Sure, if you have sacrificed your future for the present, you can win the majority of your Major League games pretty easily. And yes, if you have all of your best players sitting in the minors, it's pretty easy to win most of those games, too.
The true mark of a successful owner, however, is when he can be successful at every level. Likewise, the true mark of a great HBD cycle is when your franchise accomplishes a clean sweep - a win in every game it played during that cycle.
Let's see what owner can reach perfection the most often during the season. Send me (Minnesota Twins) a trade chat if your franchise experiences perfection during a particular cycle, and I'll add you to the running tally below. For purposes of this tally, only cycles with at least 4 games played will count as "perfection." The final winner will get my hearty congratulations and some modest bragging rights.
For this season 8, our first tracking the "clean sweeps," the tally will begin post-All-Star break.
Good luck everyone!
Season Totals
1.......7*......Oakland Athletics
2.......6*......New York Mets
3.......3.......Nashville Sounds
4.......2.......Houston Astros
5.......1.......Milwaukee Brewers
5(T)....1.......Montreal Expos
6.......0.......Everyone Else
Perfect Cycles
Houston Astros - 8/3 PM (6/6); 8/3 PM2 (6/6)
Milwaukee Brewers - 8/8 PM (6/6)
Montreal Expos - 8/14 AM (6/6)
Nashville Sounds - 8/7 PM2 (6/6); 8/8 PM (6/6); 8/17 AM (6/6)
New York Mets - 8/4 PM1 (6/6); 8/5 AM (5/5; rookie off); 8/5 PM (6/6); 8/7 PM2 (6/6); 8/11 AM (5/5; rookie off); 8/16 PM2 (5/5; rookie off)
Oakland Athletics - 8/4 AM (5/5; ML off); 8/5PM2 (6/6); 8/7 PM (6/6); 8/10 AM (6/6); 8/10 PM2 (6/6); 8/11 PM (6/6); 8/15 PM (6/6)
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
First Half Pickup of the Season (Minnesota Twins edition)
The Twins enjoyed a great deal of off-season stability once again heading into Season 8, so this particular accolade was not hotly contested. Only two ML contributors ended last season as a member of some other franchise. Coincidentally, both of those players ended last season as part of the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Runner-up for the First Half Pickup of the Season (Minnesota Twins edition) is Wade Harper. The only Rule 5 acquisition for the Twins this season, Harper was selected in Round 1 of the Rule 5 Draft, with the 32nd overall pick. Though he has been part of the platoon, along with William Koh, that was asked to replace departing Free Agent Solly Yearwood, management was fully aware that Harper's value was tied to his glove rather than his bat.
Prior to being picked up by the Twins, Harper had never been fully appreciated by the franchise that employed him. A Third Round pick (108th overall) in Season 3 by donaldkey and the Chicago Cubs, Harper signed for the modest sum of $425,000 as a signing bonus. He then logged 190 AB in 69 games for the Cubs' Rookie League team that season before he was released. Recognizing his value as a minor league defensive replacement, jonboynky claimed him off of the waiver wire on behalf of the St. Louis Cardinals and assigned him to the AA level after the season had ended.
For the next three seasons, Harper toiled away at the AA level as a part-time player. He production with the bat was unspectacular, but he slowly forced himself into the lineup more and more often by virtue of his defensive prowess. His AB progressed steadily from season to season, from only 70 AB in 101 games in S4, to 191 AB in 100 games in S5, to 238 AB in 102 games in S6. Finally, in S7, still at AA for STL, Harper broke into the lineup full-time, posting a .224/.299/.310 line in 504 AB in 144 games. Though he struggled to make contact at times (103 strikeouts), Harper did accumulate 30 extra-base-hits and 20 stolen bases in that full season. Nevertheless, he did not fit into the long-term plans of STL, and so was left unprotected in S8's Rule 5 draft, where he was snapped up by the Twins.
Since getting his break in Minnesota, Harper has filled his role admirably. As the primary SS against right-handed hitting, Harper has batted .205/.271/.308 in 117 AB over 40 games. He's also been successful on 5 of his 6 stolen base attempts and contributed 14 runs, 4 doubles, a triple, 2 home runs, and 13 RBI. More importantly, he has fielded the SS position well, turning in a .981 fielding percentage and a 5.09 Range Factor thus far.
All that said, while Harper has undoubtedly been a valuable role player for the Twins so far, he is clearly not the winner of the First Half Pickup of the Season (Minnesota Twins edition). That honor goes instead to Hideo Hyun.
Primarily a left fielder in S7 for the Cardinals, Hyun was reasonably productive last season, particularly with the bat, hitting .243/.319/.513 with 38 HR and 23 SB. Eligible for his second arbitration hearing in S8, however, Hyun was seeking more money than the Cardinals thought he was worth. As such, he found himself in the unenviable position of being released and looking for work before Spring Training in S8.
