THE RTCBL WIRE

I would like to take this time and say hello to the league. I took over the Minnesota team. I am excited about playing in a league like this. I have been playing APBA since 1983 and the computer version since 1994. I used to run 2 leagues, but found it more enjoying to be an owner instead of the Commissioner. I look forward to chatting with all of you at one time or another. My number is 724-589-5140 incase anyone would like to chat or shot me an email for a trade.

I was searching the web and seen your website. Very nice! I am seeking a league like yours and would like to join. Thanks Ted

Guys, can somebody please help me? My computer has crashed, I am using the one at work to send this message. I haven't been able to get in touch with anyone for about three weeks, then I finally remember the web site address. I need to get a hold of Brain or somebody. My work number is (276)-546-9170, 8:00am to 3:33pm est----Home (423)245-3995, 5:00pm to ?-----Cell (423)782-6226 is same as home hours. Please somebody call me. Roger

Hi. Long-time listener, first-time caller. Dick Allen, wow!

I have no know conflicts with any January Saturdays for a draft.

So . . . .uh . . . . when do we get started?

Scott, ouch! By the stats it looks like you had a much better championship series. That is a hard series loss on the road.

So . . . why isn't the file out yet?

Ahhhh we are back up on the wire

Thanks for all the write-ups this week! Makes for great reading as we go down the stretch.

THREE TEAM STAR SWAP! Including the trading of major pitching arms and speed merchants, Huntington, Connecticut and Norristown have concluded a three team swap of talent now and at season 6 end. Now, in season 6- Connecticut gets: Pete Browning (OF) and Rickey Henderson (OF) Norristown gets: Catfish Hunter (P) Huntington gets: Dick Hyde (R) End of season, for season 7- Norristown gets: Pete Alexander (P) and Art Fletcher (SS) Huntington gets: Christy Mathewson (P) and Lefty Gomez (P) All three teams get a boost they need to influence the AL East (CNY), AL Central (NTS and AL West (HBB).

Just czeching in to see if I missed anything...

I visit quite often for stat checks

I'm here.

I check it often, though I maintain it :)

Fellas, I haven't had much of a chance to visit the Wire Site too often this year. What I'd like to see is a response from everyone as to when you visit the Wire. Just send a message, I was here or some such. I plan on starting some of the discussions of League topics sometime after the Hollidays. I'd like to use this forum. Later, Brian

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Loved the pitcher of Clemente, Randy thanks for the pub

Awesome cover pic for Clemente of Utah!

Welcome Mike. You have taken over managing the coveted Sultan of Swat, it will be fun.

Just a note to introduce my self. Name is Mike Kane, live in Hudson Valley area of New York. I will be renaming the team to the Kilkenny Gaelics. Hope to enjoy many fun seasons

I have a close approximation on normalizing SB and CS when stats are not available in the Normalization article.

It seems the 26 (which with more actually is 22) steal success gets an adjustment from other factors as well. Possibly more/less triples can change it, Speed factors.

With Normalization, because that year Moore's league did not keep stolen base stats, Moore gets Normalized with a C rating based on opportunities to steal (roughly H-D-T-HR+BB/AB) and gets a 26 because that is the average steal success for the baseline stats.

A question about card creation for the 6th season. How did Harry Moore of Sunset rate a C26 Steal Rating when the stats say he did not steal any bases? Norris

Jason-- Your normalization piece was EXCELLENT. I disagreed on one minor point/algorithm. Problem is, the format locks up my system and forces me to reboot. Think ya might be willing to post it as a .txt or Word file via email? I fear we're stuck with predetermined statlines cum Year 6, in any event. I plan to co-design a Dragon-specific MM, and autoplay my games until this misguided fad exhausts itself. Since I traded Browning to Brett, I've hardly taken advantage of a newbie who doesn't understand our "new math".

Maybe some of you will start to understand the problem with limiting SB with this example. Taking some information from the my new article about normalization. Pete Browning in 1887 had 103 SB but the average player in his league with his AB would get around 50 SB. Pete normalized SB is 26.2. Now take Rod Carew in 1977 he has 23 SB and a normalized SB of 28.9. Therefore, on a level playing field, Carew would have stolen more bases than Browning.

