Kansas City Team Build (Monarchs/A's/Royals)

[BranchRicky22]

I decided like many of you on the forum to create a Second team for fun. When I lived in Kansas City several ago the team was still building towards its playoff runs in 2014 and 2015. I remember hearing Royals fans talk about all of the great players who went thru Kansas City either early part of their career or the twilight of their career. So when OOTP came out of Perfect team and I started seeing a lot of these players pop up in the auction I thought sure why not, lets build a team from only the player pool of "Kansas City" players.

The card pool exists of any player who played a game for either the Kansas City Monarchs (Satchel Paige and Jackie Robinson are only two in game so far), Kansas City A's (lots of players like Roger Maris, Sal Bando, Bobby Shantz, and Catfish Hunter), and of course every player who has worn a Kansas City Royals uniform. All versions of the player's cards are available for this team build so the team can remain competitive. For instance Juan Gonzalez and Miguel Tejada played for the Kansas City Royals in the twilight of their careers. Their player cards from their peak seasons with the Rangers and Oakland A's are available in game for use.

Here are some of the best cards available for this team build (not complete sure on some cards that were there in Beta but haven't seen for awhile in auction).

*If you guys know of others that were in Beta or have been in auction let me know!

C - Jason Kendall (Gold version of PIT All Star season late 90s)
C - Bob Boone (Gold version)
C - Salvador Perez (Bronze)
C - Darrell Porter (Bronze)
1B/3B - George Brett (Gold/Diamond)
1B/DH - Bob Hamelin (Silver)
1B - Wally Joyner (Silver - Beta with All-Star SD?)
1B/3B - Kevin Seitzer (Bronze)
1B - Eric Hosmer (Bronze)
2B - Whit Merrifield (Silver)
2B - Frank White (Silver)
3B - Sal Bando (Gold version with A's)
3B - Gary Gaetti (Gold version with Twins - Beta?)
3B - Mike Moustakas (Silver Live with Brewers)
SS - Miguel Tejada (Silver version with A's)
SS - Mark Grudzielanek (Bronze with Expos)
LF - Alex Gordon (Silver All Star)
LF - Jeff Conine (Bronze with Marlins)
CF - Carlos Beltran (Diamond - Mets, Silver - Astros)
CF - Amos Otis (Gold)
CF - Lorenzo Cain (Gold)
CF - Johnny Damon (Silver - Beta?)
CF - Willie Wilson (Bronze)
RF - Roger Maris (Gold or Silver)
RF - Juan Gonzalez (Gold)
RF - Jermaine Dye (Silver - Beta?)
SP - Kevin Appier (Gold - Beta?)
SP - Bobby Shantz (Gold)
SP - Johnny Sain (Gold)
SP - Zach Grienke (Silver live with D-backs, would love to see Diamond Cy Young version)
SP - David Cone (Gold/Silver/Bronze)
SP - Catfish Hunter (Gold? and Silver)
SP - Live series (Bronze - Ervin Santana, Danny Duffy, Trevor Cahill, Chien Ming-Wang, Johnny Cueto (would like to see a diamond/gold of this card with Reds)
RP - Satchel Paige (Diamond with Indians)
RP - Tom Gordon (Gold with Yankees)
RP - Jeff Montgomery (Gold)
RP - Roberto Hernandez (Gold with White Sox)
RP - Will Smith (Gold Live version with Giants)
RP - Jeremy Jeffres (Silver Live version with Brewers)
RP - Joakim Soria (Silver Live version with Brewers - would love to see a diamond version from Royals seasons)
RP - Wade Davis (Silver Live version with Rockies - would love to see diamond version from Royals 2014/2015 seasons)
RP - Scott Alexander (Silver Live version with Dodgers)
RP - Bronze (Dan Quisenberry, Jack Aker, Kelvin Herrera, etc)

Building a themed team is a blast and I highly recommend doing so as a second team. I was lucky enough to pull some expensive silver cards during my first pack opening (Benito Santiago and Forrest Whitley in addition to a Gold - Joey Votto to sell to get my team started).

I've been trolling the Auction List for Kevin Appier, Johnny Damon, Gary Gaetti, Jermaine Dye, Sal Bando, Tom Gordon, and Jeff Montgomery. I even saw that Enos Slaughter played his twilight years with the Kansas City A's and have considered picking up his Silver card.

