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Strat-O-Matic....Anyone play or collect it?

I remember playing it some 25+ years ago and went and checked out their website today. Looks cool. I probably would go the online route personally but I'm curious if anyone has been playing it and if so your experience. Would also like to know if anyone collects it.

Kyle
#CROWNED

2015 World Series Champions
2018 Worst Minor League System In Baseball
#FIREDAYTONMOORE

Comments

  • JBrulesJBrules Posts: 2,127 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I am like you and played about 25 years ago. We used to have a lot of fun playing a league in college. Interesting topic for sure.
  • DboneesqDboneesq Posts: 18,219 ✭✭
    I don't remember the details, but I do remember playing with my cousins 45-50 years ago. WOW, probably before most of you were born!!!
    STAY HEALTHY!

    Doug

    Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
  • shagrotn77shagrotn77 Posts: 5,616 ✭✭✭✭
    I played back in the day too. Bo Jackson was a beast. He was an automatic single on a bunt!
    "My father would womanize, he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. Our childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When we were insolent we were placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds - pretty standard really."
  • DboneesqDboneesq Posts: 18,219 ✭✭
    Originally posted by: shagrotn77
    I played back in the day too. Bo Jackson was a beast. He was an automatic single on a bunt!


    Damn, Bo Jackson was in Kindergarten when I first played! HAHAHA

    STAY HEALTHY!

    Doug

    Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
  • I played up until about 10 years ago. It was a fun game. Had never thought about the collect-ability aspect of the cards, ours were always beat up from use. Except the scrubs, they could still be mint!
  • BeRoyalKCBeRoyalKC Posts: 413 ✭✭
    seems like most of us have played but not recently. I'm intrigued about the online game but looking thru their site I can't really see many drafts taking place soon. Of course that may all change as we get closer to Opening Day.
    #CROWNED

    2015 World Series Champions
    2018 Worst Minor League System In Baseball
    #FIREDAYTONMOORE
  • LarkinCollectorLarkinCollector Posts: 8,975 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Never played it, but I recently picked some up for my PC....

    image

  • PM770PM770 Posts: 320 ✭✭
    I would not say, I "collect", but I buy a new set of cards every year and I buy between 5-10 computer rosters a year.



    In fact, I am in the middle of a 1965 tournament with the computer rosters and I played a couple of series last night.



    I love the game. The old season rosters really bring my baseball cards "to life".











  • PM770PM770 Posts: 320 ✭✭
    If you are interested at all in it, I would HIGHLY recommend it. BeRoyal, you might want to wait until February when the new 2015 season is available for the obvious reasons. (although I imagine the 2014 season holds some interest as well.)



    PS: Buy the "Card Image" with the computer game. That will give you the feel of how the game engine operates. The extra $10-15 is well worth it IMO.
  • PM770PM770 Posts: 320 ✭✭
    One last thing. There is a website "Strat Fan Forum" in which people will post their replays and other projects they have going on. The only problem is you need to be a registered member to view it. It is a lot of fun looking at some of the replays people have going on.



    Several years ago I did a 1952 Indians replay. We tied the White Sox and won the one-game playoff (the Yankees finished 2 or 3 games back). I then proceeded to get swept by the Dodgers in the World Series.
  • alnavmanalnavman Posts: 4,129 ✭✭✭
    My friends and I played regularly back in the early 60's (I'm 63 as are most of my friends from back then). Can't remember the first year that we played but I sold the cards a few years back with the original box and playing pieces. If I remember correctly I got a couple hundred for the earliest year. I also bought the set in the 90's when the Indians went back to the World Series for the first time since 1954, that was sold also along with the few other years I had bought. I still have a computer version of the game somewhere in my basement, haven't played it for years. Will have to dig it out. As noted good memories indeed from playing the game in a bygone era.



    al.
  • BeRoyalKCBeRoyalKC Posts: 413 ✭✭
    Originally posted by: PM770
    One last thing. There is a website "Strat Fan Forum" in which people will post their replays and other projects they have going on. The only problem is you need to be a registered member to view it. It is a lot of fun looking at some of the replays people have going on.

    Several years ago I did a 1952 Indians replay. We tied the White Sox and won the one-game playoff (the Yankees finished 2 or 3 games back). I then proceeded to get swept by the Dodgers in the World Series.


