The Show: The Thread

[Gashouse6]

This is a thread devoted to MLB 06: The Show for the PS2. I love the game and would like to hear other's comments, reviews, expiriences, and more. I would also like to see if anyone has any hints to rack up big reward points.

[Gashouse6]

In career mode, I created a closer named Game Over with a hard 4-seamer, slider, and a curveball. He did great the first few months of the season with the Blue Jay's farm system getting 23 saves, 5 wins, and a .77 ERA; all as a closer. He was then traded to the White Sox and they had him as an MLB starting pitcher. I didn't build up his endurance enough, so he could only pitch about 4 good innings then lost it. I think Over had an 0-3 record, 5.89 ERA, and a 2.10 WH/IP. Luckily for me, I didn't save after the trade, so I'm back with the Jays.

[Francoeurstein]

I started a career with a 2b/ss about 10 minutes ago and I'm on my second season and I had 19 homers in April in AAA !!!!! The funny thing is his power vrs. lefty is 40 and vrs. righty is 66

[RedSoxVT92]

I made a 2nd baseman and in his 2nd year he hit over 40 homers 160 something rbis while batting over .500 in the majors. Not really realistic. The game is annoying because its hard to stay at the HOF level and it suddenley goes down real quick for no reason, so its basicley immposible to get in the HOF. Good game though.

[Francoeurstein]

Yea, it's the all-star break now!!! I have a .330 average 203 hits 28 homers 77 rbis. I expext him to go 50/135/.320 with 300 hits or something, next season I will demand a call-up if not called up a trade.

[RedSoxVT92]

Yea, it's the all-star break now!!! I have a .330 average 203 hits 28 homers 77 rbis. I expext him to go 50/135/.320 with 300 hits or something, next season I will demand a call-up if not called up a trade.

I ask for a call up once the 60 day lock on that option is up right at the start of the career. It doesnt really matter what the stats are (unless there horrible) As long as you have good attributes. It usaully works. Then if you can produce you will stay up there. So dont wait to be called up.

[Francoeurstein]

I ask for a call up once the 60 day lock on that option is up right at the start of the career. It doesnt really matter what the stats are (unless there horrible) As long as you have good attributes. It usaully works. Then if you can produce you will stay up there. So dont wait to be called up.

Too late season's over. During this offseason I'll try to get called up.

[Francoeurstein]

They sent Bobby Jenks down after a season with 50 saves 61 k's and a 1.15 era!!!!!! PATHETIC!!!!! And he haven't played any majors this season either.

[Gashouse6]

I just started a career with the 2nd basemen, Born Toplayball. It's amazing how fast they evolve from being minor league 8-spot hitters to being major league All-Stars.

[StanTheMan]

Fantastic Game

I too, am greatly enjoying this game. I had been buying the MVP Series, but want the authentic players, license etc... and am not interested in College Ball.

The rendering of the Cardinals new ballpark is terrific. My son and I play games there quite a bit. When pitching, if you just stand there, without throwing a pitch, after about 10 seconds, the game will pan a camera with close ups from infielder to infielder, and eventually pan an outfield camera, or maybe an upperdeck camera from one part of the stadium to another. A great way to look at any of the ballparks.

I also enjoy the old time parks. Both the Polo Grounds and Sportsmans Park are done very well. My son, who is 9, is convinced he can hit a HR to centerfield at the Polo Grounds, but has yet to pull it off, even in Home Run Derby. I tried to tell him that only three players in the history of the PG hit a Home Run to Center Field during a big league game (one Negro League Player did it as well), but he is slugging away nonetheless.

The pitching is fantastic. As pitchers tire, they do lose a bit of control, depending on the pitcher. When I am absolutely dealing with Carpenter, for example, I nail the black with his terrific slider or two seamer for the first 5 or 6 innings. When in the 8th/9th, and going for complete games, it is much more likely he will miss his spot, and leave a pitch out over the middle, or leave a pitch off the plate for a ball. The same applies to say, Sidney Ponson, is about the 5th or 6th inning. There is a nice dilemma late in games between going for the perfect K pitch on the black, or perhaps trying to get a little more of the plate, but risking throwing a pitch that is easier to hit.

I find the infield play to be very slick.... but I hit into a TON of double plays.

I earned about 300 profile "points" by picking the Yankees, and Simming a whole season (not franchise, or career, but season). Took about 5 minutes or so. A good way to buy some of the Cooperstown Legends and other things. You could do one season easy, spend your $$$, do another, etc.

A few things do bug me about the game.

No Stan Musial. There are TONS of legends in the game, but no Stan The Man?? Incredible.

You cannot use a created player or Cooperstown Legend in Home Run Derby. This is the main flaw with the game, IMO, but I have a son who is big on Ruth, Gherig and those guys, but cannot use them other than in a game, with the rosters altered. A bit beyond his reach right now, but when we play together he is the Cardinals, with a batting order of Ozzie Smith, Jackie Robinson, Pujols, Ruth, Foxx, Gherig, Rolen, Edmonds, and his pitcher. Tough to beat!! :grouchy

When an outfielder is charging a base hit, you cannot field the ball very well while running towards the ball, and the infield. I have had many balls roll right by me, all the way to the wall, for triples, when I was charging it to try to throw a runner out a home when trying to score from second on a single. You have to slow your outfielder at the last second to cleanly catch the ball....

