48 Team Random Debut League

[Dukie98]

Originally Posted by actionjackson

Whoa! That World Series sounds like a doozy, at least over the first three games. Extra innings and thrilling walkoffs. Gotta love it.

Plus, both LCS series and three of the four division series went seven games.

[Dukie98]

Frontier League MVP- Nomar Garciaparra, SS, OTT (28): .383/ .414/ .623, 233 hits, 29 doubles, 5 triples, 37 HR, 108 RBI, 105 runs, 36 BB, + 15.3 zone rating, 194 OPS+. 13.0 WAR
2nd place- Jose Reyes, SS, CLE (6): .362/ .408/ .524, 221 hits, 25 doubles, 10 triples, 18 HR, 94 RBI, 109 runs, 51 BB, 67 SB, 167 OPS+, 10.9 WAR
3rd place- Dick Allen, 1B, SEA (1): .373/ .452/ .611 - 210 hits, 41 doubles, 31 HR, 117 RBI, 122 runs, 85 BB, 13 SB, 204 OPS+., 10.3 WAR
4th place- Jake Weimer, LHP, CAL (10): 24-6, 1.66 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 287 IP, 206 K, 79 BB, 12 CG, 10 shutouts, 208 ERA+, 9.1 WAR
5th place- Billy Pierce, LHP, STL (3): 23-9, 1.92 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 281 IP, 299 K, 57 BB, 11 CG, 5 shutouts, 181 ERA+, 11.3 WAR

Frontier League Cy Young Award: Jake Weimer, CAL (30): 24-6, 1.66 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 287 IP, 206 K, 79 BB, 12 CG, 10 shutouts, 208 ERA+, 9.1 WAR
2nd place- Billy Pierce, STL (18): 23-9, 1.92 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 281 IP, 299 K, 57 BB, 11 CG, 5 shutouts, 181 ERA+, 11.3 WAR
3rd place- Jack Chesbro, CLE: 22-8, 2.27 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 277 IP, 268 K, 59 BB, 14 CG, 9 shutouts, 152 ERA+, 9.5 WAR
4th place- Jakie May, VAN: 17-9, 2.04 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 256 IP, 261 K, 64 BB, 7 CG, 4 shutouts, 170 ERA+, 10.1 WAR
5th place- David Cone, POR: 23-9, 2.35 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 252 IP, 256 K, 78 IP, 10 CG, 7 shutouts, 147 ERA+, 8.1 WAR

Frontier League Rookie of the Year- Travis Lee, 1B, DET (38): .339/ .422/ .502, 214 hits, 32 doubles, 23 HR, 79 RBI, 127 runs, 94 BB, 27 SB, 165 OPS+, 8.2 WAR
2nd place- Vean Gregg, LHP, MIL (7): 15-10, 2.09 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 271 IP, 243 K, 90 BB, 13 CG, 7 shutouts, 166 ERA+, 8.7 WAR
3rd place - Patrick Corbin, RHP, BAL (2): 17-11, 2.21 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 269 IP, 204 K, 50 BB, 9 CG, 3 shutouts, 157 ERA+, 9.3 WAR

Continental League MVP- Dave Parker, RF, DAL (48): .415/ .459/ .768, 250 hits, 27 doubles, 12 triples, 54 HR, 173 RBI, 128 runs, 56 BB, 35 SB, 249 OPS+, 14.7 WAR
2nd place- Troy Tulowitzki, SS, ATL: .332/ .398/ .576, 197 hits, 32 doubles, 4 triples, 35 HR, 113 RBI, 120 runs, 69 BB, 9 SB, +23.4 zone rating, 178 OPS+, 12.7 WAR
3rd place- Sandy Koufax, LHP, HAR: 22-10, 1.57 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 287 IP, 288 K, 66 BB, 18 CG, 9 shutouts, 242 OPS+, 12.0 WAR
4th place- Bill Hall, SS, HOU: .340/ .407/ .553, 203 hits, 40 doubles, 9 triples, 23 HR, 98 RBI, 70 runs, 71 BB, 17 SB, 179 OPS+, 9.5 WAR
5th place- Hank Thompson, 1B, AUS: .312/ .417/ .560, 184 hits, 13 doubles, 5 triples, 41 HR, 120 RBI, 114 runs, 107 BB, 10 SB, 178 OPS+, 8.4 WAR

Continental League Cy Young- Sandy Koufax, HAR (48): 22-10, 1.57 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 287 IP, 288 K, 66 BB, 18 CG, 9 shutouts, 242 OPS+, 12.0 WAR
2nd place- Ray Collins, WAS: 23-10, 2.02 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 290 IP, 135 K, 35 BB, 17 CG, 6 shutouts, 189 ERA+, 9.3 WAR
3rd place- Mike Krukow, LA: 17-9, 2.24 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 274 IP, 223 K, 77 BB, 12 CG, 3 shutouts, 171 ERA+, 7.2 WAR
4th place- Kerry Wood, ANA: 16-9, 2.06 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 262 IP, 294 K, 96 BB, 9 CG, 2 shutouts, 185 ERA+, 7.8 WAR
5th place- Hippo Vaughn, WAS: 22-9, 2.37 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 265 IP, 186 K, 50 BB, 20 CG, 6 shutouts, 161 ERA+, 5.9 WAR

Continental League Rookie of the Year- Kirby Puckett, CF, HOU (28): .332/ .364/ .446, 223 hits, 37 doubles, 9 triples, 7 HR, 61 RBI, 103 runs, 24 SB, + 42.5 zone rating, 136 OPS+, 11.9 WAR
2nd place- Wade Boggs, 3B, PHO (13): .375/ .474/ .467, 212 hits, 20 doubles, 7 triples, 6 HR, 68 RBI, 94 runs, 112 BB, 172 OPS+, 8.4 WAR
3rd place- John Flynn, DH, LA (7): .306/ .377/ .520, 191 hits, 21 doubles, 37 HR, 123 RBI, 94 runs, 73 BB, 12 SB, 156 OPS+, 5.5 WAR

