MLB Showdown 2005 - Top 10 Foil Cards
MLB Showdown 2005 - Top 10 Foil Cards
We have finally concluded my MLB Showdown card rankings! There may be people out there who have no idea what this game is and why I keep talking about it, but they will never understand the joy this game brought me while I was a kid. My goal from the get-go with this series of posts was to inspire people to start playing this game or introduce it to fellow baseball fans so they can enjoy this game the way I have over the years. It truly brought all my friends and me hours of fun, where we learned the game of baseball. That being said let me dive into the 2005 rankings!
Johan Santana - We are not worthy. Santana’s 2005 Showdown card might be the best in the entire game. His card was awarded with 20 Game Winner, Cy Young, and K Icons which makes his already insane card that much more unfair. Santana is the “Ace” in the famously mentioned “perfect team” and for good reason. Santana was in between Cy Young seasons in 2004 and 2006, where he was leading the majors in ERA and Strikeouts. His 2004 through 2009 run was one of the best we have ever seen from a pitcher in the major leagues.
Stats
CONTROL: 6
IP: 7
OUT: 1-17
POINTS: 640
Adrian Beltre - A man who has his name on the ballot for the 2024 Inductee Class into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Your name doesn’t get put up to a vote for entry unless you are a special player and that is what we are dealing with when it comes to Beltre. Finished his career with over 3,000 hits, 477 HR, and a 93.5 WAR. Beltre was an incredible third baseman and should be voted in following his first ballot into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Stats
ON-BASE: 12
HIT: 18-20
FIELD: 3B +2
SPEED: B(12)
OUT: 1-7
POINTS: 660
Albert Pujols - The Machine….I mean Albert is here. 2005 is right in the middle of Pujol’s reign of terror over the MLB. Awarded the HR and Silver Slugger icons, Pujols really could do anything with his hit tool. Easily one of the best players to ever play and maybe the best player to play during my lifetime.
Stats
ON-BASE: 13
HIT: 19-20
FIELD: 1B +1
SPEED: C(11)
OUT: 1-5
POINTS: 640
Vladimir Guerrero - One of the most complete cards in the game. Guerrero possesses solid Fielding, ON-BASE, Speed, and Icon power. Guerrero earned a Gold Glove and an MVP in 2004 making him one of the best cards in the game and rightfully so. The points it costs to incorporate Guerrero in the lineup is a little expensive, but well worth it.
Stats
ON-BASE: 12
HIT: 19-20
FIELD: LF/RF +2
SPEED: B(15)
OUT: 1-6
POINTS: 640
Randy Johnson - The Big Unit! Johnson was devastating to opposing lineups pretty much every time he took the mound. The big lefty had exceptional Control as well as endurance and could pitch up to 8 innings. Also was awarded the “K” icon, which is essentially a get-out-of-jail-free card. This card was stacked and rightfully so due to the player it was representing. A future Hall of Famer!
Stats
CONTROL: 6
IP: 8
OUT: 1-16
POINTS: 600
Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez - Is easily the best catcher in the game at this point. Rodriguez may be one of the very best to ever step foot behind the dish. Might not have an outstanding power or OBP, but he won the Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove. Pudge’s card gives him a CA +10, which makes it practically impossible to steal a base against him. Pudge does this at only a cost of 460 points, easily one of the best cards in the game.
Stats
ON-BASE: 12
HIT: 20
FIELD: CA +10
SPEED: B(12)
OUT: 1-6
POINTS: 460
J.D. Drew - Here is a name that many people may not know. J.D. Drew. Drew is a 1x All-Star, but managed to stay in the league for 14 years! With Drew, you could count on an above-average on-base percentage and batting average. Wizards of the Coast rewarded Drew with a 14 ON-BASE following the 2004 season where he drew 118 walks, batted .305, and had an OBP of .436. J.D. was full beast mode in 2004 and made his 2005 Showdown card stacked!
Stats
ON-BASE: 14
HIT: 19-20
FIELD: LF/RF +1
SPEED: B(13)
OUT: 1-6
POINTS: 580
Scott Rolen - Look what we have here, an Indiana-born player! The hot corner always lacks the star power of other positions but you cannot say that about Scott Rolen. 7x All-Star and fresh off of a 34 HR | 124 RBI season, Rolen was simply a force to be reckoned with.
Stats
ON-BASE: 13
HIT: 29-20
FIELD: 3B+3
SPEED: C(10)
OUT: 1-6
POINTS: 570
Todd Helton - This card was very undervalued in my eyes. Gold Glove Winner Icon and a 14 ON-BASE that only costs you 500 points? This is a steal of a card. Sure the speed and hit tool don't impress you but it will get the job done.
Stats
ON-BASE: 14
HIT: 20
FIELD: 1B +1
SPEED: C(10)
OUT: 1-6
POINTS: 500
Eric Gagne - Yet again Mr. Gagne finds himself on my top 10 rankings. Gagne was dominant at this time. Unfortunately, he caught the injury bug and had to undergo Tommy John surgery. He managed to go 8 for 8 in save opportunities in ‘05 before being shut down.
Stats
CONTROL: 6
IP: 1
OUT: 1-17
POINTS: 310
Honorable Mention:
Jason Schmidt
Roger Clemens
Lance Berkman
Curt Schilling
Jim Edmonds
Manny Ramirez
Armando Benitez
Francisco Rodriguez
Ichiro Suzuki