SimNation: Fictional world, real baseball

[Tyke]

Shabby treatment of Sam The Man by the Knights! When the time comes, maybe he should go into the Hall wearing a Patriots jersey, as they obviously wanted him, whereas the Knights just cast him off?

[Andriko]

Man, it sucks that Crowley ended one run away from 2000! One hell of a career though!

[Hendu Style]

On January 14, 1952, less than two months after his retirement, Sam "The Man" Crowley received baseball's highest honor. He was inducted into the SBL Hall of Fame as the Selection Committee decided to waive the mandatory 5-year waiting period for inductees.

If there was ever an exception to the rule, it was Crowley. He won a record 12 Pioneer League MVP Awards. He was named to the All-Star team an incredible 17 times. He was a 5-time Triple Crown winner.

At the time of his retirement, Crowley owned nine career records, and ranked in the top-6 in eight more categories:

*619 Homeruns (1st)
*3380 Hits (1st)
*1999 Runs (1st)
*1965 RBI (1st)
*5810 Total Bases (1st)
*.587 Slugging Percentage (1st)
*1.010 On-Base plus Slugging Pct (1st)
*1367.9 Value Above Replacement (1st)
*137.5 Wins Above Replacement (1st)

.341 Batting Average (6th)
.422 On-Base Percentage (4th)
2616 Games (4th)
9892 At-Bats (4th)
2276 Singles (3rd)
397 Doubles (5th)
1391 Walks (5th)
2002 Strikeouts (2nd)

Crowley also owned the single-season records for homeruns (50 in 1934), RBI (147 in 1939), slugging percentage (.752 in 1942), OPS (1.247 in 1942), and total bases (403 in 1941), while hitting an astonishing .409 in 1942, the second-highest average in baseball history.

He consistently ranked atop the SBL's league leaders in several key categories:

Hits: 8 Times (1935-37, 1939, 1941-42, 1945-46)
Total Bases: 11 Times (1934-42, 1944-46)
Homeruns: 10 Times (1934-35, 1937, 1939-42, 1944-46)
Stolen Bases: 2 Times (1935-36)
RBI: 8 Times (1934-35, 1937, 1939, 1942, 1944-46)
Runs: 11 Times (1934-35, 1939-47)
Walks: 2 Times (1935-36)
Batting Average: 9 Times (1935-37, 1939-43, 1945)

He was baseball's first ever 50/30 man (50 homeruns, 31 steals in 1934), and the first 40/50 man (43 homeruns, 57 steals in 1935). Amazingly, he had at least 30 homeruns and 30 steals in four straight seasons from 1934 to 1937.

His 1942 season, in which he hit .409 with 44 homeruns, 124 RBI, and 127 runs scored, is regarded as the greatest individual season in SBL history.

At the age of 20, he made his big league debut and hit 24 homeruns, drove in 89 runs, and scored 96 times. At the age of 39, in what would be his final season, he hit .303 with 14 homeruns and had 84 RBI. Pretty much every season in between was an All-Star or MVP campaign.

Simply put, Sam Crawford was the best player the game of baseball had ever seen.

Here is the inscription on his Hall of Fame plaque:

SAMUEL THOMAS CROWLEY
"THE MAN"
Northgate Knights 1933-1951

Greatest drawing card in history of baseball, holder of many home run and other batting records. Won 9 batting titles and 10 home run crowns.
Gathered 619 round-trippers along with 12 MVP awards and one Sim Series title. Lifetime .341 batting average.

[Broooklyn]

The whole of this concept is fantastic. Great work. Now whilst I have not read through all of it yet, I would like to know if the John Kinsella namesake was taken from Field of Dreams?

[Hendu Style]

Originally Posted by Broooklyn

The whole of this concept is fantastic. Great work. Now whilst I have not read through all of it yet, I would like to know if the John Kinsella namesake was taken from Field of Dreams?

You are correct, sir. But there won't be any stories of ballparks in cornfields, or trips to Fenway Park with Terrence Mann here!

[Hendu Style]

With Sam Crowley retired, it was time for the SimNation Baseball League to begin a new chapter in its history. So, for the first time since 1905, the SBL expanded its league. It grew from 16 teams to 20 in 1952, adding the following franchises to the fold:

Arcopolis Rockets:
Considered the gateway to the West, Arcopolis was a booming metropolis in the 1950's. It was home to the SimNation Aerospace Metroplex (SAM), the headquarters for the nation's astronaut program. The name "Rockets" was an obvious choice after the city had just witnessed its first successful rocket launch in 1952. The team was owned by Jules Grant, an unmerciful economizer, who was the founder of the space program until he sold it to the SimNation government in 1950. The team would begin play at Arcopolis County Stadium, converted into a dual purpose stadium after initially being built to host the city's football team.

