If I was Strat-O-Matic Commissioner for a day ...

These are changes I would make

1) bring back the old card patterns (especially basic)
2) eliminate colors and shading, either black or blue ink on white card stock, PERIOD
3) completely redo SA effects so it does not destroy the advanced cards, Replay and others do a great
   job with this

but most importantly

4) The FIRST thing I would do is create some more oldtimers teams

BUT they would be one sided in the OLD basic card patterns.

There have not been any new oldtimers teams since 1976. Other game engines (APBA and Replay for example) have done very well with their versions. My suggestions:

Part 1
1900-1919 is terribly represented, here are some candidates

1903 first world series participants Pilgrims (Red Sox) and Pirates including a Cy Young card
1904 Highlanders (Yankees) Chesbro
1905 A's to replay the "shutout" world series
1906 White Sox hitless wonders
1908 Cubs last champion, 1908 Giants (incredible pennant race), 1908 Tigers, White Sox, Indians (ditto)
1912 Red Sox and Giants
1914 Miracle Braves
1915 Phillies
1915 or 1916 Red Sox - a world champion with a great Babe Ruth pitching card
1916 Dodgers
1917 White Sox  last world champion until 2005
1919 Reds

NEW LOOK
1900-1909
1. 1903 Pilgrims
2. 1903 Pirates
3. 1904 Highlanders
4. 1905 Giants
5. 1905 A's
6. 1906 Cubs
7. 1906 White Sox
8. 1908 Cubs
9. 1909 Pirates
10. 1909 Tigers
also in consideration: 1908 White Sox, 1908 Indians, 1908 Giants

1910-1919
1. 1911 A's
2. 1912 Red Sox
3. 1912 Giants
4. 1914 Braves
5. 1915 Phillies
6. 1916 Red Sox
7. 1916 Dodgers
8. 1917 White Sox
9. 1919 Reds
10. 1919 White Sox


Part 2
1920-1929 candidates
1920 Dodgers/Robins
1923 Yankees first world champion
1926 Cards and Yanks - St. Louis (N) first world champion, Alexander vs Lazzeri
1928 Yankees an oft overlooked team
1929 A's some consider a top 5 team all time

Part 3
1930-1939 candidates
1931 Cards (to replay the WS)
1932 Yankees and possibly Cubs (Ruth's called shot)
1933 Senators last pennant winner
1939 Yankees some consider top 5 all time

Part 4
1940-49 candidates
1940 Tigers
1942 Dodgers and Cardinals
1943 Yankees
1944 Browns (only pennant winner) and Cards
1945 Cubs (last pennant winner) and Tigers
1946 Dodgers Lost first ever playoff
1947 Dodgers (Jackie's first year) and Yankees
1948 Braves and Red Sox
1949 Yankees, Dodgers (Jackie MVP) and Red Sox

Part 5 1950-59 candidates
1951 Yankees, Giants and Dodgers
1953 Yankees
1955 Yankees and Dodgers
1956 Yankees and Dodgers
1959 White Sox
tough decade with so many Yankees and Dodgers pennant winners