Does a baseball player’s performance in the postseason affect what their APBA card will look like? Will Eric Hosmer’s card look a little more juicer in the upcoming set? How about Madison Bumgarner? Will APBA add a few points to his MG grade?
The short answer to this question is no. APBA does not as a general rule take postseason play into effect when formulating the APBA cards. The cards for all seasons are based on regular season play.
Historically, there have been exceptions though. Take 1973 Ken Holtzman for example.
Holtzman, a solid hitting pitcher with the Cubs was traded to the Oakland A’s in 1972 (sigh!). Of course in 1973, the designated hitter rule took effect for the American League. So Holtzman only came to the plate once in 1973… and walked.
As it turned out, Oakland went to the World Series that year to face the Mets. Holtzman had his chance to show he could hit as well as pitch. In Game 1 of the World Series he went 1 for 1 with a double. He didn’t bat in Game 4 but in Game 7, he went 1 for 2 with another double.
Holtzman’s postseason batting stats in 1973:
Looking at his APBA card, the Game Company obviously didn’t ignore Holtzman’s postseason performance when crunching his card numbers. As you can see, there are plenty of 6s. Ten to be exact. It’s worth noting that APBA also didn’t forget about his regular season walk either. He has six 14s.
As Mike Bunch, my IAL commissioner says, “Nice hitter with a runner on third.”
I know there are other examples out there. Most of them tend to be pitchers. Perhaps others can point them out.
1993 Lance Johnson did not have a homer in the regular season. However, he hit 1 in the ALCS against the Blue Jays. His card the following year had 2 columns with 66 – 0-1. I think this lends proof to the playoffs matter.
Rick Sutcliffe had no homers 84 but due to his towering homer in game one of the NLCS his card has 1’s.
I believe they did the same for Mickey Lolich from the Tigers after his homerun in the 1968 WS against the Cardinals. Must have taken hitting tips from fellow hurler Earl Wilson! lol I think they gave him a 66-5 in the original set but not going to swear to it.
I’m pretty sure it was actually stated by some APBA official that Derek Jeter’s 2012 J-1 rating after playing in 159 was because of his injury in post-season.
159 games
I had never heard that one, John. Interesting.
Tom
Joe Blanton has at least one second column 1 on his 2008 card for his World Series home run.
Tim Stoddard, 1979
Brian Doyle had 2nd column 6’s from his post season subbing for Willie Randolph in 1978.