The Immortal GM -- A Worst to First Tale!

[jaysdailydose]

Hey everyone, I'm back with a new hard drive finally! I've still got my "Level Playing Field" idea on the back burner -- but with seeing how easy it is to change logos/uniforms/caps throughout history, I'm going to start my stories with one inspired by my longtime buddy NYY #23 and do a Worst to First tale, with me starting managing in 1902, and attempting to win a World Series title with every MLB franchise.

I'll be starting the league in 1901, holding the inaugural draft, and simulating until the end of the season and taking over the worst team in 1902.

One major difference I'll be doing as compared to NYY's story is that if I win a title with a franchise, I can go for repeat titles to try to establish dynasties. However, once a team has failed to repeat for a championship, we will move on to the next worst team!

I just finished league setup and will be back to post which team this franchise will be starting with and a look at the roster in just a bit.

I hope you'll be following along!

[jaysdailydose]

Our Journey Begins in St. Louis!

With a record four games worse than anyone else in the newly formed Major League Baseball at 50-90, our "Immortal GM" journey will begin in the great city of St. Louis with the Browns! The record was "achieved" by the Milwaukee Brewers, who now become the St. Louis Browns in the 1902 season. GM Jason Jackson was hired on October 6th, 1901 just a day after the end of the first regular season and before our initial World Series.

Before we get to the start of our "career" however, lets see what happened in the 1901 season.

The World Series was contested by the Cleveland Blues of the American League, and the Brooklyn Superbas of the National League. The Blues easily swept the inaugural League Championship, taking the World Series four games to none.

World Series MVP: Clayton Kershaw

American League Awards -

Most Valuable Player: Zack Wheat
Outstanding Pitcher: Clayton Kershaw
Rookie of the Year: Carlos Gonzalez
Manager of the Year: Jimmy McAleer

National League Awards -

Most Valuable Player: Eddie Collins, Sr.
Outstanding Pitcher: Clay Bryant
Rookie of the Year: Earl Yngling
Manager of the Year: Fred Clarke

Not only did they win their respective MVP awards, but Zach Wheat of the Orioles also won the AL Batting Crown at .372, with Eddie Collins Sr. taking home the first NL crown with an average of .359.

[jaysdailydose]

The Browns had the contracts expire for their hitting coach, pitching coach, and scouting director -- so we took this opportunity to sack manager Hugh Duffy and the rest of his coaching and training staff.

We signed William Miller to be the new pitching coach, and Christian Black takes over as our hitting coach.

There weren't many quality choices, so we gave our managerial job to Tom Loftus, who brings with him former manager Chris Helton for his bench coach.

Jose Miranda was brought on to head up the Browns training staff. He is good with leg injuries, and excellent in non-arm or back injuries, while he fares fair to average when dealing with the back and arms. He is a clear upgrade to last season's Brewer team doctor.

Finally, we hired new scouting director Ramon Luna to foresee our scouting operations. He is outstanding at covering the major leagues, and average in "minor leagues" (next year or 1904) and amateurs. He is excellent at international scouting, but MLB does not allow international free agents, at least at this time. Still, another clear upgrade for the new regime in St. Louis.

Next is a look at the roster before I have made any changes other than "setting" up what I feel my 25 man roster should look like. I was getting my house in order and my staff together -- and no trades were looked into, nor offered to the Browns prior to the draft in which we will, of course, hold the first overall selection.

When you see the collection of talent that I have inherited, you will wonder how this team only won 50 games last year. Ye gods!

[jaysdailydose]

Browns Initial 25-Man Roster



As you can see... young Ruth... Manny, Victor, Glavine... there were injuries, but still. With the first pick in the ammy draft as well?

This was the first "roll" of the league with all of the settings correct. I had accidentally left recalc on in the first itineration... so I didn't re-roll, didn't save and sim to get this team. They were just the worst team in the first season of Major League Baseball. Now I get a stud selection in the amateur draft at least to improve this roster.

I hope there is repeat titles in this bunch, it would be nice to differentiate my dynasty from my good buddy NYY#23 right out of the gate.

I have to take my spouse somewhere, but I'll be doing the draft as soon as I return, and there are names you'd recognize.

EDIT: I edited the screenshot size down, but I'm not sure if it doesn't scroll on everyone. If it does, let me know and I'll go smaller... just easier to present a lot of information this way.