The Twins, at that time, were faced with a bit of a dilemma. Management thought the ML squad was one big bat from becoming a top contender, and while Blade LaRue had filled in admirably towards the end of S7, he wasn't quite what management had in mind long-term. After some very surprising arbitration hearing results (most notably Virgil Mendoza and Gabby Martin losing their cases and being awarded the league minimum of $378,000 each), the Twins had an unanticipated payroll surplus and went looking at the available free agents.
By this point, four days after arbitration hearings, most of the better FA had been signed and were holding press conferences showing off their new uniforms. Hyun, however, had seemingly slipped through the cracks. Though not the big bat Twins management was hoping for, Hyun's combination of power and speed seemed to fit well with the Twins transition to a more well-rounded offensive team, and management thought he would be worth the signing as a stop-gap until the big bat could be landed (those attempts eventually proved fruitless). Hyun, anxious for a place to play, signed with the Twins for the reasonable salary of $3,750,000 in a one-season deal.
Four years removed from a stellar rookie season (.285/.346/.655, 56 HR, 102 runs, 130 RBI), Hyun found himself at a career crossroads when Spring Training opened. With All-Star candidates Jay Black and Hiram Bang firmly entrenched at the corner OF positions, Hyun was given the opportunity to compete for AB at 1B/DH. With the pressure on, especially with Donn Stafford expected to make the jump to the Major Leagues as the primary DH, Hyun performed admirably, hitting .389/.421/.667 in 18 Spring Training AB. While Stafford opened the season in AAA, Hyun played on a nearly daily basis early in the season at DH vs LH pitchers and 1B vs RH pitchers. When Stafford was called up, Hyun stuck as the 1B vs RH SP and the 4th OF vs LH SP, used to keep other players fresh (Moe Larkin generally starts vs LH SP).
So far, Hyun has recaptured the potent production that characterized his inaugural ML campaign. Appearing in 53 games, Hyun has logged 217, batting .313/.373/.650 for an OPS of 1.023 to go along with 20 HR and 10/11 SB. A 20-20 season seems in the works, and if playing time allows, 30-30 seems a possibility as well. Hyun has fit particularly nicely into the #3 spot in the batting order, allowing him to both score runs (53) and drive them in (50).
For all these contributions, Hideo Hyun has unquestionably been the First Half Pickup of the Season for the Minnesota Twins. For that Twins management salutes him, and vows to do its best to help Hyun add a World Series title to his collection of baseball accomplishments.
The Runner-up for the First Half Pickup of the Season (Minnesota Twins edition) is Wade Harper. The only Rule 5 acquisition for the Twins this season, Harper was selected in Round 1 of the Rule 5 Draft, with the 32nd overall pick. Though he has been part of the platoon, along with William Koh, that was asked to replace departing Free Agent Solly Yearwood, management was fully aware that Harper's value was tied to his glove rather than his bat.
Prior to being picked up by the Twins, Harper had never been fully appreciated by the franchise that employed him. A Third Round pick (108th overall) in Season 3 by donaldkey and the Chicago Cubs, Harper signed for the modest sum of $425,000 as a signing bonus. He then logged 190 AB in 69 games for the Cubs' Rookie League team that season before he was released. Recognizing his value as a minor league defensive replacement, jonboynky claimed him off of the waiver wire on behalf of the St. Louis Cardinals and assigned him to the AA level after the season had ended.
For the next three seasons, Harper toiled away at the AA level as a part-time player. He production with the bat was unspectacular, but he slowly forced himself into the lineup more and more often by virtue of his defensive prowess. His AB progressed steadily from season to season, from only 70 AB in 101 games in S4, to 191 AB in 100 games in S5, to 238 AB in 102 games in S6. Finally, in S7, still at AA for STL, Harper broke into the lineup full-time, posting a .224/.299/.310 line in 504 AB in 144 games. Though he struggled to make contact at times (103 strikeouts), Harper did accumulate 30 extra-base-hits and 20 stolen bases in that full season. Nevertheless, he did not fit into the long-term plans of STL, and so was left unprotected in S8's Rule 5 draft, where he was snapped up by the Twins.
Since getting his break in Minnesota, Harper has filled his role admirably. As the primary SS against right-handed hitting, Harper has batted .205/.271/.308 in 117 AB over 40 games. He's also been successful on 5 of his 6 stolen base attempts and contributed 14 runs, 4 doubles, a triple, 2 home runs, and 13 RBI. More importantly, he has fielded the SS position well, turning in a .981 fielding percentage and a 5.09 Range Factor thus far.
All that said, while Harper has undoubtedly been a valuable role player for the Twins so far, he is clearly not the winner of the First Half Pickup of the Season (Minnesota Twins edition). That honor goes instead to Hideo Hyun.
Primarily a left fielder in S7 for the Cardinals, Hyun was reasonably productive last season, particularly with the bat, hitting .243/.319/.513 with 38 HR and 23 SB. Eligible for his second arbitration hearing in S8, however, Hyun was seeking more money than the Cardinals thought he was worth. As such, he found himself in the unenviable position of being released and looking for work before Spring Training in S8.
