Starting As Manager In the Minor Leagues?

AstrosFan · 04-16-2013, 02:30 AM

Anyone starting their franchises in the minor leagues? Is there any advantage to doing this?

I had thought about starting at the smallest level of ball and trying to work my way up, but it's extremely difficult with so many roster moves being made beyond your control.

Also, this game plays more of a GM Sim rather than a Manager sim, right?

Thoughts?

GMLoophole · 04-16-2013, 09:21 AM

I've done this before in fictional leagues, and it's a good way to get to know the players in your system. You're right, it's a different (and kinda frustrating) way to play. But a nice change of pace and definitely a good exercise.

Tekneek · 04-16-2013, 10:05 AM

I don't often play that way. In fact, I rarely even GM. I usually just setup leagues and act more as a Commissioner. However, I decided that I would start OOTP14 as a manager and see where it goes. I got hired in late 2013 to manage the Short Season A affiliate of the Padres, the Eugene Emeralds.

Just about to start the 2014 season with them and we have a lot of draft picks from 2013 on the team. Should be interesting.

rpriske · 04-16-2013, 10:14 AM

This is my next game. I have never done it but I want to give it a try.

flair1239 · 04-16-2013, 10:37 AM

I did this in the league that I play every game in. Started out as rookie league manager and worked my way up to AAA. Won a Double A title in the process.

After one Triple A season, the team I was with did not offer me the GM position (The Twins), so I accepted a job in Oakland. IT was pretty cool.

I did it because I am a relatively new baseball fan (I am 38), and have only been following the game the last three years or so. I wanted to get a feeling of the mechanics and such.

It was fun, and it is cool to have a managerial history. It helps with the immersion factor.

BoofBonser26 · 04-16-2013, 04:35 PM

This is my favorite way to play solo (I'm an online junkie). I always want to sim an elaborate fictional league as a passive "God," but I usually just end up starting a new MLB game and hiring on in the minor leagues. I love the limitation of not being able to select your own players and harsh expectations.

I use this style whenever I want to play out some games. Over time, I also build up a cool personal history. It's the best!

The Game · 04-16-2013, 05:18 PM

I have played this way twice. Once on 11 and gave up after 3 seasons. Did not get offered a job my 1st year then signed with Port St Lucie Mets, then managed Brooklyn Cyclones both losing seasons. The 2nd time on 13 I started with Dundein Blue Jays for 2 yrs. Managed Springfield Cardinals for 2 yrs then Charlotte knights for half a year til i was fired. Took me like 6 yrs to become a ML mgr it was frustrating but fun.

sdf4977 · 04-16-2013, 05:28 PM

Im trying this out right now and it is pretty fun, only done two season and im at Double-A from rookie League.

I will be starting a new league after I figure out how to do the Almanac right, and plan on doing this again

NateAndStuff · 04-16-2013, 06:23 PM

I did this for a fictional league in last year's game to get to know the league before jumping in. I coached two years coaching NCAA before getting offered a AA job. After spending a year there, I was promoted to AAA and managed there for two years. My contract ended and I was then offered a job in the majors. Was interesting and cool in a lot of ways. Like 13 or 14 years in, I actually signed one of the guys I coached in college and used him as my utility man. The constant roster moves were frustrating but I'd do it again.

04-16-2013, 02:30 AM	#1
AstrosFan Bat Boy Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 2	Starting As Manager In the Minor Leagues? Anyone starting their franchises in the minor leagues? Is there any advantage to doing this? I had thought about starting at the smallest level of ball and trying to work my way up, but it's extremely difficult with so many roster moves being made beyond your control. Also, this game plays more of a GM Sim rather than a Manager sim, right? Thoughts?

04-16-2013, 10:14 AM	#4
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 26,682	This is my next game. I have never done it but I want to give it a try. Last edited by rpriske; 04-17-2013 at 03:56 PM.

04-16-2013, 09:21 AM	#2
GMLoophole All Star Reserve Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 863	I've done this before in fictional leagues, and it's a good way to get to know the players in your system. You're right, it's a different (and kinda frustrating) way to play. But a nice change of pace and definitely a good exercise.

04-16-2013, 10:05 AM	#3
Tekneek Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: GA, USA Posts: 455	I don't often play that way. In fact, I rarely even GM. I usually just setup leagues and act more as a Commissioner. However, I decided that I would start OOTP14 as a manager and see where it goes. I got hired in late 2013 to manage the Short Season A affiliate of the Padres, the Eugene Emeralds. Just about to start the 2014 season with them and we have a lot of draft picks from 2013 on the team. Should be interesting.

04-16-2013, 10:37 AM	#5
flair1239 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 25	I did this in the league that I play every game in. Started out as rookie league manager and worked my way up to AAA. Won a Double A title in the process. After one Triple A season, the team I was with did not offer me the GM position (The Twins), so I accepted a job in Oakland. IT was pretty cool. I did it because I am a relatively new baseball fan (I am 38), and have only been following the game the last three years or so. I wanted to get a feeling of the mechanics and such. It was fun, and it is cool to have a managerial history. It helps with the immersion factor.

04-16-2013, 04:35 PM	#6
BoofBonser26 Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 357	This is my favorite way to play solo (I'm an online junkie). I always want to sim an elaborate fictional league as a passive "God," but I usually just end up starting a new MLB game and hiring on in the minor leagues. I love the limitation of not being able to select your own players and harsh expectations. I use this style whenever I want to play out some games. Over time, I also build up a cool personal history. It's the best!

04-16-2013, 05:18 PM	#7
The Game Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Inside The Game Posts: 30,937	I have played this way twice. Once on 11 and gave up after 3 seasons. Did not get offered a job my 1st year then signed with Port St Lucie Mets, then managed Brooklyn Cyclones both losing seasons. The 2nd time on 13 I started with Dundein Blue Jays for 2 yrs. Managed Springfield Cardinals for 2 yrs then Charlotte knights for half a year til i was fired. Took me like 6 yrs to become a ML mgr it was frustrating but fun.

04-16-2013, 05:28 PM	#8
sdf4977 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 46	Im trying this out right now and it is pretty fun, only done two season and im at Double-A from rookie League. I will be starting a new league after I figure out how to do the Almanac right, and plan on doing this again

04-16-2013, 06:23 PM	#9
NateAndStuff Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 231	I did this for a fictional league in last year's game to get to know the league before jumping in. I coached two years coaching NCAA before getting offered a AA job. After spending a year there, I was promoted to AAA and managed there for two years. My contract ended and I was then offered a job in the majors. Was interesting and cool in a lot of ways. Like 13 or 14 years in, I actually signed one of the guys I coached in college and used him as my utility man. The constant roster moves were frustrating but I'd do it again.