Worst to First - The Sequel

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by mirrf

Congrats!

Thank you!

Originally Posted by pauwoo

Nice win... who’s next?!?

Thank you! I've got three teams left, the Rangers, Rays, and Giants. It'll definitely be one of the Rangers or Rays, both of whom were pretty bad last season.

[NYY #23]

I have to say I'm going to miss a few things about Los Angeles.

1) My owner - there is a lot to be said about a hands off owner. Here's your budget, go win, and unless you screw up I won't bother you. I'm probably tainted by my time in New Orleans, because I didn't get along with my owner thanks to my gimmick of accepting every trade.
2) Gordon Baird - it's always fun to watch a young player to develop into a star before your eyes. 100 wins, 43 losses, and a 2.80 ERA in six years. Why did I sign him to that extension that'll keep him in LA through 2088?
3) Darren Dooley - what's not to like about a .300 hitter that can slug 40 home runs a year. Sure, his glove could improve, but it's always fun to watch a top prospect come up and succeed, and maybe more so after seeing him struggle for a couple years.

But I'll move on knowing we accomplished our goal of winning a World Series, but I don't necessarily feel like I built up the Dodgers into a top class organization who will be able to compete going forward. They shouldn't fall off a cliff, but they have problems, such as no farm system. They do have the highest budget in the league, so money can mask those problems, but I feel better when I build up a team and they are set-up to do well after I leave.

Before we move on from Los Angeles, let's take a look at our awards. Catcher Andy Jordan won a Gold Glove while Darren Dooley won a Silver Slugger. Then the big news, for the second straight year the Dodgers had a Cy Young Award winner, this time with Antonio Sandoval winning the award. 19-5 with a 2.79 ERA, 276 strikeouts in 232 1/3 innings. Darren Dooley also finished third in MVP voting.

Los Angeles Dodgers - 75-87 (.463) 25 GB
2078 - Los Angeles Dodgers - 80-82 (.494) 17 GB (Season Score - 526)
2079 - Los Angeles Dodgers - 83-79 (.512) 12 GB (Season Score - 470)
2080 - Los Angeles Dodgers - 86-77 (.528) 9 GB (Lost Wild Card Series 3-2 to San Diego Padres, Season Score - 632)
2081 - Los Angeles Dodgers - 92-70 (.568) 1 1/2 GB (Defeated Mexico City Conquistadors 3-0 in Wild Card Series, Defeated Colorado Rockies 4-2 in Division Series, Lost to San Francisco Giants 4-0 in NLCS, Season Score - 797)
2082 - Los Angeles Dodgers - 98-64 (.605) - GB, Defeated Mexico City Conquistadors 4-2 in Division Series, Lost to Chicago Cubs 4-1 in NLCS , Season Score - 632)
2083 - Los Angeles Dodgers - 109-53 (.673) - GB, Lost to Colorado Rockies 4-1 in Division Series, Season Score - 764)
2084 - Los Angeles Dodgers - 97-65 (.599) - 1 GB, Defeated New York Mets 3-0 in Wild Card Series, Defeated Chicago Cubs 4-0 in Division Series, Defeated San Francisco Giants 4-3 in NLCS, Defeated Houston Astros 4-3 in World Series, Season Score - 860)

[NYY #23]

The Worst to First journey is getting down to the wire with just three teams left. With 33 championships there are technically 3 teams that I haven't won a championship with, The Giants, Rangers, and Rays. The real easy thing to do would be to walk away and end things. I've recently had a nice long hiatus though, and this league has so much history it's really tough to walk away forever.

One thing I'm going to be changing moving forward is to allow draft pick trading. I'll be adding a little bit of a narrative to match the next part of my chapter and try and mix things up a little.

[Gruber_Tagged_Him]

You should set a firm goal of getting those last 3 championships before 2100 rolls around. I mean, you're around 230 yrs old already, time to rest on your laurels...

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by Gruber_Tagged_Him

You should set a firm goal of getting those last 3 championships before 2100 rolls around. I mean, you're around 230 yrs old already, time to rest on your laurels...

This is so true. I do roll out a new generation so I think I'm on my fourth generation now, but think that may be possible if things fall in line. Would love to speed up a little bit and be done by the end of 2020 or at least before OOTP 22.

