Round 2 Themes, 2026 Topic

The theme committee is happy to announce the Round 2 Themes so you can get started now on them if you'd like. I appreciate all the help from the group in helping us develop challenging themes that are also fun to research and build, and hopefully aren't too close to anything you've done before.

2026 WIS Championship - Round 2 Themes

All leagues will have:
  1. No Waiver Wire
  2. No AAA
  3. No Trades
  4. Injuries ON
  5. No restrictions on split season players (can use either combined or partial - Note that in a franchise theme, you must use a version who played for the selected franchise)
  6. No 300k exceptions
  7. Random alignment in all leagues, except 100M
  8. Team name requirements (see individual themes, as some have them)
  9. No 2026 players can be used in any Round 2 league even if released before the final deadline
7/31/2026 5:26 PM
70M
Mile High Mania
You must play in Coors or Mile High Stadium. No player salary can be higher than $5,280,000. Make sure you draft enough IP/PA!

DH: No
Seasons: All
Clones: No
Park: Coors or Mile High
Alignment: Random
300K exception: No
7/31/2026 5:31 PM
res for 70M Q&A
7/31/2026 5:31 PM
80M
From Aaron to Zwilling, Part II

Build your team using players whose last names all start with a different letter, using the same 25 players you used in Round 1. Round 2 will have no DH.

DH: No
Seasons: All
Clones: No
Park: Any stadium any of your players called home
Alignment: Random
300K exception: No
7/31/2026 5:32 PM
res for 80M Q&A
7/31/2026 5:32 PM
100M
Division Drafts

Round 1 rankings determine division alignment (1-12-13-24 in NL East, 2-11-14-23 in NL Central, 3-10-15-22 in NL West, 4-9-16-21 in AL East, 5-8-17-20 in AL Central, 6-7-18-19 in AL East). Owners will nominate any single season in order from 24-1. Each division will then hold a draft using exclusively players from the four selected seasons for their division.

Division drafts will require owners to select the specific season and salary of each player as they draft. A player will go off the board for that division once any season is selected. Draft order for the first round will go from highest-ranked owner down (e.g., 1 drafts first, then 13, then 14, then 24). Subsequent rounds will go from lowest cumulative salary to highest.

DH: No
Seasons: All
Clones: No
Park: Any stadium in use in any of your four seasons
Alignment: By Round 1 standings as above
300K exception: No

7/31/2026 5:42 PM (edited)
res for 100M Q&A
7/31/2026 5:34 PM
110M
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Take any season between 1936 and 1999 and take three teams from that year to make up your roster. The three teams will be known as
The Good. Any team with a winning percentage >= .550. Take any 7 players from this team for your roster.
The Bad. Any team between .425 and .500 winning percentage. Take any 7 players from this team and, for a little extra help from this weaker roster, take 1 clone (any year/team) of one of your chosen 7 players.
The Ugly. Any team with a winning percentage <= .425. Take any 7 players from this team and, for even more help from this weakest roster, take any 3 clones from these 7 players from any of their WIS seasons. You can use 3 clones of one player, clones of 3 different players, or some other combination.

So, your roster consists of 7 players from each of the three teams from your season, plus the 4 clones.

DH: No
Seasons: Selected seasons from 1936-1999, but clones may come from any season
Clones: Yes
Park: One used by one of your three teams
Alignment: Random
300K exception: No
Team name: Include your chosen year

7/31/2026 5:36 PM
Q: So for the $110m theme, is it 3 clones from the ugly, or 4? I see both listed above. I'm guessing 4, since 7+7+7 plus 3 clones equals only 24 players
A: No, you take 1 clone from The Bad and 3 clones from The Ugly.
8/1/2026 1:30 PM (edited)
120M
WAR: What Is It Good For?

Using the top 500+ players in BB-ref’s rankings for Career WAR (excluding some 19th century, Negro Leaguers and inning-compiler pitchers), we created two sets of boxes. The top 10 are in Group 1, players 11-20 and 21-30 are in Group 2, players 31-40 and 41-50 in Group 1, etc.