The Twins, at that time, were faced with a bit of a dilemma. Management thought the ML squad was one big bat from becoming a top contender, and while Blade LaRue had filled in admirably towards the end of S7, he wasn't quite what management had in mind long-term. After some very surprising arbitration hearing results (most notably Virgil Mendoza and Gabby Martin losing their cases and being awarded the league minimum of $378,000 each), the Twins had an unanticipated payroll surplus and went looking at the available free agents.
By this point, four days after arbitration hearings, most of the better FA had been signed and were holding press conferences showing off their new uniforms. Hyun, however, had seemingly slipped through the cracks. Though not the big bat Twins management was hoping for, Hyun's combination of power and speed seemed to fit well with the Twins transition to a more well-rounded offensive team, and management thought he would be worth the signing as a stop-gap until the big bat could be landed (those attempts eventually proved fruitless). Hyun, anxious for a place to play, signed with the Twins for the reasonable salary of $3,750,000 in a one-season deal.
Four years removed from a stellar rookie season (.285/.346/.655, 56 HR, 102 runs, 130 RBI), Hyun found himself at a career crossroads when Spring Training opened. With All-Star candidates Jay Black and Hiram Bang firmly entrenched at the corner OF positions, Hyun was given the opportunity to compete for AB at 1B/DH. With the pressure on, especially with Donn Stafford expected to make the jump to the Major Leagues as the primary DH, Hyun performed admirably, hitting .389/.421/.667 in 18 Spring Training AB. While Stafford opened the season in AAA, Hyun played on a nearly daily basis early in the season at DH vs LH pitchers and 1B vs RH pitchers. When Stafford was called up, Hyun stuck as the 1B vs RH SP and the 4th OF vs LH SP, used to keep other players fresh (Moe Larkin generally starts vs LH SP).
So far, Hyun has recaptured the potent production that characterized his inaugural ML campaign. Appearing in 53 games, Hyun has logged 217, batting .313/.373/.650 for an OPS of 1.023 to go along with 20 HR and 10/11 SB. A 20-20 season seems in the works, and if playing time allows, 30-30 seems a possibility as well. Hyun has fit particularly nicely into the #3 spot in the batting order, allowing him to both score runs (53) and drive them in (50).
For all these contributions, Hideo Hyun has unquestionably been the First Half Pickup of the Season for the Minnesota Twins. For that Twins management salutes him, and vows to do its best to help Hyun add a World Series title to his collection of baseball accomplishments.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Spring Training Strategies: Season 8
I am going to open this one up for complete interaction and discussion.
What are your Spring Training strategies?
To get started, I try to run with 30-35 pitchers and 30-35 hitters. I also like to ensure I have at least 3-4 players for each key position (SS, 2B, 3B, CF and C). As far as pitching goes, I generally run a staff of "Tandem" Starters 1-4 giving 8 SP plenty of IP over the course of the spring. The "locks" for the rotation usually make up the "a" portion of the tandem, while the prospects generally make up for the "B" part of the tandem. Every other pitcher on my roster gets designated a Setup A. As they accumulate innings, they get benched untill all members of the staff have a roughly equal amount of IP. For example, after 2-3 games I will go through and rest any RP that has pitched at least 1-2 innings, ensuring that those who haven't pitched yet will get their chance. With 30-35 pitchers on hand (22-27 of which are RP), each usually gets between 3-6 IP over the course of 3-8 outings or so. As far as hitters go I let my starters start the first game or two, then I try not to play any of my ML starters again until the last few games of the Spring. I like to run lineups out there consisting of my best prospects and some fringy-types to see how they play out. I used to think it would help one of my lesser players catch a DiTR, but I have since learned that playing time during Spring Training has nothing to do with DiTR's. This is just a rough overview on how I approach the dreaded Spring Training games. What's your approach?
What are your Spring Training strategies?
To get started, I try to run with 30-35 pitchers and 30-35 hitters. I also like to ensure I have at least 3-4 players for each key position (SS, 2B, 3B, CF and C). As far as pitching goes, I generally run a staff of "Tandem" Starters 1-4 giving 8 SP plenty of IP over the course of the spring. The "locks" for the rotation usually make up the "a" portion of the tandem, while the prospects generally make up for the "B" part of the tandem. Every other pitcher on my roster gets designated a Setup A. As they accumulate innings, they get benched untill all members of the staff have a roughly equal amount of IP. For example, after 2-3 games I will go through and rest any RP that has pitched at least 1-2 innings, ensuring that those who haven't pitched yet will get their chance. With 30-35 pitchers on hand (22-27 of which are RP), each usually gets between 3-6 IP over the course of 3-8 outings or so. As far as hitters go I let my starters start the first game or two, then I try not to play any of my ML starters again until the last few games of the Spring. I like to run lineups out there consisting of my best prospects and some fringy-types to see how they play out. I used to think it would help one of my lesser players catch a DiTR, but I have since learned that playing time during Spring Training has nothing to do with DiTR's. This is just a rough overview on how I approach the dreaded Spring Training games. What's your approach?
