30 for 30 -- 101 simulated seasons (BIG POST, with full overview of simulation results)

 It took me over FOUR years to complete this simulations. As you (hopefully) recall, it started with 30 different managers drafting 30 different teams. The results of the draft can be found HERE for an explanation of the rules and the full First Round of the draft, and you can go HERE for a breakdown of the various teams as well as some voting from the respective managers on how they felt the teams stacked up.

In brief recap, the teams were made of players from 1991 thru 2021, as the draft was held prior to the 2022 season. Teams had a 9,000 pt salary cap, had to field 13 hitters and 12 pitchers, and could draft any eligible player as long as that player was not already drafted -- for example, when the Athletics selected 1996 Mark McGwire in Round 1, it meant that the Cardinals could not take 1998 Mark McGwire for their team. 

Thanks to the simulator created by Savard, we were able to plug in every team's 25 man rosters and simulate a full 162 game season... 101 different times!!! We did a series of posts that you can find under the blog's "30 for 30" tab on "Year 0," which ended with the Red Sox defeating the Diamondbacks in the World Series. 

In the remaining 100 years of simulations, 55 did not need a "Game 163" or tiebreaker. Those 56 seasons were successfully simulated by Savard, leading to fully computerized results for 56/101 seasons. The results of the 31 playoffs from years "1 through 50" can be found HERE. Unfortunately, Savard's laptop was destroyed and the simulator was lost between the completion of the 56
seasons and when the various tie breakers could be simulated. He was unable to recreate the simulator... and thus, the greatest MLB Showdown marathon of my life began - as I played out BY HAND a total of 45 different postseasons, meaning I played out 484 different series, not counting various play-in games and tie-breakers for division titles. Overall, I expect I played nearly 2,000 games over the last 4 years to get this done... it has been a grind that I am very pleased to cap off now -- first with this post that gives a broad overview, and then subsequent posts on a team-by-team basis to properly memorialize the highs and lows, as well as team building lessons, from each of the franchises. 

SEC Showdown League -- Draft Results and Preview

 Happy holidays everyone! Just in time for Christmas, we have a new MLB Showdown league to share with everyone: the SEC Showdown league! Now, the league is not a simple "each teams alumni facing off" or making cards from current SEC players. Instead, we had some fun with players from 2000 to the present, "recruiting" (aka drafting) '01 style cards to SEC schools. Since we are playing as colleges, we didn't have a salary cap; instead, we limited the total OB that could be on a team's lineup and control in a team's rotation and bullpen. Needless to say: it's going to be an All Star league!!

That said - of course I picked player pictures from the college years if a team selected an alumnus!

We've got a 162 game schedule cooked up to play out this 16 team league, much like the 30 for 30 leagues of the past! So now, let's take a look at how the draft played out!

2011 Set - Baltimore Orioles

Remember the 2011 Mets set? (If not, look it up on the blog.) They have a bunch of high-OB, low-power bats. The Orioles are the exact opposite. Only one card is 9 OB; the rest are 7’s with power. Most Showdown players I know prefer higher On Base, but there are draftable cards in this lineup. 

Matt Wieters, for example, is a lock to be picked due to his C+12 defense. J.J. Hardy may get picked up by someone who values infield for a similar reason. Matt Reynolds doesn’t have the defense going for him, but he’s a 7 OB, B-Speed, 15-20 homer card for just 240.

2011 Set - Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays roster will give you whiplash. Jose Bautista may be the best position player in the set. (He’s tied with Mike Napoli for most points with 580.) Ricky Romero is a 520-point, tier-3, no-doubles, 7 IP ace. 

They also have 7 cards worth less than 100 points, including a starter and two closers.

2011 Set - Boston Red Sox

This might be the best squad in the 2011 set. They come in a close second in points to the Rangers overall, but have the top offense. 

The lineup features several draftable cards, from the big names like Jacoby Ellsbury, David Ortiz, and Adrian Gonzalez, to value, above-average bats including Josh Reddick and The Greek God of Walks, Kevin Youkilis. (Yes, he has an alt-foil, but he isn’t the only Red Sox player with one…) 

2011 Set - Tampa Bay Rays

As a small market, low budget team, the Rays don’t really have one big superstar. The closest they get is ace James Shields, a 520-point, tier-3 starter with no double who can pitch 8 innings. He’s the only 8 IP starter in the set. After that, there’s just a variety of cards that make positive contributions.

