Expanded Playoffs Dynasty-Historical

[rjl518]

How about a historical dynasty starting in 1901 where playoffs were expanded?

Since there are only 8 teams in each league until the first expansion...how would those teams have done if more teams were allowed in the playoffs in those days?

How about a league where until the first expansion, the top 4 teams in each league make the playoffs? But instead of straight best of 5 or 7 series..how about this?

First round would feature a 3 game playoff between #4 and #3.
Second round features a 5 game playoff between the winner of 4 and 3 against #2
Third round features a 7 game playoff between the winner of that and #1 in the league.
Fourth round of course the 7 game world series.

It might make the playoffs a little watered down...however...some pretty good teams that didnt have a shot at that time would have one.

I would expand the playoff teams when the league expands at the proper time.

What do u guys think?

[Trebro]

If you like the idea, give it a try!

[sflcat61]

Why not a best-of-5 game series between #1 & #4 and #2 & #3, and then a best-of-7 game series for the pennant and a best-of-9 for the World Series? Not sure I like the long layoff for the #1 seed in your scenario. But then again it's your scenario, so ultimately, it's whatever you want.

[rjl518]

well..since the OOTP playoff scenarios are limited...i can only take the top three teams in each league/division and face them off...

so 1st round 3vs2 1 gets a bye...best of five
2nd round winner of 3v2 vs 1 best of seven
and so on..

let me see how i can make this work

i really wish OOTP would have a whole bunch of playoff customizations...really i wish it had double elimination...

maybe in OOTP16

[rjl518]

Originally Posted by sflcat61

Why not a best-of-5 game series between #1 & #4 and #2 & #3, and then a best-of-7 game series for the pennant and a best-of-9 for the World Series? Not sure I like the long layoff for the #1 seed in your scenario. But then again it's your scenario, so ultimately, it's whatever you want.

i was thinking about that...but i believe only the top THREE teams in each league can make the playoffs...

i really wanted FOUR...but the playoff system that OOTP uses does not allow me to give byes when the amount of teams are evenly setup eg. 8 to 4 to 2 to 1...

My historical replay will begin sunday...it will be completely historical the first time around with the historical transactions, lineups, and schedules...which means babe ruth will be on the yankees in 1927, ted williams will be on the red sox, and so on and expansion will occur at the correct times...

the only thing i will be changing throughout the years will be the playoff format...so...what would have happened if Bud "I am the worst commissioner in major league baseball history" Selig had run the MLB back in those days by expanding playoffs and creating best of threes, five and sevens and seeing if the teams that won their leagues in the regular seasons would have ACTUALLY made it to the world series if they had to play in a modern day playoff bracket.

The amount of stats i will give will be limited to captures and standings. This is more of like a "what if playoff replay" of the major leagues. I will use the regular database and default settings for the first go-around. In other words, "vanilla OOTP" for this replay.

I will not run any teams, the computer has total control. Should be interesting to see if the players still do what they did in OOTP what they did in real life without changes.

This is my first dynasty so i hope i do a good job. I have been reading a lot of other people's dynasties such as http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...st-sequel.html from NYY #23 and http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...w-history.html from George Bell.

Gives those guys some major congrats. They put together some AWESOME reading material.

So..without further ado...RJL518 and OOTP proudly presents:

THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL HISTORICAL PLAYOFFS EXPANSION DYNASTY!!!

[rjl518]

well..i thought i would set up my league and double check the other players and make sure all logos and colors are correct...as im going to play one month per day and ill even watch a few games as a spectator...

of course...at this time of baseball history, it was all about players such as Nap Lajoie, Christy Matthewson, Ed Delahanty, Honus Wagner, and many others. These guys were the legends of baseball and the baseball world would be built on their achievements. They would pave the way for Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Williams, Johnson, Koufax, Mays, etc etc etc.

Since the game did not do a preseason predictions for 1901, im gonna make some predictions of my own for this year. Im gonna say Lajoie (MVP) and Mathewson, (CYA). looking forward to April 1901.

[rjl518]

April 1901--not much to report in the first month....Nap Lajoie already leads the majors in batting...no surprise there...and the Orioles and Beaneaters have gotten off to great starts...

In baseball early days...april was a short month and only 140 games were played until they went to the 154 game schedule later...

since i happen to be a fan of Christy Mathewson...i think I will be a New York Giants fan for this year...

not too mention of course...Big Cy Young is already telling batters to go back to the dugout early

[rjl518]

May 1901

Another good month for the usuall suspects.