Aw, fergettit! I will continue as GM of the Dragons/Moonmen, but: When the League be "rigged", ie: stat lines determined in advance by "majority vote" (54% at that) where's the FUN anymore? Let the lead-footed teams "legislate" themselves to "victory" (of sort). Let 'em prance and act like they've "won" something or other. Doubtless they've pulled this stunt before elsewhere... It ain't handy, Steve Galbraith's e-mail address-- and maybe it's too late ($/time-wise-- but since I (SM) made a fair $ deal (he offerred it to "all comers" not just to us "good ole boys") with the dude, the new Shanghai MM (Mao Shigao, a collaboration) has 162 games to prove his mettle. Rig the results? Capiche? Our wondrous 54% "majority" has voted to change player ratings should same outperform... well, wha PHEW!

As I was thinking about preparing a "Normalization by Example" article, I thought about whether our normalization baseline should be updated every year. If we want to compare how Cobb does in Season 3 against how he does in season 10, then this baseline needs to stay fixed. After all if the baseline changes then comparing them would be the same as comparing his historical stats, not on an even ground. Just a thought...

Because I have received some requests for resources for normalization research, I placed in the League area a zip file that contains a batting html file for each player listed in season 6. These files will give you a little more information about Normalization. Now you can compare players by there +Hit percentage or +ISO points percentage. After unzipping, click on the "extractnamesframe.html" file. Questions, comments, bring em.

Utility players are a difficult category to pinpoint programatically. It seems you have to eye ball them. Although, Brett and myself looked at the stats for Utility players in the NL and found that the NL does not use their players in a Utility capacity, such as Honus Wagner and Travis Jackson in the AL. I programatically created the ballot, its was not manually done, so if you find a "Utility" player in the NL, let me know so I can try to catch him programatically. Another note: In the AL, the top 2 Save Leaders are at 51-52 innings pitched, which falls under the reliever minimum for leaders, so I found today they were not included in the ballot. This is the first time I have seen this come up, so I will need to lower the reliever minimum innings pitched. So that it will catch relievers that pitched down to maybe 48 innings.

Hey dudes-- I voted, but was denied the opportinity to cast a ballot for "DH/utility". An NL thang mebbe? Dunno. Feel free to apprise...

Any world series updates? When is the preview of Season 6 coming?

I didn't want to post the home page until his articles were done, but he asked me too. He's had a hectic couple of weeks. It'll be up soon.

I think Brett is still working on it .

I give up! I can't find the "review of Year 6". Even if ya meant "preview", I still can't find it. Help!

Nice job on the Web Site. I really like all the stat info for the league.

Really nice picture of Willie! How exactly do you do that micro-photo-editing, anyway? Shore wish I knew how...

Leave me alone! Why don't you go ask Mickey!!

I am really having fun watching the home run race between Ruth and Maris over there in Duluth. Is Roger's hair falling out? Is the media treating him fairly? Do you think either of them will beat RTCBL record-holder Lou Gehrig's 54 in Season 3?

I will also throw into the discussion calculations for career leader boards on start up leagues.

Ok, reviewing minimums for leader boards.
What are minimum calculations for:
Batting Stats
Pitching Stats
Fielding Stats including Pitchers

Try to type that one three times fast...

HEADLESS CORPSE IN TOPLESS BAR! might be the best headline I've ever read, but: "Blue Wave Brown Ruens Bison White Red" wasn't half bad.

Randy loved the pub. on Coveleski's outings

Randall I was checking the site and I love what you did with Albert you are an artist with the logo'sTom

I thought the gun on the arm patch was a cool touch Randall!

I love the picture of Albert Belle with "Gunslingers" across his chest! Good work!......now, if I could only acquire some pitching!Jesse

I had to play bresnahan at catcher when snyder and schalk were on the DL. It was a bummer, but ya deal with it. Just look at the Dodgers and Mulholland!

