Challenge - For Sale By Owner

 

For Sale By Owner

Hello boys, I'm back! My last challenge may have been almost three years ago, and it's probably an accident that I still have permission to post here, but it's looking to be a long offseason, which means its a perfect time for a new challenge.

 

Y'all have been busy since I've been gone, with showdown bots and an exploding discord, so I thought I'd poke around and see about a new challenge. For this one I made a custom card with that lovely bot, with hilariously fun consequences as seen below!

 

 

Here's Chris Sale, a man whose career has been defined by two tenures, one with the White Sox and one with the Red Sox. Should Sale ever make the Hall, he'll go in with the Sox! In my first challenge in almost 3 years, we're going to face off against career Chris Sale.

2000 MLB Team and Bot Challenge

I haven't posted a challenge in a while so trying to get back to where the game started, the 2000 set. So many fun cards to play with, and want to give them some love with the 01 style being the dominant view lately. In this challenge, I am going to go first come, first serve, with people posting on Discord followed by on the blog here. If you're not on the Discord yet, message Jeff Mather in the Facebook group for the plug.

The rules are this:

-Each competitor gets to select one team from the 2000 set. With their team, they can only use cards from that specific team (if you select the A's, you can only use A's cards from both the base set and pennant run set). Every team is allowed to be picked one time, so again, it is a first come, first serve, basis on claiming a roster.

-With your roster, you must create a three-man rotation, carry four relievers, and field a full lineup including DH (sorry, for this I am not playing NL rules). As some teams have a limited number of relief pitchers available, teams can choose to carry one starter as a reliever. They are capped at -4 IP off of their chart instead of the full amount. Rosters will be 16 players total. If you choose to play someone out of position in the field, house rule penalties will apply.

-Thanks to Matt Gula and the Bot (showdownbot.com), we are adding a twist to incorporate and promote card creation. Teams may choose to upgrade or add 1 batter, 1 starter, and 1 reliever (three cards total). All Lokis (variants) of a card are welcome, so find the version of the card and player that you want to use and go with that. To qualify for a card, the player must have had either at least 100 at-bats or 25 innings pitched during the 1999 season. The player must have also appeared in a game on that team during the 1999 season. For players that do meet the qualifications, you are allowed to use any year that player played for the team (again, in that season they must meet those qualifications listed above). Two examples would be you could choose to upgrade Darin Erstad if running the Angels or Jeff Kent if managing the Giants to better years (to create better cards). Obviously this promotes finding super seasons, stellar play, one-off seasons, and impactful rookies/trades, so have fun diving into baseball history.

Darin Erstad regular 2000 card.

Darin Erstad 2000 season card using stat version #3 on the bot.

-To fully claim your roster and franchise, you must submit the entire lineup with what cards you will be using, as well as your created cards (which must be shared as well). As I do not have time to create all of these cards, when you submit your roster, you must submit the three pictures/cards that you wish to use from the Bot. The team is not yours until this is submitted and once it is sent it, your team is locked in (no swapping out later if you find a better version).

Games will be played with my house rules. Everyone has little wrinkles and twists for fielding, mistake pitches, and whatever else it may be. If you have a specific question, feel free to ask (I try to answer but sometimes I do not get to everyone). All games will be played out by myself or playing someone on TTS. If you are not on TTS and would like more information, hit Jeff up.

I will take submissions open through August 22nd, at which point I will create a schedule and play the season out.

Good luck to all who participate!

6 On-Base/2 Control Challenge

Time to show some love for the poor man Showdown cards. You know, the ones you were always mad about in your booster and draft packs (still no idea what John Valentin 00 brings to the table). Everyone typically builds their teams around high ob/control guys, maybe throwing in one low guy here or there to save some money on points. For this challenge, you must construct your entire roster with lower end guys. A true chance for them to sine!

2000 Commons Challenge - Regular Season Recap and Postseason Preview

And thus the regular season has come to an end. Took two months to complete with every team playing 44 games. Had a good time and now for a recap of the regular season:

2000 Commons Challenge - Pre-Season Post

Wow, we have a lot of turnout for this one. Thanks to everyone participating. 12 teams all competing for the coveted spot of winning it all (sorry, no prize for the winner). Very interesting to see how some teams build their rosters, which players made the cut, which ones did not, etc. 50 players appeared on rosters more than one time. GitRekt and What Smells have the second least amount of unique players, with both only carrying two guys a piece that appear on only their rosters. The ultimate winner for least amount of unique players is Tyrannosaurus Rexes with Whisenant on the lonely island (some love as the cover boy). Island of Misfit Bats was a lineup made exclusively on players not a part of any other rosters.

2000 Commons Challenge

 Thanks to Japes for this idea.

 

Here is the quick rundown of the challenge: you must construct the best 20 man roster using only common cards (no foils and no misprints – sorry no 10 ob Andruw Jones).

 

Oakland A’s Moneyball Challenge Series – World Series (Challenge #4)

 In this challenge, you get to take control of the Oakland A’s. Everyone knows Billy Beane as the moneyball man, and this is the chance to rewrite history and win the championship that has alluded the franchise for years. This challenge will consist of four parts, each one relying on the decisions and outcomes of the previous. The challenges are:

1 – Trade Deadline

2 – ALDS

3 – ALCS

4 – World Series

 

Here we go, welcome to the World Series Billy. The thing all 30 teams covet is within reaching distance now. You made the trades to get your squad into this position. Can they finally seal the deal and prove to ownership it’s about time to move out of the Oakland Coliseum?