Top draft picks: 1. Mickey Mantle, CF, Denver Spikes
2. Early Wynn, RHP, Chicago Mules
3. Ted Lyons, RHP, Jacksonville Gulls
4. Todd Helton, 1B, Toronto Predators
5. Mike Torrez, RHP, Milwaukee Raccoons

[Dukie98]

Frontier League: While the Northeast Division shaped up to be a tight five-team race for the first half of the season, the Buffalo Fighting Elk roared through the league in the second half, to finish with a HRDL-best 104 wins. The Fighting Elk went an incredible 44-12 in August and September -- including a ridiculous 24-2 run in September with both losses by a single run, highlighted by a 12-game winning streak where they outscored their opponents 82-9, including six shutouts in seven games. The Fighting Elk were led by catcher Dave Nilsson, who hit .310 with 33 homers and 95 RBI's and a balanced pitching staff where all five starters won either 16 or 17 games. The Baltimore Robins returned to the postseason after winning 90 games, as all three outfielders (John Hummel, Rick Monday, and Leon Durham) topped 30 homers and 20 steals apiece, and Clay Buchholz went 16-11 with a 2.28 ERA. The Pittsburgh Golden Grizzlies snuck into the postseason on the final day of the season, winning 89 games after leading the league in homers, as third baseman Willie Greene and left fielder Del Ennis combined for 80 homers and 212 RBI's.

In the Great Lakes Division, the Detroit Purple Gang led the division for most of the first four months of the season, but the Cleveland Rocks pulled away at the end of the season to win the division with 93 games. Cleveland right fielder Aaron Judge had a breakout season, hitting .347 with 43 homers and 143 RBI's, and shortstop Jose Reyes hit .322 with 95 steals. The Minneapolis Penguins coasted to the postseason behind an elite pitching staff, led by rookie Madison Bumgarner, who went 16-11 with a 2.60 ERA and closer Rafael Betancourt, who had a league-high 42 saves with a 1.72 ERA. The Kansas City Mad Hatters seized a wild card spot with 89 wins, as they were led by left fielder Lonnie Smith, who hit .342, stole 82 bases, and scored 116 runs, and center fielder Reggie Sanders, who had 33 homers, 33 steals, and drove in 134 runs.

The Vancouver Viceroys won their third straight Northwest Division title, winning 100 games, as first baseman Nate Colbert led their league-best offense, hitting 48 homers and driving in 140 runs, and southpaw Jakie May sported a league-best 1.70 ERA, an 0.85 WHIP, and 317 strikeouts. The Denver Spikes had a shocking improvement from 56 wins to 98 wins, led by rookie outfielder Mickey Mantle, who hit .363 with 53 homers, leading the league in both categories, and first baseman Kent Hrbek, who hit 39 homers with 126 RBIs.

Continental League: The slugging Charlotte Aviators held off the defending champion Washington Ambassadors to win the Atlantic Division with 93 wins, as right fielder Richard Hidalgo hit .355 with 52 homers and 141 RBI's, and catcher Bill Freehan hit .344 with 36 homers and 116 RBI's. The Ambassadors won a one-game playoff against the Houston Pythons to seize the final wild card spot, as Hippo Vaughn and Mike Timlin combined for a three-hitter. Southpaw Ray Collins led the Ambassadors with a 19-8 record and a 2.73 ERA, and rookie third baseman Rafael Devers hit .308 with 28 homers and scored 96 runs. The New Orleans Crawfish made their maiden appearance in the playoffs, winning a mediocre Southeast Division comfortably with 92 wins. Gary Nolan led the HRDL with 25 wins and a 2.41 ERA, and Rickey Henderson scored 137 runs, hitting .332 with a league-high 79 steals, and rookie catcher Joe Mauer hit .356 with 94 RBI's.

After a slow start, the Dallas Wildcatters won the Texas Division with 99 wins, going 38-16 in August and September. Third baseman Carney Lansford dominated, ripping 46 homers and a league-high 157 RBI's, while two-time MVP Dave Parker slipped to "just" 39 homers, 119 RBI's, and a .596 slugging percentage, while Michael Pineda went 23-6 with a 3.51 ERA. The El Paso Armadillos led the division for most of the season before a late-season swoon, led by their league-best pitching staff, as Sheriff Blake went 17-8 with a solid 2.82 ERA and Hong-Chih Kuo had 38 saves with a 2.12 ERA.

The Phoenix Lizards got off to a blazing-hot start, winning their first 10 games of the season and 25 of their first 28, on their way to a 99-win season. Third baseman Wade Boggs led a powerful offense, hitting .394 with a .481 on-base percentage, and right fielder Shawn Green hit .319 with 36 homers and a team-high 130 RBI's. The 94-win Los Angeles Kangaroos made their third straight postseason, led by free agent signee Gary Sheffield, who hit .333 with 38 homers, 129 RBI's, and 37 steals, while David Ortiz hit 30 homers and drove in 106 runs. Southpaw Brett Anderson had a breakout season, going 16-8 with a 2.66 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. The Anaheim Antelopes rode a strong pitching staff into the postseason, as Kerry Wood had a stellar 2.60 ERA and a league-high 314 strikeouts, despite a middling 14-14 record, and rookie closer Bill Campbell had 38 saves and a microscopic 1.08 ERA in 75 innings.