[rjl518]

Candy Lachance hit for the cycle and Nap Lajoie and Cy Young continue to dominate on the diamond.

[rjl518]

Honus Wagner, Noodles Hahn, and Christy Mathewson contine to shine as well...

Remember...at this time of the dynasty...the top THREE teams in each league will make the playoffs...so even if someone is running away with it...they still have to go through the playoffs...how many times in the baseball's past has a team just missed the playoffs by a game or so...and they KNEW if they played the winner of the league...they would have a shot...that is what im trying to answer using Vanilla OOTP.

[rjl518]

This is my first dynasty...so please forgive the errors and mistakes. I wish i had NYY#23 and George_Bell's talent....but i will continue to do the best i can.

[George_Bell]

haha, your doing fine. As you keep going, you'll find out what you like, what works for you, and it will all fall into place. I like the concept, and i like the in game graphics, so your off to a good start!

[rjl518]

Originally Posted by George_Bell

haha, your doing fine. As you keep going, you'll find out what you like, what works for you, and it will all fall into place. I like the concept, and i like the in game graphics, so your off to a good start!

That is very HIGH praise from someone of your talents...now get back to YOUR dynasty...im very anxiously awaiting more GLOWING reports.

[rjl518]

June 1901

[rjl518]

It seems that the Americans are the strongest team halfway through the season.

Keeping an eye om Nap Lajoie who is now second in the AL in batting.

Cy Young continues to strike out hitters.

I forgot about Jesse Burkett however. Strong hitter in those days..seem to always give Lajoie a run for his money.

Stay alert for Honus Wagner though. A lot of people say he was the one who put baseball on the map. Hard to argue that point.

Pittsburgh and Boston have good leads on their leagues...but remember...we have PLAYOFFS now...so...the Superbas, Phillies, Oriles and Senators might just get that crack they didnt get all those years ago.

[rjl518]

7/1901

its a close race in AL as the orioles and the Americans continue to stay neck and neck, with the White Sox in third. That coveted #1 spot in the league means you AVOID a wild card series and get your team some much need rest. As i kind of figured, the pirates are running away with the NL but the Superbas and Cardinals know that if they make #2 or #3...they will have a crack at Pittsburgh.

Jesse Burkett and Mike Donlin lead their leagues in BA, and Cy Young, well what can i say, dont reall need to say much about him do i?

Honus Wagner and Nap Lajoie im still watching very closely. Who will win the batting titles?

Rube Waddell shows no signs of slowing down in the NL.

1901 approaches August...as we are now into CRUNCH TIME!!

[rjl518]

August 1901 TWIB NOTES:

The Boston Americans hold a slim 1 1/2 game lead on the surging Orioles. John McGraw says, "The season is coming down to the final month. The Americans know we are right behind them and we want that bye round. Let them play the White Sox!"

Honus Wagner and the Pirates have pretty much locked up the National League regular season and it looks like they will get some much needed rest while the Superbas, Cardinals and Phillies fight it out for two playoff spots.

White Sox staff wasnt happy with what happened to Griffith. According to one coach who said, "The next time he helps one of friends move, he better be moving feathers."

Cy Young and Christy Mathewson win pitcher awards in each of their respective leagues.

Not to forget Nap Lajoie, who just continues to put up monster numbers in hitting. He will be the man for a long time to come.

[rjl518]

OOTPTWIB Notes:

Rube Waddell says he likes to strike out batters. He does what says don't he?

Lastly, the Orioles and Americans lead in the major categories in the MLB, but that doesnt mean they will be there at the end when it really counts.

[rjl518]

Sept 1901:

The Boston Americans win the #1 seed in the AL. The Orioles and White Sox will play a best of three Division Series to determine who will play the Americans.
Cy Young, when asked about winning the regular season said, "Its a good feeling, but I have more to do."

The Phillies and Superbas will play the NL Division Series to face off against the Pirates. Pittsburgh ran away with the NL this year, but Elmer Flick of the Phillies says, "Yeah, they were great this year, but now, after we deal with the Superbas, it will be our chance."

[rjl518]

Jesse Burkett of St. Louis and Nap Lajoie of the Athletics won their respective league batting crowns this year. But their awards were bittersweet as neither of their teams made the playoffs. Lajoie said in retrospsct, "We came up short. But good thing for us, we can still get better as a team."