Pirates Play Moneyball 1951 - ????

[Brad K]

Most years with Pirates 1951 - 1987

* = real life Pirate

19 Nolan Ryan
19 Willie Stargell*
17 Roberto Clemente*
14 Dave Parker*
14 Rich Gossage*
13 Frank Thomas* (50s-60s player)
13 Jim Palmer
12 Willie Randolph*
11 Ed Whitson*
11 Gary Lavelle
10 Bobby Del Greco*
10 Bob Friend*
10 Kent Tekulve*
10 Vernon Law*
10 George Strickland*
10 Dick Groat*
10 Gus Bell*
10 John Candelaria*

[Brad K]

Another year

[Brad K]

All star time

[Brad K]

Congratulations to whoever got view number 10,000

[Brad K]

Toast

[Brad K]

Season final info

[Brad K]

Let's Go Bucs!

[splat58]

I'm enjoying following this. The 1st year, did you find your free agent eligible players not willing to discuss signing an extension with the Bucs?

[Brad K]

Glad you like it!

I didn't have problem in this save. In an older save that started in the 60s I had three SPs flee in the same year!

It could have easily happened in this game but for whatever reason two key players of the early 50s, Gus Bell and Frank Thomas, agreed to long tern contracts, 5 or 6 years.

[splat58]

Originally Posted by Brad K

Glad you like it!

I didn't have problem in this save. In an older save that started in the 60s I had three SPs flee in the same year!

It could have easily happened in this game but for whatever reason two key players of the early 50s, Gus Bell and Frank Thomas, agreed to long tern contracts, 5 or 6 years.

That helps - signing them for long term, low $$ contracts.

I just started a game managing the '62 Mets. The only FA willing to discuss an extension is 35 year old Richie Ashburn and he wants way too much $$. I'll have to try shopping them for players still under team control, if possible.

[Brad K]

If you have guys asking a lot more than they're worth because they want extra to be part of a losing team, they'll lower what they want when they become free agents. You can sign them out of free agency because they forgot they wanted to leave.

Went back and checked. The Pirates finished 8th in 51, 5th in 52 and 3rd in 53. So they didn't have the losing team thing hanging in their minds. In 53 Bell signed for 5 years and Thomas for 6, in both cases taking them through their age 29 seasons.

[splat58]

Originally Posted by Brad K

If you have guys asking a lot more than they're worth because they want extra to be part of a losing team, they'll lower what they want when they become free agents. You can sign them out of free agency because they forgot they wanted to leave.

Went back and checked. The Pirates finished 8th in 51, 5th in 52 and 3rd in 53. So they didn't have the losing team thing hanging in their minds. In 53 Bell signed for 5 years and Thomas for 6, in both cases taking them through their age 29 seasons.

Thanks. Ironically, the '62 Mets have both Bell & Thomas near the end of their careers. Thomas won't sign. Bell we dumped on the hapless Senators for 29 year old Joe Hicks - a minor leaguer with a minor league contract who actually played for the Mets in '63. This game's a hoot.

The Bucs had a real farm system, more or less, with real prospects
coming up. The Mets are mostly barren at the start so we'll have to hit FA & Rule 5. Within the limits of the small budget, of course. No quick fixes like signing Mays & Mantle.

[Brad K]

All Star time

[Brad K]

It's done

[Brad K]

End of season info

[luckymann]

Any earthquake during the series BK??

[Brad K]

No. Earthquakes require two California teams,

[Brad K]

Manager Trivia

Highest Winning Percentage

.659 - Casey Stengel. Stengel managed the Yankees for two years, 1951 and 1952, and retired with a 203-105 record. He took no chances on making the mistake of being 70.


Lowest Winning Percentage

.269 - Bobby Hartzler. He managed the Pilots/Brewers 69-71.


Most Wins

1894 - Kyle Lorance. Lorance managed 26 years, finished first once, and won the World Series that year.


Most Losses

2246 - Kyle Lorance. Perhaps amazing he won a World Series. However he was good at keeping a job. He managed for three teams and his shortest tenure was four years with the Colt 45's/Astros.


Most First Place Finishes

9 - Nana Johnson. Johnson managed the Pirates for 13 years. His lowest finish was second.


Most Years As MLB Coach Or Manager

30 - Jose Gaeta. Gaeta was a bench coach for 25 years and a manager for 5. As a manager he was 100-62 with the 86 Blue Jays.



Winning Isn't Enough

Cal Emery managed the 73 A's to a 92-70 record and a second place finish. He has since spent 16 years and counting as a AAA manager.

Ed Blake managed the 79 Reds to a 89-73 record and a first place finish. He never got another chance in the majors, managing in AAA for the next 11 seasons before retiring.

[Brad K]

Here we go again.

[Brad K]

That hurts.