Surprise! Posting this a few days early because I won't be available to post on May 1. Also, there's plenty to celebrate, like it being the weekend, it being the week of Vlad Jr's debut, and, best of all, it's gonna be May! (Sorry, had to). Without further ado, here is #4.
Much has already been written about Bob Gibson's incredible 1968 season. The 1968 season in general was so pitcher-heavy that MLB lowered the mound. We don't have a mechanic for that in Showdown, but we do get to simulate scenarios that otherwise may only take place in Kevin Costner's head. If you make it (it being the 1968 Bob Gibson card, pictured below), they will come. And so, in this challenge you are tasked with building a lineup to face the best Showdown pitcher's card we have, 1968 Bob Gibson.
He pitches full games without tiring. He has the advantage of a taller mound. And his stuff is legend. Control 6, on at 18. But when you're done, maybe the Showdown commissioners will be convinced to raise the mound.
The Challenge
Construct a lineup of all-stars to face off against the best. As usual, you must adhere to the rules. The rules are final. Like your report cards. Or death. Too morbid? Yeah, too morbid. Anyway, forget scoring, your job is to make a team that will hit for the cycle against him. Think carefully about who you draft, because you'll need triples, but also enough power to get the job done.- You must select 9 cards from the 2000-01 vintage, or any customs from this blog. Feel free to further limit yourself (certain team, blue cards, 2001 only, et cetera).
- Your lineup must fill every position, plus any DH as long as said DH complies with the rules of the challenge.
- You may only have up to three players from any given year, and cannot use the same player twice.
- You may use expert gameplay rules. Your lineup's defense is Gibson's defense.
- Track your stats
- To be eligible for bragging rights, you must post your lineup, whether your team hit for the cycle, and the circumstances. Posting Gibson's stats is encouraged.
- Expect to get feedback and push back on your lineup. Take it like Rhys Hoskins took a fastball directed at his face.
Just to double check, no point rule?
ReplyDeleteNo point rule. Person whose team hits for the cycle the earliest wins. The idea is to get you to draft some guys who will hit triples.
DeleteThis shouldn't be too hard. I went through the spreadsheet looking for high OB guys with good triple lines. We want as many batters to come up as possible. Singles are a given, and there's a double on Gibson's card. Triples are the real bottleneck, but we don't want to ignore HR either.
ReplyDeleteMy lineup is going to be:
11 Reyes ss, 17 Blackmon cf, 27 Ruth rf,
01 Bonds dh, 73 Rose lf, 49 Robinson 2b, 80 Brett 3b
16 Rizzo 1b, 11 Napoli c
Was worried about the year rule, but there are only 9 players and a lot of years. If you replace Reyes for Yount, we have 9 different years.
Almost cut Rizzo for another outfielder, but that probably violates rule #2 (though it is in the rulebook).
I'll also elect to use basic rules instead of expert, because runs don't really matter, and GDP cost outs.
Stay tuned for results. This lineup should get a cycle about once every three games.
My lineup:
ReplyDeleteLF 1993 Barry Bonds
DH 1969 Hank Aaron
1B 2008 Albert Pujols
2B 1949 Jackie Robinson
SS 1959 Ernie Banks
RF 1989 Bo Jackson
3B 1986 Mike Schmidt
C 2017 JT Realmuto
CF 2018 Whit Merrifield
First try started good with Jackie Robinson getting a triple in the 2nd inning and Whit Merrifield having two singles in the 3rd and 5th inning but nothing happened after that. I was missing a double and a home run.
ReplyDeleteBob Gibson's pitching line: 9.0 IP, 3 H, 8 K, 2 BB, .111 AVG, 1.00 ERA
I'll go for a 2nd try...
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ReplyDeleteI finally got 1968 Bob Gibson with the cycle in the second game. Didn't have a hit until the 4th inning but in that inning Barry Bonds and Albert Pujols singled, Jackie Robinson doubled and Ernie Banks hit a home run. Bo Jackson then completed the cycle by trippleing in the 7th inning.
ReplyDeleteIn total I hit two singles, three doubles, one triple and one home run off Bob Gibson.
Bob Gibson 9.0 IP, 7 H, 11 K, 3 BB, .259 AVG, 5.00 ERA