"The other reason I made this decision is because the other option would've been for Pittsburgh to use a player out of position. In doing that it could've caused problems at his other positions and possibly led to AIM injuries, due to Tired playersplaying in games they would not normally have played in. That could've then led to a snowball effect for Pittsburgh and caused even more problems."I would think that would be the penalty of not being prepared. I have each position covered by at least 3 players. If we have a farm of 15 players, it should not just be stocked with slugging outfielders. If an "organization" doesn't prepare, they should have to deal with the consequences. The "2 at every position" is a minimum. If we are afraid that this could be abused in that some will will use great hitters out of position to cover this, it could be mandated that while a position is injured they must use a pitcherfrom the farm to play the defensive position. Just my thoughts, but I worry about the precedent of obtaining a new player mid-season. I will support whatever is decided.

We need to post the Constitution on the website.I think the Constitution is clear, you must have 2 players rated at every position and a player cannot play out of position until all players rated at that position have been exasted. From this I have always surmissed he would have to play a player out of position. That might be of benefit or not, but I believe that is the rule right now.

Cool, dude! Am happy you got the Rhea stuff out!1-2-3-4... as I remeber,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Scott, back when I asked you about the APBA card numbers, I attained the 4 files of "Reading the Cards" in text format. I uploaded the zip to the League section for those that are interested.

Well at least you didn't spell "reins" as "reigns".... Yawn!

BBW does do some screwy lineups when their "in-house" manager gets the reins from an injury. I was only mentioning that spot in order matters not to refute an opinion, but to emphasize that more RBI opportunities come in the middle of the order. Tippy's .391 RAB shows that, and his 38+ PROP would be of better use if his RAB was higher by hitting in the 3-5 spots. capesh? BTW, I used to subscribe to the AJ, whatever happened to it? Thanks for the link.

Oh yeah, and there's a dude named Rhea who has reposted Steven Wesley Hall's "How to Read APBA Cards" on his board.http://members.aol.com/robertrhea/apba1.htm(that's APBA "one", not an "ell", BTW)This stuff is clownishly obvious to us veterans, but is accurate enough, and should prove of value to them what ax me "wot's a twenty-four", etc.Might wanna mirror the site, post links (as I understand it Rhea rotates the 4-part series, but frankly I doubt I've ever visited his site since I not only read the original in the *AJ* but, well, knew it all anyway...)

Both you guys make valid points. One thing about SHA, is that we feature P/OF types (Caruthers, Wood, Hecker) in our #9 slot as often as not. Ergo, a Tip O'Neill type ("officially ".492 in 1887-- according to that era's scoring rules-- ya wiseguy!) batting leadoff really *doesn't* forfeit that many scoring opportunities.Obviously, batting order placement *does* matter. (Though I'm not clear as to who claimed otherwise.) Lefty/Righty, three "31" types following mere D27s, basestealers placed before high average singles hitters, multi-"14" types back-to-back, etc.Main reason I bench my stars "overcautiously" on the road is that the default LM puts together vaguely plausable (by objective BB standards) but ludicrous (by APBA standards) batting orders when someone gets "tired" or "weary"... as in Lou Brock in the #7 hole, etc. (Hmm, Lou singles, steals second, my opponent walks Larkin to pitch to Guidry (MLBA .000)... marvelous!) Also, one year I had Eddie Mathews (slugger, OBP .400ish) and Benny Kauff (speed demon, OBP .400ish). Well, on the road following a mulit-game injury, LM *always* batted Eddie #3 and Benny #4... rather counterintuitively, no?Later, dudes.

Brett,The pitcher's slot hasn't seemed to clog things up to any great deal at home. That's because I use PHers quite a bit whenever I can. On the road its probably more of an occurance. But even then MM Rob Jr. likes to PH, most of the time, even tho he let Ligtenberg hit as the last batter in a game against Shangahi. (Must've been a glitch in the programming regarding game situation vs. available pitchers in the bullpen). On the whole Wilson, as I already stated in the other message, has come through with some very keys hits in the lead-off role that wouldn't have happened otherwise. As to your observation about players doing better in certain slots in the batting order. I believe it happens, as to why I can't explain. It shouldn't be the case because the random number generator within the BBW shouldn't be influenced by that sort of thing. But I know when I ran my simulations before Season 5 that Hodges always performed better in the #5 slot as compared to #6 and #7. Castilla was also better in the #5 hole, but he was closer to his #5 stats in the #6 and #7 holes that I put him there rather than Hodges. Understand? I hope I didn't confuse you.As to comments on trades. In the RTCBL trades can't be evaluated in the traditional sense since everything is related to the future. My desire to have Hershiser may well have cost me a strong chance of winning this season. I gave up Ford(19) and Toney(20/22) in that deal. Certainly I got more than Hershiser in that deal. But I look back and realize how much I upset my future plans with that deal. So now I'm much more careful and try not to let my desire for a favorite player influence me as much. So I can relate to Brett making a deal that is influenced by future performance.Later,Brian

