In today's world where everyone seems to throw 100 MPH Orel Hershiser probably wouldn't get drafted. Bulldog, the nickname Tommy Lasorda gave him during his Dodger days, did not overpower hitters, he used brains over brawn.
His constant ability to use multiple pitches, arm angles, and velocities to bluff hitters made him a tough pitcher to face. This thinking man's ability he later used in his later career choice as a professional poker player.
We had some more special requests come in for some Play-off Legends. These cards are made using only the playoff stats. The thing I like about these first three offerings is how they are all dominant starting pitchers but also how different they are.
Mad-Bum gets a solid Tier 2 card with a control 5 and no extra base hits. While he does have a risk of the death by paper cuts here he'll most likely play just like he does in real life...he may give up the occasional hit but mostly it will be limited to singles.
A couple more Japanese born players by request. I remember Aki from my days in Tampa and really enjoyed watching him. Too bad he got injured before more people got to appreciate him.
He came toTampa Bay as a third baseman until the arrival of Evan Longoria pushed him to 2nd base full time in 2008. As the Rays lead-off hitter and starting 2B, Aki teamed with Jason Bartlet to be an outstanding double play tandem. Eventuallly BJ Upton would take his place as the leadoff hitter for the Rays but not until after his injury.
Since I'm a day late I can't call this a Flashback Friday request so we will go with Special Request Saturday.
A member of the Discord wanted to put together a team of MLB greats from Japan and was looking for a Daisuke Matsuzaka card. So of course the great Patsen came to the rescue to create a chart and I through it onto the template I created to display all of Patsen's charts. So with out any more delay here you go. Both with cut lines and without as usual.
