony must've rubbed off on them! Bummed none of them have higher OB as it does limit their effectiveness in my books, but damn that Vaughn card would be a blast. Great looking cards, hoping to have my short stop comparison out by the end of the week!
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