The other thing:I do not see placing a run-producer in a traditional position to be padding individual stats (see Closer role), but utilizing a player's talents within a team scheme. I do not believe putting a player first for more at bats necessarily produces more runs. It still does not account for situational production based upon other players. It is a team after all. A hitter does not score without being driven in by others nor does he produce without runners on base except for the solo shot. Even with the number-crunching of BBW, and as much as I love reducing life's situations to mathematical equations, there are additional factors. Even with this game, haven't you seen players perform better in certain slots in the line-up than others? Game situations such as runners on base, whos' on deck, etc. are taken into consideration in the at bat outcome. Not to mention how revolting it is to human senses to think of Greg Luzinski leading off. {Shudder . . . .}

Nice Scott! Clear as usual!re: trade.HBB view: Medwick is great this year, but I predict a fall so I lose half a season? Not to mention I pick up the season 7 stick I desire (with the "true" highest AVG at .438/.440 for the National League no less, not O'Neill's paltry .435 for the minor association!) in Duffy, with greater defense and wheels for a better fit in my speed oriented offense. I could afford to part with Waddell, as his next 2 great seasons coincide with great arms I already have, and Preacher's year 8 fits in my plan, along with his Z. If I recall, I offered Rube your way, but someone balked for lack of Zzzzzs! Bonus to me that Roe is a Dodger. I also have a gap in my SS rotation that Dahlen fills until Wagner settles on a position in year 7, and for the price of bench-warmer Seymour. Brother or not, he at least responds to trade request e-mails!

And another thing: Batting your best offensive player leadoff (assuming he can run a bit) rather makes a bit of sense here. Yeah, yeah, shades of Earnshaw Cook (not to mention Pankin , but RUNS are what count, not individual stats. Sez here: SHA seldom has more than a pair of offensive players on the leaders' boards, but: hmm... we DO tend to score runs, no? A tail-ender (and I understand this) might care to run up an individual player's stats, but: if ya be "playing for keeps" there ain't (to paraphrase) there ain't no TA in "team"... wait, there is... oh, hell...Just hand over a pitcher to SHA and I'll shut up. Sounds fair 'nuff to me!

Two things:Brett fired one over the bow, Roger (who i-mails me incessantly , but ain't a "writer type") took umbrage at the implication that he warn't a "true" RTCBL stalwart (haw!) and... let's put this one behind us, okay? Same as we no longer feel the collective need to objurgate Mr. *ll*nsw*rth. Capiche?Second, 'twould appear that Laguna Beach truly RIPPED Huntington Beach in that Duffy-Waddell trade. What are you guys-- BROTHERS or something?Third... oh, I said "two things"... ferget it.But, oh, hell, SHA *would* be willing to trade for a pitcher from one of you tail-enders. Offering: a viable offensive player + draft picks. Swipe: if yer happy always losing, no need to respond.Eid Mubarak. Happy Hannukah, etc.--Scott

Everyone has their way and that is why it is your team Brian (and a successful one at that!). I am not as old school as you with regards to the APBA cards (something I would actually like to learn more about). Strat-o-matic and Superstar baseball were the two I played. I guess I would really like to understand all the algorithms that are involved in BBW for game play. Do you find that in NL the pitcher's spot clogs it up for Wilson?

