How do you handle rookies in historical leagues and why

Moneybrawler · 04-04-2017, 07:28 PM

I'm curious as to what everyone does with rookies in historical leagues before the mid 60s when the amateur draft was instituted. I go back and forth between drafts and free agents because, to me, it's more challenging.

Klaus 74 · 04-04-2017, 07:50 PM

I use the Amateur Draft setting because I have not begun a Historical Game prior to the early 60's anyways....I'm new to this, having played the Standard Game for years. The moment I take on the GM role is the moment I want to be involved with changing as much history as possible so I do not want the new players assigned to their original teams. I also disable the option of their ratings based upon real life stats in favor of AI Evaluation.

Willie McCubby · 04-04-2017, 08:11 PM

I set the league to evolve, sending rookies to their historical teams. I just enjoy a more gradual transition from history to fantasy.

Besides trades, 3 things mix it up a bit:

1) Settings allow a tiny percentage of fictional players to make the Majors, a few of them are beasts (remember this name: Oscar Bombino);

2) A few historic players show up as free agents anyway because of career interruptions, or stints in-between MiLB affiliations in their real-life careers (I signed Mickey Lolich to the Cubs that way); and

3) Expansion drafts in 1961and 1962 (love that feature!).

In 1965, the Amateur Draft is coming and in 1969, another expansion draft (Expos!) and the division era begins.

Levistus · 04-04-2017, 08:22 PM

I have drafts every year, my teams tend to roll anyways, and having the 16th or 17th pick keeps me from just grabbing every HoF player that hits the boards, or out bidding everyone because I have buckets of budget room.

This forces me to work to grab the superstars I want through trades.

That said, Ruth coming up as a 3 star potential pitcher languishing on a reserve just isn't fair to the team that drafted him. Such an easy trade, even on challenge mode.

I also have the color barrier off on my current run, so NeL players wind up in the draft.

View Poll Results: How do you handle rookies in historical leagues before the mid 60s
Amateur Draft	9	69.23%
Rookies Enter as Free Agents	1	7.69%
Rookies Automatically Go To Their Historical Team	3	23.08%
Voters: 13. You may not vote on this poll

04-04-2017, 07:28 PM	#1
Moneybrawler Minors (Double A) Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 162	How do you handle rookies in historical leagues and why I'm curious as to what everyone does with rookies in historical leagues before the mid 60s when the amateur draft was instituted. I go back and forth between drafts and free agents because, to me, it's more challenging.

04-04-2017, 08:22 PM	#4
Levistus Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 34	I have drafts every year, my teams tend to roll anyways, and having the 16th or 17th pick keeps me from just grabbing every HoF player that hits the boards, or out bidding everyone because I have buckets of budget room. This forces me to work to grab the superstars I want through trades. That said, Ruth coming up as a 3 star potential pitcher languishing on a reserve just isn't fair to the team that drafted him. Such an easy trade, even on challenge mode. I also have the color barrier off on my current run, so NeL players wind up in the draft. __________________

04-04-2017, 07:50 PM	#2
Klaus 74 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 81	I use the Amateur Draft setting because I have not begun a Historical Game prior to the early 60's anyways....I'm new to this, having played the Standard Game for years. The moment I take on the GM role is the moment I want to be involved with changing as much history as possible so I do not want the new players assigned to their original teams. I also disable the option of their ratings based upon real life stats in favor of AI Evaluation.

04-04-2017, 08:11 PM	#3
Willie McCubby Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 38	I set the league to evolve, sending rookies to their historical teams. I just enjoy a more gradual transition from history to fantasy. Besides trades, 3 things mix it up a bit: 1) Settings allow a tiny percentage of fictional players to make the Majors, a few of them are beasts (remember this name: Oscar Bombino); 2) A few historic players show up as free agents anyway because of career interruptions, or stints in-between MiLB affiliations in their real-life careers (I signed Mickey Lolich to the Cubs that way); and 3) Expansion drafts in 1961and 1962 (love that feature!). In 1965, the Amateur Draft is coming and in 1969, another expansion draft (Expos!) and the division era begins.