Pick one of the two groups and use exactly one player from each of the 25 boxes labeled A-Y, from any season you choose. If you choose Group 1, all your players must come from the Group 1 boxes. No crossing over.

DH: Yes
Seasons: All
Clones: No
Park: Any
Alignment: Random
300K exception: No


7/31/2026 5:38 PM
Group 1 Group 2
Box A Box A
Babe Ruth Stan Musial
Walter Johnson Rogers Hornsby
Cy Young Eddie Collins
Barry Bonds Ted Williams
Willie Mays Grover Alexander
Ty Cobb Kid Nichols
Henry Aaron Alex Rodriguez
Roger Clemens Lou Gehrig
Tris Speaker Rickey Henderson
Honus Wagner Mel Ott
Box B Box B
Joe Morgan Mickey Mantle
Warren Spahn Tom Seaver
Carl Yastrzemski Nap Lajoie
Eddie Mathews Christy Mathewson
Phil Niekro Frank Robinson
Cal Ripken Jr. Mike Schmidt
Roberto Clemente Lefty Grove
Bert Blyleven Greg Maddux
Cap Anson Albert Pujols
Adrian Beltré Randy Johnson
Box C Box C
Al Kaline Robin Roberts
Jimmie Foxx Chipper Jones
Eddie Plank Charlie Gehringer
Wade Boggs George Davis
Mike Trout Roger Connor
Steve Carlton Fergie Jenkins
Gaylord Perry Pedro Martínez
Bob Gibson Ken Griffey Jr.
George Brett John Clarkson
Tim Keefe Mike Mussina
Box D Box D
Brooks Robinson Justin Verlander
Arky Vaughan Nolan Ryan
Zack Greinke Rod Carew
Robin Yount Clayton Kershaw
Luke Appling Tom Glavine
Ozzie Smith Jeff Bagwell
Mookie Betts Pete Rose
Bobby Wallace Curt Schilling
Jim McCormick Joe DiMaggio
Sam Crawford Dan Brouthers
Box E Box E
Paul Molitor Harry Heilmann
Johnny Bench Rafael Palmeiro
Lou Whitaker Frankie Frisch
Bill Dahlen Derek Jeter
Max Scherzer Bobby Grich
Paul Waner Ted Lyons
Reggie Jackson Alan Trammell
Frank Thomas Barry Larkin
Jim Thome Ron Santo
Larry Walker Ed Delahanty
Box F Box F
Robinson Canó Johnny Mize
Eddie Murray Gary Carter
Iván Rodríguez Scott Rolen
Red Ruffing Carlos Beltrán
Carlton Fisk Tim Raines
Carl Hubbell Rick Reuschel
Jim Palmer Manny Ramirez
Kenny Lofton Tony Gwynn
Edgar Martínez Fred Clarke
Pee Wee Reese John Smoltz
Box G Box G
Al Simmons Freddie Freeman
Graig Nettles Don Sutton
Ryne Sandberg Buddy Bell
Ernie Banks Luis Tiant
Kevin Brown Duke Snider
Miguel Cabrera Willie Randolph
Dwight Evans Goose Goslin
Ed Walsh Craig Biggio
Don Drysdale Paul Goldschmidt
Roberto Alomar Andre Dawson
Box H Box H
Red Faber Joe Cronin
Billy Williams Reggie Smith
Joey Votto Chase Utley
Bob Feller Willie McCovey
Vic Willis Richie Ashburn
Lou Boudreau Aaron Judge
Ken Boyer Roy Halladay
Juan Marichal Dave Winfield
Hal Newhouser Jackie Robinson
Andruw Jones Billy Hamilton
Box I Box I
Home Run Baker Sal Bando
David Cone Joe Jackson
CC Sabathia Jake Beckley
Mark McGwire Early Wynn
Dennis Eckersley Jesse Burkett
Manny Machado Willie Davis
Stan Coveleski Gary Sheffield
Todd Helton Jim Edmonds
Jack Glasscock Keith Hernandez
Tommy John Harmon Killebrew
Box J Box J
Jim Bunning Dazzy Vance
Bob Caruthers Bobby Abreu
Vladimir Guerrero Andy Pettitte
Joe McGinnity José Ramírez
Nolan Arenado Zack Wheat
Mark Buehrle Sherry Magee
Cole Hamels Chris Sale
Urban Shocker Ichiro Suzuki
Evan Longoria Mike Piazza
Bret Saberhagen Yogi Berra
Box K Box K
Dick Allen Tim Hudson
Eddie Cicotte George Sisler
Darrell Evans Joe Torre
Sammy Sosa Willie Stargell
Mordecai Brown Billy Herman
Jack Quinn Enos Slaughter
Rube Waddell Whitey Ford
John Olerud Frank Tanana
Bobby Bonds Shohei Ohtani
Chuck Finley Larry Doby
Box L Box L
Eppa Rixey Will Clark
Jim Wynn Bill Terry
Jack Powell Dave Stieb
Max Carey Johnny Damon
Francisco Lindor Mariano Rivera
Chet Lemon Bill Dickey
Joe Mauer Robin Ventura
George Uhle Bryce Harper
Joe Gordon Orel Hershiser
Bob Johnson Luis Aparicio
Box M Box M
