Every time I hear the opening theme music to this game I am immediately transcended back into time. A time when me and my best friend would spend hours with this game. The best part was creating your teams, players, and even stadiums. Then, once we had the rosters ready, we would set up our league. This game enabled me to learn a lot about MLB back in the late 80's-early 90's (researching rosters for input and such).
Having total control over your team, your league, and your rosters is something that current generation games are STILL trying to get right.
Earl Weaver Baseball had it right a long time ago, but unfortunately no one else seems to have taken notice, except us nostalgic gamers. It was so simple to navigate through and to customize everything. You need to grant an extra day off for players to rest for an All-Star Break or whatever, go ahead and go to the Commissioner menu and do it.
Editing rosters, starting lineups, rotations, and the players themselves had so much depth. It was unprecedented, and still is unmatched. Never before had I seen a game that would allow you to change your lineups based on what handed the pitcher was or whether or not you had DH in your league.
This game only lacked
the MLB license and MLB rosters. It was unfortunate, but it was also kind of a blessing. As a result of this, I had to spend a lot of time learning the players and teams and it made me a better MLB fan, plus I was a kid and had nothing better to do.
Seals Stadium, Ebbets Field, Polo Grounds, Metropolitan Stadium, Crosley Field, and on and on! It enabled me to ask my dad questions about old teams and ballparks. Are you the type that just likes to manage games? EWB gave you that opportunity as well! Want to spend less time, go to one-pitch mode. They thought of nearly every option imaginable. It's no wonder I still long for this game today!!!
My best friend and I had the greatest game was a 31 inning duel between our high school varsity team vs. the high school junior varsity team. It was a game we'll never forget and an era we'll never forget. The stats, the depth, the simple game-play, it's all here and ready for you...still!
Earl Weaver Baseball is a classic. I wish my son would latch on to a game the way I did this one. Instead, he switches from one mindless game to the next it seems. This game was my world for 3+ years! Sad, perhaps? But for better or worse, EWB was a part of my life that I'll never forget, nor do I want to.
