1903 season
 

One of the most frustrating things ever is to watch my 1903 Cardinals. They were last in that year and I figured it would be a good point in history as they traded Three Fingers Brown to the Cubs that year setting in motion the rise of the Cubs and extended poor play from the Cardinals. I also created a fictional shortstop to anchor the team who would be a good hitter and fielder, think Paul Waner playing short with Rabbit Maranville's glove. Historically the team had a horrible offense so I got rid of their least effective starters and got a good pitcher in Jack Sutthoff and Wee Willie Keeler, Hall of Fame right fielder, in trades.

Now I know that fielding back then was pretty dicey, but not as much as my guys are making it. My slick fielding shortstop will make a great play every now and then, but will boot the ball more often. He has 7 errors in 10 games, or on pace to have 91 in a 100 game season. My second baseman has 9 errors in 9 games so I sat his butt even though he played in every game that season. My center fielder has 6 errors, usually dropping a ball on a hit in front of him or making an errant throw on a play he had no chance to get the runner on. Granted he's not a good fielder, but he is the guy who played every game in center for them.

My pitching should be a strength but these guys excel in giving up the big hit when needed and are walking 4.5 guys/9. They know how to give up the big hit. I had a close game where the game winning hit was by a pitcher who had a .088 average that year and the announcer said it was his first hit of the year.

Is there something I'm doing wrong?

Nope. You just have a really bad team.

I saw you have experience with this. I certainly didn't expect them to win the pennant, but this is a much more talented team than they were historically. I expected about .500 ball. This team is even worse than history. Adding a good pitcher like Jack Sutthoff, Willie Keeler in right and a star shortstop should make them much better.

I am going to try again only leaving the managing duties to Patsy Donovan.

I suggest starting in 1901 to get a slightly better team. For example, Bobby Wallace is one of the best shortstops in the league and he is still on the Cardinals in 1901.

Let the Browns have their fun. I have my fictional shortstop to take his place.

Your idea to let the AI manage might change your fortunes. Maybe some of your players will develop further and have better seasons. I wouldn't worry too much about the defense in this era.

Nah, I dropped it. He was running around .500 but had Wee Willie Keeler batting cleanup. Maybe the slow start is from playing the Cubs and Pirates so much early. I am going to try another track to get a better defensive rotation going and going to a stricter 4 man rotation. Its not like relief pitchers do any good in that era.

I started again. With my rotation of Bob Wicker, Mordecai Brown, Jack Sutthoff and Chappie McFarland I've started out 4-1 in a five game series against the Cubs. I even have a save and a relief win in extras. Even though my fictional SS is not hitting, the defense has been pretty good, only one non earned run. I've been taking out the problematic second baseman in late games and even started my shortstop at 2nd one game. Keeler has been a dynamo at leadoff scoring four runs so far. My SS lead the team in RBI at four even though he's only hitting .182 with no extra base hits and no walks.