Hank Greenberg Joe Medwick
Jeff Kent Vada Pinson
Gabby Hartnett Tony Pérez
Willie Keeler Ian Kinsler
Stan Hack Ron Cey
David Ortiz Jerry Koosman
Joe Sewell Bucky Walters
Sam Rice Wilbur Cooper
Kevin Appier David Wells
José Cruz Elmer Flick
Box N Box N
Bid McPhee Jose Altuve
Joe Tinker Jimmy Collins
Fred McGriff Minnie Miñoso
Babe Adams Billy Pierce
Waite Hoyt Harry Hooper
Jim O'Rourke Bert Campaneris
Norm Cash Jack Clark
Lance Berkman César Cedeño
Larry Jackson Dwight Gooden
Dustin Pedroia Burleigh Grimes
Box O Box O
Luis Gonzalez Bob Elliott
Johan Santana Torii Hunter
Earl Averill Joe Kelley
Brian Downing Jason Giambi
Toby Harrah Jim Kaat
Carl Mays Kenny Rogers
Bobby Doerr Mark Teixeira
Brian Giles Dave Bancroft
Kirby Puckett Tommy Bridges
Tony Phillips Silver King
Box P Box P
Félix Hernández Ted Simmons
Jamie Moyer Orlando Cepeda
Eddie Rommel Fred Lynn
Brett Butler Mark Langston
Jimmy Sheckard Roy Oswalt
Bernie Williams Wilbur Wood
Nellie Fox Dizzy Trout
Bobby Veach Ellis Burks
David Wright Mickey Cochrane
Dutch Leonard Jacob deGrom
Box Q Box Q
Jimmy Key Buddy Myer
Sandy Koufax Wally Schang
Marcus Semien Bob Lemon
Jim Fregosi Ralph Kiner
Dennis Martínez Tommy Leach
Ed Konetchy Heinie Manush
Andrew McCutchen Kiki Cuyler
Doc White Johnny Evers
Joe Judge Mickey Lolich
Dolf Luque Charles Bender
Box R Box R
Ryan Braun Buck Ewing
Larry Gardner Jimmy Rollins
George Mullin Ron Guidry
Hippo Vaughn Bobo Newsom
Carlos Correa Heinie Groh
Miguel Tejada John McGraw
Bob Shawkey Jim Rice
Giancarlo Stanton Curtis Granderson
Frank Viola Tony Lazzeri
Josh Donaldson Devon White
Box S Box S
Gene Tenace Chuck Klein
Roy White Vern Stephens
Hoyt Wilhelm Dizzy Dean
Mike Cameron Murry Dickson
Frank Chance Art Fletcher
Matt Williams Willie Wilson
Dale Murphy King Kelly
Mark Grace Thurman Munson
Del Pratt Lave Cross
Bartolo Colón Edd Roush
Box T Box T
Alex Bregman Rusty Staub
Lou Brock Lon Warneke
Tony Fernández Javier Vázquez
Brad Radke Omar Vizquel
Adam Wainwright Roger Peckinpaugh
Christian Yelich Jesse Tannehill
Vida Blue Larry French
Claude Passeau Augie Galan
Herb Pennock Addie Joss
Buster Posey Juan Soto
Box U Box U
Harry Stovey Bill Freehan
Earle Combs Red Lucas
J.D. Drew Steve Rogers
Dixie Walker Ben Zobrist
Rocky Colavito Chuck Knoblauch
Jim Gilliam Matt Chapman
Red Schoendienst Jimmy Ryan
Troy Tulowitzki Carlos Delgado
Zack Wheeler Lonny Frey
Larry Doyle Matt Holliday
Box V Box V
Travis Jackson Sam Thompson
Gerrit Cole Nomar Garciaparra
Al Dark Brett Gardner
Noodles Hahn Mel Harder
Carlos Zambrano Cupid Childs
Gil Hodges Steve Finley
Milt Pappas George Foster
Bob Welch Rabbit Maranville
Julio Franco Corey Seager
Adrián González Fred Tenney
Box W Box W
Al Oliver Mel Stottlemyre
Xander Bogaerts Dolph Camilli
Charlie Keller Jack Chesbro
Jack Morris Matt Olson
Jon Lester Fielder Jones
Roger Bresnahan Amos Otis
Cliff Lee Jorge Posada
Curt Simmons Sad Sam Jones
Hugh Duffy Elmer Smith
Tony Oliva Ken Williams
Box X Box X
Darryl Strawberry Ben Chapman
Gary Gaetti Schoolboy Rowe
George Springer José Canseco
Nelson Cruz Lenny Dykstra
Phil Rizzuto Hughie Jennings
John Candelaria Davey Lopes
Curt Flood Don Mattingly
Bill Nicholson Felipe Alou
Plácido Polanco Wally Berger
Sam McDowell Harry Brecheen
Box Y Box Y
Ken Singleton Jason Heyward
Roy Thomas Cy Seymour
Roy Campanella Mike Tiernan
Doug DeCinces Fernando Valenzuela
Jason Kendall Dick Bartell
Yadier Molina Andy Van Slyke
Jim Perry Claude Osteen
Eddie Stanky Tom Candiotti
Trea Turner Jack Fournier
Harlond Clift Rich Gossage
8/1/2026 3:59 PM (edited)
res for Q&A
8/1/2026 3:56 PM (edited)
130M
The Alternating Chain