[actionjackson]

Originally Posted by Dukie98

Frontier League MVP- Nomar Garciaparra, SS, OTT (28): .383/ .414/ .623, 233 hits, 29 doubles, 5 triples, 37 HR, 108 RBI, 105 runs, 36 BB, + 15.3 zone rating, 194 OPS+. 13.0 WAR
2nd place- Jose Reyes, SS, CLE (6): .362/ .408/ .524, 221 hits, 25 doubles, 10 triples, 18 HR, 94 RBI, 109 runs, 51 BB, 67 SB, 167 OPS+, 10.9 WAR
3rd place- Dick Allen, 1B, SEA (1): .373/ .452/ .611 - 210 hits, 41 doubles, 31 HR, 117 RBI, 122 runs, 85 BB, 13 SB, 204 OPS+., 10.3 WAR
4th place- Jake Weimer, LHP, CAL (10): 24-6, 1.66 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 287 IP, 206 K, 79 BB, 12 CG, 10 shutouts, 208 ERA+, 9.1 WAR
5th place- Billy Pierce, LHP, STL (3): 23-9, 1.92 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 281 IP, 299 K, 57 BB, 11 CG, 5 shutouts, 181 ERA+, 11.3 WAR

Frontier League Cy Young Award: Jake Weimer, CAL (30): 24-6, 1.66 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 287 IP, 206 K, 79 BB, 12 CG, 10 shutouts, 208 ERA+, 9.1 WAR
2nd place- Billy Pierce, STL (18): 23-9, 1.92 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 281 IP, 299 K, 57 BB, 11 CG, 5 shutouts, 181 ERA+, 11.3 WAR
3rd place- Jack Chesbro, CLE: 22-8, 2.27 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 277 IP, 268 K, 59 BB, 14 CG, 9 shutouts, 152 ERA+, 9.5 WAR
4th place- Jakie May, VAN: 17-9, 2.04 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 256 IP, 261 K, 64 BB, 7 CG, 4 shutouts, 170 ERA+, 10.1 WAR
5th place- David Cone, POR: 23-9, 2.35 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 252 IP, 256 K, 78 IP, 10 CG, 7 shutouts, 147 ERA+, 8.1 WAR

Frontier League Rookie of the Year- Travis Lee, 1B, DET (38): .339/ .422/ .502, 214 hits, 32 doubles, 23 HR, 79 RBI, 127 runs, 94 BB, 27 SB, 165 OPS+, 8.2 WAR
2nd place- Vean Gregg, LHP, MIL (7): 15-10, 2.09 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 271 IP, 243 K, 90 BB, 13 CG, 7 shutouts, 166 ERA+, 8.7 WAR
3rd place - Patrick Corbin, RHP, BAL (2): 17-11, 2.21 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 269 IP, 204 K, 50 BB, 9 CG, 3 shutouts, 157 ERA+, 9.3 WAR

Continental League MVP- Dave Parker, RF, DAL (48): .415/ .459/ .768, 250 hits, 27 doubles, 12 triples, 54 HR, 173 RBI, 128 runs, 56 BB, 35 SB, 249 OPS+, 14.7 WAR
2nd place- Troy Tulowitzki, SS, ATL: .332/ .398/ .576, 197 hits, 32 doubles, 4 triples, 35 HR, 113 RBI, 120 runs, 69 BB, 9 SB, +23.4 zone rating, 178 OPS+, 12.7 WAR
3rd place- Sandy Koufax, LHP, HAR: 22-10, 1.57 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 287 IP, 288 K, 66 BB, 18 CG, 9 shutouts, 242 OPS+, 12.0 WAR
4th place- Bill Hall, SS, HOU: .340/ .407/ .553, 203 hits, 40 doubles, 9 triples, 23 HR, 98 RBI, 70 runs, 71 BB, 17 SB, 179 OPS+, 9.5 WAR
5th place- Hank Thompson, 1B, AUS: .312/ .417/ .560, 184 hits, 13 doubles, 5 triples, 41 HR, 120 RBI, 114 runs, 107 BB, 10 SB, 178 OPS+, 8.4 WAR

Continental League Cy Young- Sandy Koufax, HAR (48): 22-10, 1.57 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 287 IP, 288 K, 66 BB, 18 CG, 9 shutouts, 242 OPS+, 12.0 WAR
2nd place- Ray Collins, WAS: 23-10, 2.02 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 290 IP, 135 K, 35 BB, 17 CG, 6 shutouts, 189 ERA+, 9.3 WAR
3rd place- Mike Krukow, LA: 17-9, 2.24 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 274 IP, 223 K, 77 BB, 12 CG, 3 shutouts, 171 ERA+, 7.2 WAR
4th place- Kerry Wood, ANA: 16-9, 2.06 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 262 IP, 294 K, 96 BB, 9 CG, 2 shutouts, 185 ERA+, 7.8 WAR
5th place- Hippo Vaughn, WAS: 22-9, 2.37 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 265 IP, 186 K, 50 BB, 20 CG, 6 shutouts, 161 ERA+, 5.9 WAR

Continental League Rookie of the Year- Kirby Puckett, CF, HOU (28): .332/ .364/ .446, 223 hits, 37 doubles, 9 triples, 7 HR, 61 RBI, 103 runs, 24 SB, + 42.5 zone rating, 136 OPS+, 11.9 WAR
2nd place- Wade Boggs, 3B, PHO (13): .375/ .474/ .467, 212 hits, 20 doubles, 7 triples, 6 HR, 68 RBI, 94 runs, 112 BB, 172 OPS+, 8.4 WAR
3rd place- John Flynn, DH, LA (7): .306/ .377/ .520, 191 hits, 21 doubles, 37 HR, 123 RBI, 94 runs, 73 BB, 12 SB, 156 OPS+, 5.5 WAR

Top draft picks: 1. Mickey Mantle, CF, Denver Spikes
2. Early Wynn, RHP, Chicago Mules
3. Ted Lyons, RHP, Jacksonville Gulls
4. Todd Helton, 1B, Toronto Predators
5. Mike Torrez, RHP, Milwaukee Raccoons

Whoa! You're still getting some extreme seasons on both sides of the ball. However, you are only through your third season now. Things should start to balance out eventually. Maybe that's just one of my OCD ticks shining through though. Carry on. Keep it going.

