Owned every version of OOTP from the very beginning (Something still very cool about waiting for that CD in the mail, the anticipation building)
From a very basic, (somewhat cheesy looking) but always very fun game, OOTP has evolved into an amazingly polished, immersive and detailed product that has continually raised the bar for Baseball sims.
OOTP and Football/Soccer Manager are in a class by themselves and while SI has done with a literal army, while OOTP has evolved from a one man show and accomplished all this with a fraction of the manpower and resources.
The MLB license is testament to the respect Markus and Co have garnered within the Baseball world, considering the fact that MLB worked with OOTP to make it reasonable to attain. This is without a doubt the best version yet and everyone who has had a piece in it deserves a hardy pat on back, well done all!!
Thinking of OOTP's growth made me reflect on changes in my life. When version 1 came out I had 1 child just getting ready to start high school. Now they are all well rounded adults out on their own that I am very proud of, and have given me 2 amazing grandchildren. I have retired from a very rewarding 27 years coaching high school football and now only work my "day job." I have divorced and gotten remarried to the woman I should have married the first time and I couldn't be happier!
So basically like OOTP, my life is as polished and rewarding as it has ever been, and I like to think our parallel evolutions couldn't have happened to two nicer guys
Again, well done and thank you for the countless hours of enjoyment through the years, cheers!!!