[jaysdailydose]

Going in to my first draft, I have a good idea what I need to get -- and won't be swayed by a "name" because there is also a name in the direction I intend to go after my own look at the draft pool and reviewing my new scouting directors findings, as well as OSA.

As of the clock starting on the draft, OSA reports the following about our team:

The St. Louis Browns have a slight weakness at first base, third base, shortstop, and their rotation. Their bullpen is a weakness.

I don't know how weak that we truly are at first base, as I've consulted with my manager and it looks as if he intends to use the Babe as our everyday first baseman. We may be a touch lighter in the outfield as a result, but we have solid guys there.

I look to upgrade that rotation, first and foremost.

"With the first selection of the first ever, First Year Player Draft for Major League Baseball, the St. Louis Browns select pitcher Bert Blyleven out of high school."

1st: SP Bert Blyleven
2nd: RP Mike Henneman
3rd: SP Flint Rhem
4th: 2B Eddie Joost
5th: RP Dean Hartgraves

We'll probably look to make a move from a position of strength to make the team more balanced around the Righty/Lefty combo of Blyleven and Glavine -- and the lineup around Ruth, Ramirez, and V-Mart.

I love Mark McGwire, but I'll watch his career from afar for now. An interesting note, when I fired up the league that was set incorrectly, Fred Nicholson was also one of the top players in that amateur draft, and was a Top 5 pick here as well. Someone else to watch!

I intend on doing my updates similar to NYY#23 once the seasons start, although I may decide to go All-Star/Postseason type wrap-ups instead of every month, depending on my pace of play.

With the first amateur draft down, its really away we gooooooooooooo!

[jaysdailydose]

St. Louis Browns Offseason Recap:

The Browns traded 29-year-old OF Cal Abrams to Boston Beaneaters for 29-year-old 3B Bob Kennedy. Purely a depth move, as third base is definitely our weakest position!

Perhaps weakening the rotation, but upgrading at third base -- the Browns shipped 24-year-old starter Roscoe Miller to the Philadelphia Athletics for 27-year-old 3B Tom Tresh. While the Kennedy move was made to at least ensure depth, the third base situation was definitely in flux. The Browns still have young Ricky Bones who may provide something, or if not Flint Rhem, this years 3rd-round selection may be able to help in the rotation. At only 27, our scouts feel not only can Tresh contribute now, but down the road as well!

He was not pictured in the original active roster because of a major injury, but we also welcomed OF Ken Swartwood back from the 60-day disabled list in December.

We'll give you the overview on Opening Day with the next post!

[jaysdailydose]

April 17, 1902 (Opening Day)



As you can see with all of those injuries, our Browns will just be hoping to get through into May without too much irrevocable damage being done. I sure hope that our trainer has either kept these injuries from going longer or getting worse, because it sure doesn't look like he's earning his money as a new employee so far!

Go Browns! Lets hope Tommy Glavine rocks the opener and we get the early season off to a great start.

EDIT: Fred Osborn will be available for Opening Day, as our first game was actually not until April 23rd.

Author's Note: At least in the early going, I watch all of the games. I don't believe I'll actively be managing games until the postseason (hopefully) but I do watch the games as they go, especially in the early-going to learn about my team. I'm probably going to update month-to-month to start (like NYY#23), but may settle into a twice-a-season look depending on my pace!

WELCOME!

[jaysdailydose]

May 1, 1902



As expected, the injuries hurt to start the year, and Ruth is off to a putrid start minus a huge game-winning three-run shot to seal one of our wins. Starting 2-6 is obviously never good, but with the injuries, it could be worse. Blyleven has also been as good as advertised, and Opening Day was just not Glavine's day so I have reason to be optimistic. Our defense is absolutely horrific though.

I made a trade after seeing how Darnell Coles was playing at SS as an error machine... I traded Jake Arrieta, Mike Griffin, and Pedro Alvarez to the Bronchos while they were in town to get SS Joe Rogan. Rogan has been better than Coles defensively, but horrible with the bat.

Hopefully things will turn around as the weather gets warmer!

[jaysdailydose]

June 1, 1902



A solid 15-12 month brings us into the pack of the American League. We made a trade mid-month, picking up SS George Myatt to solidify our shortstop position for three players, one of them being Bob Kennedy. He just wasn't happy with the "depth" role we had assigned to him, especially after acquiring Tom Tresh.