Start with any hitter season from 1920-2001 you choose as your starting point. This player also determines which ballpark you will use. Then take any teammate of that player and use one of their pitching seasons moving forward in time. Then take any teammate of this second player and use one of their hitting seasons moving forward in time. Continue alternating hitters and pitchers until you reach the end of your chain, so you will have 12 pitchers and 13 hitters.

Remember: You must go forward in time at least one year with each link, so you will have 25 different seasons on your roster.

DH: Yes
Seasons: 1920-2025
Clones: No
Park: Use your first player’s home ballpark (or WIS Park if unavailable)
Alignment: Random
300K exception: No

7/31/2026 5:41 PM
Q: If the teammate you are linking played only one game that season (but they were teammates that season according to Baseball Reference), is that within the rules? Or does it have to be a player who appears in the WIS database for that season?
A: Yes to the first question. Any teammate from the same season regardless of how much they played. No WIS season is required.
8/2/2026 12:57 PM (edited)

The Ugly. Any team with a winning percentage <= .425. Take any 7 players from this team and, for even more help from this weakest roster, take any 3 clones from these 7 players from any of their WIS seasons. You can use 3 clones of one player, clones of 3 different players, or some other combination.

So, your roster consists of 7 players from each of the three teams from your season, plus the 4 clones.


So for the $110m theme, is it 3 clones from the ugly, or 4? I see both listed above. I'm guessing 4, since 7+7+7 plus 3 clones equals only 24 players
8/1/2026 12:46 PM
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Round 2 Themes, 2026 Topic

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