[Dukie98]

Originally Posted by actionjackson

Whoa! You're still getting some extreme seasons on both sides of the ball. However, you are only through your third season now. Things should start to balance out eventually. Maybe that's just one of my OCD ticks shining through though. Carry on. Keep it going.

Slowly but surely, the extreme performances are normalizing. I think part of the issue was that in the first season, virtually every team had multiple sub-replacement level players getting regular playing time, and in order for the stats to normalize, the best players looked that much better. By my count, the number of position players with 9+ WAR went from 28 in year 1 to 15 in year 2 to 9 in year 3, and the number of players with sub -2.0 WAR dropped in half from year 2 to year 3. Also, keep in mind that with 48 teams, I should have twice (or even three times, depending on when you start) as many outliers...

One strange thing I noticed was a leaguewide offensive spike for 2013 -- I'm playing with 1977 stats, and the leaguewide ERA's jumped by about 0.60 runs per game. My guess is that was attributable to 1977 being an expansion year in real life.

[Dukie98]

Frontier League: The heavily-favored Buffalo Fighting Elk had a tougher-than-expected time with the overachieving Pittsburgh Golden Grizzlies, as they required a full seven games to win the series, led by first baseman Jose Abreu, who ripped 16 hits, including 2 homers and 6 RBI's. After dropping game 1, the hard-hitting Denver Spikes won four straight from the Cleveland Rocks, scoring at least seven runs in all four victories, as Mickey Mantle hit .550 with 2 homers and 6 RBIs, and center fielder Billy Hatcher and third baseman Tommy Glaviano also hit two homers apiece. The Baltimore Robins and Minneapolis Penguins alternated wins, with the Robins prevailing in seven games, as right fielder Leon Durham ripped six homers and drove in 11 runs. The Robins won a dramatic game 7 by a 5-3 score, as second baseman Benny McCoy hit a two-run double on a 3-2 pitch with two outs in the eleventh inning to score the tiebreaking runs. The Kansas City Mad Hatters controlled the league-best offense of the 100-win Vancouver Viceroys, holding them to just 18 runs in six games. They were led by series MVP Jim Rivera, who hit .400 with two homers and four RBI's. In the Divisional Series, the Denver Spikes, led by Mickey Mantle, who hit .480 and slugged .760, outlasted the Buffalo Fighting Elk in seven games. The Spikes prevailed despite a tremendous series by Buffalo catcher Dave Nilsson, who hit .414 with six homers and 12 RBI's. Denver won game 7 6-2 by scoring four runs in the top of the ninth inning. Kansas City dominated Baltimore with a balanced teamwide performance, winning four games to one, as they were led by rookie third baseman Joe Leonard, who hit .412 with a homer and a team-high 7 RBI's. In the League Championship Series, the Spikes rode an unexpectedly strong pitching performance to erase a three-games-to-one deficit, as they held the Mad Hatters to just 16 runs in 7 games. Denver pulled out a dramatic victory in game 7, as Kent Hrbek hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the thirteenth inning -- his third of the series -- to break a 1-1 tie.

Continental League: The Phoenix Lizards knocked off the defending champion Washington Ambassadors in seven games, led by second baseman Marcus Giles, who hit .414 with a homer and five RBI's. Center fielder Colby Rasmus hit .481 with two homers and 10 RBI's for Washington. The Los Angeles Kangaroos outlasted the New Orleans Crawfish in 6 games, despite dropping 14-inning and 13-inning contests to the Crawfish. Southpaw Brett Anderson went 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA for the Kangaroos, and shortstop Simon Nicholls hit .375 with a .467 on-base percentage. After dropping the first game to the Anaheim Antelopes, the Charlotte Aviators took the next four games, led by catcher Bill Freehan, who hit .545 with 3 homers and 8 RBI's. Aviators DH Mickey Tettleton hit a game-winning homer in the 16th inning of game 4. The El Paso Armadillos unexpectedly swept their division-mates, the 99-win Dallas Wildcatters, holding the powerful Dallas offense to just 10 runs in four games, while catcher John Wockenfuss ripped 3 homers and drove in 7 runs. In the Division Series, the Phoenix Lizards prevailed in six games over the Los Angeles Kangaroos, as DH Greg Norton hit .444 and drilled 4 homers with 8 RBI's. El Paso's league-best pitching staff grounded the Aviators, surrendering just seven runs in a five-game series. First baseman Frank Chance took home the MVP trophy after hitting .353 with a homer. The Armadillos' pitching staff continued their lights-out October, holding the Lizards' offense, ranked second in the Continental League, to just 13 runs over 6 games. El Paso second baseman Ken Oberkfell took home the MVP trophy after hitting .348 for the series, while Hank Wyse went 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA, and closer Hong Chih-Kuo racked up three saves over 8 shutout innings with 11 strikeouts.

