To Rule in Kansas City

[gosensgo101]

Hmm, interesting. Maybe Finley and his emu get run right out of baseball.

While it sucks to see than Seattle's dealing away all their talent, atleast it shows they know they should be rebuilding, and they get something out of it, so its not all for nothing. Also, it gives you one helluva storyline. Anyways, I suggest that you include NTCs to the players you add for competitive balance, so that its (atleast) less likely they'll be dealt.

[petrel]

Duhn---de duhn DUHN!!!

(dramatic music)

I can't wait to see how this situation plays out. Keep the posts coming!

--Pet

[royalblue5]

Wow wouldn't it be terrible if Congress forced the Brewers back to the Windy City, and in an attempt to maintain some sanity they offer the bankrupt Pilots to Bud the car salesman. It would then take King County awhile to get things together, possibly for an expansion team.

Great stuff
Keep up the good work

[CatKnight]

gosengo: See my comments at the end of this post. Yes, I agree it's nice to see that the AI recognizes SEA needs to rebuild...but I wonder if January is the right time to be entering rebuild mode.

petrel: Not sure how it's going to play out yet. I have some ideas for Seattle, but that's completely new. I didn't plan for anything to happen until the two Oakland trades cropped up and they offered me Marty Pattin.

royalblue5: I could well be wrong (not being up on local politics,) but I suspect one of the reasons it took Kings County so long to decide where to put the Kingdome was lack of motivation. No Pilots, and no Seahawks until 1976, means no reason to push forward. I think I'm going to give them a shove in this timeline.
*******

February 1972


"WHAT DO YOU MEAN....we're not ready?" I forced my volume down. It's not nice to scream at a woman.

"I mean, we're not ready. Not even close." Dale Arness handed me a thick folder with more red and yellow notes warning of problems than...well, I don't know what.

I last saw Dale at the Baseball Academy. Pretty, in an open, fresh faced way with red hair and wide brown eyes. Not beautiful by any means, but a nice enough kid. "I thought you were registrar? What are you doing at Royals Stadium?"

"I was registrar," she replied with a grin. "Ewing was impressed so asked me to oversee his interests when it came to opening the stadium."

"And what are the problems?" I flicked the notes with a finger. "Summarized?"

"Summarized? I'm a woman, and the big hulks don't need me telling them what's wrong. I should sit in my office and maybe type up memos for them, and let them worry about the big manly stuff." Her smile faded. "If you want a little more detail, then I can add that two contractors are behind schedule, one by nearly three months. Apparently they don't like winter. A third is using shoddy materials, and a fourth is apparently having internal problems with their workers."

"And we're not ready."

She laughed. "Mr. Hunter, at our current rate, if the structure doesn't fall down we might be able to open in 1975."

"That's not good enough."

She closed her eyes and nodded rapidly. "I know. That's why I'm here. I need your help. They won't listen to me. They aren't like the contractors for the Academy."

"Are they not?" I nodded and hit the intercom. "Marcie, would you find Andy for me and ask him to step in?"

"Who's Andy?" Dale asked.

"My assistant." There was a knock at the door and he stepped in. "Andy? This is Dale Arness, she is in charge of building the new stadium for next year."

He appraised her openly. "Hel-LO!" She gave a weak smile back.

"Dale is having problems with the contractors. I'd like you to act as her front man. Whatever she says, goes."

"No problem!" He grinned.

"Dale, I'd suggest you two make it clear that if all these points of yours aren't taken care of by April 1st, then you will terminate the contract of whoever's responsible. The Royals are a world class organization," I somehow said this with a straight face, "and we only deal with contractors of similar caliber. Further, we pay for completed tasks, not for jer...not for just showing up. I'd also say you should hire whoever helped you with the Academy."

She smiled. "Should I say that I have the Royals' full support?"

I glanced at Andy. "When you talk to them, wear your good coat. And your ID tag."
*******

I really didn't need this. Have you ever felt like you're some character in a story, and the author likes throwing random challenges at you?

At least I finally traded away my outfielders, getting Houston's Larry Dierker (88) [25] (12-11 4.19 3 CG) for the lot.
*******

Speaking of women in baseball, last year umpire Bernice Gera had her contract cancelled by the NY-Penn lead before she could start. She sued. On January 13, she won. The courts forced the league to honor their contract.
*******

And speaking of courts, depositions began in the City of Chicago/Milwaukee Brewers fiasco. Since Illinois and Wisconsin courts cancelled each other out and protestors hit both cities like a storm, they thought it better to seek a more neutral venue. They moved the case out of the 7th circuit entirely into the 8th: St. Louis, Missouri to be precise.

