RBI BASEBALL ============ This FAQ was written by thalivest and submitted on October 9th, 2011. ================== TABLE OF CONTENTS ================== 1. INTRO 2. THANK YOU’S 3. DEFINITIONS 4. TEAMS/ PLAYERS 5. SUMMARY 6. FAQ ======== 1. INTRO ======== This game was released in 1988 by Namco/Tengen for the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) and has been heralded as a video game classic. Many follow ups ensued for the Sega Genesis and the franchise was abandoned in the mid 1990’s with the last known game to my knowledge being RBI Baseball ’95 for Sega 32X. ============== 2. THANK YOU'S ============== I would like to give a special thank you to dee-nee.com and tecmobowl-vs- rbi.com, for not only informing the masses about the in depth player ratings, but for providing great analysis and facts about this game. And more/other thanks when noted. ============== 3. DEFINITIONS ============== *HITTERS* NAME – The player’s name. If the full name is longer than 6 letters long it will be abbreviated in some form. R/L – Denotes whether the batter hits right or left handed. AVG.- The players batting average during the year this game was released. Has no effect on actual gameplay. HR – The number of home runs the player hit during the year this game was released. Has no effect on gameplay. CONTACT - A batter's contact stat is subtracted from their power when they don't "make good contact" with the ball; that is, if the ball is hit too close to the end of the bat, or too close to the batter's hands. Thus, the lower the number, the better. POWER – The amount of power each batter possesses reflecting in their ability to hit home runs. So the higher, the more powerful the batter. SPEED – How fast the player runs. The higher the number, the faster the player is on the basepaths. Has no effect on how fast a runner is defensively. In the field all defensive players, speed, range and arm strength is the same. *PITCHERS* R/L – Denotes whether pitcher throws with his right or left arm. SA – Denotes whether the pitcher has a sidearm delivery. ERA -- The pitchers earned run average during the year this game was released. Has no effect on actual gameplay. SINKER ABILITY (DROP) - The lower this number is, the less likely that a pitch made while holding "up" on the control pad will hit the plate. Pitchers with high numbers tend to throw sinkers or split fingers fastballs, while those with low numbers tend to throw knuckleballs CURVE (LEFT AND RIGHT) – Denotes how much a pitcher can curve his pitch to the specified direction. He higher the number, the greater curve can be applied. SINKER, CURVE & FASTBALL SPEED – The speed a pitcher can throw certain pitches. -Sinker (pressing up on the d-pad when throwing the pitch) -Curve (pressing nothing or left/right when throwing the pitch) -Fast (pressing down on the d-pad when throwing the pitch) STAMINA – The number of pitches a pitcher can throw before becoming tired. Fastballs (hold down on d-pad) and sinkers, split fingers, knuckleballs (holding up on d-pad) count as 2 pitches while normal pitches and curve (without pressing up/down) count as one. When a pitcher reaches his maximum number of allotted pitches, his pitches have less velocity (less speed) and also have less movement (curve/drop). NOTE: Thanks to nightwulf from nightwulf.rbicentral.com for figuring out what some of these attributes mean, including the meaning of contact which stumped many. ================ 4. TEAMS PLAYERS ================ CALIFORNIA No Name R/L Avg HR Cnt Power Speed ======================================= 01 Pettis LHB .258 5 20 759 140 02 DCincs RHB .256 26 26 885 124 03 Joyner LHB .290 22 14 864 130 04 Jacksn LHB .275 39 23 945 128 05 Dwning RHB .267 20 20 867 124 06 Grich RHB .268 9 21 819 124 07 Schfld RHB .249 13 28 861 130 08 Boone RHB .251 7 24 831 120 ======================================= 09 Burlsn RHB .284 5 17 789 134 10 Hendrk RHB .272 14 20 849 124 11 Wilfng LHB .249 3 29 816 132 12 Jones LHB .250 17 32 891 128 <--Speed--> No Name R/L ERA Snk Curve Snk Crv Fst Sta Un1 Un2 ====================================================== 01 Witt RHP 2.84 4 7 9 144 160 186 50 115 140 02 Sutton RHP 1.18 5 5 8 141 166 178 50 113 143 03 Corbet RHP 1.10 8 5 6 138 162 173 15 114 142 04 Moore RHP 2.97 2 2 4 149 170 197 13 116 139 BOSTON No Name R/L Avg HR Cnt Power Speed ======================================= 01 Barret RHB .286 4 16 735 134 02 Bucknr LHB .292 18 14 789 118 03 Boggs LHB .357 8 4 789 128 04 J.Rice RHB .324 20 10 891 126 05 Baylor RHB .263 31 29 924 136 06 DwEvns RHB .259 26 27 891 122 07 Gedman RHB .274 16 21 861 120 08 S.Owen LHB .231 1 34 735 132 ======================================= 09 Hndrsn RHB .265 15 26 879 122 10 Burks RHB .272 20 28 888 140 11 Armas RHB .264 43 28 918 118 12 Sullvn RHB .193 1 38 789 118 <--Speed--> No Name R/L ERA Snk Curve Snk Crv Fst Sta Un1 Un2 ====================================================== 01 Clemns RHP 2.48 4 6 9 166 186 210 44 114 143 02 Hurst LHP 2.99 9 5 4 169 181 192 40 113 140 03 Schrld RHP 1.41 2 3 5 173 184 200 15 114 139 04 Stanly RHP 1.81 8 6 9 138 157 184 15 116 142 DETROIT No Name R/L Avg HR Cnt Power Speed ======================================= 01 Tramml RHB .343 28 6 831 138 02 Gibson LHB .277 24 20 894 138 03 DaEvns LHB .257 34 29 951 120 04 Nokes LHB .289 32 18 852 120 05 Herndn RHB .324 9 10 759 122 06 Lemon RHB .277 20 21 882 122 07 Whitkr LHB .281 16 25 837 130 08 Brookn RHB .241 13 34 897 126 ======================================= 09 Shrdan LHB .259 6 28 831 134 10 Heath RHB .281 8 16 819 120 11 Madlck RHB .307 14 14 849 128 12 Bergmn LHB .273 6 23 789 120 <--Speed--> No Name R/L ERA Snk Curve Snk Crv Fst Sta Un1 Un2 ====================================================== 01 Alxndr RHP 1.53 3 5 11 150 172 188 40 141 143 02 Morris RHP 3.38 4 3 8 153 173 193 40 113 143 03 Hrndez LHP 1.11 3 6 3 146 160 198 15 141 146 04 King RHP 2.33 6 2 7 162 177 186 15 116 140 MINNESOTA No Name R/L Avg HR Cnt Power Speed ======================================= 01 Gladdn RHB .281 8 20 759 140 02 Gaetti RHB .257 31 25 891 130 03 Pucket RHB .332 28 6 822 134 04 Hrbek LHB .285 34 16 894 120 05 Brnsky RHB .259 32 23 906 130 06 Gagne RHB .265 10 22 807 124 07 Laudnr RHB .225 16 34 879 120 08 Lmbrdz RHB .238 8 31 789 124 ======================================= 09 Smally LHB .275 8 18 759 120 10 Davdsn RHB .267 1 22 744 132 11 Bush LHB .253 11 26 789 130 12 Larkin LHB .266 4 22 771 122 <--Speed--> No Name R/L ERA Snk Curve Snk Crv Fst Sta Un1 Un2 ====================================================== 01 Viola LHP 2.90 6 9 4 153 173 194 40 114 141 02 Blylvn RHP 1.45 9 6 10 160 165 184 54 112 143 03 Brnger RHP 1.38 6 2 4 152 184 216 12 110 145 04 Reardn RHP 1.92 5 5 8 146 178 197 14 113 142 HOUSTON No Name R/L Avg HR Cnt Power Speed ======================================= 01 Hatchr RHB .258 6 27 759 142 02 J.Cruz LHB .287 10 18 768 138 03 Wallng LHB .312 13 13 750 128 04 GDavis RHB .265 31 26 867 124 05 K.Bass LHB .311 20 14 780 138 06 Doran LHB .276 6 18 765 136 07 Rynlds LHB .249 6 34 804 124 08 Ashby LHB .257 7 28 