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Mike Piazza Award
Voting Criteria - Please vote based on relative value of the pick (so consider round/pick), his success at varying levels (the higher the level the better), and his long-term prospects to contribute at the Big League Level.
Without further ado, here are the candidates submitted for the first Mike Piazza Award (covering seasons 1 - 6).
In Alphabetical Order:
Livan Baez - Season 3, Round 4, Pick 127, New York Mets, trooperbud
Oswaldo Concepcion - Season 2, Round 22, Pick 708, Minnesota Twins, zbrent716
Jake Howington - Season 4, Round 3, Pick 76, Nashville Sounds, tonywin33
Oswaldo Lee - Season 4, Round 8, Pick 251, Colorado Rockies, mr_stickball
Chris Leverton - Season 6, Round 3, Pick 92, Chicago White Sox, pfontaine
Tiny Towers - Season 4, Round 6, Pick 193, Boston Red Sox, Stewart_UK
Michael Urich - Season 4, Round 3, Pick 80, Houston Astros, coachdeal10
Without further ado, here are the candidates submitted for the first Mike Piazza Award (covering seasons 1 - 6).
In Alphabetical Order:
Livan Baez - Season 3, Round 4, Pick 127, New York Mets, trooperbud
Oswaldo Concepcion - Season 2, Round 22, Pick 708, Minnesota Twins, zbrent716
Jake Howington - Season 4, Round 3, Pick 76, Nashville Sounds, tonywin33
Oswaldo Lee - Season 4, Round 8, Pick 251, Colorado Rockies, mr_stickball
Chris Leverton - Season 6, Round 3, Pick 92, Chicago White Sox, pfontaine
Tiny Towers - Season 4, Round 6, Pick 193, Boston Red Sox, Stewart_UK
Michael Urich - Season 4, Round 3, Pick 80, Houston Astros, coachdeal10
Power Ranking Results
Rank - Team - Votes - Record as of 4/16/09 AM game (Winning percentage)
#1 - Minnesota Twins - 9 - 42-18 (.700)
#2 - Houston Astros - 3 - 42-19 (.689)
#3(T) - Milwaukee Brewers - 2 - 32-29 (.525)
#3(T) - Oakland Athletics - 2 - 41-20 (.672)
#3(T) - Pittsburgh Pirates - 2 - 37-23 (.617)
#6(T) - Detroit Tigers - 1 - 39-21 (.650)
#6(T) - St. Louis Cardinals - 1 - 35-26 (.574)
#6(T) - San Francisco Giants - 1 - 30-30 (.500)
#1 - Minnesota Twins - 9 - 42-18 (.700)
#2 - Houston Astros - 3 - 42-19 (.689)
#3(T) - Milwaukee Brewers - 2 - 32-29 (.525)
#3(T) - Oakland Athletics - 2 - 41-20 (.672)
#3(T) - Pittsburgh Pirates - 2 - 37-23 (.617)
#6(T) - Detroit Tigers - 1 - 39-21 (.650)
#6(T) - St. Louis Cardinals - 1 - 35-26 (.574)
#6(T) - San Francisco Giants - 1 - 30-30 (.500)
Monday, April 13, 2009
Owner Interview: tonywin33
1. How did you get into whatifsports?
I think I saw it on CNNSI.com. Always loved sim type games so I figured I would check it out. Been hooked ever since.
2. What is your favorite thing about HBD?
Trying to build the exact team I want; through draft, free agency, and trades. The only thing is, my ideal team keeps changing the more I learn about this game. More specifically the draft is what I spend the most time on. I'm a sucker for a good draft.
3. Least favorite thing about HBD?
So far, the playoffs. I know that sounds dumb, but let me explain. I have 6 real seasons (the other 3 were as a replacement owner for horrible teams) under my belt. I haven't been to the playoffs since my first season. When you're not in the playoffs, they seem to drag on forever. Hopefully that will change this year.
4. How did you find out about Major Leagues?
I think I saw an ad pnut posted in the classifieds. Looked like a good league at the time. Luckily, I was right. Best league I've been in by far.
5. Who is tonywin33?
A stay at home Dad by day and retail Loss Prevention at night. I was a Manager a couple of years ago but seeing my son about two hours a day didn't cut it. So when my daughter was born I went part-time and stayed home with both of them. I'll never be able to complain about not seeing my kids enough, that's for sure.
6. What are your favorite sports and/or sports teams?
Favorite sports are NFL (Carolina Panthers), MLB (Atlanta Braves), and Mixed Martial Arts
7. All-time favorite sports moment?
Toss up between watching the Panthers in the Super Bowl (on TV) and going to my first MLB game as a teenager. My parents, best friend, and I made a road trip to Shea Stadium to see the Reds (my favorite team before moving to Atlanta) play the Mets. Jose Rijo pitched a 3 hitter against the Mets that day.
