Try Try Again: Another Fictional History Attempt

Denny Lemaster · 03-24-2011, 05:20 PM

So after getting through 1891 in my last attempt (20 season; not bad for me), the fictional bug bit again. I was a bit put off that I could no longer access the Retired Players screen, so a little glitch made it easy to say good-bye.

I'm using the basic structure and plan I had for my "real" player dynasty; there are some minor differences, but most won't be noticed by you, the reader, since there are beyond where I've gotten before.

I'm starting with two 6-team leagues

Columbia Association
Boston Beaneaters
Brooklyn Superbas
Chicago Cubs
Cincinnati Reds
New York Giants
Philadelphia Phillies

United League
Baltimore Orioles
Cleveland Blues
Detroit Tigers
Pittsburgh Pirates
St. Louis Cardinals
Washington Senators

The affiliated minor leagues will be exceedingly stable. Really, the only change will be if a minor league city is admitted to the majors. No other franchise shifts at the minor league level, until at least 1957.

I do plan on adding a few unaffiliated minor leagues/negro leagues/International Leagues at various points in the 20th century. I've tried the BIG universe thing before and lost control of that monster. The difference here is I'm building to a bigger universe, instead of jumping whole hog in. Course, I've never gotten that far before, but it is good to have a plan.

With my last dynasty, one of the things I found I was paying absolutely no attention to the front office and coaching staffs. I think the mix of 'real' players and fictional staff just didn't work for me. I hope a completely fictional-verse will get me to give this portion of the game a little more attention.

Denny Lemaster · 03-24-2011, 05:53 PM

In the fall of 1870 various well to do "sporting men", linked by fraternal, civic and business organizations set forth to establish a national association of base-ball clubs. The original plan for 1 8 teams was abandoned when too many gentlemen were able to meet the initial fees. The group agreed to split into two equal leagues, answering to a Commission of Three.

A mad scramble for the best ballplayers in the states was on.

Denny Lemaster · 03-24-2011, 06:25 PM

Rough spring. 17 players start the season on the DL, considering rosters only have 15 slots, few players seemed to be in baseball shape.

It is difficult to really pin down which injuries will be the most impactful, heck it might be a couple seasons before we understand which of these players are stars and which were barely AAA.

Well, there is one that I'm pretty sure is an impact injury. Philles CF Tim Whittier, a top 100 prospect (97th at the time of the injury, 99th after the injury) fractured his ankle near the end of the exhibition season. Whittier was going to replace Jeff Brinkerhoff for at least the first month of the season with a hamstring injury. The day after Whittier's break, the Phils dealt a middling pitcher and promising young infielder for a starting outfielder. Personally, I think the Beaneaters traded the wrong outfielder, but again, it may be years before we know for sure.

Denny Lemaster · 03-27-2011, 11:54 AM

The owners seem quite the affable bunch. Sure, they would say, winning (and profit) would be nice, but the real thrill in in sponsoring the competition. And the attitudes toward there team reflect this; a pretty hands off relationship with the "base-ball Aristotles" running their clubs. John Hill of Chicago was different.

Sure, he talked the same game in public, but there was always flash in his eyes that betrayed the truth. In local sporting circles, the humble protestation of being in it only for the pleasure of sport was met with howls of derision. Hill, as 'recruiter and outfitter' for the Lakefront Athletic Club's Picked Nine, was known for the lengths and expense he would go to capture the City championship. The LAC's Picked Nine was so dominating, that the last five City tournaments were not so much competitions, but displays of utter dominance. Hill did not want to win, he needed to win.

To achieve his ends Hill had acquired the services of GM Steve Tuttle and Manager Erwin Hess, the brains behind the famous Barnstorming Cincinnati Reds. Backed by a blank check, these two men were expected not just to win, but to win big. The pressure is on from the start in Chicago.

Denny Lemaster · 03-27-2011, 03:36 PM

At the halfway point, there is drama to spare in both leagues. In the Columbia League, Philadelphia, New York, Cincinnati and Chicago are all sitting within 1 game of first. Chicago's struggle created a grand sensation in the Chicago sporting press. The pressure from Hill started on opening day with a uninspired loss to Cincinnati. Hess and Tuttle were soon forced to admit a major roster construction error when Lawson McIver bombed as the clubs starter. Sam Howard has been a major improvement, but not the dominating hurler needed in this league. Everything about this clubs says it should be putting some distance between them and the pack, but the decision to go with McIver has set this club back.

The United League is shaping up to be a great 3-team race between Pittsburgh, Detroit and Baltimore. Pittsburgh is lead by the excellent hitting of CF Greg Boggs and RF Elliot Downey. Baltimore and Detroit don't have the 'star' power Pittsburgh is offering up, but we are looking at a great race .

Denny Lemaster · 03-27-2011, 06:18 PM

Our first managerial firing occurred in St. Louis. Owner Michael Gilliam expected at least .500 ball, but an 8-14 record had the Cards at just above the disastrous Washington Senators. An under performing offense and the inability to find a consistent starter doomed Leonard Robertson's tenure in the Gateway City. At 32, Robertson may have been too young to run a club at this level, we'll see if he gets a chance down the line.