[NYY #23]

As a Bishop there's always been a lot of pressure. Baseball runs in my family, more specifically running a baseball team. My family's journey started in St. Louis with the Browns, our families first championship and continued to 2051 when my father announced his retirement from baseball after leading Mexico City to their first World Series title. I started working for my father right out of college, and felt a lot of pride when we won that championship, although to be honest I didn't do much to help the team win, my father deserved all the credit.

Mexico City knew that too, and when my father retired for baseball I thought they'd just had me the keys to the kingdom, but I felt insulted when they wanted me to serve as Assistant General Manager. Playing second fiddle to my father was one thing, but second fiddle to someone else wasn't my idea of a good idea. I still remember my father's anger and disappointment when I turned them down.

I was young, cocky, and arrogant, and it was only through my family name and a lot of luck the Houston Astros came calling and offered me my first General Manager job. That was the only time I went against my father's recommendation. When I told my father about the job offer he begged me not to take it, promised he could smooth things over with Mexico City, and I needed more time.

Of course two years later I had won my first World Series title, although looking back I owe that more to luck than skill. But the legend of Edward Bishop Jr. grew after I left the Astros and took the Nationals to the playoffs in my first year after they had come off a 121 loss season. Three years and we hoisted the trophy, then three years in Los Angeles before the Angels won it all, and a long four years in Sant Antonio before the Monks won it all.

After four championships I could do no wrong, and building a baseball team was easy. When I went to New Orleans and we went to the playoffs in my second year I had nothing left to learn. And then in those next 12 years in New Orleans I learned more than I thought was possible.

The opportunity to build another winner after New Orleans was too great to resist, and after seven year with the Dodgers I'm looking for my next opportunity. And after winning six championships with six teams what else is left but to try and complete my family's legacy of winning a title with each team, with just the Rangers, Giants, and Rays remaining.

And that's what brought me to Texas today.

[NYY #23]

The meeting yesterday with John Hanson went great, and I went home with an offer to be the next General Manager of the Rangers and promises to give me whatever was needed to get Texas back to the World Series after a collapse that saw the Rangers go from World Champions to losing 93 games. Mr. Hanson promised to outbid the Rays for my services, and he didn't disappoint. I'd be making more money than ever, and with a core featuring Michael Jackson, Jose Romero and others my job might not be too difficult, especially with a manager everyone likes playing for.

I went back to the hotel thinking and made a to-do list of what I'd need to do to prepare for a move to Texas, but I received two calls that night that would prove that the best-laid plans don't always work out. The first was from Rays owner Mike Bean, who was desperate for a championship. He was desperate for a World Series title willing to match the Rangers offer, and promised me that money was no object. He wasn't getting any younger, and wanted to bring that championship to Tampa that he promised when he bought the team in 2050. But before I could even think about putting together a list of pros and cons about joining the Rangers or Rays I got a call from my Mom, who told me my father was being taken to the hospital. And I got on the next plane.

[UltimateAverageGuy]

Just getting started in reading this thread, looks promising.

Do you have full 35 round drafts and manage minor league promotions demotions? Or let the CPU do it?

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by UltimateAverageGuy

Just getting started in reading this thread, looks promising.

Do you have full 35 round drafts and manage minor league promotions demotions? Or let the CPU do it?

Thanks. I didn't start with full minors, so they were added over time, so I've got mostly full minor league systems. I'm running a 30 round draft with AAA, AA, A, S-A, and Rookie.

It took a long time for me to get comfortable to do this, but I do defer all minor league promotions and demotions to assistant GM and keep an eye on top prospects to make sure they are at the right level.