Motor City Racers:
The automotive capital of the world, Motor City was hungry for its first professional sports team and it finally got it in 1952. Blaine Petty, the sole proprietor of Petty Motors, was known as a lenient but controlling owner. His stamp is everywhere on the franchise, including the logo itself: his prototype Model-15 Racer. He enraged other owners in the SBL by privately financing Petty Stadium, not taking a single Simoleon from taxpayers. It paid off in the long-run, though, as the Petty family made a fortune off ticket sales and concessions until the stadium
was finally torn down in 2000.

Lucky Palms Aces:
In a move that never would've been allowed by baseball's first commissioner, the SBL expanded into Lucky Palms, infamously known as the largest gambling city on the planet. Rumors swirled that Terry Sutherland, a tolerant and charitable casino magnate, greased the wheels by quadrupling the expansion fee that other owners were paying in 1952. Despite the city's shortcomings, Lucky Palms did have a healthy economy and a hearty appetite for professional sports. Palms Park would provide an oasis of sports entertainment in a city known more for its gambling, crime, and downright debauchery.

Lunar Lake Electrics:
LLG&E (Lunar Lake Gas & Electric) boasted one of the largest workforces in SimNation and it fueled the Lunar Lake City economy for decades. Ron O'Connor's purchase of the expansion Electrics confirmed that this city was finally big time. O'Connor had earned a reputation for being tolerant and controlling, qualities that served him well as the CEO of LLG&E. He was able to pursuade taxpayers to foot the bill for Exposition Stadium, a behemoth ballpark replete with baseball's first-ever artificial playing surface.

The Rockets and Racers would join the Colonial League, while the Pioneer League would be home to the Aces and Electrics. A series of coinflips determined the #1 overall choice for the '52 Expansion Draft. Lunar Lake used the choice on promising pitcher Jeff Myers, who had pitched a no-hitter and made the All-Star team for Fort Dodge in '51. Another pitcher, Johnny Lauster, went second overall to Lucky Palms. Arcopolis followed suit with a third pitcher, Joe Gibson, with the #3 pick. And, without fail, a fourth pitcher went fourth overall when Al "Dixie" Miller was chosen by Motor City. For being such great entrepeneurs, these owners didn't have a very pioneering spirit when it came to assembling a team. It's as if all four were reading from the same playbook: build your team around your starting rotation.

The wheels of change were in motion. Four upstart teams were ready to join the SimNation Baseball League. But fancy uniforms and logos, these teams would soon find out, only get you so far on the baseball field.

On a sidenote, thank you to the OOTP mod community for creating these incredible logos and uniforms. Without your imagination and dedication, none of this would be possible.

[Hendu Style]

The 1952 season marked the beginning of a new era in baseball. The Appaloosa Arrows were also looking to begin a new chapter. After three consecutive losing seasons, including a franchise-record 100 losses in 1951, the Arrows were ready to shuffle the deck in hopes of reaching their first Sim Series since 1927. Owner Ray Stanley made the bold decision to fire his manager and replace him with Mike Ward. Ward had never managed at the professional level, but was the scouting director for the juggernaut Santo Cielo Seals from 1943 to 1948, when the franchise won four consecutive titles.

March 8, 1952

Dear Dad,

Here I am in Spring Training, having to prove myself all over again. It's a blank slate for everyone. One year ago, I was the ace pitcher. Right now, I'm just fighting for a spot in the rotation. We brought over "Gator" Johns from Dixie, and everyone is raving about him. Not really sure why. He lost 18 games and walked 105 batters last season. After that, it's me and a few of my teammates from last year all trying to get a starting role. I feel like I have the most to prove. Everyone is talking about how I was a one-hit wonder in 1950. From 16-8 with a 2.76 ERA to 11-19 with a 4.19. I'm not worried. I closed out strong last season, and I think things will turn around this season.

I'm looking forward to seeing you and Gramps for Spring Training down here. I always forget how nice the weather is in Tropico until I get here for camp. The girls here are something else. Maybe we could set Gramps up with one of them!

Take care and see you next week,
Buck

[Hendu Style]

June 1, 1952

Dear Dad,

Hello from Rocklyn. Another loss for my squad... we are now 37-29 on the season. It's been an up and down for me and the rest of the guys, but we're about to turn the corner. I can feel it.

I've been bouncing back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen. I'm not sure if Coach is trying to rattle my cage or send me a message... it's not going to make a lick of difference to me. I'm busting my hump out there, so it's not going to change my approach

I had a solid start today. I'm just not sure if it's going to be enough to get me a permanent start in the rotation. I've only gotten four starts so far, and I'm 1-1 with a 3.95 ERA. I'm trying not to let it bother me. I'll just keep doing my thing and hope to win this guy over.