Sorry I haven't been able to visit the Wire site more often. But since I've been mentioned in two articles I figure I'll throw out a few thoughts. I find the PROP stat interesting and any stat which helps measure player performance is welcome. I realize the PROP stat is an attempt to measuer a players performance in regards to driving in runs. But for me the best stat is still OB% + SLG% to determine a players worth, no matter where he bats in the lineup. Certainly everything can't be measured that easily and everyone has different thoughts on making a lineup.Normally I'd bat my best hitter in the # 3 slot, which would be Hornsby this year. However, after running well over 20 sims, I found my offense produced more runs with Wilson batting leadoff and Hornsby batting 2nd. In addition, the sims showed that Hodges in the 5th slot and Castilla in the 6th was overall more productive. Castilla in the 5th slot gave him better stats, but it adversley affected Hodges performance. Thus I leave Hodges in the 5th hole despite his lackluster performance.Another note, I'm from the old school of APBA baseball and use the players cards to a great extent in developing and making my lineups. I then sim the league as much as I can before the season and then tweak things a little. Hornsby, Yaz, and Lynn all have 5 power numbers (44-0), which are the type of players I like to have batting with runners on base. Wilson has 5 walk numbers, he has the HR pop, but only 4 power numbers. Both Yaz and Lynn aren't very fast this year. Wilson isn't overly fast, but he's better than Lynn and Yaz. Hornsby is fast. Thus, when I batted Yaz or Lynn in front of Hornsby I lost scoring chances due to limited speed, and I lost my Hit and Run chances, and I really like to use the Hit and Run. Thus, with Hornsby in the # 2 slot, I give him a chance to drive in Wilson and set the table for Yaz and Lynn. Plus when the lineup turns over Wilson is at the top and has a chance to drive in runs. Maybe not as often, but he's won several games with big hits from the top slt after a PH has gotten on base.Just a few thoughts.Later,Brian

I have seen Mize batting leadoff for Redstorm too. The thinking is to get the run scorers/producers as many at bats as possible, but run situations are often created by the batting order. Power in the front spot is easier done in the AL, as the DH can help a batting order be a constant rotation (especially in an all-star league) instead of a "wave" with 2 peaks in the NL. That being said, I wouldn't put a power/RBI guy at leadoff for the very reason of the PROP score.Back to the Tip issue: In the 69 games he played in previous to last series, he started in 65. His spot in the order was:leadoff - 52 games (80%)3rd- 2 games (3%)4th- 11 games (17%)In each spot, his stats were:leadoff- 42 RBI, 45 LOB, 13 HR, 2 GIDP3rd- 3 RBI, 1 LOB, 1 HR, 0 GIDP4th- 13 RBI, 13 LOB, 4 HR, 1 GIDPHis PROP score was:leadoff- 38.23rd- 66.74th- 39.1Obviously his RAB was higher in the 3/4 hole than at leadoff. But so far Tip is at least the equal, in fact better, at driving in runs from the 3rd and 4th spot in the order than at leadoff. With the obvious increase in runners on base at the 3/4, doesn't it make sense to put him there more often than at leadoff? He is your best run producer, and according to PROP does his best at 3/4. Of course it's my opinion, but the run-producers need more men on base in front of them to drive them in, and it doesn't happen at leadoff. Brian may bat Hack at leadoff so he gets more at bats, but that BJamesian reasoning won't set the table for him as often and that is lost opportunity instead. Taking season totals for stats to derive run production possibility can never take into account "situational" run-production that is manufactured/effected by the batting order; ie. a batter cannot drive in runs without men on base! Call me old-fashioned, but "traditional line-up" building is still the best.

Yeah, points taken, but:I *do* tend to tinker with my batting order much more than most. (Plus as NL leader I ain't exactly stinking out the joint , am I? )...Um, my only real (NL, I mean) competitor (ie Brian/COA) has taken to batting Hack Wilson leadoff... not a bad plan, sez here... not to give advice to the putative "enemy" or anything .The only "true" Pankin dude = Roger of Phoenix. Shanghai has so many power/speed dudes (um... like we based our offense upon lumbering oafs?) that this-or-that power/speed dude can pretty much bat anywhere!I just tend to spot 'em vs. pitchers' tendencies!In re same: If y'all can't set up a lineup to reduce Schupp to batting-practice hurler status... well, you ain't such a brilliant skipper as you self-percieve!All joking aside ... as Casey was misquoted: "Can't anyone play this here game?"Thine in sport,--Scott,Shanghai Dragons