[NYY #23]

Just one player was elected to the Hall of Fame this year:



SS Jesús Reyes 80.2 (3rd year) Inducted HOF
2B Edward James 69.1 (5th year)
CL Tony Hodge 65.0 (8th year)
CL Gabriel Valdés 60.7 (7th year)
RF Neil Davis 60.5 (3rd year)
C Maurício Maio 48.1 (3rd year)
SP Kevin White 43.8 (3rd year)
SS José Carlos Hernández 43.3 (1st year)
C Sergio Beltrán 27.8 (3rd year)
CL Manuel Fernández 19.5 (1st year)
SS Vinny Sánchez 16.9 (6th year)
SP Jeff Turner 13.8 (1st year)
CL Cristo Hernández 12.6 (5th year)
SP Roberto Ramírez 11.2 (1st year)
CL Dave Beard 11.2 (6th year)
CL Julián Córdova 8.0 (4th year)
SP Jorge Cruz 7.2 (9th year)
1B Berto Chacón 6.9 (3rd year)
CL Pedro Navarro 6.9 (10th year) Dropped
3B Aurelio Vásquez 6.6 (3rd year)
CF Juan Salas 6.3 (5th year)
C Dave Banister 6.0 (2nd year)
C Andrea Pometti 5.4 (6th year)
SS Jack Derrick 4.6 (1st year) Dropped
CL Jung-won Ch'a 4.0 (1st year) Dropped
CL John Harrison 3.4 (1st year) Dropped
RP Roland Fuller 3.4 (3rd year) Dropped
C Norris MacBeth 3.2 (2nd year) Dropped
SP Roberto Barrera 2.3 (2nd year) Dropped
RF Augusto Rivera 1.1 (1st year) Dropped
SS Bob Copeland 0.0 (1st year) Dropped

[NYY #23]

For the first time in my life it's the day Pitchers and Catchers report to Spring Training, and I could care less. Today's the day of my father's funeral, after a relatively short battle with illness. Baseball and the world was losing a great man, and I was losing a mentor, a friend, and a parent.

And despite my father's wishes to see me get back in the game I just didn't have the energy. After finding out my father was sick I turned down both the Rangers and the Rays. I needed to be close to my father back in Los Angeles, and the Dodgers treated me very well the past seven years, and when they found out about my father they wanted me to know I was still part of their family. While I could pick right back up where I left off as General Manager I took on an advisor role, began a search for my replacement, and brought closer Thomas Harris to Los Angeles while hammering out an extension for Chris Moss.

I did my job, advised and made my recommendations, but my attention was divided. I didn't see the need for signing another closer to a big contract, but the Dodgers signed John Stewart, and I advocated for trading Ron James to bring aboard Joe Pollard as our new starting catcher. But one of the biggest changes came in the winter meetings, when the trading of draft picks was approved.

That was the last bit of baseball I got to talk with my Dad about. My father was strongly against the idea, but the Dodgers shipped out a pair of draft picks to bring aboard second baseman Wilson Larsen. The Dodgers are officially in "win-now" mode.

But it's hard to think about winning with everything going on. I tried to give my notice to the Dodgers after my father passed away, but they still want me around, even if I need to take some time off.

[NYY #23]

Today was the first time all season that I've watched a baseball game, as the Dodgers beat the Cubs 8-4. Gordon Baird won his 9th game of the year and I visited with the team after. It's been an inconsistent year so far in LA, with the Dodgers trailing the Mariners by 2 1/2 games before today.

I've been preoccupied all year though. I feel coming back to the Dodgers was both the right and the wrong move. I don't have much of a role anymore, but I also don't have much of a desire to have a role either. I haven't paid much attention to baseball since my father died. Both the Rays and Rangers have gone all in trying to win. The Rays now have the highest payroll in baseball, and although they've been bitten by the injury bug hard, they still have some time to turn things around and make up a 13 game deficit. The Rangers haven't spent as much, and are sitting 11 1/2 games out.

But after passing on both of those jobs I may have missed my opportunity. Maybe it is time to hang it up for good.

[StLee]

Is this the end of the dynasty or just the finishing point for this particular GM?

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by StLee

Is this the end of the dynasty or just the finishing point for this particular GM?

I really thought long and hard about wrapping things up after the Dodgers, but I'm so close, so I do want to reflect some of that indecision, but there will be at least one more team in some shape or form.

[NYY #23]

I had requested today's meeting with the Dodgers to discuss my future. Over the past couple months I've begun to cope with things, and been showing up to work more often. Jose Mendez has done a great job as my replacement, the Dodgers had already clinched the division, and were headed back to the playoffs for the sixth year in a row and we were looking to defend our title.

Things were going well in Los Angeles, and Mr. B, as he likes to be called, made it clear he wanted me to continue in the Dodgers organization, in whatever capacity I wanted. He wanted to build a dynasty in Los Angeles, and to restock our minor league system with the next generation of stars.