8. What other baseball games have you previously played? (tabletop, fantasy, video, computer, i.e. anything from Strat-O-Matic to Baseball Mogul to RBI Baseball and everything in between)
Fantasy and Playstation mostly. Played some Front Office Football too.
9. What player, in your minor league system, has the most potential to be a star and why?
Vince Borbon SP in AA. My 1st ever pick with the Sounds. Should be an All Star pitcher at the ML level one day.
10. Who is your Franchise Player and/or team MVP?
The league leader in batting average right now, A.J. Hemingway. He just seems like he's built to play in the Nashville ballpark.
11. What are your team's prospects in the short, medium and long-term?
I've been able to improve my big league team without trading away all of my future prospects so I feel good about the medium and long term. Short term, this feels like the year for me to finally finish in something other than 2nd.
12. Who is your biggest Major Leagues rival?
Since Kansas City beat me for the division lead two of the last three years, I would probably go with them. Unfortunately, grissom left the league so it feels a little different this year.
13. What do you look for in a Hitter?
Good eye and splits. Depending on what I need at the time, power comes into play.
14. What do you look for in a Pitcher?
Control, Splits, Pitch #1,#2, and GB/FB. Playing in Nashville and against Texas all the time does not bode well for flyball pitchers.
15. What is the best move you’ve ever made in Major Leagues?
Nothing great yet. Best of the rest was probably signing 3B Glendon Stein a couple of season ago. He's been exceeding any expectations I had of him.
16. What is the worst move you’ve ever made in Major Leagues?
Probably putting P Darby Scott on the waiver wire last season. It's not that he was that great, but I essentially gave him away to the Yankees and then had to spend money to replace him with a free agent. Scott's been pretty decent for the Yankees the last season or so.
17. What is your most memorable HBD moment, any world?
I think winning my first playoff series will be my most memorable moment (when it happens). So until then, probably moving up to Division II in Hoops Dynasty. That was pretty cool even though I've dropped Hoops Dynasty altogether in favor of HBD.
18. What is your team’s #1 strength?
This team's strength has almost always been hitting. That seems to have continued this season, though I would like a few more home runs.
19. What is your team’s #1 weakness?
Pitching, pitching, pitching, followed by fielding. This team has had issues with pitching since I got here. I'm making some progress, but not enough yet.
20. In what ways, if any, do you think Major Leagues could improve?
Overall, it's a great league. Would like to see a couple of the powerhouses fall out of the playoffs though. Nothing personal pnut and zbrent.
Tonywin33 also offered up this nugget:
Bonus question: 21. Favorite all time movie? Cool Hand Luke
I think I saw it on CNNSI.com. Always loved sim type games so I figured I would check it out. Been hooked ever since.
2. What is your favorite thing about HBD?
Trying to build the exact team I want; through draft, free agency, and trades. The only thing is, my ideal team keeps changing the more I learn about this game. More specifically the draft is what I spend the most time on. I'm a sucker for a good draft.
3. Least favorite thing about HBD?
So far, the playoffs. I know that sounds dumb, but let me explain. I have 6 real seasons (the other 3 were as a replacement owner for horrible teams) under my belt. I haven't been to the playoffs since my first season. When you're not in the playoffs, they seem to drag on forever. Hopefully that will change this year.
4. How did you find out about Major Leagues?
I think I saw an ad pnut posted in the classifieds. Looked like a good league at the time. Luckily, I was right. Best league I've been in by far.
5. Who is tonywin33?
A stay at home Dad by day and retail Loss Prevention at night. I was a Manager a couple of years ago but seeing my son about two hours a day didn't cut it. So when my daughter was born I went part-time and stayed home with both of them. I'll never be able to complain about not seeing my kids enough, that's for sure.
6. What are your favorite sports and/or sports teams?
Favorite sports are NFL (Carolina Panthers), MLB (Atlanta Braves), and Mixed Martial Arts
7. All-time favorite sports moment?
Toss up between watching the Panthers in the Super Bowl (on TV) and going to my first MLB game as a teenager. My parents, best friend, and I made a road trip to Shea Stadium to see the Reds (my favorite team before moving to Atlanta) play the Mets. Jose Rijo pitched a 3 hitter against the Mets that day.
8. What other baseball games have you previously played? (tabletop, fantasy, video, computer, i.e. anything from Strat-O-Matic to Baseball Mogul to RBI Baseball and everything in between)
Fantasy and Playstation mostly. Played some Front Office Football too.
9. What player, in your minor league system, has the most potential to be a star and why?
Vince Borbon SP in AA. My 1st ever pick with the Sounds. Should be an All Star pitcher at the ML level one day.