World Series: The World Series presented a matchup of contrasting styles, as the Denver Spikes ranked second in the Frontier League in offense, while El Paso sported the top-ranked pitching staff in the Continental League -- but the Armadillos finished 20th in the league in runs scored, and a lowly 47th in the majors in home runs. Denver prevailed in a dramatic game 1: although the Armadillos tied the game with 3 runs in the top of the ninth inning, led by a bases-loaded double by shortstop Deivi Cruz, the Spikes won on a walk-off single in the 12th inning by third baseman Tommy Glaviano. El Paso dominated game 2 6-1, as Armadillos Jerry Royster, Evar Swanson, and Cruz combined for six doubles. Denver's Rube Bressler won a pitcher's duel in Game 3, 3-1, despite a three-hitter by El Paso's Sheriff Blake. El Paso tied the series in a dramatic game 4, 3-2, winning on a walk-off pinch-hit double by backup catcher Tommy Clarke. The Armadillos seized control of the series in game 5, erasing an early 3-0 deficit, as they pounded the Spikes 11-4 as Ken Oberkfell and John Wockenfuss had 3 hits apiece, and left fielder Roosevelt Brown drove in four runs. Game 6 was a nail-bited, as El Paso won 2-1, with Oberkfell driving in both runs, and Hank Wyse and Hong-Chih Kuo combining for a five-hitter. Wyse ended the postseason 6-0 with a sparkling 1.33 ERA, while Kuo went 1-0 with six saves and a brilliant 0.52 ERA in 17 postseason innings. Oberkfell earned his second MVP trophy in two series, after hitting .474 with a .632 slugging percentage and 4 RBI's.

[actionjackson]

These reports flow very nicely and you keep them short, which some of us (ahem! ) have trouble with. Never thought about talent distribution in a 48 team league before, and the outliers that may be caused by the sheer size of the league. You could be on to something there. More studs...And more duds.

Interesting about the spike in stats. Were you using a different year and then switched to 1977, or have you always used 1977? 1977 was quite high, but not 1930s high or steroid era high. 4.47 R/G, with a .264/.329/.401/.730 slash line and a 3.99 league ERA is not outrageous, but if you run into a hot season (which may be a result of the uneven talent distribution you were talking about) it could get that way in a bit of a hurry. Keep it going Dukie98!

[Dukie98]

Originally Posted by actionjackson

These reports flow very nicely and you keep them short, which some of us (ahem! ) have trouble with. Never thought about talent distribution in a 48 team league before, and the outliers that may be caused by the sheer size of the league. You could be on to something there. More studs...And more duds.

Interesting about the spike in stats. Were you using a different year and then switched to 1977, or have you always used 1977? 1977 was quite high, but not 1930s high or steroid era high. 4.47 R/G, with a .264/.329/.401/.730 slash line and a 3.99 league ERA is not outrageous, but if you run into a hot season (which may be a result of the uneven talent distribution you were talking about) it could get that way in a bit of a hurry. Keep it going Dukie98!

Thanks- glad you are enjoying. I started basing year 1 (2011) on 1975 stats, with automatic progression each year, so year 3 was based on 1977. I haven't had a chance to check whether there was a real-life jump in offensive stats from 1976 to 1977, but it seems likely in light of expansion -- plus there were some substantial outlier-type seasons in 1977 (Carew hitting .388, George Foster's 52 homers, 341 K's for Ryan).

The league totals appear to be almost exactly in line with the 1977 stats that you posted: the two leagues combined for a slash line of .265/ .329/ .402./ .731 OPS with a 4.07 overall ERA.

[actionjackson]

Originally Posted by Dukie98

Thanks- glad you are enjoying. I started basing year 1 (2011) on 1975 stats, with automatic progression each year, so year 3 was based on 1977. I haven't had a chance to check whether there was a real-life jump in offensive stats from 1976 to 1977, but it seems likely in light of expansion -- plus there were some substantial outlier-type seasons in 1977 (Carew hitting .388, George Foster's 52 homers, 341 K's for Ryan).

The league totals appear to be almost exactly in line with the 1977 stats that you posted: the two leagues combined for a slash line of .265/ .329/ .402./ .731 OPS with a 4.07 overall ERA.

Awesome on the league wide stats thing. I can't remember how I stumbled across that or if somebody else did the stumbling and relayed the info to me. Might've been David Watts actually, but my memory of it is kinda fuzzy. Whatever the case may be, I'm just glad we have a way of getting the type of stats output that we want. I love avoiding deadball and bazookaball with numbers that feel a lot more balanced to me.

[dsvitak]

Originally Posted by actionjackson

Wow. Lots of extreme seasons there. One of the things I love about random debut is seeing all kinds of players you grew up with thrown into a blender against guys you've maybe never heard of before. I don't think I could ever get bored with it because it's different every time.

Agreed. In my current replay, with random debut, Koufax never got injured, and won 340 games, with eight Cy Young awards!

[dsvitak]

Originally Posted by actionjackson

Awesome on the league wide stats thing. I can't remember how I stumbled across that or if somebody else did the stumbling and relayed the info to me. Might've been David Watts actually, but my memory of it is kinda fuzzy. Whatever the case may be, I'm just glad we have a way of getting the type of stats output that we want. I love avoiding deadball and bazookaball with numbers that feel a lot more balanced to me.

Feel my pain. I became a BIG baseball fan, more than 50 years ago. For decades, I could tell you who hit 50+ homers in a year..the player, the amount, and the year.

Just one, single player, just one time, hit more than 50 homers from 1961 all the way to 1977. I liked it like that.

Bazookaball, as you describe it, is the greatest scandal in American sports history, and it will forever tarnish the game. 500 homers is no longer a guaranteed HoF career.

[actionjackson]

Originally Posted by dsvitak

Agreed. In my current replay, with random debut, Koufax never got injured, and won 340 games, with eight Cy Young awards!