Ruth is finally starting to wake up a bit, he hit under .200 for a good while there, and is now hovering around .240.

Too slow, and the power game doesn't work that well in the deadball. Great news is we are getting quality pitching and the defense is improving.

[MarkCuban]

What is Ruth slugging? It's real odd to see the cleanup hitter leading the team in home runs by such a wide margin yet forth or fifth in runs batted in.

The babe developed differently in each of NYY23's runs, so maybe he hits a lot of singles in this game.

[jaysdailydose]

Originally Posted by MarkCuban

What is Ruth slugging? It's real odd to see the cleanup hitter leading the team in home runs by such a wide margin yet forth or fifth in runs batted in.

The babe developed differently in each of NYY23's runs, so maybe he hits a lot of singles in this game.

The Babe is currently 3rd on the team in slugging at .348, trailing Manny at .358 and Tresh leading the team at .372.

Other than a three-run shot to win a game, both of his HR's were solo shots, and he has really just started coming around with the stick.

[jaysdailydose]

Please... let's talk more about the Babe!

As soon as I replied to your question, Baby has an RBI single and a solo shot thus far in the first game out of the gate in June. He must be feeling hitterish, and he likes hearing about himself.

Appreciate you stopping by, Mr. Cuban!

[jaysdailydose]

July 1, 1902

Subject: June Wrap-Up







A 15-11 month, bringing us within 2 games of first place, was marred in the first week by a devastating injury to one of our best young pitchers.

Bert Blyleven will miss the next nine months or so after tearing the rotator cuff in his pitching shoulder. This injury led to a huge trade just four days later in an attempt to keep us in the race. It worked out well so far, as you will see shortly:

Subject: Browns Send Osborn, Two Others to Baltimore for Leever

The St. Louis Browns swapped 24-year-old right fielder John F Coleman, 21-year-old reliever Eddie Hogan and 24-year-old center fielder Fred Osborn for 28-year-old starting pitcher Sam Leever of the Orioles after what Baltimore officials would only characterize as "difficult" negotiations.

For the year Osborn had hit at a .000 clip with 0 RBIs, no home runs and 1 runs scored.

Season-to-date Leever had rung up 5 wins and 7 losses in 13 appearances. He had an ERA of 3.53 and had fanned 50 batters in 102 innings.

----------

Just thinking out loud here, but I wonder why they mentioned Osborn in the headline. He's barely played, and was at best the third-best player in a four-man deal. I added the "for Leever" on to the headline, OOTP doesn't even mention him. Eddie Hogan is also not mentioned in the headline, and he was the centerpiece of my side of the deal. Both my scouting department and OSA have him at 80/80 -- so he was unquestionably the highest rated player of the quartet. Regardless, I felt very good about trading three young players for one veteran, and thought the AI negotiated well.

The trade led to this, and then I'll wrap things up with the awards for the month:

Subject: Leever Nabs AL #1 Pitcher Award for June

St. Louis Browns starter Sam Leever has collected the American League Pitcher of the Month award for a run of lights-out performances.

"This town really appreciates it when you're going well," said Leever. "They might boo you when you're getting knocked around, but they love you when you're mowin' them down."

In June the 28-year-old compiled a 6-1 record in 7 starts with a 1.27 ERA. He threw 71 innings, fanning 44 while walking 13.

Since his June 11th trade to St. Louis, Leever has put together a record of 4-1 in five starts, posting a 0.52 ERA for the Browns. He has thrown 52 innings, striking out 35 against only 8 base on balls.

This season Leever has compiled a 9-8 mark with a 2.51 ERA.

June Awards (AL/NL)

Player of the Month: Zack Wheat/Mike Donlin
Pitcher of the Month: Sam Leever/Joe Bowman
Rookie of the Month: Fred Nicholson/Neal Ball

Fred Nicholson had a 25-game hitting streak on the way to his ROTM honor. Browns pitcher Tom Glavine won an AL Player of the Week Award this month as well.

Finally, the focus of the St. Louis Browns has changed from "Neutral" to "Win Now!" with us only 2 games back for the AL lead. Lets hope we do exactly that!

[jaysdailydose]

In the process of constructing my huge fictional universe, so the next update on this will be within a day or two. Just wanted to keep everyone posted!

Be on the lookout for my fictional creation within a day or two as well. It has truly been a labor of love.

[NYY #23]

Best of luck! I'll be following along.