Scott, It's easy to see why Tip is at the top of the lineup, high OBA and all. By hitting leadoff his RBI opportunities should obviously be lower, so the only way his PROP is skewed is the fact that he would drive in more runs further down in the order! If he drove in 40% of the runners in a RBI/LOB situation as a leadoff batter, would the percentage remain the same if he was batting clean-up? I am not sure, PROP doesn't measure how many opportunities there are, RAB does. His RAB was .388 which is low and indicative of a lead-off hitter, unlike Maris' .640. No doubt Maris has more runners on at bat than O'Neill, but if you put O'Neill more consistently in the 4 spot and he continued at the 40% rate, wouldn't that be better for your offense? It would be interesting to see O'Neill's PROP as a lead-off hitter compared to him a clean-up hitter, if it would remain consistent. In any case, it is clear that Tip likes to bring baserunners home, and with his good AVG, power and speed, he seems to be the perfect 3-hole batter (or 4 with all the team speed you have and he is CLEARLY your biggest power hitter). How he produces well with power, like Mays in HR but with better ISO and more RBI, batting him lead-off kind of looks like one has consulted the Pankin Optimizer too much (who would bat Reggie lead-off?)BrettH (HBB)

PROPS is an interesting concept. But I wonder how, for example, my "controversial" decision to bat Tip O'Neill leadoff 75% of the time skews his stats using this latest measurement tool.Me, I put him there to maximize 1st inning offense, even though, clearly, I gotta rest him about 25 games... not such a big loss since Browning and Brock are aboard...Still, Tip's RBI opportunities might be skewed downward since he "follows" the likes of Guidry and Niekro in the batting order and all...

Interesting stuff.....I guess "PROPS" should be given to Brett for developing this new statistic! Keep up the good work guys....I love this website.

Wow! I added the stats to the site and didn't really understand it. Thanks for the thorough explanation. Looks like I made a good choice in replacing Perez with Gaetti.

Great article, and cool stat - now to figure out how to apply it to the Legends!

You know Tom, Scioscia sure had them playing NL baseball . . . . A world series in my backyard was nice, and for the freakin' Giants to lose was great too . . . .

Hey Brett you never called me back after the series and Randy you can come out of the closet now and just acept you are a Angels fan.

Good to see you on the wire Roger!

Phoenix makes a deal with the Gunslingers by sending the seldom used, but good . Palmiero for F. Clarke. Lets see how this turns out for both teams.

Hooray for the Angels!!

The "median" is a middle value in a distribution where there is an equal number of values above and below it. The "mean" is a number representing the middle point of a set of numbers, or the average, but it would have to involve all the numbers of a set. The median value in most seasons would be lower than the mean because of a single high team BA like HBB, but the mean would still be the average for a season. A team like HBB skews the average because there are more team BAs above the mean than below it. But the real mean is made up of individual players' averages (total player BA=total team BA), and those averages are more evenly distributed. In that sense one team BA cannot really skew the mean, can it? Hot bats (and cold ones) are on every team and skew their own team BA. So, in recognizing that one team like HBB raises the league BA in past seasons, I don't think their coming down to mortality this season is the cause for league averages to be dropping, as the league is still made up of individuals. Just tell that to Fred Dunlap or Tris Speaker!

PS- median isn't the right term, sorry!

PS- The lowest BA over the years has never strayed more than 9 points, I think the pitching has been fairly consistent, and a few teams with a number of hot bats is the difference. Ya?

In looking at the BA over the last seasons real quick, the glaring numbers I noticed was the HB batting averages throwing the median team average out of whack. This season there is a 40 point difference between the first place AL team and the last place team. In season 4, HB was 40 points above the second place team, and 30 points above in season 3! Just a quick observation by someone suffering to reach .500 in the AL east!

Nice article Brett.

Brett-- Marvelous work ya done in re analyzing MMs! I won't pretend to agree with thee on every single point, but as Mao would put it: Comrade Holbrook is 90% correct. Not bad at all! Plus all the work ya put into it, etc. ... Wow! GREAT job, dude!

What the crap is Skip feeding Mize and Klein? Where did they get all those runs and rbis?

Jason, Schupp and the 4 draft picks that came with him have definitely been worth the loss of Guidry ;-) Cliff

Tim! Long-time no hear! For those who don't know, Tim was an original RTCBL member and our commisioner for seasons 1 & 2, who rescued our league from a near-fatal accident at birth. Hope all is well.

