Strange one that I can't explain

David Watts · 10-18-2025, 03:32 PM

In my random debut league, Mark McGwire took home rookie of the year honors for the 1972 season. McGwire played in 159 games in 1972, starting 150 times. 108 games at 1B, 14 at 3B and 28 as his teams DH. He hit .261, with 24 doubles, 6 triples and led the league with 42 home runs. He drove in 106 runs and earned 4.5 WAR. Expectations were high for 1973. Well at least mine were. As for his team the Corpus Christi Hooks, not so much. On opening day the Hooks have McGwire sitting on their reserve roster. They are starting Harry Davis at 1B, manager in training Joey Amalfitano at 3B and the mighty Greg Colbrunn at DH. 1973 will mark Colbrunn's 8th season in the International League, during which he's dazzled fans, coaches and gamblers to the tune of -2.0 WAR. In his only season starting 100+ games, Colbrunn hit an amazing .200 with 5 home runs and 24 RBI. He amassed those massive numbers over 405 at bats.

Just can't figure out why McGwire would be riding the reserve roster train. McGwire debuted at the age of 22 in my game. In real life he debuted at the age of 23. McGwire is now 23 in my game. McGwire's real life season at the age of 23 consisted of only 53 plate appearances to the tune of a .189 average, so maybe the first OOTP season that resulted in rookie of the year honors, was based solely off ratings and not recalc. Same type of thing happened last season with Greg Maddux. Maddux started 30 games to the tune of a 11-10, 3.88 in 1971. Then in 72 he started the season in the rotation, but was quickly moved to the reserve roster for the most of the remainder of the season. He would return in late August finish 72 with a 4-4, 2.30. 73 has him back in the starting rotation, sitting in the number 2 hole.

Anxious to see if McGwire gets called up, or if sits on the reserve roster for all of 73. Not sure I ever remember someone winning rookie of the year honors, only to start the following season in the minors(in this case the reserve roster).

Rain King · 10-18-2025, 06:38 PM

Did you change any settings from the default "Random Debut Mode" settings when creating your league?

Basically, it is hard to think about this in any way without knowing what your historical settings are.

luckymann · 10-18-2025, 07:30 PM

This sophomore regression has been around for a while DW, at least since 23. Doesn't happen to all, but I have constantly seen players sent down / left idle after a stellar rookie season. They usually right themselves but it is another quirk in the game that needs sorting out.

G

David Watts · 10-18-2025, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckymann

This sophomore regression has been around for a while DW, at least since 23. Doesn't happen to all, but I have constantly seen players sent down / left idle after a stellar rookie season. They usually right themselves but it is another quirk in the game that needs sorting out.

G

I will keep an eye on him to see if he spends the whole season on the reserve roster.

David Watts · 10-19-2025, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain King

Did you change any settings from the default "Random Debut Mode" settings when creating your league?

Basically, it is hard to think about this in any way without knowing what your historical settings are.

No radical changes. Changed it to 3 year recalc from 5 year recalc. I did turn off all the useless bs stuff like draft combine and the development lab. Otherwise, pretty straight forward setup.

David Watts · 10-19-2025, 11:58 AM

McGwire was promoted to the big league roster on 05/14/1973.

David Watts · 10-19-2025, 12:29 PM

06/02/73, McGwire hit 3 home runs driving in 4 in a game against the Toledo Mud Hens. McGwire already has 7 home runs since his return over 77 at bats.

10-18-2025, 03:32 PM	#1
David Watts Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Looking for a place called Leehofooks Posts: 10,044 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	Strange one that I can't explain In my random debut league, Mark McGwire took home rookie of the year honors for the 1972 season. McGwire played in 159 games in 1972, starting 150 times. 108 games at 1B, 14 at 3B and 28 as his teams DH. He hit .261, with 24 doubles, 6 triples and led the league with 42 home runs. He drove in 106 runs and earned 4.5 WAR. Expectations were high for 1973. Well at least mine were. As for his team the Corpus Christi Hooks, not so much. On opening day the Hooks have McGwire sitting on their reserve roster. They are starting Harry Davis at 1B, manager in training Joey Amalfitano at 3B and the mighty Greg Colbrunn at DH. 1973 will mark Colbrunn's 8th season in the International League, during which he's dazzled fans, coaches and gamblers to the tune of -2.0 WAR. In his only season starting 100+ games, Colbrunn hit an amazing .200 with 5 home runs and 24 RBI. He amassed those massive numbers over 405 at bats. Just can't figure out why McGwire would be riding the reserve roster train. McGwire debuted at the age of 22 in my game. In real life he debuted at the age of 23. McGwire is now 23 in my game. McGwire's real life season at the age of 23 consisted of only 53 plate appearances to the tune of a .189 average, so maybe the first OOTP season that resulted in rookie of the year honors, was based solely off ratings and not recalc. Same type of thing happened last season with Greg Maddux. Maddux started 30 games to the tune of a 11-10, 3.88 in 1971. Then in 72 he started the season in the rotation, but was quickly moved to the reserve roster for the most of the remainder of the season. He would return in late August finish 72 with a 4-4, 2.30. 73 has him back in the starting rotation, sitting in the number 2 hole. Anxious to see if McGwire gets called up, or if sits on the reserve roster for all of 73. Not sure I ever remember someone winning rookie of the year honors, only to start the following season in the minors(in this case the reserve roster).

10-18-2025, 07:30 PM	#3
luckymann Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 13,791	This sophomore regression has been around for a while DW, at least since 23. Doesn't happen to all, but I have constantly seen players sent down / left idle after a stellar rookie season. They usually right themselves but it is another quirk in the game that needs sorting out. G __________________ HISTORICAL DO-OVERS A'S RED SOX DODGERS PIRATES 2.0 & MARINERS COMING SOON! CUSTOM SAVES ECLIPSE LEAGUE MOON SHOT LEAGUE EVERYMAN LEAGUE LGB

10-18-2025, 06:38 PM	#2
Rain King Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 3,236	Did you change any settings from the default "Random Debut Mode" settings when creating your league? Basically, it is hard to think about this in any way without knowing what your historical settings are.

10-19-2025, 11:58 AM	#6
David Watts Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Looking for a place called Leehofooks Posts: 10,044 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	McGwire was promoted to the big league roster on 05/14/1973.

10-19-2025, 12:29 PM	#7
David Watts Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Looking for a place called Leehofooks Posts: 10,044 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	06/02/73, McGwire hit 3 home runs driving in 4 in a game against the Toledo Mud Hens. McGwire already has 7 home runs since his return over 77 at bats.