03-24-2011, 05:20 PM	#1
Denny Lemaster Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4,837	Try Try Again: Another Fictional History Attempt So after getting through 1891 in my last attempt (20 season; not bad for me), the fictional bug bit again. I was a bit put off that I could no longer access the Retired Players screen, so a little glitch made it easy to say good-bye. I'm using the basic structure and plan I had for my "real" player dynasty; there are some minor differences, but most won't be noticed by you, the reader, since there are beyond where I've gotten before. I'm starting with two 6-team leagues Columbia Association Boston Beaneaters Brooklyn Superbas Chicago Cubs Cincinnati Reds New York Giants Philadelphia Phillies United League Baltimore Orioles Cleveland Blues Detroit Tigers Pittsburgh Pirates St. Louis Cardinals Washington Senators The affiliated minor leagues will be exceedingly stable. Really, the only change will be if a minor league city is admitted to the majors. No other franchise shifts at the minor league level, until at least 1957. I do plan on adding a few unaffiliated minor leagues/negro leagues/International Leagues at various points in the 20th century. I've tried the BIG universe thing before and lost control of that monster. The difference here is I'm building to a bigger universe, instead of jumping whole hog in. Course, I've never gotten that far before, but it is good to have a plan. With my last dynasty, one of the things I found I was paying absolutely no attention to the front office and coaching staffs. I think the mix of 'real' players and fictional staff just didn't work for me. I hope a completely fictional-verse will get me to give this portion of the game a little more attention.

03-24-2011, 05:53 PM	#2
Denny Lemaster Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4,837	In the Beginning In the fall of 1870 various well to do "sporting men", linked by fraternal, civic and business organizations set forth to establish a national association of base-ball clubs. The original plan for 1 8 teams was abandoned when too many gentlemen were able to meet the initial fees. The group agreed to split into two equal leagues, answering to a Commission of Three. A mad scramble for the best ballplayers in the states was on.

03-24-2011, 06:25 PM	#3
Denny Lemaster Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4,837	1871 Spring Training Rough spring. 17 players start the season on the DL, considering rosters only have 15 slots, few players seemed to be in baseball shape. It is difficult to really pin down which injuries will be the most impactful, heck it might be a couple seasons before we understand which of these players are stars and which were barely AAA. Well, there is one that I'm pretty sure is an impact injury. Philles CF Tim Whittier, a top 100 prospect (97th at the time of the injury, 99th after the injury) fractured his ankle near the end of the exhibition season. Whittier was going to replace Jeff Brinkerhoff for at least the first month of the season with a hamstring injury. The day after Whittier's break, the Phils dealt a middling pitcher and promising young infielder for a starting outfielder. Personally, I think the Beaneaters traded the wrong outfielder, but again, it may be years before we know for sure.

03-27-2011, 11:54 AM	#4
Denny Lemaster Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4,837	The owners seem quite the affable bunch. Sure, they would say, winning (and profit) would be nice, but the real thrill in in sponsoring the competition. And the attitudes toward there team reflect this; a pretty hands off relationship with the "base-ball Aristotles" running their clubs. John Hill of Chicago was different. Sure, he talked the same game in public, but there was always flash in his eyes that betrayed the truth. In local sporting circles, the humble protestation of being in it only for the pleasure of sport was met with howls of derision. Hill, as 'recruiter and outfitter' for the Lakefront Athletic Club's Picked Nine, was known for the lengths and expense he would go to capture the City championship. The LAC's Picked Nine was so dominating, that the last five City tournaments were not so much competitions, but displays of utter dominance. Hill did not want to win, he needed to win. To achieve his ends Hill had acquired the services of GM Steve Tuttle and Manager Erwin Hess, the brains behind the famous Barnstorming Cincinnati Reds. Backed by a blank check, these two men were expected not just to win, but to win big. The pressure is on from the start in Chicago.

03-27-2011, 03:36 PM	#5
Denny Lemaster Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4,837	At the halfway point, there is drama to spare in both leagues. In the Columbia League, Philadelphia, New York, Cincinnati and Chicago are all sitting within 1 game of first. Chicago's struggle created a grand sensation in the Chicago sporting press. The pressure from Hill started on opening day with a uninspired loss to Cincinnati. Hess and Tuttle were soon forced to admit a major roster construction error when Lawson McIver bombed as the clubs starter. Sam Howard has been a major improvement, but not the dominating hurler needed in this league. Everything about this clubs says it should be putting some distance between them and the pack, but the decision to go with McIver has set this club back. The United League is shaping up to be a great 3-team race between Pittsburgh, Detroit and Baltimore. Pittsburgh is lead by the excellent hitting of CF Greg Boggs and RF Elliot Downey. Baltimore and Detroit don't have the 'star' power Pittsburgh is offering up, but we are looking at a great race .

03-27-2011, 06:18 PM	#6
Denny Lemaster Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4,837	Our first managerial firing occurred in St. Louis. Owner Michael Gilliam expected at least .500 ball, but an 8-14 record had the Cards at just above the disastrous Washington Senators. An under performing offense and the inability to find a consistent starter doomed Leonard Robertson's tenure in the Gateway City. At 32, Robertson may have been too young to run a club at this level, we'll see if he gets a chance down the line.