New York Knights - a 20th Century Memorial Team

[HRBaker]

New York Knights
20th Century Memorial Team
1900-1999 Players Only

As my 3rd team, after following "stl jason" historical player posts, I originally decided to create a team using players only from 1904 to 1942 - a period when popular photographer Charles Conlon took thousands of then-current player portraits for the New York Evening Telegram. But after studying the PT20 player list and the current auction house, it became obvious limiting my roster to those years would be difficult at best. As an alternative, I chose to set those years to 20th Century players only (1900-1999) where the odds of success were better and I can still include a multitude of Charles Conlon pictures in my posts.

To clarify, "success" certainly doesn't mean win-loss success. I fully expect to see this team struggle to keep pace - MAYBE - eventually settling in as a Gold Level team if I'm lucky.

I'm currently assembling the team in the Entry Pool, and have 23 of my 25 initial players. The remaining positions are currently held by Live Players but will be replaced before the regular season starts on Monday. If need be, I will invest only enough money to replace these last non-20th Century players at the last minute. At the current time, I only have 70 APs left to spend, but have 3 players in auction that could bring in as much as 1850 APs.

Assembling a historical team from an initial team pull and only 1000 APs is a difficult experiment. You have to sell all your LIVE players for as much as you can get - and even then, you don't have enough to build a team much above Bronze level players. I'm also going to "try" and not spend any money on this team - but we'll see how frustrated I get.

Pitching

SP Saul Rogovin (76) 1951
SP Burt Hooten (74) 1972
SP Denny McLain (74) 1968
SP Larry Gura (69) 1980
SP Bobo Holloman (69) 1953

RP Jim Rooker (43) 1979 ***
RP Dennis Lamp (60) 1978
RP Ed Vande Berg (64) 1982
RP Ray Narleski (71) 1956
CL Jim Hughes (74) 1954

Batting

C Johnny Edwards (68-79def)) 1963
C Jody Davis (66) 1984
1B Alvin Davis (77-62def)) 1984
1B Gil Hodges (68) 1950
2B Bill Doran (66-71def) 1983
2B Bobby Richardson (44) 1960 ***
SS Chico Carrasquel (68-84def) 1950
SS Maury Wills (62) 1962
3B Sid Gordon (78-31def) 1949
3B Carney Lansford (62) 1988
LF Charlie Keller (69-57def) 1943
CF Matty Alou (62-36def) 1969
RF Rocky Colavito (69-76def) 1959
???
???

BOLD players are starters
*** Needs to be replaced asap
??? Roster spot not yet filled


Likely Sunday night, I will post the final roster with photographs and any other narrative explaining what I've gotten myself into lol.

PS: I chose the New York Knights because it felt like the perfect fantasy team to represent 20th Century baseball.

[HRBaker]

New York Knights
20th Century Memorial Team
1900-1999 Players Only

The team is ready for Monday (barring any unexpected accumulation of APs I'm not expecting. I've managed to shed all the non-20th Century players and did it without spending any additional cash. I have 12 APs in the bank, and ONE player in Reserve. Can't cut it much closer than that.

As I said earlier, I don't expect a lot from this team to start. The future will depend on how many APs I can earn to improve things - and if that doesn't do it, then (and only then) will I decide if I'm going to invest real cash in the team.

Looking forward to Monday - and I hope you guys follow along.

[HRBaker]

New York Knights
20th Century Memorial Team
1900-1999 Players Only

Worth Noting; an 18-2 win in the entry pool that earned the Knights 1340 APs! Although these records will all be erased, enjoy the Special Notes paragraph - and I will savor the high point

As of this morning, I have 1982 points to try and grab a franchise player before Monday.

[HRBaker]

New York Knights
20th Century Memorial Team
1900-1999 Players Only

Knight management obtained Charles Nagy (84) to replace Bobo Holoman (69) on the starting staff. We're undecided at this point whether to keep Dennis Lamp (60) or Bobo Holoman (69) in the Bullpen.