10. Who is your Franchise Player and/or team MVP?
The league leader in batting average right now, A.J. Hemingway. He just seems like he's built to play in the Nashville ballpark.
11. What are your team's prospects in the short, medium and long-term?
I've been able to improve my big league team without trading away all of my future prospects so I feel good about the medium and long term. Short term, this feels like the year for me to finally finish in something other than 2nd.
12. Who is your biggest Major Leagues rival?
Since Kansas City beat me for the division lead two of the last three years, I would probably go with them. Unfortunately, grissom left the league so it feels a little different this year.
13. What do you look for in a Hitter?
Good eye and splits. Depending on what I need at the time, power comes into play.
14. What do you look for in a Pitcher?
Control, Splits, Pitch #1,#2, and GB/FB. Playing in Nashville and against Texas all the time does not bode well for flyball pitchers.
15. What is the best move you’ve ever made in Major Leagues?
Nothing great yet. Best of the rest was probably signing 3B Glendon Stein a couple of season ago. He's been exceeding any expectations I had of him.
16. What is the worst move you’ve ever made in Major Leagues?
Probably putting P Darby Scott on the waiver wire last season. It's not that he was that great, but I essentially gave him away to the Yankees and then had to spend money to replace him with a free agent. Scott's been pretty decent for the Yankees the last season or so.
17. What is your most memorable HBD moment, any world?
I think winning my first playoff series will be my most memorable moment (when it happens). So until then, probably moving up to Division II in Hoops Dynasty. That was pretty cool even though I've dropped Hoops Dynasty altogether in favor of HBD.
18. What is your team’s #1 strength?
This team's strength has almost always been hitting. That seems to have continued this season, though I would like a few more home runs.
19. What is your team’s #1 weakness?
Pitching, pitching, pitching, followed by fielding. This team has had issues with pitching since I got here. I'm making some progress, but not enough yet.
20. In what ways, if any, do you think Major Leagues could improve?
Overall, it's a great league. Would like to see a couple of the powerhouses fall out of the playoffs though. Nothing personal pnut and zbrent.
Tonywin33 also offered up this nugget:
Bonus question: 21. Favorite all time movie? Cool Hand Luke
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Steal of the Draft - AKA Mike Piazza Award
With the Amateur Draft coming up, I thought it might be interesting to see who the very best player was out of those who "slipped through the cracks" in the first 6 seasons and was drafted in Round 3 or later.
So here's how we can do it - Go to World Office-->Reports-->Draft History. Set Season to "All", Franchise to your own Franchise, and Round(s) to 1-5, then 6-10, then 11-15, then 16-20, then 21-25. Check to see who you think was the very best prospect and/or the very best value pick your franchise drafted in Round 3 or later. As a shortcut, you can see the Current Level of the player all the way to the right. Odds are, if a player drafted Round 3 in S1 hasn't made the ML yet, he's not going to.
Post your Franchise's best value Round 3 or higher prospect and/or your franchise's best value pick in the comments. I'll collect them all, link them in a post, and we can vote for the winner of the Mike Piazza Award.
So here's how we can do it - Go to World Office-->Reports-->Draft History. Set Season to "All", Franchise to your own Franchise, and Round(s) to 1-5, then 6-10, then 11-15, then 16-20, then 21-25. Check to see who you think was the very best prospect and/or the very best value pick your franchise drafted in Round 3 or later. As a shortcut, you can see the Current Level of the player all the way to the right. Odds are, if a player drafted Round 3 in S1 hasn't made the ML yet, he's not going to.
Post your Franchise's best value Round 3 or higher prospect and/or your franchise's best value pick in the comments. I'll collect them all, link them in a post, and we can vote for the winner of the Mike Piazza Award.
Power Ranking Poll
Please vote to the left for the one team you think is the best in the World right now. Voting closes on 4/14/09. Only teams with a .500 record or better were eligible.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Owner Interview: basilleaf2
1. How did you get into whatifsports?
I don't remember exactly. I'm sure I was just surfing the web sometime and stumbled across the site. Been a member for about 8 yrs. now.
2. What is your favorite thing about HBD?
Watching the younger players progress and make it to the ML level.
3. Least favorite thing about HBD?
I really can't stand spring training. I try to get my players a little playing time, but more worried about fatigue and injury. I almost never depend on ST to determine any of my starters.
4. How did you find out about Major Leagues?
I actually received a credit for a free season for playing one of Fox's web games. Been in Evangeline league for 11 years now but with a free season, I needed to find another league & I liked the Major League theme.
5. Who is basilleaf2?
A 35 year old warehouse manager who is married with 3 wonderful kids, leaving in Indiana. An avid sports fan. Football - my first love, followed by hockey, baseball & basketball.
6. What are your favorite sports and/or sports teams?
Die hard Pittsburgh Steeler fan, great year this season. Also Die hard fan of The Ohio State University. Love the Reds (one of these years), Blackhawks, and Celtics.