Did you hear about Marty Storms? Unbelievable. The poor guy is 21 hits away from breaking Sam Crowley's all-time hits record, and he tears up his knee and he's out for the year. I wonder if he'll be able to come back and play next season and try for the record. He's, what, 40-something years old? No offense, pops, but he's ancient.

I guess is the last letter I send to you in Irontown before you go off to Ramblewood for a third season of Rookie League ball. Think you'll be coaching there next year, or is it time to move on? You're too good of a coach not to be working in the bigs, Dad.

Talk to you soon,
Buck

[Hendu Style]

August 25, 1952

Dear Son,

Things are finally starting to turn around in Ramblewood. We've already surpassed our win total from last season and are in the middle of the pack at 28-30 on the season. I've never experienced losing so much in my life -- your high school teams were always so good -- so it's nice to finally win some games here.

Our pitchers are starting to buy in. Our top guy, Coop Walker, is due for a promotion any day now. He's only 19, so I'd like to see him hang around here a bit longer, but Irontown has a habit of promoting their guys pretty quick in their system. You'd think they'd learn. They haven't even sniffed the postseason since 1901, but they're always rushing guys up to the bigs. It's tough to watch both as a fan and as an employee.

I know you've hit a rough patch with the Arrows. It must be difficult to be in the bullpen one day, and making a start two days later. Just keep plugging away. If you pitch well, they'll have no choice but to keep you in the rotation. Remember, nothing in this life is given to you. You've got to earn it.

Love,
Dad

[Hendu Style]

The 1952 season brought upon the Colonial League's lowest ERA (3.32) since 1919. Maxis City's Randy Newsome (21-9, 2.11 ERA, 340 K) and Burton Anthony (21-9, 2.01 ERA, 337 K) both threatened Rob Wright's single-season strikeout record of 353 set in 1909. Pitching indeed ruled baseball.

Meanwhile, the SBL was looking the next big thing. With Sam Crowley and Cal Thomas gone out to pasture, the league needed a charismatic superstar. Triple Crown threat Joey Vega of Atlantis (.335, 39 HR, 109 RBI) and Rocklyn slugger Jackie Spears (.283, 34 HR, 96 RBI) were emerging as stars, but baseball knew they couldn't hold a candle to Crowley, or even Thomas.

It was a tough year for Buck Kinsella. The once promising All-Star had been demoted to the bullpen in Appaloosa and didn't pitch another inning after getting shelled for 7 runs on 10 hits in Santo Cielo on July 26th. He finished the year with a 2-3 record, while posting a 6.58 ERA in 39.2 innings.

Despite the Seals' seventh Sim Series appearance in eight seasons, Santo Cielo couldn't close the deal against Atlantis. They blew a 3-2 series lead as the Neptunes claimed their second straight championship. It should come as no surprise that in a year dominated by pitching, Atlantis boasted three 20-game winners in their rotation: James Jones (21-9, 2.33), Greg Schmidt (20-6, 2.53), and Kyle Kitchens (21-10, 3.59).

Not only were pitchers dominating the game, but they were determining the Sim Series.

[Hendu Style]

It's startling to think that baseball's single-season record holder in hits and stolen bases was not in the Hall of Fame, but that was the case in the fall of 1952. Thankfully, the SBL's Selection Committee rectified that mistake by inducting the great Jet Orlandi into the Hall of Fame that year at the age of 64.

The Freeport shortstop was never named league MVP in his career, but he was twice named the league's top defender at his position while delivering a SBL-record 249 hits in 1914, and stealing a record 119 bases in 1912. He was at the peak of his career when the Civil War came in 1915, wiping out several seasons that surely would've made him a lock for the Hall.

[Hendu Style]

By the spring of 1953, Maxis City's Marty Storms had finally overtaken Sam Crowley for the SBL's all-time hits record. He was 43 years old when he stroked the record-breaking hit against Atlantis on May 21. What Storms lacked in star power compared to Crowley he more than made up for in tenacity and longevity.

Meanwhile, all correspondence between father and son Maxx and Buck Kinsella had come to an abrupt end. It's not known if the two had a falling out, or they simply were too busy with their lives to keep writing letters to each other. Buck had gotten married to Darlene Willard, a school teacher in Westbrook, where the two met after he was demoted to AAA. They had a young son, Sam, who was keeping them quite busy. Maxx was still plying his trade as a pitching coach for Irontown's rookie league team in Ramblewood and his career seemed to be stagnating. The Kinsella's were experiencing the high's and low's of the baseball life, but something was about to happen that would put both of their lives in perspective...

[Tyke]

I have nothing but good things to say about Sam "The Man" - but I do think he should lose the nasty ginger beard! It makes him look like an ax murderer!! Time for a new look, Sam!