[HRBaker]

New York Knights
20th Century Memorial Team
1900-1999 Players Only
Currently 106-85 in Entry League

The New York Knights are ready to be assigned to their Iron Level league tomorrow morning - but not without a lot of trepidation by the team's management. When I set up this concept (using only 1900-1999 players) I didn't expect to get so attached to the players themselves this quickly, but after almost 200 games in Entry Level this week, scouring for players I remember in my childhood, and seeing the team respond to my adjustments, I'm feeling bad about eventually having to replace them one-by-one to make the team better.

Even now, I'm sitting on 2823 points which could get a decent Gold player, but how do I kick someone off the team when we haven't even started a regular season yet?

If nothing else, I can already see I'm going to be a lot more emotional about this team than my others. I'll have to create a "retirement card" for each guy that eventually has to leave... a New York Knights "Hall of Fame" so-to-speak.

In any case, I'm going to wait on spending that 2823 points and give these guys a chance to play in the "Show" before I consider any further improvements.

Let's see what they can do.

[stl jason]

that Matty Alou card was a beast for my pack-only team in v19.... despite pulling higher OVR center fielders, he managed to stay as the starter for 10 seasons and racked up over 2000 career hits (finally pulled a perfect Trout and had to make the swap)

[gemini615]

Originally Posted by HRBaker

[B][SIZE="4"]I'm feeling bad about eventually having to replace them one-by-one to make the team better.

I struggle with this as well. It's just too easy to get attached to historical bronze players. We all know we need to upgrade if we want to win, but it's not the same playing without some of our favorite players. Unfortunately we'll lose if we don't upgrade. Total catch 22 situation.

[sethisthegoat]

Originally Posted by gemini615

I struggle with this as well. It's just too easy to get attached to historical bronze players. We all know we need to upgrade if we want to win, but it's not the same playing without some of our favorite players. Unfortunately we'll lose if we don't upgrade. Total catch 22 situation.

I’m hoping all-bronze tournaments will help with this, at least. Will allow them to have further life.

[HRBaker]

New York Knights
20th Century Memorial Team
1900-1999 Players Only

Slow start for the Knights, going 11-14. Although management wanted to wait another month before jumping-the-gun, the season is only 6 months long and we can't get too far into the hole.

We were able to obtain 4 players...

Relief Pitchers Steve Bedrosian (84) 1982, and Jack Quinn (73) 1931 were added to the bullpen to replace Rawly Eastwick, and Ed Vande Berg.

C Bob Boone (78) 1978 was installed at Catcher to improve defense, and the previous C Mickey Cochrane (77) was made DH (Gil Hodges was moved to the Bench).

Outfielder Earle Combs (68) was also picked up to backup CF Johnny Fredrick and LF Charlie Keller.

Nothing here to make any huge difference, but as they say, "Every little bit counts."

At least we hope so.

[HRBaker]

New York Knights
20th Century Memorial Team
1900-1999 Players Only

The New York Knights recovered from a slow start by playing 17-13 this past month. That brings them up to 27-26 for the season and in 3rd Place.

Due to the makeup of this team (1900-1999 players only) AND the fact it's a F2P team, the road to success is going to be long and hard - but watching the players of my youth play again is still going to be fun.

Who knows, we might set the record for most Wildcard games in Iron Level history!

Stat Note: SS Bert Campaneris has 23 Stolen Bases - 2nd in league behind Rickey Henderson with 26.

[HRBaker]

New York Knights
20th Century Memorial Team
1900-1999 Players Only

The Knights management is pleased with the teams performance; 18-14 over the past month - 43-39 overall. The team is 1 game out of a Wildcard spot, but we're not convinced that should be our primary concern at this point.

The team is going to have to build over the long term, and the lower levels are the best place to do that. Our hope is we can accumulate APs (currently 1821) and make 1 or 2 significant improvements at the end of the year.

HIGHLIGHTS; Alvin Davis 19 HRs(2nd), Bert Campaneris 39 SBs(2nd), and Alvin Davis 3.2WAR(3rd).

[HRBaker]

New York Knights
20th Century Memorial Team
1900-1999 Players Only

The Knights continue to move forward at .500 ball, and are out of the running for a Wildcard spot - but management is ok with that scenario. The team will need to build further than it is at the moment to compete in Bronze Level, and we'd rather be ready for that level of competition before we get there.

