Unbelievable finish in an online league

bulldog55 · 02-15-2005, 10:19 AM

With one week to go, it seemed Victory League was all but wrapped up. The Minnesota North Stars held a 5.5-game lead while the Atlanta Outkasts were up by 3.5.

The second-place Austin Lone Stars then proceeded to win five straight to close the season, including a sweep of Minnesota in the final series of the year, to force a one-game playoff which has yet to be played.

But in the East, the Stanwix Fire Ants had a perfect final week, 7-for-7, and overtook Atlanta by one game to win their first division title since entering the league as an expansion team three seasons ago. Austin was part of the same expansion class.

The full story is here. As commissioner, to watch this happen before my eyes was unbelievable. I wasn't even paying attention to the West, as there was no doubt in my mind that Minnesota was going to the playoffs and I was so engrossed in watching Stanwix win and win and win. Then, when the simming was done and there was still a game on the schedule, I was a bit confused until I saw the two teams that were scheduled.

This happened a few hours ago and I'm still in a bit of disbelief. I've never seen something like this as a commissioner.

goldfinger77 · 02-15-2005, 10:28 AM

Ugh, I can't even discuss this rationally right now. On September 24th, with 9 games to play, my Padres are second in the majors in runs scored and 7th in runs allowed. I'm 82-71, 8 games under my pythag of 90-63. I'm 4 games back of the Rockies, who are 86-67, 6 games /over/ their pythag of 80-73. That's a 14 game difference in actual versus expected performance, and I'm 4 back. Like I said, I can't even talk about this right now.

DAL 9000 · 02-17-2005, 07:28 PM

On the subject of "amazing finish in an online league," let me set the background for you. On the final day of the season, Philadelphia held a one-game lead over the Mets for the NL Wild Card. The Phillies were playing sad-sack Atlanta while the Mets were playing 101-win powerhouse Montreal.

But the Phillies lost, 1-0-- and what was going on in New York at the same time? This game: http://rlpa-ootp-online.com/report/box2106.html

You can just /see/ hundreds and thousands of Mets fans screaming at the TV: "Put in Isringhausen! Put in the closer! Why have you run out Dan Wheeler and Juan Cruz instead of Isringhasen?!"

Speaking of Isringhausen, who came in only in the 16th inning, this is how the winning run was scored:

Batting: New York (N), bottom of 17th.

Pitching: Rene Miniel
P Jason Isringhausen:
DOUBLES down the left field line.
1B Jason Phillips:
Pitcher Balks.
J. Isringhausen to third.
SINGLES to left
J. Isringhausen scores.

... and the Mets tied the Phillies for the Wild Card.

This game had everything. It even had a /balk/. And also, just to stir up controversy: it's clear that Izzy is a clutch god, but might he be even clutchier than Ross Gload? How about Derek Jeter? Discuss.

Incidentally, this is from the same league Goldfinger mentioned, and the Mets-Phils one-game playoff will be broadcast tonight, in just a couple of hours. I'm not involved-- heck, I'm the Orioles-- but I'll freely admit that I can't wait to see how that game goes. What's more, there'll be another one-game playoff today, for the A.L. West. Oakland had an 8-game lead with under three weeks to play, and blew it by playing terribly just as the second-place team went on a 12-game winning streak. An epic collapse and a really spiffy all-around finish.

P.S.: Hi, Goldfinger. Remember, you lost to a competitive eater!

goldfinger77 · 02-17-2005, 07:56 PM

Like I said: Can't. Rationally. Discuss.

TheRockCT · 02-17-2005, 09:51 PM

Man, that's one of those things in an online league where you have to feel good for the comebacks, but since the owners who held respective leads collapsed are real people and not just AI opponents, you feel bad for them too. Not fun to be in that position. I can relate somewhat as being the GM of a team who paralleled the Philadelphia Eagles, making the League Finals three years in a row (including two consecutive 7-game series) and not finding a way to get to the Championship.

bulldog55 · 02-18-2005, 01:05 AM

Well, the losing owners were dynasties and the comebacks were both third-year expansion teams so I couldn't feel too badly for them. And Minnesota won the one-game playoff for their third straight division crown so it didn't turn out as magical as I'd hoped. Still an amazing finish though.

William4192 · 02-20-2005, 03:14 PM

Great stories!