[Hendu Style]

If baseball was an institution in SimNation, Ted Kinsella was its foundation. The SBL's first Commissioner oversaw unprecedented growth in the sport from 1921 to 1942, a span of 21 years. But on June 23rd, 1953, the honorable Judge Kinsella breathed his last breath.

He was 82 years old.

Ted was the son of a prominent sports writer, Ray Kinsella. Father to a pitching coach, Maxx. And the grandfather of a SimNation pitcher, Buck. And no one could argue that he was the patriarch of the Kinsella clan.

"I just tried to be fair," Ted told the Freeport Herald in a 1948 interview, six years after his retirement. "I was a lawyer and a judge before I was a Commissioner, so I wanted to serve the position with honor and reverance."

Mission accomplished.

His funeral in Freeport was attended by the entire Kinsella family, as well as esteemed baseball dignitaries including Sam Crowley, Tiger Tanner, and Warren King. Ted could be harsh and stubborn, but he also had the kind of respect that few possess: the kind that comes from years of doing things the right way.

Years later, I'm amazed to read about all that my great-great grandfather has accomplished. Though I proudly hold the position of President of SimNation, I am certain Ted was a superior leader to myself. He stood for what was right in desegregating baseball, and holding baseball to its highest standard. Ted Kinsella was an institution, and he was a person we should all aspire to be.

[Hendu Style]

It took 82 years (!), but the SBL finally got its first Perfect Game in 1953.

[Tyke]

Excellent! congratulations on the Perfect Game, Mr President, [I'm still waiting to see one, despite playing since OOTP 3] and condolences on the passing of your great-grandfather. What a great man.

[Hendu Style]

1954 marked the return to the big leagues for Buck Kinsella. The one-time All-Star had toiled in Triple-A for the entire '53 season, but got a mid-season call-up to Appaloosa in 1954. His ERA pushed above 3.00 after surrendering 5 earned runs in 7 innings in an 8-3 loss at Lunar Lake, but Buck had seemingly gained the confidence of a new coaching staff, after being written off the year prior. More importantly, his Arrows had reached the Sim Series for the first time since 1927, winning the Pioneer League with a record of 96-66.

September 29th, 1954

Dear Dad,

Well, what a year. We held off Santo Cielo for our first league title in nearly 30 years, and I'm lucky enough to be a part of the team. I honestly didn't think I'd get a chance like this again, but here I am on the postseason roster, on our starting rotation to top it off.

I've got to admit, we've got an ace on our staff in Jack Johns. "The Gator" won the Pioneer League pitching triple crown, going 23-13 with a 2.05 ERA and 295 strikeouts. We've got a really solid staff with him, Milo Gulley (18-14, 3.02), and Freddy Rivers (21-9, 3.26). We've got a hell of a manager in Richard Reynolds, who came over from Santo Cielo as the Seals' bench coach.

Our boy Sam is growing up so quick. He's 3 and a half already. Can you believe it? Hopefully he'll grow up nice and big like ol' Sam Crowley and be a homerun hitter someday. You and I could throw him batting practice! Congrats on a great season in Ramblewood. 38-30, huh? Finally a winning record for your Black Pirates in the Lintz League. When is Irontown going to promote you?

Love,
Buck

PS, here's a postcard from Lunar Lake. Cool place to visit. Not a good place to play. They finished dead last in the league at 65-97.

[Hendu Style]

October 10, 1954

Dear Dad,

Tough loss for us today. A win would've won us the Sim Series. Instead, Game 5 went to the Dixie Dukes in the 11th inning.

I went 9 innings. Save for a second inning RBI single by Bill Jenkins, I didn't give up a run. I wanted like hell to go the 10th, but we turned it over to the bullpen. I would've liked to have been at the bottom of a dogpile, but it looks like that will have to wait at least one more game. Our pen finally gave up the game-winner in the 11th in a 2-1 loss. We still lead the series 3-2. Game 6 is Tuesday in Dixie. We just need one more win and the SimNation championship is hours.

Best wishes,
Buck

The Arrows would go on to lose Game 6 in Dixie, but clinched the Sim Series in a winner-take-all Game 7 by the count of 5-1.

[Hendu Style]

Congratulations to Freeport's Randy Newsome. The Patriots ace struck out 361 batters in 1954, breaking Rob Wright's single season record (353) that had stood since 1909. It was the third straight year that Newsome had fanned at least 300.

Newsome also tossed his first career no-hitter that season, on the way to an 18-win campaign highlighted by an SBL-best 1.90 ERA.

[Tyke]

Great season for both Kinsellas! And really good to see Buck back in the "Bigs", playing on a Champion team. [Wonder if we'll see him playing under his Dad before the end of his career????]