Rolling the Dice

[Arlie Latham]

Here is something I like to do in my fictional league:


Whenever the draft pool is published, I switch from my GM to the Commissioner. Then, I peruse the pool searching for names I like. If any catch my fancy, I open up the editor and grab my two 10 sided dice. I toss the dice and take the higher number. Say it's a 9. I'll add 90 to the player's first hitting or pitching potential and keep going down the list for the four or five potential scores. (My ratings potential varies between 1 and 250.)

Since I never touch the actual ratings, there is a chance the player will never climb out of the minors. However, by bumping up those potential scores, I might just see Leopold Smith, Hegarty Stoddard or Dusty Sturges in the bigs one day.

[1998 Yankees]

Godlike on the one hand, but allowing man to have a hand in his own fate. Simply brilliant. I assume you bestow your favors on mortals who demonstrate high Loyalty, Intelligence, and above all, Work Ethic.

[CHCfan]

That really is a great idea. I love watching how players' careers progress from draft to retirement -- this is a great way to pick someone tp follow.

Do you still add 90 when, by chance, the player is already immensely talented?

[Arlie Latham]

I haven't really added to any big potential players yet, so I don't know what I would do if they already had a big upside.

Regarding bestowing "favors on mortals who demonstrate high Loyalty, Intelligence, and above all, Work Ethic", I simply use the name as the defining factor. We all know from real life sports those players loaded with talent potential who were disloyal, lacking in intelligence and/or lazy.

In a normal draft, I'll usually pick 10-12 to boost in this way. I try to make 5 or 6 of them starting pitchers if possible. Also, I let the head scout pick the player when my turn comes around, just to avoid temptation.

"As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods; they kill us for their sport."