MLB Showdown 2002 - Top 10 Foil Cards
MLB Showdown 2002 - Top 10 Foil Cards
The saga continues...
Well, I decided to go on and continue ranking MLB Showdown cards because why not? The 2002 edition of the game was interesting as the game makers decided to add in Super Season & All-Star Game Edition cards. Not to mention, you saw the ON-BASE category top out at (15), which was new compared to top ON-BASE (11) in the 2001 version of the game. This was a major change but had its pros and cons. Another term you will see I use in this article is “the perfect lineup”, bear with me while I quickly explain.
The 2002-2005 Showdown cards were all compatible in terms of gameplay compared to the cards from the 2000 & 2001 versions of the game. 2002-2005 the cards simply became too stacked to incorporate in play with the cards of 2000 & 2001 (also compatible). So after 2005, when the makers of the “Wizards of the Coast” decided to stop making the game, Showdown enthusiasts could simply look across the years and identify what cards were the best for their position, hence creating “the perfect lineup”. That being said…here we go (que Heath Ledger Joker voice)
Barry Bonds - Mr. Bonds finds himself atop my list once again. How could I not? This is Barry Bonds we are talking about. In the early 2000’s Bonds was simply the most feared hitter in the league, no questions asked. Batted cleanup in the perfect lineup.
Stats
ON-BASE: 14
HIT: 17-20 HR
FIELD: LF/RF +0
SPEED: B(14)
OUT: 1-5
POINTS: 860
Ken Griffey Jr. (Super Season) - Batted 7th in the perfect lineup. Griffey Jr. the Super Season edition, was easily one of my favorite cards. Not only was he a stud, but this was “the Kid” in his 97’ while in Seattle. Was the MVP, AL HR Leader, and a Silver Slugger.
Stats
ON-BASE: 13
HIT: 17-20 HR
FIELD: CF +4
SPEED: B(15)
OUT: 1-7
POINTS: 540
Larry Walker (Super Season) - Leadoff hitter in the perfect lineup. Walker was an absolute freak of nature on the 2002 Super Season card which was tied to his 1997 campaign. NL MVP, Gold Glove Winner & a Silver Slugger. Top off his arsenal with that speed and ON-BASE (14). My goodness, what a card.
Stats
ON-BASE: 14
HIT: 18-20
FIELD: LF/RF +3
SPEED: A (18)
OUT: 1-7
POINTS: 730
Frank Thomas (Super Season) - Seriously? (15) ON-BASE? This is absurd, but so was The Big Hurt in 1994. The Frank Thomas’ 2002 Super Season edition card was a monster who led the AL in SLG% in 94’. Displaying his ability at its greatest height in 94’, Thomas also earned the AL MVP Award & All-Star accolades to his resume. Sure enough, this landed him at the 3-spot in the perfect lineup.
Stats
ON-BASE: 15
HIT: 18-20
FIELD: 1B +1
SPEED: C (12)
OUT: 1-7
POINTS: 810
Sammy Sosa - Maybe one of the most underrated cards in the entire Showdown series. The reason I say this is that the Sosa 2002 Super Season card was always one of the last cards considered for “The Perfect Lineup”. The problem was the 2002 Bonds, Walker (Super Season) & Griffey (Super Season) cards made up the outfield so there was no need for Sosa. Still an absolute beast of a card which highlighted his 1998 season where he won the NL MVP Award, led the National League in RBIs, and was a Silver Slugger…not bad.
Stats
ON-BASE: 13
HIT: 17-20
FIELD: LF/RF +1
SPEED: B(15)
OUT: 1-7
POINTS: 610
Jason Giambi - Similar to the 2001 card, we see an exceptional ON-BASE (14). Giambi was just different in the early 2000s and was a menace to opposing pitchers. Do I put a bias on Giambi because he is a lefty like myself…maybe. All in all he lit up pitchers across the league and was a fantastic option to go with at first base in your lineup.
Stats
ON-BASE: 14
HIT: 19-20
FIELD: 1B +0
SPEED: C(12)
OUT: 1-6
POINTS: 530
Mariano Rivera - Enter Sandman. Rivera was viewed as the best closer in the league at this point if not a top-3 option. We can argue schematics all day, but the moral of the story is he was an elite closer and one of the most dominant cards in the game. Enough said.
Stats
CONTROL: 5
IP: 1
OUT: 1-18
POINTS: 300
Luis Gonzalez - Coming off a World Series winning campaign where he dethroned my Yankees this was one of the most respected cards in the game. The Gonzalez card incorporated an above average ON-BASE with an exceptional hit tool. Not to mention he had some speed and could hit a double rolling a 15.
Stats
ON-BASE: 12
HIT: 17-20 HR
FIELD: LF/RF +1
SPEED: B(14)
OUT: 1-5
POINTS: 600
Albert Pujols - Might as well call this one the coming out party. Following his 2021 season, this was the first year Abert “I am not a machine” Pujols was a foil card in MLB Showdown. Pujols then continued to impress all the way through 2010 with one of the greatest runs we have ever seen for a Major Leaguer.
Stats
ON-BASE: 12
HIT: 19-20
FIELD: LF/RF +1
SPEED: C(12)
OUT: 1-6
POINTS: 410
Lance Berkman - In 2001 & 2002, Berkman had back to back top-5 MVP finishes. He was absolutely mashing the ball those days and his bat was feared across the MLB. Exceptional ON-BASE, speed and hitting tool while not compromising your defense. Easy top-10 card in 2002.
Stats
ON-BASE: 13
HIT: 19-20
FIELD: LF/RF +1
SPEED: B(14)
OUT: 1-6
POINTS: 520
Honorable Mention:
Scott Rolen - (12) ON-BASE at the hot corner with Philly, was always reliable
Ichiro - back to back honorable mentions for the Seattle outfielder…Ichiro was a stud back in the day
Bret Boone - very solid 2B that owned a (12) ON-BASE…underrated
PS: The Super Season cards were unreal, almost unfair to a point, but here are a few more that deserve some love
Roger Clemens (86’ Super Season)
Pedro Martinez (97’ Super Season)
Alex Rodriguez (96’ Super Season)
Barry Bonds (90’ Super Season)
Jeff Bagwell (94’ Super Season)
Gary Sheffield (96’ Super Season)
Rickey Henderson (90’ Super Season)