I recall the SOM versus APBA crowds at our libraries game room (library game rooms are probably a relic of the '70's). I watched people play them both and though I bought 1 SOM set I decided to invest fully in APBA to keep up a long family tradition. I can still sort my rotation and batting order inunder a minute holding the 25 cards (plus 4 XY cards) in just one hand.
I did replay seasons 1st but I found I lost interest in that method of play by the end of both replay years. Then I started the upstart 'Extra Card League' (later known as NAPBA) using retired players and rookies who were no longer on the MLB rosters. I also played in a MLB style league (25 game schedule) with some pals but the extra card league was always my fave and it lasted about 9 real time years.
The mega star hitters of the league were guys like Jack Pierce, John Summers, Bob Sheldon, Larry Lintz, John Knox, Billy Baldwin, Buddy Bradford, Jerry Hairston (Sr.), Boog Powell and of course Harmon Killebrew. The Cy Young hurlers were Erich Raich, Fernando Arroyo (he could not lose), Joe McIntosh, Rick Baldwin, and Lerrin LaGrow. Many of these guys I had never heard of before so it was natural for me to gravitate toward fictional OOTP play. It's the closest I have come to those card leagues where your imagination gradually created a personality for each unknown player. Soon these players were not unknown at all - they were as big as any "real" MLB players. Oh yeah, & no more hand calculations either.
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