I'd love to see more Royals legends from the 70s and 80s added (like John Mayberry, Hal McRae, Paul Splitorff, Dustin Leonard, and Bo Jackson). Also more Negro League players would be a welcomed addition to the game.

- Branchricky22/BranchRickey

[Weaseltail]

Yay Royals!!!!

How about:

C: Manny Pina (63)
C: Tony Pena (silver) - managed Royals, didn't play for them
3B: Buddy Bell (88) - same
SP: Saberhagen (91)
SS: Jay Bell (90)
OF: Tommy Davis (80)
CL: Greg Holland - thought I saw a diamond version, but can't swear to it
CL: Tom Burgmeier (78)
2B: Chuck Knoblauch -- thought I saw a gold/diamond card, but can't find it now
RP: Mark Davis (79)
SP: Gaylord Perry (82+89)
CF: Vada Pinson (81)
SP: Vida Blue
OF: Kevin McReynolds (78)


Will update as I think of more.

Good luck!

[<Pion>]

The list of players addresses one of the questions I have regarding my theme team. I've build the Dodgers. There were enough players that initially, I've only purchased players that have a Dodger's as their team (it makes the team pictures look great with most everybody wearing the Dodger blues, except the historicals and futures who don't have a real picture).

Now I'm at the point I'm trying to decide whether to continue riding with what I have or expand out into guys that played a game with the Dodgers or those that I remember as being Dodgers but are listed on other teams.


If I do at least the latter, it will open up to some player's cards on other teams (Piazza's Mets card comes to mind, I wish I could find a Dodger version other than the rookie card) and hopefully some more pitching.

Ironically, the Dodgers who I always remembered as a good pitching team and many times a weak offense are stinking up the joint on the mound. The hitting has been OK, but not enough to carry the bad pitching. Maybe some more guys from the 70's will pop up... Bill Singer, Claude Osteen, Jerry Reuss, and Andy Messersmith. Though I would think he's in the game, I haven't seen a Fernando yet either. My Hershiser has an ERA over 4 and he's the best on the staff (Rich Hill is currently over 8 in the Gold league)

[BranchRicky22]

Originally Posted by <Pion>

The list of players addresses one of the questions I have regarding my theme team. I've build the Dodgers. There were enough players that initially, I've only purchased players that have a Dodger's as their team (it makes the team pictures look great with most everybody wearing the Dodger blues, except the historicals and futures who don't have a real picture).

Now I'm at the point I'm trying to decide whether to continue riding with what I have or expand out into guys that played a game with the Dodgers or those that I remember as being Dodgers but are listed on other teams.

If I do at least the latter, it will open up to some player's cards on other teams (Piazza's Mets card comes to mind, I wish I could find a Dodger version other than the rookie card) and hopefully some more pitching.

Ironically, the Dodgers who I always remembered as a good pitching team and many times a weak offense are stinking up the joint on the mound. The hitting has been OK, but not enough to carry the bad pitching. Maybe some more guys from the 70's will pop up... Bill Singer, Claude Osteen, Jerry Reuss, and Andy Messersmith. Though I would think he's in the game, I haven't seen a Fernando yet either. My Hershiser has an ERA over 4 and he's the best on the staff (Rich Hill is currently over 8 in the Gold league)

I remember asking somebody what teams I should build and they each referenced a Yankees, Red Sox, or Dodgers build. I quickly had to remind them that most of the good cards in those sets were Diamond or Perfect. It would be require a lot of patience and luck to acquire a really competitive set with those teams...but once you had one damn look out, that'd be a tough team to beat.

I picked Kansas City due to them having had players come thru with the A's while they were in town, all of the Royals, and even guys who played on the Kansas City Monarchs (Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige come immediately to mind). I like your mindset of getting only Dodgers cards.

Orcin did this with his Evansville Cardinals. He's still working his way up with collecting more diamonds, legends, and high golds for the team. I believe every card on his team is strictly from the Cardinals set. His team has been mighty competitive as well. His Evansville Cardinals have followed me from Entry thru to Gold. Tough match-up each time with my main squad.

