MLB Showdown -- SUPER LEAGUE (year one)

 So to those that follow me on twitter/discord, you know that I celebrated my birthday in the spring with a little "Showdown" battle between the Expos and Nationals at a random small town library, hiding from the hail on a solo hiking adventure:

Well, that quickly changed into me playing out a 31 team league --> 18 man rosters, teams with salary caps of 8000 or 8250 points, depending on how big or small market the team was, since I wanted to play with the best-of-the-best from the previous 20ish years... I made the teams out of players from the original set to the present, with a special little tweak allowing cards of players from before 1999 if they had a card in the original set (so the Royals could use Saberhagen, Yankees/A's used Rickey Henderson, etc.)... because of the massive amount of games I had to play, I didn't keep stats this time beyond the wins and losses, but it made the simulation much less of a chore (and much more of a reward at the end of a hard day on the road). I thought the "big market" squads may dominate because of the small salary cap advantage, but it turns out that at a certain level, the teams are just so incredible that it really just feels like a "who's getting the lucky rolls this time" match up (just like I drew it up ;)). 

Rather than just previewing it and forcing y'all to wait months and months on the simulation, I just jumped right into the games and now, I've got all the regular season results for you! Enjoy!!

1998 Set - AL Central

On to the AL Central next, and boy is this an overall poor division. Only one team over .500 with the Cleveland Indians destroying everyone and running away with it by 9 games. The Tigers, Twins, and Royals are all very sub-average teams with pieces that could be useful given a some talented people around them. A couple of notable cards in here is Jeff's favorite Doug Brocail, Carlos Beltran's late season call up (went on to win the AL RoY in 99), submariner Chad Bradford being amazing for the White Sox, and Farucci's boy Robin Ventura as a +6 third baseman (Luke would never draft him because infield defense is overrated).

1998 Set - AL West

Keeping things on the West Coast, we will move to the AL West (back when there were only four teams in it). A very top loaded division with the Rangers having an immense amount of talent and the bottom dwelling Oakland A's just a couple of seasons away from their Moneyball storyline. A couple of really fun cards in this division, especially given that there were some late season trades and call ups that produced some nice ones.

1998 Set - NL West

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.

NBA SHOWDOWN 2023 SET - LOTTERY TEAMS

 The last installment of the 2023 NBA Showdown set. The 10 unfortunate or fortunate teams depending on the goal, that did not make the play-in or playoffs and are in full Victor Wembanyama prayer circle form. The 7'5 French player is said to be the most anticipated player in the draft since LeBron James. Feel like we have heard this before but his size, and ability makes him so versatile and the perfect archetype to the new style on NBA player, length and skill. But enough about the future, let us focus on the present, and at the present these teams have a ton to improve upon if they want to climb the ladder and be in the playoffs and a threat to win a championship.

NBA SHOWDOWN 2023 SET - PLAYOFF TEAMS

 Part two of this three part release series. The top 6 teams in each conference that qualified for the playoffs outright. I will post the conferences in order of their top 6 teams. These teams sure are loaded compared to what we've seen so far. The best the league has to offer, including the 3 finalist for the NBA MVP award will all be included in this release. The playoffs are set to start tomorrow so what better way to celebrate then by watching the final play in games and writing this blog post. 

NBA SHOWDOWN 2023 SET -- Play-in Teams

 Here we are again, it's that time of year and the play in for the NBA Playoffs will begin tonight. So with that, comes the teams representing the play-in tournament. The overall NBA Set will be released in 3 separate parts, The Play In, The Playoffs, and the Lottery. So with the NBA Playoffs set to officially begin Saturday be on the lookout for the rest of the Playoff teams to be released by this weekend. What has showdown shown us with actual basketball and baseball? The best team doesn't always win, but some of these teams are going to be really good. 

NBA Showdown 30 for 30 -- Year 1 Regular Season Results + Playoff Preview!

This has been massively delayed due to my work schedule, but it's finally time for the NBA Showdown 30 for 30 season's results for YEAR ONE. Without further ado, let's get into the standings, stats, and a playoff preview!!

Could one of the most expensive players in the game, 2009 LeBron James,

carry his Cavaliers to an Eastern Conference playoff berth? Let's find out!

2022 Set -- Seattle Mariners

 FINALLY breaking their twenty year playoff drought, the Mariners were absolutely America's darlings this year, even if they fell sadly short in the ALDS. They've got an exciting superstar in AL rookie of the year Julio Rodriguez, whose combination of speed, power, defense and charisma in CF has everyone thinking of one former star...

He'll forever be "The Kid" to my generation

Now let's see the 2022 squad!

NBA Showdown 2023 Trade Deadline Set

 What a wild last week it was in the ever evolving drama that is the NBA season. From a Kyrie trade request to a final day of the deadline wake up surprise to Kevin Durant getting moved to the Phoenix suns, the NBA world was in a frenzy.