02-15-2005, 10:19 AM	#1
bulldog55 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: California's Canada Warnings: 17 Posts: 2,481	Unbelievable finish in an online league With one week to go, it seemed Victory League was all but wrapped up. The Minnesota North Stars held a 5.5-game lead while the Atlanta Outkasts were up by 3.5. The second-place Austin Lone Stars then proceeded to win five straight to close the season, including a sweep of Minnesota in the final series of the year, to force a one-game playoff which has yet to be played. But in the East, the Stanwix Fire Ants had a perfect final week, 7-for-7, and overtook Atlanta by one game to win their first division title since entering the league as an expansion team three seasons ago. Austin was part of the same expansion class. The full story is here. As commissioner, to watch this happen before my eyes was unbelievable. I wasn't even paying attention to the West, as there was no doubt in my mind that Minnesota was going to the playoffs and I was so engrossed in watching Stanwix win and win and win. Then, when the simming was done and there was still a game on the schedule, I was a bit confused until I saw the two teams that were scheduled. This happened a few hours ago and I'm still in a bit of disbelief. I've never seen something like this as a commissioner. __________________ Commissioner, Trans-Continental Base Ball Association Owner/GM, Los Angeles Electrics (TCBA), Beaverton Rangers (OTBL), Portland Mavericks (Union League), and Los Angeles Superbas (Century League) Being smart, don't always make you popular.

02-17-2005, 07:28 PM	#3
DAL 9000 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 294	On the subject of "amazing finish in an online league," let me set the background for you. On the final day of the season, Philadelphia held a one-game lead over the Mets for the NL Wild Card. The Phillies were playing sad-sack Atlanta while the Mets were playing 101-win powerhouse Montreal. But the Phillies lost, 1-0-- and what was going on in New York at the same time? This game: http://rlpa-ootp-online.com/report/box2106.html You can just /see/ hundreds and thousands of Mets fans screaming at the TV: "Put in Isringhausen! Put in the closer! Why have you run out Dan Wheeler and Juan Cruz instead of Isringhasen?!" Speaking of Isringhausen, who came in only in the 16th inning, this is how the winning run was scored: Batting: New York (N), bottom of 17th. Pitching: Rene Miniel P Jason Isringhausen: DOUBLES down the left field line. 1B Jason Phillips: Pitcher Balks. J. Isringhausen to third. SINGLES to left J. Isringhausen scores. ... and the Mets tied the Phillies for the Wild Card. This game had everything. It even had a /balk/. And also, just to stir up controversy: it's clear that Izzy is a clutch god, but might he be even clutchier than Ross Gload? How about Derek Jeter? Discuss. Incidentally, this is from the same league Goldfinger mentioned, and the Mets-Phils one-game playoff will be broadcast tonight, in just a couple of hours. I'm not involved-- heck, I'm the Orioles-- but I'll freely admit that I can't wait to see how that game goes. What's more, there'll be another one-game playoff today, for the A.L. West. Oakland had an 8-game lead with under three weeks to play, and blew it by playing terribly just as the second-place team went on a 12-game winning streak. An epic collapse and a really spiffy all-around finish. P.S.: Hi, Goldfinger. Remember, you lost to a competitive eater! __________________ Llama farmers of Wisconsin! "Welcome, and enjoy our llamas." Last edited by DAL 9000; 02-17-2005 at 07:45 PM.

02-17-2005, 09:51 PM	#5
TheRockCT All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: TN Posts: 1,083	Man, that's one of those things in an online league where you have to feel good for the comebacks, but since the owners who held respective leads collapsed are real people and not just AI opponents, you feel bad for them too. Not fun to be in that position. I can relate somewhat as being the GM of a team who paralleled the Philadelphia Eagles, making the League Finals three years in a row (including two consecutive 7-game series) and not finding a way to get to the Championship. __________________ GM, Vermont Emperor Penguins - POTD POTD Champions: 2011, 2012, 2013 GM, Monterrey Aztecs* - NABA *NABA Champions: 2013

02-18-2005, 01:05 AM	#6
bulldog55 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: California's Canada Warnings: 17 Posts: 2,481	Well, the losing owners were dynasties and the comebacks were both third-year expansion teams so I couldn't feel too badly for them. And Minnesota won the one-game playoff for their third straight division crown so it didn't turn out as magical as I'd hoped. Still an amazing finish though. __________________ Commissioner, Trans-Continental Base Ball Association Owner/GM, Los Angeles Electrics (TCBA), Beaverton Rangers (OTBL), Portland Mavericks (Union League), and Los Angeles Superbas (Century League) Being smart, don't always make you popular.

02-20-2005, 03:14 PM	#7
William4192 All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 1,625	Great stories! __________________ What is this about Rhode Island? It is neither Road or Island. Come check out the PBA. http://www.pioneerbaseballassociation.com Or email at pbacommish@pioneerbaseballassociation.com

02-15-2005, 10:28 AM	#2
goldfinger77 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 169	Ugh, I can't even discuss this rationally right now. On September 24th, with 9 games to play, my Padres are second in the majors in runs scored and 7th in runs allowed. I'm 82-71, 8 games under my pythag of 90-63. I'm 4 games back of the Rockies, who are 86-67, 6 games /over/ their pythag of 80-73. That's a 14 game difference in actual versus expected performance, and I'm 4 back. Like I said, I can't even talk about this right now.

02-17-2005, 07:56 PM	#4
goldfinger77 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 169	Like I said: Can't. Rationally. Discuss.