I've seriously considered making a Pirates or Giants team with all of the historical players to choose from. Problem with Pirates might be that most of their card sets are gold or better. Giants might be a more realistic approach. You being a Dodgers fan likely despise that idea.

[Dogberry99]

I am in the same division as the "NYSF Travelling Giant All-Stars" in Silver .302. They have been slowly building a very competitive team, but are hovering around the 500 mark. I am actually a little surprised that they are not performing better, though their team is mostly a mix of silvers and golds. That 93 OVR Rookie Sensation John Montefusco is rather nice though...

[Whoofe]

Originally Posted by Weaseltail

Yay Royals!!!!

How about:

C: Manny Pina (63)
C: Tony Pena (silver) - managed Royals, didn't play for them
3B: Buddy Bell (88) - same
SP: Saberhagen (91)
SS: Jay Bell (90)
OF: Tommy Davis (80)
CL: Greg Holland - thought I saw a diamond version, but can't swear to it
CL: Tom Burgmeier (78)
2B: Chuck Knoblauch -- thought I saw a gold/diamond card, but can't find it now
RP: Mark Davis (79)
SP: Gaylord Perry (82+89)
CF: Vada Pinson (81)
SP: Vida Blue
OF: Kevin McReynolds (78)


Will update as I think of more.

Good luck!

yup, I was thinking of Vida Blue and Gaylord Perry as well. early 80s IIRC

[Whoofe]

Originally Posted by BranchRicky22

RP - Wade Davis (Silver Live version with Rockies - would love to see diamond version from Royals 2014/2015 seasons)

it should be a 99 or a perfect. not sure how a closer could have a much better season than Wade Davis has that world series year

[zrog2000]

Originally Posted by Whoofe

it should be a 99 or a perfect. not sure how a closer could have a much better season than Wade Davis has that world series year

I'd take 2013 Koji, but it's close. Koji only gave up 9 walks that season to go with 101 Ks.

[<Pion>]

Originally Posted by BranchRicky22

I remember asking somebody what teams I should build and they each referenced a Yankees, Red Sox, or Dodgers build. I quickly had to remind them that most of the good cards in those sets were Diamond or Perfect. It would be require a lot of patience and luck to acquire a really competitive set with those teams...but once you had one damn look out, that'd be a tough team to beat.
.
.
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I've seriously considered making a Pirates or Giants team with all of the historical players to choose from. Problem with Pirates might be that most of their card sets are gold or better. Giants might be a more realistic approach. You being a Dodgers fan likely despise that idea.

I have three diamond players an I think at least 7 golds and yet except for Turner, the other diamond players (Snider and Drysdale) are stinking up the joint. Picked up Drysdale and he gave up 7 runs in 6 innings his first game, only 2 in 8 innings his next game, but then 8 runs in 5 innings his 3rd game. Snider is hitting .225 so far with not much in the way of power. They were doing better when I had silver and bronze guys like Maury Wills and Willie Davis in, but the pitching has been totally abysmal.

As for the Giants, I don't have the distaste for them like many and had considered an all California team made up of Giants, A's, Dodgers, Angels, and Padres.

[Whoofe]

is there a Jim Sundberg card?
and if there isnt a Royals John Wathan card, there should be. he was Jason kendall before Jason kendall

http://research.sabr.org/journals/ca...-base-stealers

[stl jason]

Originally Posted by Whoofe

is there a Jim Sundberg card?
and if there isnt a Royals John Wathan card, there should be. he was Jason kendall before Jason kendall

http://research.sabr.org/journals/ca...-base-stealers

yes... one in the AH right now (Texas version):

[Dogberry99]

Originally Posted by Dogberry99

I am in the same division as the "NYSF Travelling Giant All-Stars" in Silver .302. They have been slowly building a very competitive team, but are hovering around the 500 mark. I am actually a little surprised that they are not performing better, though their team is mostly a mix of silvers and golds. That 93 OVR Rookie Sensation John Montefusco is rather nice though...

As a follow up, the Travelling Giant All-Stars got hot (a timely mid season upgrade or two helped a bit) in the second half of the season, snuck in as a wild card, and then lost to Airdrop's team (which looked like it could have been taken straight out of Orcin's Most Common Best Players thread) in the World Series.