Oof. That's awesome. I lost him to a CEI five years into his career in my OOTP16 RD league. In other words, I lost him before he became SANDY FREAKIN' KOUFAX.

[actionjackson]

Originally Posted by dsvitak

Feel my pain. I became a BIG baseball fan, more than 50 years ago. For decades, I could tell you who hit 50+ homers in a year..the player, the amount, and the year.

Just one, single player, just one time, hit more than 50 homers from 1961 all the way to 1977. I liked it like that.

Bazookaball, as you describe it, is the greatest scandal in American sports history, and it will forever tarnish the game. 500 homers is no longer a guaranteed HoF career.

Huh? Maris, and Mantle hit 60 and 54 in 1961, and George Foster hit 52 in 1977. Do you mean just one player between 1962 and 1976? Or am I misreading something here (highly possible)? I'm so glad that we can avoid both deadball and bazookaball by using the tools Markus has given us.

I agree with the forever tainted part. I don't think there will ever be any forgiveness for the fact that those guys took food off other guys' tables.

However I do believe that a HoFer is a HoFer, and that even though those guys cheated the game, those whose numbers say they should be in, should be in. I'm with Eric Byrnes (even though in some ways he's completely nuts) on this one: You either put absolutely nobody who played between 1994(?) and 2005(?) in, or you put in those whose numbers warrant it. We'd have to figure out how long the era lasted, and bar them all (and this can no longer happen because some players from that time are already in), or let those with the right numbers in.

It's a very, very complicated issue though. Part of me would be very uncomfortable seeing a guy give his acceptance speech knowing (or being pretty certain) that he cheated the game, and part of me thinks of the kids who grew up watching the greats of the era, and how they're not going to be able to see their favourite players from that time in the plaque room. Perhaps I've already seen a speech by someone who cheated the game. I don't know. Maybe it's enough of an honour for them that various items of theirs are scattered throughout the exhibits in the Hall. I see a lot of grey. I know for others it's crystal clear and completely black and white, but for me it's complicated.

[Dukie98]

Frontier League MVP- Mickey Mantle, RF, DEN (46): .363/ .443/ .700, 218 hits, 29 doubles, 7 triples, 53 HR, 128 RBI, 142 runs, 84 BB, 7 steals, 197 OPS+, 11.6 WAR
2nd place- Aaron Judge, RF, CLE: .347/ .459/ .637, 197 hits, 28 doubles, 4 triples, 43 HR, 143 RBI, 120 runs, 124 BB, 11 SB, 193 OPS+, 9.2 WAR
3rd place- Nate Colbert, 1B, VAN: .340/ .387/ .629, 219 hits, 35 doubles, 4 triples, 48 HR, 140 RBI, 47 BB, 5 SB, 169 OPS+, 8.0 WAR
4th place- Jakie May, LHP, VAN (1): 16-5, 1.70 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 254 IP, 317 K, 47 BB, 3 CG, 1 shutout, 239 ERA+, 13.4 WAR
5th place- Ted Lepcio, 2B, MON: .326/ .399/ .626, 196 hits, 32 doubles, 4 triples, 47 HR, 121 RBI, 119 runs, 69 BB, 4 SB, 172 OPS+, 9.0 WAR

Frontier League Cy Young Award: Jakie May, VAN (44): 16-5, 1.70 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 254 IP, 317 K, 47 BB, 3 CG, 1 shutout, 239 ERA+, 13.4 WAR
2nd place- Jack Chesbro, CLE (4): 18-6, 2.53 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 263 IP, 265 K, 51 BB, 12 CG, 4 shutouts, 161 OPS+, 11.8 WAR
3rd place- Clay Buchholz, BAL: 16-11, 2.19 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 276 IP, 213 K, 60 BB, 11 CG, 1 shutout, 186 OPS+, 10.1 WAR
4th place- Felix Hernandez, TOR: 11-13, 2.33 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 258 IP, 255 K, 66 BB, 6 CG, 2 shutouts, 174 OPS+, 10.7 WAR
5th place- Frank Lary, MON: 23-4, 2.35 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 260 IP, 176 K, 67 BB, 6 CG, 3 shutouts, 172 OPS+, 7.7 WAR

Frontier League Rookie of the Year: Mickey Mantle, RF, DEN (48): .363/ .443/ .700, 218 hits, 29 doubles, 7 triples, 53 HR, 128 RBI, 142 runs, 84 BB, 7 steals, 197 OPS+, 11.6 WAR
2nd place- Tommy Glaviano, 3B, DEN: .328/ .438/ .578, 188 hits, 26 doubles, 2 triples, 38 HR, 102 RBI, 133 runs, 96 BB, 7 SB, 168 OPS+., 8.8 WAR
3rd place- Ernie White, RHP, DET: 20-7, 2.49 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 271 IP, 238 K, 87 BB, 10 CG, 3 shutouts, 163 ERA+, 8.4 WAR

Continental League MVP- Carney Lansford, 3B, DAL (35): .354/ .395/ .630, 224 hits, 27 doubles, 5 triples, 46 HR, 157 RBI, 119 runs, 45 BB, 32 SB, 172 OPS+, 9.8 WAR
2nd place- Wade Boggs, 3B, PHO (12): .394/ .481/ .582, 244 hits, 44 doubles, 8 triples, 20 HR, 88 RBI, 126 runs, 110 BB, 185 OPS+, 11.4 WAR
3rd place- Richard Hidalgo, RF, CHA (1): .355/ .400/ .658, 221 hits, 29 doubles, 2 triples, 52 HR, 141 RBI, 126 runs, 45 BB, 2 SB, 172 OPS+, 8.1 WAR
4th place- Bryce Harper, LF, JAX: .345/ .456/ .655, 192 hits, 27 doubles, 7 triples, 44 HR, 131 RBI, 112 runs, 115 BB, 3 SB, 189 OPS+, 9.0 WAR
5th place- Bill Freehan, C, CHA: .344/ .439/ .621, 165 hits, 25 doubles, 36 HR, 117 RBI, 107 runs, 77 BB, 175 OPS+, 8.9 WAR