    Thanks for the advise and recommendations. I will take your advise and wait for the 2015 version. Awesome, I will have to study up on how to play online.
    #CROWNED

    2015 World Series Champions
    2018 Worst Minor League System In Baseball
    #FIREDAYTONMOORE
  • BeRoyalKCBeRoyalKC Posts: 413 ✭✭
    Originally posted by: LarkinCollector
    Never played it, but I recently picked some up for my PC....


    image


    Liking the 1997 version there. I wonder what year they added the photos.
    #CROWNED

    2015 World Series Champions
    2018 Worst Minor League System In Baseball
    #FIREDAYTONMOORE
  • IndianaJonesIndianaJones Posts: 346 ✭✭✭
    My favorite cousin and I played it in the late 1960s at his home in Mason City, Iowa. I was enraptured with Strat-O-Matic's all-time great teams from the past. The 100th anniversary of baseball was going on and my mind was on all the greats of the 20th century. I had recently lost my father, who died in a tragic helicopter accident. I don't know, but to cope with his loss and get my mind off of it, I rigged up a super all-star set to play a bunch of "grubbies". The Babe, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Lefty Grove and so on came through for me, clobbering the "grubbies" every time. My dear cousin understood somehow, and we had a great time. It was as if these guys were winning games for me, to help me in some way. It must have meant a lot to me because I'm tearing up writing these words.



    While I haven't played Strat-O-Matic baseball for many years, it will always have a special place in my heart, along with my baseball and hockey cards.



    Thanks for the post; brought back a lot of fond memories. ---Indiana Jones (Brian Powell)
  • PM770PM770 Posts: 320 ✭✭
    Originally posted by: BeRoyalKC
    Originally posted by: LarkinCollector
    Never played it, but I recently picked some up for my PC....


    image


    Liking the 1997 version there. I wonder what year they added the photos.


    That was a one time deal that I don't believe sold vey well. It was called an All-Star set or something like that. The 2015 cards will be all print - no photos.
  • milbrocomilbroco Posts: 2,753 ✭✭✭✭
    Even though I never played it, I have a complete set of those cards from the late 1970's......1978 I think. I will probably break it down by team sets and sell them on ebay if I ever find them.

    Robert

    ebay seller name milbroco
    email bcmiller7@comcast.net
  • In 1983-84 I played the entire 1982 National League season. It took forever. My only issue was the 20 man roster. I had to use four man rotations for every team, and it worked out that #1 starters seemed to match up against each other constantly. Also, since I had fewer relievers, my starters stayed in longer. I didn't get a single 20 game winner, even though guys like Carlton and Valenzuela each made 40 starts. It was a lot of fun, but if I had known extra players were available, I would have bought them.
    Successful dealings with shootybabitt, LarryP, Doctor K, thedutymon, billsgridirongreats, fattymacs, shagrotn77, pclpads, JMDVM, gumbyfan, itzagoner, rexvos, al032184, gregm13, californiacards3, mccardguy1, BigDaddyBowman, bigreddog, bobbyw8469, burke23, detroitfan2, drewsef, jeff8877, markmac, Goldlabels, swartz1, blee1, EarlsWorld, gseaman25, kcballboy, jimrad, leadoff4, weinhold, Mphilking, milbroco, msassin, meteoriteguy, rbeaton and gameusedhoop.
  • IronmanfanIronmanfan Posts: 5,503 ✭✭✭✭
    I was a APBA guy growing up; however I did purchase that late 1990's All Star set, just to get the Ripken card (where he was pictured).



    IMF
    Successful dealings with Wcsportscards94558, EagleEyeKid, SamsGirl214, Volver, DwayneDrain, Oaksey25, Griffins, Cardfan07, Etc.
  • LarkinCollectorLarkinCollector Posts: 8,975 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: Ironmanfan
    I was a APBA guy growing up; however I did purchase that late 1990's All Star set, just to get the Ripken card (where he was pictured).

    IMF

    Did someone say APBA?

    image

    1988 APBA, 2000 APBA All-Star Edition, 2000 APBA Premiere Edition

    I wish these could be graded for player collectors for cards dedicated to a player without a photo.

  • alnavmanalnavman Posts: 4,129 ✭✭✭
    for folks who played both games, any preference to which was better?

  • PM770PM770 Posts: 320 ✭✭
    Originally posted by: alnavman
    for folks who played both games, any preference to which was better?


    I've played both, although not much of APBA and my APBA playing came long after I had played SOM so I am hopelessly biased. But SOM blows APBA away.

    APBA players please correct me If I am wrong, but I don't think it had a good way to account for defensive capabilities, whereas SOM does a good job with that aspect.
  • alnavmanalnavman Posts: 4,129 ✭✭✭
    this is getting me thinking about buying the new year when it is available...have to check out the strat-o-matic web site....
  • I'm in for a league if we gain enough interest.
    #CROWNED

    2015 World Series Champions
    2018 Worst Minor League System In Baseball
    #FIREDAYTONMOORE
  • IronmanfanIronmanfan Posts: 5,503 ✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: PM770

    Originally posted by: alnavman

    for folks who played both games, any preference to which was better?





    I've played both, although not much of APBA and my APBA playing came long after I had played SOM so I am hopelessly biased. But SOM blows APBA away.



    APBA players please correct me If I am wrong, but I don't think it had a good way to account for defensive capabilities, whereas SOM does a good job with that aspect.




