baseball is so frustrating

ssmarsh · 12-30-2003, 09:28 AM

Nothing significant in this post, but I needed to vent a little.

Travel back in time a week or two...my club is cruising along in my on-line league...we finish 14 games over for the first half, only a game out of 1st in the division. Then, as per the norm it seems, the all-star break ends and we suddenly become the Bad News Bears. So far we've gone 7-13 for the 2nd half and are now in 3rd place in the division, 4.5 games out. The only roster change was making a deadline trade for a very good pitcher (giving up minor leaguers).

I know this happens in the real world as well, but this is the 2nd time in three seasons that my playoff bound team has taken a serious nose dive after the ASB. Two seasons ago we started the second half with two wins only to follow that up with a 12 game losing streak which pretty much killed us. Frustrating.

There, now I feel better (not really).

Bluenoser · 12-30-2003, 10:51 AM

Sounds like you're just getting into August, which means close to 2 months to go. I wouldn't throw in the towel just yet. Much like teams can go into a slump, they can also go on a tear just when you least expect it.

Last season in ATH my Indians couldn't do a thing in Apr, May, Jun, despite some vg talent. We were 10 games under .500. In July we went 21-3 including a 15 game winning streak. All of a sudden, we're right in the thick of the wildcard race.

Don't give up hope........

ssmarsh · 12-30-2003, 12:08 PM

Not giving up hope, just trying to vent some frustration. I know there's still a long way to go and since this is a 12 team league, I'll have many opportunities to play the division leaders so it is far from over. Still sucks to play well for 4 months then fall apart in 3 weeks.

jaxmagicman · 12-30-2003, 12:14 PM

You're team isn't in Philadelphia is it?

Bluenoser · 12-30-2003, 12:28 PM

I see your point, but can't agree that it sucks.

Name me one professional team sport where a team doesn't doesn't go into a slump once in a while. I suppose you could argue in favour of the Patriots this season in the NFL, but that's a rarity.

I think it's very realistic and is one of the many things that makes the game of baseball and the game of OOTP great.

I'd much rather come back from trailing by 5 or 10 games than be in first from day 1 to day 162...........but to each his own. Some people like to dominate all season.

Hope your team bounces back and wins it all for you.

ssmarsh · 12-30-2003, 12:41 PM

I agree that slumps do provide an additional level of realism to OOTP, but name me one real world professional team that doesn't think slumping sucks.

HolyCow98 · 12-30-2003, 02:42 PM

HAHA...true and true on the last two posts.

Ragnar · 12-30-2003, 05:12 PM

Slumps are excellent for the game. Doesn't mean you have to enjoy them. Try playing out all the games and going through one. I do not think I ever played a game that has pissed me off more than this game. In a good way.

Pitchers do it to me mostly. Man they can bring the worst out.

thomamon · 12-30-2003, 05:44 PM

I know what your talking about... What about when your free agent pitcher who is supposed to help bulster your staff has an ERA near 6 after two months into the season. Or your rookie catcher who is batting .300 gets hurt.

TM

ssmarsh · 12-31-2003, 10:55 AM

Or the big stud you just acquired at the trade deadline pulls something and is going to miss 2 starts. Or the 20 year old, #14 overall prospect, stud starter you refused to deal at the deadline has four talent drops on August 5th and almost falls out of the top 100 prospects list. The bleeding can't be stopped!

wireman · 01-01-2004, 12:05 PM

I've checked out this and your "taking care of your wife" thread.

My guess is that your solo-league wife's been dating your online-league players. Probably keeping 'em out too late.

I'd recommend trying the "paternity test" button.

ssmarsh · 01-01-2004, 02:35 PM

That is quite the possibility and it's worth looking into. Thanks for the suggestion!

Alex Starbuck · 01-01-2004, 02:55 PM

Albert Pujols was having an absolute monster, MVP worthy, season for my team. He was 2nd in the league in HRs and RBIs, 3rd in batting average, and first in OPS. He got hit in the face with a pitch and broke his cheekbone in Sept and missed the rest of the season and the playoffs (where I won game 1 in the 13th inning and then lost the next 3 in convincing fashion). Oh well.

jaxmagicman · 01-01-2004, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alex Starbuck
Albert Pujols was having an absolute monster, MVP worthy, season for my team. He was 2nd in the league in HRs and RBIs, 3rd in batting average, and first in OPS. He got hit in the face with a pitch and broke his cheekbone in Sept and missed the rest of the season and the playoffs (where I won game 1 in the 13th inning and then lost the next 3 in convincing fashion). Oh well.

All I can say is ouch, oh and make sure to get retaliation next year.

ssmarsh · 01-05-2004, 10:58 AM

Just some follow up venting. Since my original post we've gone 13-27 after the ASB to fall 13.5 games out of first place. Our record stands at 63-63. Not only are the good teams beating us, but the bad teams are as well. I'm still amazed how a team can totally fall apart without injuries to the major players.

