It's been a while but as I was looking around the website and discord, thought we could use some fresh content. I finished this set a while ago but never got to posting the last four divisions, so here we go over the next couple of days/weeks.
To wrap up the NL, here comes the West.
San Diego Padres - 98-64 - 1st
San Diego had an incredible year making a trip to the World Series before falling to the Yankees. This team is loaded with talent, so it's easy to see how they were great. Plenty of valuable and playable cards to build a team around in league play. Greg Vaughn is an absolute beast (easily Luke's favorite player in this set I'm guessing). Veras is my kind of player (gets on base for cheap and speed). Leyritz is one of the best catchers in the entire set. And as always, Mr. Reliable/Mr. Padre - Tony Gwynn.
For the Padres' arms, they have some solid pieces. Kevin Brown was a beast, coming off of winning a title for the Marlins. And Trevor Hoffman is a force to be reckoned at the end of games.
San Francisco Giants - 89-74 - 2nd
San Francisco had a good year that ended in a one game playoff loss to the Cubs for the Wild Card. Barry Bonds has an incredible card and often gets overlooked by so many other great storylines in the 98 season. Future Red Sox Billy Mueller established himself as a solid piece during this season. Javier and Benard are great options for leadoff hitters in constructed play.
Pitching wise the Giants had Danny Darwin end his 21 year career with the team. Another stud closer in the West with Robb Nen being in control in late game situations.
Los Angeles Dodgers - 83-79 - 3rd
The Dodgers have a very average team with very deep starting pitching. As Bosh reminds us on discord, the Dodgers also roster the "Baddest MFer" in the game with Sheffield, who boasts one of the best cards in the set with speed and high ob (definitely a WDR player here). Adrian Beltre's rookie card is also featured on this squad (reminds me a little of Pujols in the 01 set). And who can forget Bobby Bonilla (I know Gula's Mets don't)?
Some really good pitching options here for the Dodgers. 3 4-16's and a 5-16 Ramon Martinez would definitely attract a lot of people in constructed play.
Colorado Rockies - 77-85 - 4th
Bob's favorite NL team with their typical reliable pieces. The Rockies hosted the All-Star game in 98 and have some big mashers on their roster. Todd Helton provides another version of an extremely valuable card, Vinny Castillo might be the best third baseman in the set, and Larry Walker has an argument to be named the best overall card in the set with speed and pop as an 11 ob. Personally, I love the Hamilton card as a 400 point 10 ob that puts the ball in play. I would run this guy all day at the top of my lineup. And punt card Goodwin.
Pitching wise, not a whole lot to like here unfortunately.
Arizona Diamondbacks - 65-97 - 5th
Rounding out the NL are the Diamondbacks. Not a lot of power in this lineup but they have some very nice constructed play pieces that could be extremely valuable. Definitely like a couple of these guys if playing with only 8 ob's and below (Devon White and Stinnett are solid in the right lineups). And don't miss the amazing chart on 5 ob and OG Showdown legend Karim Garcia (12-16 triple range).
Pitchers are again nothing to write home about but Olson and Benes provide some serviceable options and they have some fun pieces with two 4-16 relievers.
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