Among Strat-O-Matic’s classic-season offerings, 1970 season stands out as a pivotal moment in baseball history. Now updated in Super Advanced form, this season captures the era’s rising stars, legendary performances, and unforgettable storylines that set the tone for a thrilling decade of baseball.

Few teams in history were as balanced and dominant as the Baltimore Orioles of 1970. With a blend of power, pitching, and defensive brilliance, the Orioles stormed to 108 wins during the regular season, swept the Twins in the ALCS, then capped it off with a 4-1 World Series triumph over Cincinnati’s powerful Reds. The Orioles’ lineup was a nightmare for opposing pitchers. The fearsome duo of MVP Boog Powell and Frank Robinson provided the power, while the team’s Gold Glove defense, highlighted by Brooks Robinson’s jaw-dropping World Series performance at third base, stifled the opposition. With three 20-game winners—Jim Palmer, Dave McNally, and Mike Cuellar—the Orioles were a model of dominance.

For Strat-O-Matic gamers, the 1970 season is loaded with highlights and stars across both leagues:

•Johnny Bench and the Reds’ powerhouse offense: Bench led the National League with 45 home runs and 148 RBIs, earning him the NL MVP award. Teammates Tony Pérez and Pete Rose helped the Reds score a league-best 775 runs, foreshadowing the dynasty that would soon come to be known as the “Big Red Machine.”

•Pitching legends: Pitching stars still soared in year two of the lowered mound. Bob Gibson won the NL Cy Young by posted a 3.12 ERA and 274 strikeouts while leading the NL with 23 wins. Tom Seaver (18-12, league leading 2.82 ERA and 283 K’s) and Ferguson Jenkins (22-16, 3.39 ERA, 24 complete games) showcased their brilliance, while Sam McDowell’s 304 strikeouts led all pitchers. Three AL pitchers won 24 games, O’s Cuellar and McNally plus Jim Perry of the AL-west champion Minnesota Twins.

•Offensive fireworks: Rico Carty of the Atlanta Braves led the majors with a .366 batting average, while Carl Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox and Alex Johnson of the California Angels both hit .329, with Johnson narrowly taking the AL batting title. The Cubs’ Billy Williams belted 42 home runs, while Hank Aaron continued his assault on the record books with 38 homers and 118 RBIs for Atlanta.

•Young stars on the rise: The 1970 season introduced fans to the next generation of stars. Rookie catcher Thurman Munson won AL Rookie of the Year honors for the Yankees with his steady bat and leadership behind the plate, while Vida Blue made his debut, offering a tantalizing glimpse of future dominance. Carl Morton edged out fellow newcomers Bernie Carbo, Larry Bowa, Cesar Cedeno, and Wayne Simpson as the top freshman in the senior circuit.

•Speedsters and table-setters: Lou Brock led the National League in stolen bases every year from 1966 to 1974, except for 1970. Bobby Tolan is the answer to that trivia question as his 57 steals beat out Brock’s 51 swipes. Bobby Bonds stole 48 bags, was only caught 10 times, and scored 134 runs at the top of the Giants lineup. Bert Campaneris led the AL wih 42 steals.

The 1970 season wasn’t just a bridge to the dynamic 1970s—it was a defining year in its own right. With unforgettable performances, emerging dynasties, and thrilling individual performances, this season offers Strat-OMatic players a treasure trove of drama and excitement to relive.

Rated for Basic, Advanced, and Super-Advanced play.

Every card set includes 693 player cards, almost 29 players per team.

Enhanced by 1200 additional hours of box-score analysis and in-depth research to create exclusive Strat-O ratings.