Tell me about your favorite fictional team

[toddgregory]

Fictional players...let's hear about your favorite fictional teams. Which franchises caught your eye or captured your heart as you created and played through your leagues??

I am in the process of developing my own fictional Ootp universe and am looking for some inspiration

[damientheomen3]

The Philadelphia Crackers in OOTPX (Renamed to the Philadelphia Firecrackers a couple of seasons ago)...

This was a league that I had started just to test something. An OOTP member had said to trade away all of your stars for scrubs because it didn't matter, he always did well. I decided to test this by making a new fictional league, and took over the Philadelphia Crackers. I traded away all good players, and, as expected, went 53-109 after that season. I was content and was going to delete the league, but I figured, "What would be better than the ultimate rebuild?". So, I just decided that the team owner was very patient and didn't fire me.

Season 2 came around, and we went 38-124. However, it was during that season that I picked the one man that would turn my franchise around, in catcher Esteban Negron, who joined the team as the first overall pick. The third year was a big improvement, at 58-104, but still poor. I used the first overall pick that year on starting pitcher Brian Carlson. The next season, season 4, was another improvement, as we went 71-91, and expended the first overall pick on Edwin Walsh. Remember those three names.

After 4 consecutive last place finishes (the league began as 2 4 team conferences, with only the top team from each conference making the playoffs), we jumped all the way to second, at 86-76. That was the year that Esteban Negron had his rookie year, at 25, as well as Carlson, as 22. Negron hit .308 with 29 homers while Carlson went 7-7 with a 2.88 ERA in 23 starts. The next year was a heartbreaker. We finished the regular season 98-64, tied with San Antonio for the top spot in the conference, but lost the tiebreaker game to miss out on the playoffs. The next year was a bit of a hangover from the previous year, as we fell to 83-79, and went 90-72 the following year, both 2nd place finishes.

After that, I expanded the playoffs so the top 2 teams made it per conference. That also happened to be the year that we dominated the league, going 105-57 and finishing first in the division. The losers that won just 38 games in a season had finally made the playoffs for the first time! We missed out on the championship, but I was so happy to finally make the playoffs. The next year, I expanded both conferences to 6 teams, so every team in the league except for the expansion teams had above .500 records. Despite a 92-70 record, we finished 4th, although only 4 games back from first. What happened next, is what most call a dynasty.

e went 101-61 the net season, topping our conference, but didn;t win the championship. The next season, we went 90-72, finishing second and not winning the championship, again. In the next 3 seasons, we won 105- 101 and 101 games, as well as 2 championships! However, rather than being the unrealistic tycoon that I usually am in OOTP games, trading guys away as soon as they show aging for young, fresh stars, I held on to my guys and it all came down right there. We had two consecutive 86-76 seasons, finishing in second in both years and not winning the championship in either year. The next year we went 82-80, ending our run at 7 consecutive playoff seasons. After that year I went into a full rebuild, going 67-95. I followed up on that by going 89-73, finishing in second and getting swept in the first round. Here I am now, 20 seasons into this league, having so uch fun.

As for the 3 names mentioned earlier, all 3 had HOF careers. Negron played 17 seasons in the majors (all with Philadelphia), taking significant at bats in 15 of those 17 seasons. He isn't retired yet, but it's a safe bet that no one will pick him up (I hated to release him, but I needed the roster spot). His final stat line was:

2690 hits in 8847 at bats, .304/.371/.555/.926, 580 HR, 1762 RBI, 3 time MVP, 14 time AS, 10 time GG at catcher.

As for starting pitcher Brian Carlson, his career brought him to the hall of fame, having retired at age 36 after 14 seasons (he chose to hang em up after his first bad season in his career). Here are his stats:

228-113, 3.26 ERA, 3089.1 IP, 676 BB, 2147 K, 1.11 WHIP, 11 AS, 3 OPA, 1 no-no (I nicknamed him the date of the no hitter ).