Bound by our votes, Major League Baseball came down on Bud Selig's side. They didn't argue attendance stats except as a sort of casus bellorum, but instead focused on the League's right to put a team anywhere it bloody well pleased. The Brewers intended to honor their outstanding contracts at Comiskey, and any ancillary affects on Chicago's tax base or local businesses was...well, regrettable.

Chicago argued that the White Sox/Brewers made no effort to contact the city about any potential problems. Bud Selig didn't represent to former owner Arthur Allyn (his brother testified) that he planned to move the team, hinting at fraud. They further argued that baseball is so institutionalized in the American psyche, that while each team does have 'trustees' that must look to the club's interests and profit thereby, they are morally owned by the fans.

Alas, the law is not about morality. It's about what legislatures put on paper, modified by how courts interpert them. The American League made a legal decision to relocate a franchise, and the Brewers planned to honor all legal contracts. No one coerced Arthur Allyn into selling the team, and anywhere with Selig's attempt to buy the Pilots a reasonable person could have at least suspected Bud would want to move the team. If Allyn did not intend the team should be moved, then that should have been added to the sale contract.

The Star asked me what I thought of their decision. Per Bowie Kuhn's instructions I remained as neutral as possible: "The Royals trust the Federal court system to make a wise and fair decision."

Then: "Does this mean the Royals might move at some point in the future?"

Screw neutrality. "The Royals will always be in Kansas City while I have something to say about it. I'm sure Ewing will tell you the same thing."
*******

Winter is dangerous for players. Chico Ruiz, 2B for the Montreal Expos, died in an automobile accident. Two years ago Ruiz had a confrontation in Cincinnati with Alex Johnson involving a handgun, the details of which never became clear. Ruiz was 33 and played 9 seasons.

In 1971 he batted .253 1-12 2 SB
Lifetime he finished .233 4-67 32 with 269 H
He played for the Reds (64-70) and Expos (71)
.
The Soviets landed an unmanned craft on the moon, Luna 20. That makes Nixon's latest declaration a bit confusing: He wants to focus future US space efforts on a space shuttle program. That probably means bad things for the Apollo program...

...and Boeing.

Could that be why Seattle is such a mess right now? Joe never got back to me after I called.
*******

Finley's apparently not through messing with weak teams.

SDP-OAK: RF Mickey Stanley (84) [29] (.260 26-86 11)
OAK-SDP: RP Dan Spillner (68/83) [20] (Minor leaguer)
OAK-SDP: 1B Frank Ortenzio (64/83) [20] (Minor leaguer)
*******

COMMENTS: Uhm....I'm wondering if I should reverse all the winter trades (and, in all fairness, reverse mine as well). I mean...yes, SEA and SDP should be in rebuild mode, but in WINTER? These are trades that might (MIGHT) make sense in late July. I'm really starting to think the trade AI's even buggier than normal. If you look in other threads it's (re)learned the "trade 10 players for 1 good one" strategy as well.

What do you think? I'd really like your thoughts here before the season starts.

[Coach Owens]

Nah. We can't have it affecting your story too much.

[CatKnight]

Coach Owens: Thanks! (I think )

To help with your analysis and advice:

Here's a review of all the winter trades that were completely AI caused:

November 23:
SEA-NYM: 3B Rich Rollins (75/76) [33] ($127K thru 74)
SEA-NYM: 2B Tito Fuentes (83) [28] ($83.5K thru 72)
SEA-NYM: SP Rich Peters (78/79) [25] ($18.3K thru Arb 73)

NYM-SEA: SS Bud Harrelson (83/89) [27] ($143K thru 74)
*******

December 16:
OAK-SEA: RP Dave Hamilton (72/81) [24] ($950 thru Arb 74)

SEA-OAK: SP Bill Parsons (80) [23] ($14.1K thru Arb 72)
*******

December 20:
SEA-PIT: RP Darold Knowles (84) [30] ($141K thru 75)

PIT-SEA: SS Gene Alley (81) [31] ($183K thru 74)
PIT-SEA: RP Lou Marone (73/83) [26] ($950 thru Arb 74)
*******

Christmas:
(Processed Rule V draft/reallocations)
*******

January 1:
SEA-OAK: SP Fritz Peterson (83) [30] ($221K thru 73)

OAK-SEA: SP Sean Long (72/85) [19] ($18.3K thru Arb 74)
*******

January 24:
SDP-OAK: RF Mickey Stanley (84) [29] ($252K thru 75)

