[LunchBox]

Originally Posted by cheo25

I like the following:

1961 (first year of AL expansion)
1962 (first year of NL expansion)
1969 (first year of divisional play, four new franchises)
1975 (Astros were terrible that year so it's a good starting point for a challenge, plus the following winter is the last without free agency)
1976 (first full ensuing winter with free agency)
1977 (Seattle and Toronto enter)
1980 (full decade of my youth)
1993 (Rockies and Marlins enter)
1994 (first three-division year)
1998 (Rays, Diamondbacks enter)
2013 (Astros to AL while at rock bottom and first year of 5 teams in every division)

I have a current solo league that started in 1971 because it was the year I was born. I let the AI sim those games and I watch with daily RTS. I'm also actually playing out every game in an Astros solo league that started in 2013. I switch back and forth, depending on whether my wife is watching a show that I ghost-binge watch with her.

Actually, if you want to play as an expansion team and control your own expansion draft, you have to start the year before and sim through the first season...


I usually start in 1976, take the Northwest League but Independent Seattle Rainiers and use them for the season and then take the Mariners job as soon as the team joins the American League.