Continental League Cy Young- Gary Nolan, NO: 25-7, 2.41 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 277 IP, 182 K, 47 BB, 19 CG, 5 shutouts, 188 OPS+, 8.2 WAR
2nd place- Ray Collins, WAS: 19-8, 2.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 274 IP, 155 K, 30 BB, 17 CG, 6 shutouts, 164 OPS+, 8.9 WAR
3rd place- Kerry Wood, ANA: 14-14, 2.60 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 260 IP, 314 K, 111 BB, 9 CG, 1 shutout, 172 ERA+, 6.7 WAR
4th place- Brett Anderson, LA: 16-8, 2.66 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 264 IP, 192 K, 50 BB, 10 CG, 3 shutouts, 168 ERA+, 8.6 WAR
5th place- Schoolboy Rowe, VB: 13-14, 2.86 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 271 IP, 202 K, 56 BB, 15 CG, 3 shutouts, 158 ERA+, 7.7 WAR

Continental League Rookie of the Year: Richie Hebner, 3B, BIR (26): .366/ .435/ .589, 223 hits, 41 doubles, 4 triples, 29 HR, 113 RBI, 132 runs, 70 BB, 8 SB, 169 OPS+, 8.6 WAR
2nd place- Yoenis Cespedes, LF, BIR (19): .319/ .372/ .585, 204 hits, 19 doubles, 5 triples, 47 HR, 147 RBI, 125 runs, 49 BB, 18 SB, 150 OPS+, 5.9 WAR
3rd place- Pablo Sandoval, 1B, LV (1): .343/ .397/ .582, 221 hits, 40 doubles, 9 triples, 32 HR, 99 RBI, 117 runs, 58 BB, 3 SB, 169 OPS+, 7.4 WAR

Top draft picks: 1. Carl Yastrzemski, LF, Cincinnati Spiders
2. Roger Clemens, RHP, Chicago Mules
3. Bob Feller, RHP, Albuquerque Conquistadors
4. Jesse Haines, RHP, San Diego Zookeepers
5. Ray Sadecki, LHP, Jacksonville Gulls

[actionjackson]

Originally Posted by Dukie98

Frontier League MVP- Mickey Mantle, RF, DEN (46): .363/ .443/ .700, 218 hits, 29 doubles, 7 triples, 53 HR, 128 RBI, 142 runs, 84 BB, 7 steals, 197 OPS+, 11.6 WAR
2nd place- Aaron Judge, RF, CLE: .347/ .459/ .637, 197 hits, 28 doubles, 4 triples, 43 HR, 143 RBI, 120 runs, 124 BB, 11 SB, 193 OPS+, 9.2 WAR
3rd place- Nate Colbert, 1B, VAN: .340/ .387/ .629, 219 hits, 35 doubles, 4 triples, 48 HR, 140 RBI, 47 BB, 5 SB, 169 OPS+, 8.0 WAR
4th place- Jakie May, LHP, VAN (1): 16-5, 1.70 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 254 IP, 317 K, 47 BB, 3 CG, 1 shutout, 239 ERA+, 13.4 WAR
5th place- Ted Lepcio, 2B, MON: .326/ .399/ .626, 196 hits, 32 doubles, 4 triples, 47 HR, 121 RBI, 119 runs, 69 BB, 4 SB, 172 OPS+, 9.0 WAR

Frontier League Cy Young Award: Jakie May, VAN (44): 16-5, 1.70 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 254 IP, 317 K, 47 BB, 3 CG, 1 shutout, 239 ERA+, 13.4 WAR
2nd place- Jack Chesbro, CLE (4): 18-6, 2.53 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 263 IP, 265 K, 51 BB, 12 CG, 4 shutouts, 161 OPS+, 11.8 WAR
3rd place- Clay Buchholz, BAL: 16-11, 2.19 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 276 IP, 213 K, 60 BB, 11 CG, 1 shutout, 186 OPS+, 10.1 WAR
4th place- Felix Hernandez, TOR: 11-13, 2.33 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 258 IP, 255 K, 66 BB, 6 CG, 2 shutouts, 174 OPS+, 10.7 WAR
5th place- Frank Lary, MON: 23-4, 2.35 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 260 IP, 176 K, 67 BB, 6 CG, 3 shutouts, 172 OPS+, 7.7 WAR

Frontier League Rookie of the Year: Mickey Mantle, RF, DEN (48): .363/ .443/ .700, 218 hits, 29 doubles, 7 triples, 53 HR, 128 RBI, 142 runs, 84 BB, 7 steals, 197 OPS+, 11.6 WAR
2nd place- Tommy Glaviano, 3B, DEN: .328/ .438/ .578, 188 hits, 26 doubles, 2 triples, 38 HR, 102 RBI, 133 runs, 96 BB, 7 SB, 168 OPS+., 8.8 WAR
3rd place- Ernie White, RHP, DET: 20-7, 2.49 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 271 IP, 238 K, 87 BB, 10 CG, 3 shutouts, 163 ERA+, 8.4 WAR