Edwin Walsh is still going, and I'm at something of a crossroads for him. No doubt, he's the best hitter in league history, but at age 34, he's getting up there and I still feel that my team needs some more rebuilding, so I may trade him. At the moment, though, his stats look like this:

2565 hits in 8464 at bats, .303/.362/.574/.936, 575 HR, 1749 RBI, 730 BB, 477 K, 221 SB, 6 GG in left field, 1 GG in right field (and near GG defense in CF for the last 5 seasons), 14 AS, 6 MVP.

As for the team right now, I went through a short rebuild, going from 67 wins to 89 this year, but I don't feel as if it is enough. My team's future isn't looking spectacular, and I'm not trying to build a team, I'm trying to build a dynasty. I have my future stars in place (an SP who may be more talented than Carlson in the minors, and a CF who is a better fielding Walsh with less hitting ability, but still plenty), but I don't have any support pieces, whereas I have a team right now that has the right type of offense, and has a star at pitcher, but no support pieces (only 3 effective starters and a shaky bullpen). Am I going to continue chugging along and hope to get the pieces I need, or will I go back to a full on rebuild? I love this OOTP save file.

[Hozzie]

I created the fictional Lone Star League (LSL), which consists of 20 LSL teams named after very small towns in Texas (I'm Australian, before anyone asks...)

I started the LSL in 1976. The league is now 95 games (of 150) into the 1977 season.

I am the GM of the Garrett Jacks. I am personally managing all of Garrett's 150 games per season. It's been a fun ride.

At the start of 1976 I assessed my team. The team's strongest asset was clearly its bullpen: Japanese CL Rohu Ine's ratings suggested a sub-2.00 ERA. I expected MRs Ralph Harper and Domingo Rodriguez to post sub-3.00's and work 60-75 IPs each.

After that… yikes. In the infield, only 2B Kyung-Hyung "Awesome" Tang looked any good. I judged he would be Korea's answer to Jeff Kent, and might put together something like .285/.350/.500 with 20 HRs, 85-100 RBI. Catcher combo Miguel Reyes and Kevin Morris could hold down the position, but neither was going to hit much better than .260/.325/.350. 1B Marty Watson looked good for .290/.360/.400, at best, and his defensive skills were suspect. Across the diamond was 3B Domingo Perez, a very slick fielder with some pop but no eye (.250/.325/.450, if I was lucky). His companion, SS Michael Martin, seemed like another 290/.360/.400 guy, with no speed and only adequate hands

Similarly, the only bright spark in the outfield was LF Yuji Saito, who seemed to promise .300/.385/.425. Both CF Robert Brewer and RF Russ Bowman could run and field, but would they hit? Was .260/.350/.350 with 30 SBs from each too much to ask?

As for the SPs: #1 Ken Brown looked like best case 10-10 / 3.50 ERA / 1.35 WHIP / 100 K; #2 Gabriel Sanchez seemed like a lock to issue 100 free passes en route to a 5.50 ERA (and losing record); and #3 Tyler Wright and #4 RJ Williams were fodder.

This team was destined for last.

I decided to try to get offense on the cheap, but invest in a good #1 SP. Before the start of spring training, I signed two free agents: RF Graham Dixon, a potential 30-30 candidate; and SP Arthur Wilson, a 38-year old veteran fireballer.

So how did it work out (in 1976)?

RF Dixon went down for four weeks on the last day of spring training; the regular season opened, and the Jacks played .400 ball for a month; 3B Domingo Perez didn't hit so I swapped him for 3B Sam White (he seemed better on paper but turned out to be much, much worse); Dixon returned and started to rake (.330 early on and threat to become LSL league HR leader); LF Saito wiped out running the bases and put himself in hospital for 7 months, re-opening a spot for young LF Russ Bowman; new #1 SP Wilson pitched well, recording a sub-3.00 ERA.

