[rasnell]

For something a lot easier to set up and a close compromise to what you're pursuing, do your initial import so all the real players come in to all their real teams.

Make sure that you have the draft set up so that historic players go directly to their real teams. Here's how you do that:

1. Go to league setup.
2. Click on the "Rules" tab.
3. Make sure that the box is clicked on that allows you to automatically import historical rookies.
4. Make sure to click on the box and DISABLE OR TURN OFF the amateur draft. This makes sure that real rookies come into the real teams and you'll have no draft.
5. Change the draft date to Nov. 1 so that it pulls the players in for the next season and not the current season.

It's up to you whether you want to leave free agency and trading on. I love to do exactly what you're doing with the Big Red Machine and see if I can return them to glory after the great 1970s -- the same period when your beloved Pirates were also so strong.

I kind of like having the chance to trade and go after free agents to see if I can really make a difference. You might want to try that alternate history just because it's easier to set up and start playing.