Continental League MVP- Carney Lansford, 3B, DAL (35): .354/ .395/ .630, 224 hits, 27 doubles, 5 triples, 46 HR, 157 RBI, 119 runs, 45 BB, 32 SB, 172 OPS+, 9.8 WAR
2nd place- Wade Boggs, 3B, PHO (12): .394/ .481/ .582, 244 hits, 44 doubles, 8 triples, 20 HR, 88 RBI, 126 runs, 110 BB, 185 OPS+, 11.4 WAR
3rd place- Richard Hidalgo, RF, CHA (1): .355/ .400/ .658, 221 hits, 29 doubles, 2 triples, 52 HR, 141 RBI, 126 runs, 45 BB, 2 SB, 172 OPS+, 8.1 WAR
4th place- Bryce Harper, LF, JAX: .345/ .456/ .655, 192 hits, 27 doubles, 7 triples, 44 HR, 131 RBI, 112 runs, 115 BB, 3 SB, 189 OPS+, 9.0 WAR
5th place- Bill Freehan, C, CHA: .344/ .439/ .621, 165 hits, 25 doubles, 36 HR, 117 RBI, 107 runs, 77 BB, 175 OPS+, 8.9 WAR

Continental League Cy Young- Gary Nolan, NO: 25-7, 2.41 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 277 IP, 182 K, 47 BB, 19 CG, 5 shutouts, 188 OPS+, 8.2 WAR
2nd place- Ray Collins, WAS: 19-8, 2.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 274 IP, 155 K, 30 BB, 17 CG, 6 shutouts, 164 OPS+, 8.9 WAR
3rd place- Kerry Wood, ANA: 14-14, 2.60 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 260 IP, 314 K, 111 BB, 9 CG, 1 shutout, 172 ERA+, 6.7 WAR
4th place- Brett Anderson, LA: 16-8, 2.66 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 264 IP, 192 K, 50 BB, 10 CG, 3 shutouts, 168 ERA+, 8.6 WAR
5th place- Schoolboy Rowe, VB: 13-14, 2.86 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 271 IP, 202 K, 56 BB, 15 CG, 3 shutouts, 158 ERA+, 7.7 WAR

Continental League Rookie of the Year: Richie Hebner, 3B, BIR (26): .366/ .435/ .589, 223 hits, 41 doubles, 4 triples, 29 HR, 113 RBI, 132 runs, 70 BB, 8 SB, 169 OPS+, 8.6 WAR
2nd place- Yoenis Cespedes, LF, BIR (19): .319/ .372/ .585, 204 hits, 19 doubles, 5 triples, 47 HR, 147 RBI, 125 runs, 49 BB, 18 SB, 150 OPS+, 5.9 WAR
3rd place- Pablo Sandoval, 1B, LV (1): .343/ .397/ .582, 221 hits, 40 doubles, 9 triples, 32 HR, 99 RBI, 117 runs, 58 BB, 3 SB, 169 OPS+, 7.4 WAR

Top draft picks: 1. Carl Yastrzemski, LF, Cincinnati Spiders
2. Roger Clemens, RHP, Chicago Mules
3. Bob Feller, RHP, Albuquerque Conquistadors
4. Jesse Haines, RHP, San Diego Zookeepers
5. Ray Sadecki, LHP, Jacksonville Gulls

Whoo-wah!!! That's quite the draft. Is it still nine rounds, or has it gone back to five?

[Dukie98]

Originally Posted by actionjackson

Whoo-wah!!! That's quite the draft. Is it still nine rounds, or has it gone back to five?

I cut it back to six rounds. Useful players were generally gone by the middle of the second round, other than Willson Contreras, who inexplicably lasted until the end of the fourth. Orlando Cepeda surprisingly fell until about 15-20 of the first round.

[actionjackson]

Originally Posted by Dukie98

I cut it back to six rounds. Useful players were generally gone by the middle of the second round, other than Willson Contreras, who inexplicably lasted until the end of the fourth. Orlando Cepeda surprisingly fell until about 15-20 of the first round.

You've just given me further confirmation that there is method to my madness when I do my ranked dispersal of players every year. Contreras in the fourth round? What? Depending on the quality/depth of the pool of players (and it looks pretty deep), there might be justification for Cepeda falling to 15-20, but it would have to be an extremely deep, amazing draft pool. Under no circumstance should Contreras fall to the fourth round though. That's crazy.

[Dukie98]

Originally Posted by actionjackson

You've just given me further confirmation that there is method to my madness when I do my ranked dispersal of players every year. Contreras in the fourth round? What? Depending on the quality/depth of the pool of players (and it looks pretty deep), there might be justification for Cepeda falling to 15-20, but it would have to be an extremely deep, amazing draft pool. Under no circumstance should Contreras fall to the fourth round though. That's crazy.

You'll be pleased to know that Contreras (picked #181) was listed as the #10 overall prospect for the start of the 2014 season. #1 overall pick Carl Yastrzemski was ranked #11...

[actionjackson]

Originally Posted by Dukie98

You'll be pleased to know that Contreras (picked #181) was listed as the #10 overall prospect for the start of the 2014 season. #1 overall pick Carl Yastrzemski was ranked #11...

My method would probably have flipped Clemens and Yaz in the draft, but the other three look OK, although Cepeda should probably be ahead of Haines and Sadecki.

[Dukie98]

Originally Posted by actionjackson

My method would probably have flipped Clemens and Yaz in the draft, but the other three look OK, although Cepeda should probably be ahead of Haines and Sadecki.

In related draft news: Early Wynn, the #2 overall pick from the prior draft, was unexpectedly released outright, after failing to develop beyond a 1 1/2 star reliever with minimal stamina. He represents a slight drop-off from the #1 overall pick in 2012, Mickey Mantle, who won the MVP as a rookie and is flirting with a triple crown midway through his sophomore campaign.