777 124 ======================================= 09 Lopes RHB .275 7 21 795 146 10 Garner RHB .265 9 24 804 134 11 D.Thon RHB .248 3 28 783 132 12 Puhl LHB .281 3 21 768 136 <--Speed--> No Name R/L ERA Snk Curve Snk Crv Fst Sta Un1 Un2 ====================================================== 01 N.Ryan RHP 3.34 2 6 8 146 184 213 50 105 144 02 MScott RHP 2.22 14 4 7 170 170 189 50 115 142 03 Kerfld RSP 2.59 8 3 9 136 165 181 16 111 116 04 DSmith RHP 2.73 2 2 4 146 184 205 12 112 143 NEW YORK No Name R/L Avg HR Cnt Power Speed ======================================= 01 Dykstr LHB .295 8 15 768 142 02 Wilson LHB .289 9 18 771 138 03 Herndz LHB .310 13 11 843 124 04 Carter RHB .271 24 19 879 120 05 Strwby LHB .259 27 24 909 138 06 Backmn LHB .320 1 10 717 124 07 Knight RHB .298 11 14 798 124 08 Sntana RHB .245 1 38 708 124 ======================================= 09 Heep RHB .282 5 20 807 124 10 Teufel RHB .261 10 28 810 124 11 Johnsn LHB .245 10 32 819 130 12 Mazzli LHB .247 3 31 768 124 <--Speed--> No Name R/L ERA Snk Curve Snk Crv Fst Sta Un1 Un2 ====================================================== 01 Gooden RHP 2.84 7 5 9 149 184 205 48 141 146 02 Ojeda LHP 2.57 9 9 7 133 165 181 40 113 143 03 Orosco LSP 2.33 6 8 4 133 160 184 15 110 115 04 McDowl RHP 3.02 12 3 7 138 181 200 15 114 141 ST. LOUIS No Name R/L Avg HR Cnt Power Speed ======================================= 01 Colman LHB .298 3 17 762 148 02 OSmith LHB .303 0 15 735 144 03 T.Herr LHB .282 2 22 771 136 04 JClark RHB .286 35 20 891 122 05 McGee LHB .285 11 18 789 140 06 Pndltn LHB .296 12 19 798 134 07 Ford LHB .285 3 22 768 130 08 T.Pena RHB .286 10 23 807 122 ======================================= 09 Oqendo LHB .286 1 21 759 126 10 Morris LHB .261 3 31 807 126 11 Lindmn RHB .208 8 38 861 124 12 Lake RHB .251 2 32 768 124 <--Speed--> No Name R/L ERA Snk Curve Snk Crv Fst Sta Un1 Un2 ====================================================== 01 Tudor LHP 1.28 4 11 7 140 180 189 40 114 142 02 Cox RHP 1.32 8 4 9 144 176 188 40 112 143 03 Dayley LHP 2.66 3 7 3 153 173 198 15 139 147 04 Worrel RHP 2.66 4 3 5 176 180 204 15 113 141 SAN FRANCISCO No Name R/L Avg HR Cnt Power Speed ======================================= 01 JUribe LHB .291 5 14 747 128 02 Mitchl RHB .280 22 18 849 126 03 Leonrd RHB .280 19 16 864 134 04 Mldndo RHB .292 20 15 876 126 05 WClark LHB .308 35 13 882 124 06 Brenly RHB .267 18 21 819 126 07 CDavis LHB .250 24 24 873 136 08 Thmpsn RHB .262 10 23 777 124 ======================================= 09 Spilmn LHB .267 1 24 831 118 10 Speier RHB .249 11 28 807 130 11 Aldrte LHB .325 9 8 759 124 12 Yngbld RHB .268 3 22 801 124 <--Speed--> No Name R/L ERA Snk Curve Snk Crv Fst Sta Un1 Un2 ====================================================== 01 Krukow RHP 2.24 11 7 12 152 160 181 40 114 143 02 Reushl RHP 3.09 8 9 10 144 165 184 40 112 143 03 Grelts RHP 3.22 10 2 5 173 173 210 15 111 116 04 Robnsn RHP 3.42 6 5 8 133 170 200 15 111 141 AMERICAN No Name R/L Avg HR Cnt Power Speed ======================================= 01 Rndlph RHB .305 7 16 738 128 02 Mtngly LHB .327 30 8 855 128 03 Bell RHB .308 47 14 936 124 04 Cansco RHB .257 31 28 951 130 05 Ripken RHB .289 27 19 855 124 06 Baines LHB .293 20 18 792 122 07 Brett RHB .316 22 12 834 124 08 Schrdr RHB .332 14 10 759 120 ======================================= 09 McGwir RHB .289 49 18 942 126 10 Seitzr RHB .323 15 14 759 130 11 Moltor RHB .353 16 6 744 138 12 Franco RHB .319 9 11 741 140 <--Speed--> No Name R/L ERA Snk Curve Snk Crv Fst Sta Un1 Un2 ====================================================== 