    APBA accounted for defensive prowess when I played



    IMF



    Successful dealings with Wcsportscards94558, EagleEyeKid, SamsGirl214, Volver, DwayneDrain, Oaksey25, Griffins, Cardfan07, Etc.
  • PM770PM770 Posts: 320 ✭✭
    Originally posted by: Ironmanfan
    Originally posted by: PM770
    Originally posted by: alnavman
    for folks who played both games, any preference to which was better?


    I've played both, although not much of APBA and my APBA playing came long after I had played SOM so I am hopelessly biased. But SOM blows APBA away.

    APBA players please correct me If I am wrong, but I don't think it had a good way to account for defensive capabilities, whereas SOM does a good job with that aspect.


    APBA accounted for defensive prowess when I played

    IMF



    Thanks for the correction, Ironmanfan. While I still play SOM regularly, I haven't played APBA since the early 90s and I wasn't sure I was remembering correctly why I thought SOM was superior. I thought that might be it but it must have been some other intricacy.
  • PM770PM770 Posts: 320 ✭✭
    Originally posted by: alnavman
    this is getting me thinking about buying the new year when it is available...have to check out the strat-o-matic web site....


    If I may make a suggestion : if you decide to give the computer game a try, be sure to get the "Card Image" included. With that you can see how the cards are constructed. It does cost $18 extra that way, but to my mind it is well worth it.
  • MeferMefer Posts: 1,163 ✭✭✭
    I have played both but my heart lies with APBA. Like many people, which of the two you pick as your "favorite" often depends on what you played first as a kid. I started playing APBA in 1985 and did not try the Strat game until a year or two later. I have many fond memories of APBA and it was given to me as a Christmas present by my grandparents. It remains a favorite.



    Both games have positives and negatives. They also both offer basic and advanced game versions. Computer games are also in play. I still play the APBA basic boardgame (though not as much as I would like due to life) for solo replays. I am also in two APBA computer draft leagues (I prefer the dice but I just don't have the time to play in leagues and compile stats).



    Also keep in mind that cards and dice can only get you so far in recreating all aspects of "realism." The more variables you want to account for, the more dice rolls and charts you need (and in my book, I do not like engaging in multiple dice rolls to resolve a play-- thus one main allure of the APBA basic game). Playability, by necessity, must give away to some aspects of realism.



    The "newest kid" on the block is Action PC games. They are solely computer and while I have not played the baseball game (have and play the football game), they go deep in calculations and the like in arriving at play results (going beyond what you can do with cards and dice). As I understand, the computer games of APBA and Strat are largely modeled on the dice and card versions (which, in turn, carry over "limitations" on applications of variables).



    In the end, just play what is fun if you like sports simulation games. It is really that simple!



    Matt
  • estangestang Posts: 1,356 ✭✭✭
    George Bush Sr played APBA. I played SOM. It was a lot of fun & when I'm retired, I will pick it up again on the computer or in what could be some other virtual reality where I'm the 3rd baseman!
    Enjoy your collection!
    Erik
  • alnavmanalnavman Posts: 4,129 ✭✭✭
    got to find my old computer version of SOM......I also discovered an old SOM basketball game in my basement...I'll have to post a few pictures, only two teams. If memory still is with me I got it at a flea market one year at my kids school
  • aro13aro13 Posts: 1,961 ✭✭✭
    I played from 1978 until around 1989. Still have all of the baseball, football, hockey and some basketball from those years. We had great fun and seasons. The games were intense.

    I remember always trying to start a left-hander against the 1978 Yankees or having every left-hander ready in the bullpen against George Brett with the 1980 Royals. His card against right-handed pitching was phenomenal.
  • alnavmanalnavman Posts: 4,129 ✭✭✭
    it's been awhile since I've posted an image to a message. I made copies of a few of the SOM basketball and would like to post, can anyone provide some guidance? Haven't posted any pictures since they went to the new format so am totally lost. I have photobucket so can post from there. Also I noticed that the basketball I have is only two teams, ten players each. I'm guessing it was probably the base game. Teams are supersonics and rockets from the based on the 73/74 season. I have the instructions, the game board, even some old scoresheets. Also there are 40 small orange cards, three die (two red, one white) and eleven plastic game pieces with six green and five blue. Can anyone provide any info on if this is all of the pieces or not? I know I"m asking a lot on this beautiful North Coast morning but thought you could help. thanks al.
  • alnavmanalnavman Posts: 4,129 ✭✭✭
    went to the SOM website and got my answers as to the game pieces....there not the same in the current game as what they included in the game I have, they are different now....anyways would still post some of the scans if someone can provide some insight on getting them from photobucket to here...thanks al.
  • TNP777TNP777 Posts: 5,710 ✭✭✭
    Here's what I have in my Butler collection.

    imageimageimage

    imageimageimage

    imageimage
  • Not sure if this means Dave Kingman's Homeruns will still be on 2,3,11,12

    Article in Yesterday's NY Times
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