OAK-SDP: RP Dan Spillner (68/83) [20] ($575 thru Arb 74)
OAK-SDP: 1B Frank Ortenzio (64/83) [20] ($575 thru Arb 74)
*******

Relative Finances (Feb 20)

NYM: Budget $2.4m, Payroll $3m (600K over), Cash $920K
OAK: Budget $3.6m, Payroll $4.5m (900K over), Cash $1.9m
PIT: Budget $3.2m, Payroll $3.5m (300K over), Cash $780K

SEA: Budget $2.1m, Payroll $2.3m (200K over), Cash $1.3m
SDP: Budget $2.8m, Payroll $3.3m (500K over), Cash $517K

[CatKnight]

On a completely unrelated note I was curious who the big market teams of my game would be, so I grabbed the attendance figures for 1967-76, added them with some rounding and averaged them over the available number of years. Here are the results.

LA Dodgers     2.04m
NY Mets        1.85m
Boston         1.68m
Cincinnati     1.66m
St. Louis      1.60m
Detroit        1.54m

Philadelphia   1.32m
NY Yankees     1.27m
Chicago        1.27m
Houston        1.24m
Pittsburgh     1.13m
Montreal       1.09m  (based on 69-76)

Kansas City    1.08m  (based on 69-76)
Atlanta        1.04m
Baltimore      1.01m
Minnesota      0.99m
LA Angels      0.99m
Milwaukee      0.93m  (based on 70-76)

Seattle        0.91m  (based on 69 SEP, 70-76 CHW)
Oakland        0.86m
San Diego      0.85m  (based on 69-76)
Cleveland      0.77m
San Francisco  0.77m
Washington     0.74m  (based on 67-71)

The Pilots are a special case since IRL they didn't survive. One year of data isn't really meaningful, so I gave them the relatively weak numbers of the one team that's no longer with us. As you can see, CHW did have serious trouble in the late 60s/early 70s...but Milwaukee wasn't much better.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

That's ridiculous! I'm sure that without the Pilots only season that the White Sox would've been tied with Milwaukee!!

Shenanigans! I call shenanigans on Bud Selig!

After the CHW/MIL fiasco, I wonder if there will be precedent for the Pilots when it comes time for them to make a decision...

[gosensgo101]

None of the deals really look unfair, so I'd leave it like it is.

[CatKnight]

PotatoofCouch: Well, the Pilots aren't in serious danger of moving (yet.) Hopefully they'll get things straightened out. Much depends on what the heck Kevin's up to.

gosengo: Good enough. I don't think the trades are unfair per se, I just find them to be strange decisions to make in January as opposed to July.
*******

March 1972

Spring Training. Willie Mays began working with the rookies and those with hitting troubles (like Thompson), leaving bench coach John McGraw free to backup his manager. Bob Lemon spent much of his time with the pitchers.

Larry Dierker's fitting in well with the rotation. A real professional, he could easily take the 2 or 3 slot. Blyleven and Splittorff are our other main candidates. Fourth...either Al Fitzmorris or Jim Rooker.

It won't be Wally Bunker. He's having a horrible spring I'll probably be sending him to Omaha. He won't like it. He's my most experienced pitcher. However, he's lost something over the winter that I hope he can get back.

I am...reasonably...satisfied with our bullpen. Bob said he might not have Rollie be our closer however. Rollie Fingers is a decent reliever, but we have (marginally) better.

From a roster standpoint, the only real change to our fielders is I'm sending Chico Salmon down. Since he's 31, he'll probably want to be traded... but I have to make room for Frank White. He's ready at second base. Not quite as good as Mike Andrews yet, but I don't think Jack McKeon in Omaha can teach him anything else.

Buck Martinez will also go back to Omaha. He's simply not ready, and I'm starting to wonder if he ever will be. Then again, he's only 23. I've decided not to get rid of Jerry Grote, though Bob and I agree he's now the backup for Rodriguez and not vice versa.

Thompson did pretty good (.304 4-15 in 46 AB with .458 OBP and .587 SLG) in spring training. I hope he can hold it. I really do. Oliver will be his backup.

Along with Andrews, the infield is recognizable: Russell and Hart will probably start, Concepcion in reserve.

The outfield is going to be tricky. I met with Bob, and he told me that, all else being equal, it has to be Bill Robinson, Jose Cardenal and Pat Kelly with Mays and Piniella on the bench. All else is not equal though, and I have to think about what to do with Willie.