I wish they had Ebbets Field.

When I hit a deep fly ball, the computer outfielders basically JOG to the ball when it is going to be an out. It looks like they might not get there, but always catch the ball on the run, or rather, on the job. This makes it too easy to know when to tag up from first or second, and I find I tag up and take a base that way more than what should be happening.

Great, Great game. Much better than MVP IMO. While hitting HR's completely out of Fenway Park, to DEAD CENTER, is fun, this game is more realistic, IMO.

[Gashouse6]

I don't like that there's no Stan. There also isn't a Mr. Cub. Is Mickey Mantle even in there? I don't really like their Legends selection, but it's still a great game.

[StanTheMan]

Yeah, no Mantle.... silly. I guess I do kind of enjoy the large selection of legends, but they definitely missed some.

I did hear one thing that was absolutely hilarious today, while playing the game. My boy and I are playing at the Polo Grounds, he with his ridiculous team mentioned above. And I stepped away to take a phone call. The game goes into it's panoramic camera shots of the PG, and the PA announcers comes on....

"Just a reminder to those fans sitting behind home plate today.... If you are talking on your cell phone and caught on camera waving to the people you are talking to, you will be arrested and subject to imprisonment for a minimum of 20 years. Thank You."

Absolutely hilarious... I hate when people do that at games.

Another bit of comedy in the game..... At Shea Stadium, there are advertising signs just to the side of either foul pole for "Hurtz Donuts." Surprisingly, my son did not know what a Hurtz Donut was.... he now has one bruise, and the knowledge to improve his playground pranks, old school style.

[Gashouse6]

I'm going to have to try that at Polo Grounds.

[Imapotato]

I guess I do kind of enjoy the large selection of Another bit of comedy in the game..... At Shea Stadium, there are advertising signs just to the side of either foul pole for "Hurtz Donuts." Surprisingly, my son did not know what a Hurtz Donut was.... he now has one bruise, and the knowledge to improve his playground pranks, old school style.

I play as my Phillies, and my bullpen stinks

I saw the sign when David Wright nailed a 3 run 9th inning GW HR OFF that sign

At 1st I didn't recall it, then I sounded it out loud...and just said "Yep it did" lol

I am near the All Star Break in Franchise right now, behind the Mets by 4.5 games, Was is in second (What?) and the Braves are in last...I can't believe that one

[StanTheMan]

I think the game will have a few funny PA announcements at just about any park.... you should just let your pitcher stand there a bit a few times here and there. The parks really do look fantastic. Definitely not like Baseball Stars on the Old NES.

I am about 15-10, tied for first in the Central (playing as the Cardinals). The Brewers are hanging in there with me. Realistically, the Cubs are crap. Houston is struggling as well.

I am playing "season" not franchise... as I usually don't want to deal with the ticket prices, and whether or not to have a bobblehead night on a Tuesday game against the Marlins, or have to answer questions about a blister on a AA pitchers finger.

I am finding it RIDICULOUSLY easy to hit with Albert Pujols. He has a hit in every game, and leads the league in homers and RBI. Hitting about .600 or so. I know the guy is a freak, but is anyone else just crushing the ball with their superstar???? The thing is, Rolen is about .295, Edmonds is about .270, Eckstein is off to a hot start at about .340 after 15 games. Most other guys are pretty realistic at this time, so I guess Albert is just hot. I have not messed with the sliders very much, except I increased my slider for Power. After about 10 games, Pujols had 6 HR's but Edmonds had 1, Eckstein had one, LOL, and that was it. It's starting to be more realistic now.....

Ok, Gameplay question.

Do you use the guess pitch feature? Do you guess the pitch, or guess the location? Both?

I will guess both, but only on a 3-0, or 3-1 count. I swing only slightly less than Vlad Guererro does in real life... so I don't work the count too much. I generally guess location until I get two strikes, but sometimes will guess the pitch type instead. About a 75% 25% split there.

I am finding it VERY tough to steal bases.... even when I get a bigger lead than normal. But 20 steals in a season is a big deal nowadays, so I guess I should just run less.

Another EXTREMELY annoying feature.... my guys get so fatigued, so easily that they are asking for days off every other day it seems like.... I hate that. I have been playing most of them anyway.... and had a 4 for 6, 5 RBI game with Juan Encarnacion when, according to the bench coach "he was extremely sluggish in the batting cage today and needs a day off." LOL

One other thought... imapotato........play a game, or a Home Run Derby at Shibe Park in Philly.... You will be launching the ball into the upper deck in left field with ease.... AROD even got one over the roof and out of the Stadium completely. About 460 feet.

Bryan in Indy