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JerryShoe · 08-22-2022, 02:49 PM

I compared the apples of Strat-O-Matic and the oranges of OOTP in other posts and in one of them suggested an OOTP project of leading the Yankees to the postseason following the 1964 pennant as early (or earlier) than had happened. I’m going to do that and also try to match the fastest reserve clause expansion teams to do so, since free agency made being a playoff team easier (3 years by the Rockies, 5 years to a title by the Marlins). This would be the 1969 Kansas City Royals and the 1962 New York Mets.

The Yankees have the easiest road, with 12 seasons to accomplish this, 8 of them having playoff entries rather than just league titles. The Royals did this in 8, all 8 being in the playoff era and the Mets had the hardest way to go, 8 seasons with only the last one in with divisional play.

I will play with historical injuries, 15-man reserve squad, no financials, rookies start with their original team (how could I not draft George Brett, who should at least start out as a Royal). Trade AI is 4 25s/neutral. I will play my teams as much as possible with the “knowledge” I would have then. For instance, even though I know now that Roger Maris will have a down year in 1965, I didn’t know that “then” and will play him until this is evident. To ensure this to some degree, anyone who I don’t play at least 50% of his actual playing time I must release at the end of the season. This way I can’t park someone I know will have a poor year on the reserve list for a season so I can enjoy his rebound year.

Also, during that time the term “free agent” meant “flotsam”, with 3 notable exceptions that may require “Commissioner Intervention”:
Ken “Hawk” Harrelson signing with the Red Sox in August, 1967.
Jim “Catfish” Hunter signing with the Yankees for the 1975 season.
Andy “Not an Animal” Messersmith signing with the Braves in 1976.
The first 2 occurred because their team’s owner, Charles O. Finley, used a mule as a mascot but was more of an ass himself.

If Harrelson is a Kansas City Athletic on August 25, 1967 he will be fired by Finley and sign with the Red Sox. This would have a regular season effect on only the Yankees, making it easier to slip ahead of Oakland in 1968 when Harrelson had a great year but harder to challenge the Red Sox while in 1969, Harrelson’s last notable year, the Sox would be a divisional rival.

If Hunter is an Oakland “A” at the end of the 1974, he would have his contract violated by Finley and sign with the Yankees. This would have an obvious regular season effect on the Yankees as Hunter would have great 1975 and a decent 1976, but also help the Royals with him moved out of their rival’s rotation

Messersmith signs with the Braves no matter what. He had a pretty good 1976 and so this signing would only hurt the Yankees and Royals if he happened to be on their 1975 squads but would help each if he was an AL pitcher, particularly the Royals since he starts each scenario as an Angel in the West and may well stayed with them.

I’ll post what happens season by season, starting with the 1965 Yanks.

08-22-2022, 02:49 PM	#1
JerryShoe Minors (Double A) Join Date: Aug 2021 Posts: 122	1965 Yankees, 1969 Royals, 1962 Mets I compared the apples of Strat-O-Matic and the oranges of OOTP in other posts and in one of them suggested an OOTP project of leading the Yankees to the postseason following the 1964 pennant as early (or earlier) than had happened. I’m going to do that and also try to match the fastest reserve clause expansion teams to do so, since free agency made being a playoff team easier (3 years by the Rockies, 5 years to a title by the Marlins). This would be the 1969 Kansas City Royals and the 1962 New York Mets. The Yankees have the easiest road, with 12 seasons to accomplish this, 8 of them having playoff entries rather than just league titles. The Royals did this in 8, all 8 being in the playoff era and the Mets had the hardest way to go, 8 seasons with only the last one in with divisional play. I will play with historical injuries, 15-man reserve squad, no financials, rookies start with their original team (how could I not draft George Brett, who should at least start out as a Royal). Trade AI is 4 25s/neutral. I will play my teams as much as possible with the “knowledge” I would have then. For instance, even though I know now that Roger Maris will have a down year in 1965, I didn’t know that “then” and will play him until this is evident. To ensure this to some degree, anyone who I don’t play at least 50% of his actual playing time I must release at the end of the season. This way I can’t park someone I know will have a poor year on the reserve list for a season so I can enjoy his rebound year. Also, during that time the term “free agent” meant “flotsam”, with 3 notable exceptions that may require “Commissioner Intervention”: Ken “Hawk” Harrelson signing with the Red Sox in August, 1967. Jim “Catfish” Hunter signing with the Yankees for the 1975 season. Andy “Not an Animal” Messersmith signing with the Braves in 1976. The first 2 occurred because their team’s owner, Charles O. Finley, used a mule as a mascot but was more of an ass himself. If Harrelson is a Kansas City Athletic on August 25, 1967 he will be fired by Finley and sign with the Red Sox. This would have a regular season effect on only the Yankees, making it easier to slip ahead of Oakland in 1968 when Harrelson had a great year but harder to challenge the Red Sox while in 1969, Harrelson’s last notable year, the Sox would be a divisional rival. If Hunter is an Oakland “A” at the end of the 1974, he would have his contract violated by Finley and sign with the Yankees. This would have an obvious regular season effect on the Yankees as Hunter would have great 1975 and a decent 1976, but also help the Royals with him moved out of their rival’s rotation Messersmith signs with the Braves no matter what. He had a pretty good 1976 and so this signing would only hurt the Yankees and Royals if he happened to be on their 1975 squads but would help each if he was an AL pitcher, particularly the Royals since he starts each scenario as an Angel in the West and may well stayed with them. I’ll post what happens season by season, starting with the 1965 Yanks.