But the real stories were: 2B 'Awesome' Tang got depressed and didn't hit (.240/.325/.450), and by mid-June I was looking to ship him and his $2.8m/year contract; 1B Marty Wilson, SS Michael Martin and CF Robert Brewer proved 'scrappy' for computer-generated imaginings; #3 SP Gabriel Sanchez walked every guy other he saw, but got every guy he didn't walk to ground into a double play; and suddenly Garrett started to compete with singles and doubles and the occasional Dixon bomb. At last, the boys in that excellent Garrett bullpen had something to do: preserve ties and save 1-run games. And they did it very well.

The team was hovering at .500 at the trading deadline. Out of contention (that year), I gave Tang his wish, acquiring 22-year old 2B Angel Campos and some other prospects. Campos went on to hit .300/.365/425 for Garrett, and signed a 3-year contract totalling 1/5th of a single year of Tang's salary. Others cooled, then got hot again.

Garrett finished 1976 in 3rd place (of 5) with a record of 77-73, 12 GB of the eventual LSL Champions Quintana Braves. A great (and surprising) result.

Dixon and Wilson were bright sparks, of course (.260/.360/.500 with 20 HRs and 44 SBs in 117 games) and (14-9 / 2.97 / 150 K). But the best part was getting something out of the guys I didn't expect to: Watson hit .305; Martin had .380 OBP; C Reyes hit well, in the end; Brewer and Bowman DID swipe some bags and win some games; Sanchez walked more than 130 guys and won more games than he lost!

Now it's 1977: Record to date 50-45, after a terrible 4-and-15 slide (Garrett was 46-30 a month ago!). New division leaders Van Horn Rangers are still in reach (3 GB)…

… if only Dixon can hit (he's currently .220/.290!!!/.490!!! with 24 HRs)…
… if only Wilson, now a set piece of the bullpen, can keep his 39-year old arm together…
… if only free agent acquisition SP Manuel Delgado (10-3 / 1.75 / 150 Ks) stays healthy…
... if only…

[Garrett's rivals in the Republican League (RL) Hills Division (HD) are Quintana Braves (1976 LSL Champion), Van Horn Rangers (current 1977 HD leader), Longhorn Bucks and Copper Canyon Diggers.

Rivals in the Republican League, Gulf Division include Avinger Arsenal (1976 Division Winner), New Hope Mountaineers (the current GD leader in 1977), Indian Lake Pioneers, Estelline Chargers and Stagecoach Raiders. There are another 10 teams in the Confederate League.]

[Chicagofan76]

wow, this thread I'm gonna love.