2001 Challenge

Following the fun of the most recent challenge from Win Dance Repeat, it made a few of us think about how much we enjoyed the trading aspect, and then using your new built team to try to make a run with the A's in the playoffs. Peter and I went back and forth about it, before coming up with a fun challenge to test multiple GMs abilities in perfecting a roster. So with that in mind here is my 2001 challenge to those that are brave enough to sign up. Now most of the spots are filled, but there is still one team looking for a GM.
             

Oakland A’s Moneyball Challenge Series – ALCS (Challenge #3)

In this challenge, you get to take control of the Oakland A’s. Everyone knows Billy Beane as the moneyball man, and this is the chance to rewrite history and win the championship that has alluded the franchise for years. This challenge will consist of four parts, each one relying on the decisions and outcomes of the previous. The challenges are:

1 – Trade Deadline

2 – ALDS

3 – ALCS

4 – World Series

Oakland A’s Moneyball Challenge Series – ALDS (Challenge #2)

In this challenge, you get to take control of the Oakland A’s. Everyone knows Billy Beane as the moneyball man, and this is the chance to rewrite history and win the championship that has alluded the franchise for years. This challenge will consist of four parts, each one relying on the decisions and outcomes of the previous. The challenges are:

1 – Trade Deadline

2 – ALDS

3 – ALCS

4 – World Series

2000 Oakland A’s Moneyball Challenge Series – Trade Deadline (Challenge #1)

In this challenge, you get to take control of the Oakland A’s. Everyone knows Billy Beane as the moneyball man, and this is the chance to rewrite history and win the championship that has alluded the franchise for years. This challenge will consist of four parts, each one relying on the decisions and outcomes of the previous. The challenges are:

1 – Trade Deadline

2 – ALDS

3 – ALCS

4 – World Series

2000 Super Bash Brothers - Foil Edition

We all know how much homers dominated the late 90’s post-strike. Guys were killing the ball left and right.

In this challenge, you want to allow the most home runs. Not to be confused with runs, you want to give up the most dingers as possible.

Veterans’ Challenge Series - Game of Games (Challenge #4)

In a tribute to these heroes, I present Part 4 of the Veterans’ Challenge Series. The series consists of four parts, and ideally you advance to take on the next challenge. Consider it your time in the service. Challenges will stretch from Memorial Day to the 76^th anniversary of the “Day of Days (June 6^th, D-Day).”

In a tribute to D-Day (the “Day of Days”), this is the fourth and final challenge for your military service. This is where all of the hard work comes to a head and you are tested to the fullest. The Veterans are coming at you with everything they have, fielding a fully loaded squad for the last stand.

Veterans’ Challenge Series - In-Field Simulation (Challenge #3)

In a tribute to these heroes, I present Part 3 of the Veterans’ Challenge Series. The series consists of four parts, and ideally you advance to take on the next challenge. Consider it your time in the service. Challenges will stretch from Memorial Day to the 76^th anniversary of the “Day of Days (June 6^th, D-Day).”

Veterans’ Challenge Series - Training Camp (Challenge #2)

Training Camp (Challenge #2)

In a tribute to these heroes, I present Part 2 of the Veterans’ Challenge Series. The series consists of four parts, and ideally you advance to take on the next challenge. Consider it your time in the service. Challenges will stretch from Memorial Day to the 76^th anniversary of the “Day of Days (June 6^th, D-Day).”

Veterans’ Challenge Series - Boot Camp (Challenge #1)

In a tribute to these heroes, I present Part 1 of the Veterans’ Challenge Series. The series consists of four parts, and you must advance to take on the next challenge. Consider it your time in the service. Challenges will stretch from Memorial Day to the 76^th anniversary of the “Day of Days (June 6^th, D-Day).”

 

Hall of Fame Veterans

9 years ago, I was lucky enough to be at Arlington on Memorial Day. It’s a day I will never forget the rest of my life. Walking around and paying tribute to our heroes on that day is unlike anything I have done. It doesn’t matter what your political views are, we can all take some time to appreciate those who have served our country. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the luxuries in our life like this game we have all gathered on.

Pictured here is one of our fallen I visited on that day. He is a hero back in our hometown, being one of the first casualties in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

2000 Foil Challenge - Who's Your Daddy

Since we have so many people talking foils recently (whether deserving/undeserving, overpriced on ebay, etc.) I have decided to come up with a unique and simple challenge: construct the best foil only batting line up from the 2000 deck. Sounds easy right? Let’s see how you will be judged:

Showdown Challenge #7: Tiger King

Matt here coming at you with a Showdown Challenge. I figured during these times of quarantine we need more challenges and things to occupy our time. With some of my time, I have been rolling through Netflix shows and movies like crazy, and that brings us to the challenge that I came up with today while at work, Introducing MLB Showdown Challenge: Tiger King

Showdown Challenge #6: Good King Cole

Good King Cole

Over this now depressingly long offseason, Gerrit Cole signed a $324 million dollar contract, giving him the largest contract ever for a starting pitcher. Long contracts don't always play out, but Cole is among the best of the best and has proven surprisingly durable. Now, as the Coronavirus is the only player causing triple digit heat, Cole and the rest of the league have been sidelined. Luckily for us, Showdown and social distancing work pretty well, especially for one player challenges. So, without further adieu, here is the first challenge of 2020, Good King Cole!

 

Cole may only be able to pitch 6 innings, and that will hurt this card's chances to be among the greatest of all time, but for purposes of the 2019 set, 6 is the new 7. Many fine pitchers also struggled to keep homers off their charts, so this one is looking pretty good. Just how good, however, remains to be seen.