But Mr. B also made it known that teams are interested in hiring me. After everything that happened with my father the Dodgers had welcomed me back in a Special Advisor role, which was a double-edged sword. The job was what I made of it, but I was under Dodger control for three years.

So the Dodgers had some control over my future, at least for the next two years. Mr. B didn't want me taking over a team in the National League, and I left the meeting with a choice - return to the Dodgers in a greater role next year, or take over in Tampa Bay.

There would be a cost to my freedom, negotiated with the Rays, their top two picks in next year's draft, and their top prospect, centerfielder Leon Alvarez.

I knew coming in to the meeting how badly the Rays wanted me to take over, my agent had the offer in hand. I'd have complete control, and ten years to turn things around. After I turned down the Rays last year they went all in, acquired a bunch of talent, finished with the highest payroll in the league, emptied out their minor league system, traded away several drafts picks, and watched an unprecedented level of injuries tear apart their season on their way to a 100 loss season.

Mr. B wanted my decision within 24 hours, and if I chose to go he'd let me out of my contract the day after the World Series. The price for leaving was high, but I knew before I walked out the door I was going to head to Tampa Bay and take over. The challenge was too great, and I was ready for a change. Even though I wasn't allowed to communicate with my new team until after the World Series I was excited about the challenge that lied ahead.

[NYY #23]

Last year Gordon Baird didn't have a loss in the postseason, and this year he's started off 0-2 with a 7.20 ERA. Luckily those were the Dodgers only two losses as we knocked off the Mariners 4 games to 2 to advance to the NLCS.

Antonio Sandoval stepped up on the mound winning both of his starts while striking out 10 in 12 innings. Mike Williams was named MVP of the Series after hitting .385 with 2 home runs and 6 RBI.

Up next will be the Expos, who won 96 games this year.

In the meantime I'm preparing for my move to Florida, where the Rays made some noise by officially firing their General Manager and Major League staff. At least I'll have a blank slate to start from.

[StLee]

Congratulations on the new gig. Did Tampa ever get a decent major league baseball stadium in the past 65 years?

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by StLee

Congratulations on the new gig. Did Tampa ever get a decent major league baseball stadium in the past 65 years?

Thanks! I think the Rays are now in Trop 2 - the world's first floating stadium with Florida now underwater....

I never really paid too close of attention to stadiums though. The Rays do have a pretty decent fan interest right now, much higher than I would expect given their poor showing.

[NYY #23]

The Dodgers entered the NLCS as the favorites after winning 104 games this year against the Expos, but things didn't go as planned as the Expos knocked off the Dodgers 4 games to 1 as my tenure in Los Angeles unofficially came to an end, although officially I've got November 19th on the calendar as the World Series between the Indians and Expos will be over, and I'll be free to start my tenure with Tampa Bay. Until then I'll remain in limbo, unable to start my new position, and without anything left to do with the Dodgers.

[NYY #23]

Today was my first day on the job, and it was a long one. Our goal today was to complete my initial evaluation and come up with a plan for the offseason. It started with a stadium tour, and I couldn't help but notice our World Series banners flying - "2048 World Champions" and "2031 World Champions". I got a chance to meet Rays legend and Hall of Famer Jake Smith, who was a member of the first Rays championship team and inducted into the Hall of Fame the year of their last championship. I also got to meet Hall of Fame catcher Reynaldo Chavez who appeared in more games than any other Ray, although he debuted in 1932, left the team after the 2047 season, and returned in 2049. And don't think he doesn't know how unlucky he was.

But back to present day here's a summary of how things stand with the Rays -

The Basics -
• The Rays lost 111 games with the highest payroll in baseball
• We have $42 million tied up on players that will miss about half of next year
• Our top prospect is 18 years old and hasn't made his debut in the minor leagues yet
• Without any further moves we'll lose $6 million next year
• We need to fill our coaching staff

The priorities -
1) Hire a coaching staff
2) Stockpile as many draft picks and prospects as possible
3) Trim our payroll
4) Set appropriate expectations

In case it wasn't obvious we won't be planning on hanging a 2086 World Champions banner next year.