I must say this site is very impressive. Even though it saddens me to see the Nuggets in last place, it's great to see that this league is still going strong with a lot of the same managers that helped start it.

Scott, your old player Schupp is doing quite well :)

I have always referred to your Manager Tendancy Chart when choosing a manager since back in the CCA days. Larry Pepper wasn't on the chart so I went with my own testing to my demise for testing non-AIM managers. So if you can make it more finely tuned with more information and with more managers, that would be very useful.

By the way, I dig how these are now time stamped, and we can circle file the old stuff, eh?

It's good to do a background check on the MM's. Too many late nights at the bars put Dr. Diamond out of a job. Due to a few requests, I am thinking of setting up another demo and redoing the MM tendency chart. I'll set up the team better to see the manager moves and include the newest managers. TO ALL: If there are any managers you would like to see included in my micromanager tendeny and strategy project, please let me know.

The Rebels pay for changing managers without doing enough background checks on Mr Larry Pepper. By ignoring fatigue, Pepper placed in relievers when they were worn out. Causing injuries to 2 relievers and thier ace is out for 25 games. Needless to say, Robinson Jr gets his job back.

Shanghai Dragons Seeking Pitching!Why yes, and we be willing to deal!

Just a quick note to everyone that visits the site. I hope to put something out on the wire during the season each week. At least that's my intention. Hopefully, it will work and will be about league happenings, pennent races, players, etc.

HBB has some pitching to still offer, including Rube Waddell. Looking for an interesting deal.BrettH

Phoenix is looking for pitching, present or future. Aso will csider other deals. Mainly interested in pitching. Hope to hear from all of you.

Scott-
Dang! I was hoping that offer was for Ross Barnes and Carl Mays!

I rather enjoyed the draft... esp. waking up late and still having my #1 pick available .Nice job, all!PS-- SHA still be offering a May/Barnes package for a viable P... no, really!

If you get a dialog box when trying to download the draft pick list on the home page, cancel out and you will go to the page. What you want to do is right-click the link and "save as..."see you all in the RTCBL chatroom tomorrow!

Has there ever been an update to the Bill James Encyclopedia Program? If so, how do I get my hands on it?

Well, Jason, one could argue that Fredie didn't deserve an "L" rating for yielding 7 dingers in the Polo Grounds (where a 250 ft. popfly could go "yard" and a liner over the CF's haid could roll 480 feet to the wall), but: an "L" he was! Not exactly the sort of pitcher (no "Z", either!) the Dragons would care to throw against the likes of the Bobcats, no siree!Ferdie had no real role on the Dragons, save "mop" reliever, and with my staff being otherwise quite strong, I figured I could deal him to a (sorry, Cliff) weaker team who could make better use of him as an inning-eater.And Guidry? One of my all-time favorites, a #3 pick in our RTCBL Genesis draft, and entirely the sort of "marquis" starter I dedicated my off-season to scoring. Plus, unlike Schupp, Ron can play centerfield , and has a number of productive years ahead of him.The draft picks? Who cares? Plus I don't really mind "helping out" Cliff in his efforts to rebuild an inherited franchise. SHA basically dumped a dude who stunk out the joint (walk, walk, "Baltimore special") in preplays and got serious value in return.Now, maybe I gave up too much (15-year-star Otis) in return for "real-time" bullpen clown Sasaki (fine pitcher, but he could tear his cuff tomorrow for all anyone knows), but the Guidry deal-- though "fair" indeed-- is universally hailed by Dragon faithful.PS-- Series writeup, anyone?

Looks like Scott is in a giving phase.

The Dragons send LHP Ferdie Schupp + Year 5's #2, #3 & #4 draft picks to the Immortals for Run Guidry.Commentary on this one might prove entertaining... so why not make some use of this forum anyway, eh, dudes?

I'm especially enjoying the stat encyclopedia. Like several others here, I'm a history buff, and the fact that we now are able to monitor our own (history, that is), adds immensely to the whole RTCBL experience.Oh, and I'll have my "piece" finished somewhere around draft day... no, really... I *promise*...