Ben Zobrist is a versatile, fast player with a nice chart and plus defense at 2B. Evan Longoria is one of just two 3B+4s in the set, and he hits for power. Casey Kotchman is a value 9 OB bat. Sam Fuld is Speed A and a plus defender in all three outfield positions. And Desmond Jennings is a versatile, speedy, 9 OB addition to the team via the Pennant Run. 

2011 Set - New York Yankees

Now this is a good lineup. I expected the pitching to be better – especially the rotation – but none of it is bad, and the lineup offers few breaks for opposing pitchers.

Leading the way is the monster power-hitting, A Speed, center fielder Curtis Granderson. The only thing you don’t like there is his low defense. A-Rod is past his prime, but he’s still a good hitter and defender. I love Derek Jeter as a cheap 9 OB, A Speed shortstop, if you don’t care about infield defense. (Shadows of former teammate Chuck Knoblauch’s OG Showdown cards?)

2011 Set - Minnesota Twins

Minnesota has arguably a worse 2011 team set than the Houston Astros. (They total 80 fewer points despite having one more card.) They have better pitching, but since Houston’s season was more affected by their trade deadline firesale than Minnesota, the Twins lack some of the base set batters that helps the Astros avoid being a complete dumpster fire of a team set.

Starter Scott Baker earned the foil, but it was a tough decision whom to make a foil here.

2011 Set - Kansas City Royals

The Royals lineup has a few Showdown friendly cards. Alex Gordon is an early pick, in my opinion, being one of the few LF/RF cards with +2 defense. He’s also a 9 OB, Speed A bat with a solid chart – the type of card you could bat 1, 2, or 3. Billy Butler is another reasonably priced high OB bat with some power. If you’re more inclined toward low OB cards with big charts, check out Jeff Francouer and his 5 doubles starting at 12. Finally, Pennant rookie foil Salvador Perez is a solid catcher bat.

The pitching is not good, aside from a few draftable bullpen arms. All the starters are 2 or 3 Control, and none above a tier-4. Maybe Danny Duffy or Kyle Davies is your 4th starter if you want to rely heavily on bullpen days when it’s his turn to pitch.

2011 Set - Chicago White Sox

The White Sox have plenty of holes, but they also have a few interesting cards. Far from their 2005 World Series glory, but nothing like the 2024 trainwreck of a team.

Paul Konerko is an affordable, solid bat, but when mixed in with Todd Helton, Carlos Pena, Aramis Ramirez, Jim Thome, and Travis Hafner, I wonder if he gets lost in the crowd. Brent Lillibridge is a versatile A Speed card with lots of power and only 2 chart outs, but is he still too expensive at 350 points?

Value-wise, the star of the show is Juan Pierre.

2011 Set - Cleveland Indians

Cleveland Indians fans are well represented in the Showdown revival community, so I hope the wait is worth it for this Cleveland team. They finished 2nd in the AL Central in 2011, just under .500 with 80 wins. This team is full of average players. The highest point starter is 420 points. The highest point position player is 300 points. That said, there is value to be found, for sure.

I like Shin-Soo Choo at 200 points for an 8 OB, A Speed, with a homer on his chart. Travis Hafner is an affordable 9 OB that can hit. Will anyone pick up Mitch Talbot to be their 4th starter? He’s a 3 Control, 5 IP, tier-6 starter for 10 points. 

2011 Set - Detroit Tigers

We’ve finally reached my favorite team, my hometown Detroit Tigers. A year before their 2012 World Series appearance, this team was strong, with AL MVP, Cy Young and Triple Crown winner Justin Verlander leading the pack. He’s the highest point card in the set, as well as a great looking card featuring a throwback uni.

The second best card on the team would be many team’s best: Miguel Cabrera with 11 OB. (There’s still another 11 OB to come.) He’s not a walk-heavy, C-speed card either; it’s a good chart that feels like a deal at 550 points. Miggy gets an alt-foil as well. 

