How's this for self-justification?

[Déjà Bru]

The part about me quitting the team in 1908 is true; after the successes that I had enjoyed, I couldn't take losing so badly (plus it was late at night and I was tired). Then I watched as my former assistant GM, now in charge, took the team from last to first and won the World Series in 1909.

What the heck? Why couldn't I do that? Lemme (back) at this!

So I created this story. Yeah, Ken actually asked me to come back and demote him in the bargain, after winning the Series himself. Right. ()

[Déjà Bru]

So how did he ("Ken," my AI replacement as GM) do it?

Well, I should not be so hard on myself. It turns out that he promoted and used some of the young talent that I had recruited before "going on sabbatical." My having blown up the team before I left (letting go the veterans, at least two of which now seem premature moves but all of them were playing like old men in 1908) opened up slots for these young guys.

"Ken" did bring on the yellow-highlighted players, though, and what he did with the pitching staff made a big difference. And, remarkably, he got them all by claiming them off waivers during the year (for Arias he traded some rookies, another good move).

"Ken" took those guys on despite personality traits that I have always avoided, especially in Work Ethic and Intelligence. Arias in particular I would have not touched with a 10-foot pole (low leadership in addition to everything else).

Lessons learned:

1. "Bruce, will you check the darned waiver wire EVERY week from now on?"
2. "Don't be such a goody-two shoes when recruiting talent, especially for short-term needs. There's a place in baseball for bad boys, too. Just make sure they are out-numbered!"

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

"Don't be such a goody-two shoes when recruiting talent, especially for short-term needs. There's a place in baseball for bad boys, too. Just make sure they are out-numbered!"

But there are limits! I was not back in my office for an hour, going over team rosters, before placing a call to my Triple-A manager about this guy.

AAA Manager, on the phone: "Yep. Yep. Got it. Right. Will do, he's gone today. Thanks, boss. This will be a big load off my shoulders. I don't know what Ken was thinking!"

[baseballonly]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

So how did he ("Ken," my AI replacement as GM) do it?

Well, I should not be so hard on myself. It turns out that he promoted and used some of the young talent that I had recruited before "going on sabbatical." My having blown up the team before I left (letting go the veterans, at least two of which now seem premature moves but all of them were playing like old men in 1908) opened up slots for these young guys.

"Ken" did bring on the yellow-highlighted players, though, and what he did with the pitching staff made a big difference. And, remarkably, he got them all by claiming them off waivers during the year (for Arias he traded some rookies, another good move).

"Ken" took those guys on despite personality traits that I have always avoided, especially in Work Ethic and Intelligence. Arias in particular I would have not touched with a 10-foot pole (low leadership in addition to everything else).

Lessons learned:

1. "Bruce, will you check the darned waiver wire EVERY week from now on?"
2. "Don't be such a goody-two shoes when recruiting talent, especially for short-term needs. There's a place in baseball for bad boys, too. Just make sure they are out-numbered!"

If a guy can hit I'll take him regardless of how many banks he's robbed, teammates he's punched in the face, or times he's told his coach he doesn't give a $h!t about practicing.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by baseballonly

If a guy can hit I'll take him regardless of how many banks he's robbed, teammates he's punched in the face, or times he's told his coach he doesn't give a $h!t about practicing.

Well, it seems "Ken" would agree with you!