12-30-2003, 12:14 PM	#4
jaxmagicman Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Retired defloration-maker living in Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 7,801	You're team isn't in Philadelphia is it? __________________ See ID Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of MLB Advanced Media, L.P. Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with the permission of Minor League Baseball. All rights reserved.

12-30-2003, 02:42 PM	#7
HolyCow98 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Douglasville, GA Posts: 2,735	HAHA...true and true on the last two posts. __________________ NPBL Enjoying its 60th season Georgia GM

12-30-2003, 05:44 PM	#9
thomamon Global Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 5,274	I know what your talking about... What about when your free agent pitcher who is supposed to help bulster your staff has an ERA near 6 after two months into the season. Or your rookie catcher who is batting .300 gets hurt. TM __________________ Thomas A. Montalto Please check out my Stupid Little Blog - http://www.stupidlittleblog.com

01-01-2004, 12:05 PM	#11
wireman All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Harrisonburg VA Posts: 765	I've checked out this and your "taking care of your wife" thread. My guess is that your solo-league wife's been dating your online-league players. Probably keeping 'em out too late. I'd recommend trying the "paternity test" button. __________________ "Sometimes the magic works and sometimes it doesn't."

12-30-2003, 09:28 AM	#1
ssmarsh Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 178	baseball is so frustrating Nothing significant in this post, but I needed to vent a little. Travel back in time a week or two...my club is cruising along in my on-line league...we finish 14 games over for the first half, only a game out of 1st in the division. Then, as per the norm it seems, the all-star break ends and we suddenly become the Bad News Bears. So far we've gone 7-13 for the 2nd half and are now in 3rd place in the division, 4.5 games out. The only roster change was making a deadline trade for a very good pitcher (giving up minor leaguers). I know this happens in the real world as well, but this is the 2nd time in three seasons that my playoff bound team has taken a serious nose dive after the ASB. Two seasons ago we started the second half with two wins only to follow that up with a 12 game losing streak which pretty much killed us. Frustrating. There, now I feel better (not really).

12-30-2003, 10:51 AM	#2
Bluenoser Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In The Moment Posts: 14,483	Sounds like you're just getting into August, which means close to 2 months to go. I wouldn't throw in the towel just yet. Much like teams can go into a slump, they can also go on a tear just when you least expect it. Last season in ATH my Indians couldn't do a thing in Apr, May, Jun, despite some vg talent. We were 10 games under .500. In July we went 21-3 including a 15 game winning streak. All of a sudden, we're right in the thick of the wildcard race. Don't give up hope........

12-30-2003, 12:08 PM	#3
ssmarsh Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 178	Not giving up hope, just trying to vent some frustration. I know there's still a long way to go and since this is a 12 team league, I'll have many opportunities to play the division leaders so it is far from over. Still sucks to play well for 4 months then fall apart in 3 weeks.

12-30-2003, 12:28 PM	#5
Bluenoser Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In The Moment Posts: 14,483	I see your point, but can't agree that it sucks. Name me one professional team sport where a team doesn't doesn't go into a slump once in a while. I suppose you could argue in favour of the Patriots this season in the NFL, but that's a rarity. I think it's very realistic and is one of the many things that makes the game of baseball and the game of OOTP great. I'd much rather come back from trailing by 5 or 10 games than be in first from day 1 to day 162...........but to each his own. Some people like to dominate all season. Hope your team bounces back and wins it all for you.

12-30-2003, 12:41 PM	#6
ssmarsh Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 178	I agree that slumps do provide an additional level of realism to OOTP, but name me one real world professional team that doesn't think slumping sucks.

12-30-2003, 05:12 PM	#8
Ragnar Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 3,581	Slumps are excellent for the game. Doesn't mean you have to enjoy them. Try playing out all the games and going through one. I do not think I ever played a game that has pissed me off more than this game. In a good way. Pitchers do it to me mostly. Man they can bring the worst out.

12-31-2003, 10:55 AM	#10
ssmarsh Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 178	Or the big stud you just acquired at the trade deadline pulls something and is going to miss 2 starts. Or the 20 year old, #14 overall prospect, stud starter you refused to deal at the deadline has four talent drops on August 5th and almost falls out of the top 100 prospects list. The bleeding can't be stopped!

01-01-2004, 02:35 PM	#12
ssmarsh Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 178	That is quite the possibility and it's worth looking into. Thanks for the suggestion!

01-01-2004, 02:55 PM	#13
Alex Starbuck Bat Boy Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 12	Albert Pujols was having an absolute monster, MVP worthy, season for my team. He was 2nd in the league in HRs and RBIs, 3rd in batting average, and first in OPS. He got hit in the face with a pitch and broke his cheekbone in Sept and missed the rest of the season and the playoffs (where I won game 1 in the 13th inning and then lost the next 3 in convincing fashion). Oh well.

01-05-2004, 10:58 AM	#15
ssmarsh Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 178	Just some follow up venting. Since my original post we've gone 13-27 after the ASB to fall 13.5 games out of first place. Our record stands at 63-63. Not only are the good teams beating us, but the bad teams are as well. I'm still amazed how a team can totally fall apart without injuries to the major players.