[HRBaker]

New York Knights
20th Century Memorial Team
1900-1999 Players Only

Pontiac has slipped a bit in September with an 11-18 month. It's clear that a team with 3 Gold, 13 Silver, and the rest Bronze can't compete at the new Iron Level. We have almost 4,000 APs and will likely gain at least another 1000 before the Playoffs, so we need to maximize that 5000 APs in the Auction House.

LF Charlie Keller (.200/18HRs) and DH Mickey Cochrane are probably likely candidates for replacement, as is SP Saul Rogovin (8-13, 4.94 ERA).

[HRBaker]

New York Knights
20th Century Memorial Team
1900-1999 Players Only

The Knights finished at 78-84, 3rd Place, and 21 1/2 games out of first. Although management was disappointed, they knew the choice to convert the initial roster to 20th Century players was going to have some early consequences. We got decent performance from our Silver players, but were held back by most of our Bronze players.

In a late-night meeting, management obtained Gold players LF Jim Rice (84) and SP Red Faber (88), sending Charlie Keller (.201/.302/.250/20HR) and RP Larry Gura (5-2, 3.43 ERA) to the Reserve List. Gura's move might be temporary.

[HRBaker]

New York Knights
20th Century Memorial Team
1900-1999 Players Only

Given the hope management gave the fans when they obtained Red Faber and Jim Rice, it was a sour disappointment after the first 4 weeks of the new season. Faber has recorded a 0-4 start with a 4.97 ERA and Jim Rice is batting .214, but with 3 homeruns. Not in keeping for two Gold Players in an Iron league.

The highpoint of the month, however, is Rocky Colavito batting .281 with 7 HRs and 18 RBIs. Let's hope whatever he's got going spread to his team mates.

[HRBaker]

New York Knights (Avg 74.2 OVR)
20th Century Memorial Team
1900-1999 Players Only

Turns out both Faber and Rice have come around and are producing at this point. Faber one of the top three Starters, and Rice with the 2nd highest BA and 3rd highest RBI total.

As a result, the Knights are in 2nd Place, 4 1/2 games out and hoping to get a chance at promotion.

The team vault currently has only 2601 PPs so we'll have to watch opportunities closely.

[Magus978]

Seeing Granny Hamner struggle on your team makes me sad. To be fair, he's not doing so hot for me either. Great ratings for a silver, low production is always terrible to see

[HRBaker]

New York Knights (Avg 75.0 OVR)
20th Century Memorial Team
1900-1999 Players Only

The Knights played 15-13 this past month, but are still short of either a Wildcard spot or a promotion. Management has mixed feelings about that; wanting to advance but questioning whether we're ready. Moving to Bronze and getting shelled would put a damper on this team and set things back overall.

We're up to 4,000 APs and maybe we can grab a couple improvements going into next season. If I do that now it could even get me into the promotion list. Decisions, decisions...

UPDATE: The team obtained Sixto Lezcano to replace Rocky Colavito in RF. Rocky is one of my childhood heros, so this was tough, but I couldn't argue about replacing a 69 Bronze with a 88 Gold.

[HRBaker]

New York Knights (Avg 75.0 OVR)
20th Century Memorial Team
1900-1999 Players Only

It's hard to remember, sometimes, that the variables within the game (the die rolls so-to-speak) are much greater variables than the pages and pages of ratings. Sure, over time the ratings will play their part - which is important - but only a part of the total puzzle.

The same roster that stinks one month comes back and captures 1st Place the next. I guess that's why I love this game

At this point I have hope. At this point we are in the Playoffs, and 1/2 game off the pace for a promotion, so this one will be close.

[HRBaker]

New York Knights
20th Century Memorial Team
1900-1999 Players Only

Not Quite Good Enough. The Knights just missed out on a promotion to Bronze... so we get another year in the trenches.

What can boost you to first place one month can just as easily (maybe more so) drop you to second the next month. Nothing to do but take a deep breath and try again.

SP Elmer Riddle was added to the roster for 2023, and the team (so far) is playing at 15-11. Lets hope better days are ahead.