2011 Set - Seattle Mariners

The lineup is bad, but the pitching is good, especially the rotation.

Am I talking about the Seattle Mariners? Yup. 2024 season? Actually, no. The 2011 Mariners had this description in common with this past season’s team.

Doug Fister was only the third best starter in this rotation, and he was traded to Detroit at the deadline. (Pennant Run card with the Tigers incoming!) “King” Felix Hernadez leads the rotation in points. Don’t miss his “alt-foil” card.

2011 Set - Oakland Athletics

The Oakland A’s always look so cool on the green cards. No other teams look quite like them. Some of the best looking cards in the set are from the A’s due to the color, not my cutout work.

The team itself is not great, though there are some fun, draftable cards. The pitching is definitely the strength here, with 4 starters for 400+ points, headed by ace Brandon McCarthy, and 3 relievers for 200+ points. I like Jemile Weeks and Chad Willingham on the offensive side, but there isn’t much else to speak of. (Anyone drafting Daric Barton

2011 Set - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels biggest strength is their rotation. They have two foils, but could have gotten three. Their bullpen is strong too, all ranging from 180-300 points. The lineup is much weaker, but with a few bright-ish spots. OG Showdown star Bobby Abreu is still a decent (and affordable) leadoff hitter here. Howie Kendrick brings great 2B defense and a powerful chart. Mark Trumbo brings the low OB pop. Overall not great, but reinforcements are coming…

The Rangers and Giants may have gained more overall with their Pennant Run additions in 2011, but the Angels have a September call-up who won ROTY the following season. In my opinion, no single player improves a team from base set to Pennant Run like rookie foil Mike Trout.

2011 Set - Texas Rangers

With the NL complete, let’s move onto the AL with the team that battled the Cardinals to Game 7 of the World Series. The Texas Rangers have some monster bats.

Mike Napoli is tied for the best bat in the set at 580 points. He’s the only 10 OB with homers starting at 17 on his chart. His lack of defense is the only thing keeping him from being the obvious first pick at catcher (Buster Posey may go ahead of him), but in an offense-light set, he’s a first-, maybe second-, rounder for sure.

2011 Set - Florida Marlins

In their last season as the Florida Marlins, before their move to downtown Miami to become the Miami Marlins, the team finished in last place in the NL East. That doesn’t mean there aren’t draftable Marlins in 2011 though.

Giancarlo Stanton is the standout here – a power bat that isn’t too pricey – and the multicolor foil with teal and orange looks sweet. I look at Emilio Bonifacio though, when I’m thinking of value here.

2011 Set - New York Mets

Billy Beane would rave about this lineup... Why? Because they get on base. The Mets have lots of 8 and 9 OB cards for low points because they have little to no power. (Dave Magadan fans, look no further!) Several come with good versatility too.

Overall, this team is average, at best, but it comes with lots of draftable players. Does Carlos Beltran’s base set card go first in a draft, or his Pennant Run card with the Giants? Jose Reyes’ only weakness is a lack of defense at SS. The cutout is sweet too. As is rookie foil Justin Turner’s.

2011 Set - Washington Nationals

NL East third-place-finishers the Washington Nationals finished with an average record, and their Showdown roster seems the definition of average. Some value cards and some good cards are here, but nothing exceptional with a still-solid collection of cards.

OG (01) Showdown set pitcher Rick Ankiel is here, this time as an outfielder. Jayson Werth is a nice value with On Base 8, A Speed, and plus defense in CF. Rookie foil Wilson Ramos is a great defender and a solid bat for a good price. Mr. National Ryan Zimmerman is a solid 3B for a decent point total too.

2011 Set - Atlanta Braves

The Phillies may feature the top rotation in the 2011 set, but the Braves have the highest point pitching staff overall. Cristhian Martinez is a tier-2, IP 2 reliever who makes up a good portion of that point total. Multi-inning relievers tend not to be popular with Showdown players in my experience, but Martinez might be good enough to be utilized as an opener.

Some OG Showdown set studs make a reappearance here. Tim Hudson is one of the best starters in the set. Chipper Jones is no longer a top-end card, but he’s playable. Alex Gonzalez is back too. Derek Lowe