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The Beginning
This career will be based on the current Major League teams and rosters, courtesy of “Toadfreaks Opening Week Full Minors.” I believe that these rosters are based off what HaloFan has put together. Big props to HaloFan, who puts in a lot of time to create the best rosters. I know his hard work is appreciated by many in the OOTP community. The only changes I made to the teams are that the Angels are still the Anaheim Angels, NOT the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

First, the nuts and bolts of the league: the settings.
League Options

Financial System: Enabled
Coaches/Scouts: Disabled
Simulate Minors: Enabled

Player Ratings

All Ratings: 1-100

Basic Options

Financial System: Enabled
Salary Cap: None
Cash Max: $100 Million
National TV Contract Minimum: $7 Million
Minimum Salary: $300,000

Trading Options

Computer Trades: Enabled
Trading Frequency: Low
Trading Difficulty: Hard
Trading AI Preference: Neutral

Advanced Options

Roster Size: 25
40-Man Roster: Enabled
Waiver Rule: Enabled, 3 Days, 10 Days
Minor League Option Years: Enabled
Rule 5 Draft: Enabled
Salary Arbitration: Enabled
Days for 1 Service Year: 172
Minor League FA’s: Enabled

Other Settings

Injuries: Enabled
Injury Frequency: Normal
Position Player Fatigue: Enabled
Amateur Draft: June 1, 10 Rounds, Signing Bonuses Enabled
Teams May Change Strategy
Allstar Game Decides WS Homefield: No, Alternate Each Year
Foreign Players Enter Free Agency: Yes

Manager Settings

Basic Skill: Great Pitching Knowledge
Special Skill: Handling Youngsters
Difficulty: Average

One strange setting that I am using is that I am using my real birthday. Since I am doing so, whatever team I manage for will have a manager that, at 25, is most likely younger than the average age of the team. I am also married to a wonderful woman named Kate, and do not currently have any children. How strange that this almost mirrors reality.

With all of that out of the way, it is time to pick a team to begin with. To ease myself into this career, I want to go with a team that has a decent market size, has plenty of young talent, but is currently struggling. One other guideline I failed to mention is that I will never manage the Seattle Mariners. In reality, the Mariners are my favorite team. The problem I face when I try to run them in OOTP is that, since I want them to win every single year so badly, I am often tempted to cheat a little bit here and there to improve the team. That is why I will keep my distance in this dynasty. After much deliberation, I have decided to sign with the Houston Astros. I sign a 1 year deal worth $475,000. What do I get in return? A very patient owner that expects me to play better than .500 in 2005. I also inherit a team with a mood of 87 and team chemistry of 80. All things considered, this looks like a good team to start with.