[Cryomaniac]

Originally Posted by knockahoma

I think it's probably pretty decent as a computer roll of the dice. It's what gets lost in the translation from lahman to the engine that may be a big part of the problem.

I have played 1974 and 1976 dozens of times. Phil Niekro constantly gets rated as a number 4 or 5 starter, constantly comes in with ERAs around 4.75 or 5.00, usually goes 7-19, or something. Similarly, the LA Dodgers staff is translated into mediocre fare, usually landing them in 5th, or 6th place. Mark Belanger is translated into an average fielding shortstop who hits .230, rather than one of the best fielders ever, thereby making him very expendable to the Orioles.

Over and over again the players are mistranslated. I don't mind different paths for Phil Niekro. But, in the first season, I'd like him to be at least a distant relative to the real deal.

So, the approximation to history is already pretty loose from the get-go.

Again, Diamond Mind is now including the ability to edit players and create players for that fictional market, working downward from a top-notch historical premise. I think Marcus has the lead in making the perfect blend of historical and fictional, but it appears the historical boys are expanding into fictional territory.

I like OOTP very much and will probably be spending more dollars on it. But, like Siv and others, I really want a top-notch historical replay.

It would be nice to see it all in the same package with all OOTP's great bells and whistles included.

I also wonder how much better the AI would do with more accurate representations of historical players? Would the dumb trades diminish? Would Mark Belanger be valued as a top-notch defensive shortstop instead of being an Oriole cast-off?

Lahman alone leaves a lot to be desired for any sim engine.

As someone said earlier, maybe OOTP needs to develop their own historical database (Including minors if you don't mind it taking years! )