Originally Posted by jbone
first off, sorry for all the posts, but...
It is flawed, I agree with that.
Okay, time to perhaps freak some of you people out, I apologize in advance. But...
It seems as if all these games are produced based on the concept that there is one universal truth or "God", mind you, about what is real. This thought process is based on our Western, monotheistic ways of viewing things. But real life is constantly changing, every millisecond, every atom on your keyboard even i believe. There are other systems of thought that believe that God is within ourselves, so to speak, ie. Buddhism. How the player views himself is paramount to what talent and performance is. Why not do player development from a Buddhist perspective? I don't understand why a computer game would need some concept of "ultimate truth" in order to function. After all, the players are only competing against each other, not against God. Players only need current abilities, not pre-ordained potentials, in order to play a game of baseball.
I am not arguing that players are miraculously able to grow six inches in one day. What I'm arguing is that ultimately it is up to the player to make the most of his genetics. But other than genetic limitations, it is an open-ended system which gives everyone a chance. In MLB, no player is ever drafted with the pre-ordained potential to max out at Class A ball - if so, there wouldn't be any point in drafting him. While a player may have certain genetic physical limitations, no player should ever be precluded from being a major league contributor, just look at regular-Joe types such as Greg Maddux, or the legally-blind Mike Bordick. These guys with very poor athleticism found a way to succeed. Maddux may have seemed like a weak prospect at draft-time, but he used his guile and work ethic to increase his abilities. It can be done.
Check out this prospect, drafted in the 17th round by the Red Sox in 2006:
William Redick, Middle Georgia College
Position: OF Bats: Left Vitals: 19 years old, 6-2; 180
Go find Redick in person. Are you going to go up to William Redick and tell him to his face that his pre-ordained potential by God as a baseball player is to be a AA outfielder with an 8/7/8? It would be nonsensical to say something like that, and you'd be laughed out of the stadium. If Redick didn't have a shot, he wouldn't be there. In spite of our perceptions regarding OOTP, the foundation of player development as creating an "ultimate truth under God" just doesn't make any sense.
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