7. All-time favorite sports moment?
The 2002 OSU Buckeyes beating Da "U" for the championship.
8. What other baseball games have you previously played? (tabletop, fantasy, video, computer, i.e. anything from Strat-O-Matic to Baseball Mogul to RBI Baseball and everything in between)
Played them all on Nintendo, but when Sony came out with Triple Play, that ended any free time I had. Madden, etc lost all my interest for seasons at a time of Triple Play.
9. What player, in your minor league system, has the most potential to be a star and why?
Luis Contreras is probably my best prospect in the minors. My ML lineup have a couple young guys that could be a potential all stars.
10. Who is your Franchise Player and/or team MVP?
Mark Blum has been on my ML squad since day 1 and has endured the many losing seasons. Hopefully this team is turning the corner and he will see a playoff run in the near future.
11. What are your team's prospects in the short, medium and long-term?
Right now I'm pretty excited about short, medium & long term. Hopefully this team will make a run next year at a playoff spot. With the draft picks and international prospects, the minors have a good amount of talent for several years to come.
12. Who is your biggest Major Leagues rival?
When you haven't come close to winning since the birth of the league, It's hard to have a big rival. I guess I'd say Natic Empire since he's dominated the NL West division.
13. What do you look for in a Hitter?
I'm a big splits guy. Need either contact or power with good splits. Eye, and speed are nice additions, but want good well rounded hitters.
14. What do you look for in a Pitcher?
All 4 of the main categories. Stam, control, & splits. Don't pay much attention to FB/GB, put some weight into the pitch ratings.
15. What is the best move you’ve ever made in Major Leagues?
I haven't made many moves since I want to believe I have most of the pieces to the puzzle, just need them to all get to the ML level and mature.
16. What is the worst move you’ve ever made in Major Leagues?
No particular move, but a couple of international prospects that I signed and then an even better one comes along, and I've already blown my load on other players.
17. What is your most memorable HBD moment, any world?
Still waiting on a signature moment. I've made it to the division championship series in my other league, but nothing noteworthy.
18. What is your team’s #1 strength?
Youth and salary flexibility. While they are young and getting the ML minimum, easy to spend money on the draft, training, international prospects.
19. What is your team’s #1 weakness?
Again...youth. Just not quite there yet. Trying to be patient, but the time has come when this franchise should start to make some playoff runs, or ownership should be questioned.
20. In what ways, if any, do you think Major Leagues could improve?
Considering where this league was just a couple of seasons ago, great strides have already been made. A solid group of owners who have been through some bickering and turmoil, just would like to see a solid group of 30 owners who keep coming back year after year.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Owner Interview: overeasy
1. How did you get into whatifsports?
I originally signed up in December of 2001 where I did nothing but 10 game spring training sessions of SBD, one right after the other. I never paid them anything until a couple of years later when I started playing Hoops Dynasty with the dream of someday coaching my alma mater of Pacific in the Big West Conference of Division 1. I didn't start playing HBD until I was invited to join a new private world being formed by a member of my HD world who apparently respected my accomplishments over my 20+ season HD career. Once I started HBD, I knew I was done playing HD.
2. What is your favorite thing about HBD?
Honestly, its hard for me to pinpoint any one item at this point as it is a very thorough and complete simulation game. It's the ultimate stat geek's wildest dream.
3. Least favorite thing about HBD?
If you would have asked me a few months ago, I would have said coach hiring or the time consuming transaction process. Since then, I've adapted my approach to coach hiring which has made it tolerable and the advanced roster moves page has greatly expedited team setup. Now I would have to say spring training as it has become pretty tedious trying to make sure your current and future ML players get enough action to see benefit and prevent skill degradation. But ultimately, you just spend the entire time praying no one important gets hurt in a meaningless game.
4. How did you find out about Major Leagues?
I was invited to join with a personal invitation from the league commissioner, pstrnutbag44. He had just recently become a replacement member of the league I created and commish, Kinsella.
5. Who is overeasy?
I'm a 34 year old married man with two young boys, almost 3 and almost 1 year old. I live in Portland, OR and work as an electrical engineer with a small consulting firm.
6. What are your favorite sports and/or sports teams?
I have always been a fan of the three major American sports. For baseball, my first ever Little League team was called the Braves and with daily access to games via Superstation WTBS, I became an Atlanta Braves fan with my favorite player of all-time being Dale Murphy. This was despite the fact that I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, but the Giants were our Little League rivals, so I just couldn't like any team with that name.With the 49ers conducting their Summer camp in a nearby park (and in those days they didn't even put up anything to stop you from watching right through the fence), I became a big fan of the team.In those same years, the NBA was all about two teams, the Lakers and the Celtics. I was one of the many kids who was mesmerized by the things that Magic Johnson did on the court. But honestly, with the changes in the way that the NBA game is played over the last 20 years, I would rather watch college than the NBA, where all of the players actually put out total effort for the entire game.
