MLB Showdown 2003 - Top 10 Foil Cards
The Saga Continue...
And we are back with our MLB Showdown rankings! Bonds is a leader again, but we are talking about early 2000’s Barry Bonds here. Being totally honest 2003 was the year I played Showdown the least. I can’t remember as to why I didn’t play the 03’ version of the game as much, but nonetheless it was still an awesome game. Something I noticed is that pitching became better in 2003 vs what it was in 2002. Something I need to look into and see if that was the case in the MLB as well. In 2002 talented batters were more in abundance compared to talented pitching cards. That being said, let's dive into my top 10 rankings and see what the 2003 MLB Showdown landscape looked like.
Barry Bonds - 3rd time’s a charm. Bonds came in as the #1 card again in 2003. Bonds were simply different. Easily one of the best players to ever play the game. Wizards of the Coast awarded him a “16” ON-BASE for crying out loud. On top of that, Bonds was equipped with the “V”, “S” and “HR” icons in his arsenal for gameplay. This card is literally a cheat code.
Stats
ON-BASE: 16
HIT: 19-20 HR
FIELD: LF/RF +0
SPEED: B(12)
OUT: 1-3
POINTS: 900
Curt Schilling - Schilling was an animal in the early 2000’s. Being awarded a 6 Control and able to go 7 IP is unfair, let alone 1-17 Out. He was also given the 20 Game Winner icon, which was an overrated icon but nice to have nonetheless. Schilling put fear into opposing batters eyes and he knew it.
Stats
CONTROL: 6
IP: 7
OUT: 1-17
POINTS: 680
Alex Rodriguez is an elite hitter on top of being an elite defender. It's an easy choice to include as a top 3 card in the game. A-Rod was a stud during the 03’ campaign and was a force to be reckoned with. Owned Silver Slugger, Homerun, and Gold Glove icons…beast.
Stats
ON-BASE: 12
HIT: 18-20
FIELD: SS +5
SPEED: B(12)
OUT: 1-6
POINTS: 710
Kazuhiro Sasaki - This might be one of the most under-the-radar cards in the entire MLB Showdown collection. His numbers are electric, and he is without a doubt, the best Closer in the game in the 2003 edition of the game. When it is his advantage, the best an opposing batter can do is hit a single. It limits damage, and is near impossible to get on base against Sasaki.
Stats
CONTROL: 6
IP: 1
OUT: 1-17
POINTS: 270
Pedro Martinez - Another Ace is making my top 10 list. Pedro is a generational pitcher earning 3x Cy Young Awards and being selected to 8x All-Star games. In the 2003 set of showdown cards, Pedro was a monster. Earning the “K” & “20” icons was daunting to face as it was merely impossible to get on base against him let alone have that “K” icon to deploy once a game at any time. Not fun to play against, but awesome to have on your own team!
Stats
CONTROL: 6
IP: 7
OUT: 1-16
POINTS: 660
Lance Berkman - Berkman absolutely mashed in ‘03. High ON-BASE and a well above average ability to knock the ball out of the park. A couple of players in comparison with the hit tool here, but Berkman ultimately had a little speed boost, and that came into play with my ranking.
Stats
ON-BASE: 13
HIT: 18-20
FIELD: OF +0
SPEED: B(12)
OUT: 1-6
POINTS: 660
Barry Zito - Moneyball’s biggest snub? I still cannot believe the movie Moneyball did not mention the name Barry Zito just 1x time. This guy owned a 7.2 WAR in 2002 which was tied for 4th in the majors. But enough about his lack of screen time in the movies. Zito was probably the 2nd best lefty in the league at this point behind Randy Johnson and asserted himself as one of the best overall pitchers. Earned “CY” and “20” icons to add to his tool shed of weapons.
Stats
CONTROL: 5
IP: 7
OUT: 1-17
POINTS: 610
Eric Gagne - 52 (2002) | 55 (2003) | 45 (2004)...that is the amount of saves Gagne was reaching from 2002-2004. He also owned a 1.20 ERA throughout all of 2003. The numbers are absolutely absurd and that is why Gagne went on to win the 2003 Cy Young as a reliever. Fear the specs!
Stats
CONTROL: 6
IP: 1
OUT: 1-17
POINTS: 260
Vladimir Guerrero - Elite speed combined with an exceptional ON-BASE percentage. Nothing much could stop this guy, not to mention he was an above-average outfielder defensively speaking. Great option for any team looking for a superb leadoff hitter.
Stats
ON-BASE: 13
HIT: 19-20
FIELD: LF/RF +2
SPEED: A(21)
OUT: 1-6
POINTS: 660
Sammy Sosa - Sammy Sosa was one of the great hitters of the 90’s and early 2000’s. Obviously we all know Sosa was involved with PED’s, but even without the PED’s he was still a solid ball player. Finishing his career with over 600 career home runs, Sosa might have already been inducted to the Hall of Fame if it weren’t for the steroids. He was awarded the “HR” icon for 2003 and continued to mash for a couple seasons before calling for retirement.
Stats
ON-BASE: 13
HIT: 18-20
FIELD: LF/RF +1
SPEED: C(9)
OUT: 1-7
POINTS: 490
Honorable Mention:
Randy Johnson
Larry Walker
Jim Edmonds
Jason Giambi
Jim Thome