01 J.Key LHP 2.76 9 10 5 157 169 188 40 140 146 02 Sbrhgn RSP 3.36 9 6 11 152 165 185 40 113 143 03 Righti LHP 3.51 7 3 7 146 170 198 15 112 141 04 Henke RHP 2.49 8 7 4 173 174 210 15 113 141 NATIONAL No Name R/L Avg HR Cnt Power Speed ======================================= 01 Raines LHB .330 20 11 843 146 02 Sndbrg RHB .294 16 19 771 134 03 Sntago RHB .300 18 16 789 134 04 Dawson RHB .287 49 21 954 130 05 EDavis RHB .293 37 20 900 142 06 Schmdt RHB .293 35 20 891 124 07 Gllrga RHB .305 13 12 759 126 08 Pedriq RHB .294 1 19 729 130 ======================================= 09 Guerro RHB .338 27 12 849 128 10 Murphy RHB .295 44 17 909 132 11 Gwynn LHB .370 7 7 729 142 12 Kruk LHB .313 20 14 777 132 <--Speed--> No Name R/L ERA Snk Curve Snk Crv Fst Sta Un1 Un2 ====================================================== 01 Vlnzla LHP 1.42 10 8 12 140 166 180 40 115 142 02 Sutclf RHP 1.12 6 5 9 153 173 190 40 113 140 03 Franco LHP 2.52 7 4 3 157 176 202 15 142 146 04 Bedrsn RSP 2.83 3 8 8 145 170 197 15 112 143 Note: In the pitchers curve rating the first number denotes the curve ability to the left (inside to a right handed hitter) and the second number denoted curve ability to the right (inside to a left handed hitter). =========== 5. SUMMARY =========== I won’t break things like who has the most power, speed, or who has fastest fastball, or best curveball, as the numbers above will tell you that. Unfortunately unlike modern games one cannot change the starting line up, but can make substitutions. But when making subs with hitters or pitcher, don’t look at stats as they merely cosmetic. Look at the ability, contact/power/speed for hitters and curve, sinker ability, stamina and velocity (pitch speed) for pitchers. Note that all pitchers have a standard 640 in power, 120 in speed and 64 contact. And of importance all pinch hitter get a 64 point power boost for their first at bat. This power boost is only for their first at bat though ======== 6. FAQ's ======== Q: Who is the game’s best player? A: Excluding all star players then it’s Reggie Jackson from California. Including all stars then I’d say Andre Dawson from the National League may edge him out. Also in the running are Jose Canseco and George Bell From the American League. Q: Who is the game’s best pitcher? A: It depends on your style. For power pitchers I’d say Boston’s Roger Clemens, New York’s Dwight Gooden or Houston’s Nolan Ryan. For finesse, people tend to like the National League’s Fernando Valenzuela for his great curveball or San Francisco’s Mike Krukow who has excellent movement. Q: Who is the most underrated/overlooked player? A: For me it’s the National League’s Tim Raines. While a lot of this game is predicated on hitting power, Raines combines very good speed along with some decent power. Q: Who is the best team? A: Excluding all star teams many say Detroit or Boston. Including all stars I actually think the American League (though a lot say National) due to their superior pitching. Saberhagen, Key and Henke give them the edge to me. Q: Who is the worst team? A: The general consensus among many would be Houston. Keep in mind this is all debateable, and just my opinions. You may agree/disagree and others may their own, but it’s all opinion. Any questions can be sent to gmfynn@yahoo.com and I'll try and answer as best I can. Please put game title in subject line. This guide may be not be reproduced or sold under any circumstances. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright. Copyright thalivest 2011