I created my American Baseball Federation to start in 2000. I am currently the GM/MGR and #1 SP of the Chicago Fire. I am currently tied 1-1 vs the Texas Rangers in the 2006 Civil War Series.
For me this is my favorite league I have created and played on any game for PC. Right now its up to 16 teams with a 12 team Indy League starting after the 2006 season.
While I do change stats for ammy draft players, most of my favorite players r the 1's that the game created since I dont know what they r expected to do as much.
In the 7 sns for thr ABF I am about to win my 6th POTY award and I am the all Time winning pitcher and the all time K leader.
My soon to be 7 time GG winning CF may or may not win his 7th consecutive MVP award, right now he is losing to Hulk Hogan.
Although i ahve played in 6 of the 7 world series each yr has been a struggle to not overpay and with the fact that the majority of my team is young and I want to keep most on my team my payroll of 58.9 million for 2006 will be over 100 million within 5 yrs. I have a ROTY 1B that is basically a left handed version of Albert Pujols. 2B is a revolving door and the guy I currently have their is under contract for 1 more season and is a solid #2 hitter. my 3B is having a suppar season as is my SS who is my leadoff hitter but he is only good for about 30 SB. My LF I traded Rickey Henderson for and led the league in AVG. My CF Wilbur Duggleby is the best player of all time. He was orig a GI JOE named Hardball that i turned into the CF for the Mets and thats what started this entire fascination with PC baseball games.(he is also a running back for football) My RF is 1 of my best friends since 5 th grade. same with #2 SP since 6th grade.
I have several created players inspired by other ppl when I had other ppl tell me who their fav fictional players were and I put many of them into my 2001 draft. Madman Mitchell my #3 SP is 1 of those players. I have John Lennon (DL Tommy John surgery) and Paul McCartney to round out my starting rotation.
My pen consists of mostly AI created players except my long time GF who is the daughter of former White Sox P Bart Johnson. Each season i put in ppl that i am friends with, met, worked with, dated. Some I change their stats for most I dont. I created my all time 5 fav players only 1 of which played fopr me and wasnt very good. Harold Baines since being traded to Las Vegas has done well. Lance Johnson is a backup OF with Boston. Ozzie Guillen is the starting SS for San Francisco. Frank Thomas was a rookie in 2006 with Boston but will be great. Jody Gerut was also drafted in 2006 by Boston but has only played 13 games so far. I will trade for him after this season. He is a childhood friend played for Milwaukee Brewers last yr if ya dont know him.
After this 2006 season I am creating a very Rich indy League called the American League. 12 team league trying to compete eventually with the ABF, but for now they have finances in place that will make sure they dont overspend like the ABF teams have done. They will hopefully snatch up most of the 518 Free Agents avail. and which ever FA's after the 2006 season that the broke ABF teams r unable to resign.
My goal is to merge the AL with the ABF by 2015. They have teams in the 3 major markets that the ABF is in LA, NY, Chi and in 9 other markets the ABF has neglected. Al will have major owners. Donald Trump will own the NY Yankees (Hank Steinbrenner owns NY Giants in ABF) Rupert Murdoch will own the Los Angeles Angels. Oprah Winfrey and David Ricketts will own the Chicago Hitmen. Anhueser-Busch will own the St Louis Cardinals. Miller owns Milwaukee Brewers. Marge Schott owns Cin Reds. the other 6 teams r Seattle Moose
Oklahoma City Storm
Miami Marlins
New Orleans VooDoo
Washington Americans/Freedom
Toronto Blue Jays.
I plan on having 2 solid players from ABF jump ship to sign with AL eventually Walter Johnson with WAS and Kevin France with STL. both play for San Jose.
heres my final standings of 2006.
later I will talk about my Endor Baseball League which I have played on PC since 1988.

[toddgregory]

Thanks to those of you who contributed. I would like to hear from some others as well....

[Chicagofan76]

Originally Posted by toddgregory

Thanks to those of you who contributed. I would like to hear from some others as well....

I have a quickstart of my ABF if u want to try it and am working on a new quickstart with the indy league AL but it got messed up so i have to go back and put the AL in again sometime this week.

[prodgers]

My Total Fantasy League is comprised of the Federal League and the Republic League. The dominant team in the league since the beginning has been my very own Round Hill Wolverines. We have had many outstanding players come through the organization. Early on was an outfielder with a cannon for a left arm and greased lighting on the bases, his name was Jon Berry. He amassed a lifetime batting avg in the majors of .324, but that wasn't his claim to fame. He managed, while with the Wolverines, 425 stolen bases in 5 years. Walking him was like giving up a triple or more. At that same time we had pitcher named Ricardo 'Chick' Garcia. He had a season or two with almost 30 wins. Both of them are on other teams now. It truly crushes you to have to trade away heroes like them.
Just before the beginning of this season the commissioner, in an interest to create tighter pennant races throughout the year and give some of the lesser teams a better shot at the postseason and increase overall fan interest, reorganized the entire league. One of the results of this was to put the Long Beach Tombstones in the same division as Round Hill.
These two are blood rivals as you can see


The end result has been games like the boxscore below where Carl Fawkes won it on a walk-off grand slam. The season is only in May but I can't wait to see what transpires by October.

[prodgers]

And that was followed by this little jewel. A walk-off the other way.