7. All-time favorite sports moment?
Watching on television, I would have to say "The Catch." It was my first season following football where I actually understood what was going on and so it seemed pretty magical that my team was going to the Super Bowl. Of course, it also made me expect it to happen every season.In person, it would definitely be my senior year of college (1997) when the Pacific Tigers defeated Utah State for the Big West Conference Tournament title. It was their first NCAA basketball tourney appearance since 1979 and their first ever Big West title since joining the conference in the 80s. I was among those that rushed the floor to celebrate with the team.
8. What other baseball games have you previously played? (tabletop, fantasy, video, computer, i.e. anything from Strat-O-Matic to Baseball Mogul to RBI Baseball and everything in between)
The first baseball game I played was simply using my baseball cards to simulate seasons in my head and track things using notebooks. This started shortly after I first started collecting cards, with my first ones being 1983 Donruss cards. How the players performed was sometimes based off of my knowledge of the players, but many times it came from how they looked in their pitcher. The most notable player who was a stud in my games but didn't actually become one in RL until later was Dave Stewart. He sure did look like a bad ass in his picture while playing with the Texas Rangers. The most notable RL dud who shined in my mind was Glenn Bragg. Man that guy looked like a monster that should have been hitting 40+ homers a year. I simulated about 25 seasons over the course of 1983-1989 when I had other priorites being in high school.I did play in a fantasy baseball league freshman and sophomore years of high school. It was a lot of work in those days compiling stats from the league stats in the newspaper on Sunday.As for video games, I played the ultra-realisitic baseball game on the Atari 2600 with the three fielders, including the pitcher. I didn't own another baseball game until I bought a used copy in 2004 of EA Sports' MVP Baseball 2003 for my PS2. I'm still playing the same franchise season that I originally started and I'm somewhere around Game 120.
9. What player, in your minor league system, has the most potential to be a star and why?
While I've got a couple of potential ace starters in my minors, I think there is nothing that is more of a sure thing in this game as power. The 18 year old kid I drafted this season, Butch Reed, with $20M projections looks as follows: Con 83, Pwr 96, vL 100, vR 65, BE 74. He is going to flat out rake, especially against lefties. He is even a passable catcher with a 70 PC projection. The reason he dropped to my draft position is probably because of his only 69 Dur projection. So I might only get 120-130 games out of him, but he could very well still hit 40 homers a season.
10. Who is your Franchise Player and/or team MVP?
I don't really think a last place team has an MVP, so my franchise player at this point for the ML team would have to be Charles Mann. The 21 year old has played a passable 2B and has been great at the plate since his mid-season call-up. In 44 games, he has a .383 OBP and a .576 Slug. Pct with 12 homers and 9 SB.
11. What are your team's prospects in the short, medium and long-term?
My major league team does not currently possess the talent to compete. Between the farm and the ML team, I think I have the makings of a pretty good pitching staff once everyone has developed. So in the short term, I need to keep payroll down in order to bring in some more quality position prospects, as this area is severely lacking. I'd like to be able to have a team that can annually compete within 4-5 seasons.
12. Who is your biggest Major Leagues rival?
It takes time and a competitive team to develop a rivalry, of which I currently have had neither.
13. What do you look for in a Hitter?
I don't really look for any one particular style but try to find guys with the right combination to be successful. A lower power player better have very good scores in the other four categories, as power really does seem to be the primary attribute that can overcome other shortcomings.
14. What do you look for in a Pitcher?
I haven't had much success with starters with less than 60 control so I typically use that as a minimum, but like most the goal is for as many numbers to be 70+.
15. What is the best move you’ve ever made in Major Leagues?
Since I haven't done too much other than trade away some veterans that I wasn't going to resign for some cheap ML role players, I would say my best move was joining the league.
16. What is the worst move you’ve ever made in Major Leagues?
Since I haven't traded away anyone of consequence yet, I don't think I have one.
17. What is your most memorable HBD moment, any world?
This past season, it was a special moment to win the World Series in the world I created. The team was truly "my team" as only 2 players on the playoff roster were in my franchise at world creation, a RH hitting specialist 1B/LF/DH and the #5 SP assigned as a long reliever for the playoffs who didn't pitch at all.
18. What is your team’s #1 strength?
Young starting pitching: With Arlie Gant and Junior Gil on the ML team, Byron Watson and Luis Cruz in HiA, and Felix Tyner in LoA, I've got potentially a very good future starting rotation.
19. What is your team’s #1 weakness?
Hitting: Right now I am in short supply of quality hitters, because outside of Charles Mann (ML), Bo Hines (AAA), and Butch Reed (RL), the only other ML quality bats I have are going to put up decent homer totals, but with a low OBP.
20. In what ways, if any, do you think Major Leagues could improve?
I think the league could use more parity. I don't know what happened here in the early seasons, but there is a wide talent gap between the haves and have nots. So hopefully with time and stable ownership, the talent will eventually become more equally distributed.
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