Aside from being a great game, TLRUB is also notable for introducing many new features to the genre. It was one of the first series to offer full-career play, play-by-play recording capabilities, and even great coaching tips from La Russa himself to teach you his tricks of the trade. The graphics are smooth and very well done for their time, with a very intuitive interface. Although the career mode is restricted only to US-based teams, the multitudes of options will keep any coach occupied for months on end. Another hallmark that sets the game apart is the sheer flexibility: you can customize leagues, create players and make trades. The game even includes a large amount of stack-tracking, so that you can see when players will be hot or cold. And when you create your own players, you can even choose what type of player he will be (e.g. whether he will start off hot and cool off near the end of the season, or be cold in the beginning and unstoppable near the end).

Overall, TLRUB may never match Earl Weaver Baseball's reputation as a truly revolutionary game, or the Hardball series in terms of raw action on the pitch, but it's definitely a must-have if you're looking for a game that excels in both the managing and playing aspects. Two thumbs up!