Towards the end of training Bert Blyleven knocked on my trailer door and walked in. "Do you have a minute, Mr. Hunter?"

I nodded and watched him closely. He wasn't pitching quite as well as last year, though still very good. Hopefully he just needed time to warm up, and it wasn't a long term effect of his ... illness. "Sure, Bert. Have a seat."

He sat awkwardly, clearly nervous. "Mr. Hunter, the other day the players voted me to be their rep to the union."

I nodded. Jim Ray Hart had done well enough last year, but I don't think his heart's with the team. "Congratulations."

"And we voted on... Marv Miller asked us to authorize a possible strike."

I froze.

"I wanted to let you know the vote was 24-1 in favor."
*******

Over the next two days each team held seperate votes, and to the owners' complete amazement the results were the same league wide. Milwaukee and Minnesota actually released their player reps in retaliation...which won't help with negotiations.

All in all the final vote was 663-10 with 2 abstentions.

As of April 1, Baseball would be on strike.

[gosensgo101]

Better start making a schedule template for a short season. (Doesn't that just help so much for dynasties)

[CatKnight]

gosengo: Done. The 'real' Major Leagues wiped out the first 86 games and didn't replay them, so I made a template slowly wiping out days until I hit 86. (Actually I think about 91)
*******

The Sporting News
Baseball 1972 Special


With a possible work stoppage on the horizon and the growing strength of the National Football League, some have expressed concerns about the long term viability of baseball. We think this is nonsense: Baseball's survived wars and depression, and will come back as strong as ever. This, therefore, is our look at each team and our predictions for the 1972 season. We also outline their key players: Those considered in the top 60 odd league wide. (68 actually, 92 overall and above)

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

Featuring an exciting battle between Chicago and St. Louis last year, we expect the NL East to be the least surprising of this year's races. There is one clearly dominant team, and a number of squads rebuilding.

1. Chicago Cubs (111-51)
1971: 87-75 (1st), 1970: 87-75 (4th)

The Cubs made few changes from last year. Expect the division champions to repeat with a respectable offense and dominant pitching.

Key Players:
LF Billy Williams (.293 13-65 2 SB)
3B Ron Santo (.302 31-123 0)
SP Fergie Jenkins (16-9 3.01 10 CG)
SP Ken Holtzman (15-12 3.36 4)
SP Rick Reuschel (14-10 3.62 3)

2. New York Mets (91-71)
1971: 80-82 (4th), 1970: 84-78 (5th)

Like the Cubs, New York's put together a respectable offense and incredible pitching.

Key Players:
CF Amos Otis (.285 16-83 35)
RF Ken Singleton (.313 37-135 3)
SP Tom Seaver (14-13 3.72 11)
SP Jerry Koosman (15-9 3.28 7)
SP Jon Matlack (11-10 4.22 5)

3. St. Louis Cardinals (89-73)
1971: 86-78 (2nd), 1970: 101-61 (1st)

The division's (and league's) former powerhouse begins to fade as age takes its toll.

Key Players:
LF Jose Cruz (.330 18-106 17)
SP Bob Gibson (15-14 3.74 6)
SP Steve Carlton (10-21 4.98 2)
SP Jerry Reuss (5-7 5.84 2)

4. Montreal Expos (77-85)
1971: 70-92 (6th), 1970: 46-116 (6th)

Montreal is finally leaving 'expansion' mode and approaching respectability. This year they should be able to avoid the cellar.

Key Players:
SP Steve Rogers (12-19 4.09 5)

5. Philadelphia Phillies (71-91)
1971: 83-79 (3rd), 1970: 93-69 (2nd)

The Phils' have some great players...and many mediocre ones, especially in their pitching staff.

Key Players:
LF Dick Allen (.313 42-135 3)
3B Mike Schmidt (.264 33-105 7)
SP Rick Wise (16-12 3.35 9)

6. Pittsburgh Pirates (70-92)
1971: 77-85 (5th), 1970: 92-70 (3rd)

The Pirates are simply mediocre, with no bright spots. They will need extensive and continual rebuilding to compete with division powerhouses Chicago, New York and St. Louis.

Key Players:
1B Willie Stargell (.324 41-130 0)

*******

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

The NL West has been in flux since its founding, with three division winners (and three pennant winners) in three years. We expect the trend to continue this year in baseball's closest race.

1. Cincinnati Reds (85-77)
1971: 75-87 (5th), 1970: 82-80 (4th)

The Reds have a strong offense and quickly developing pitching. They should be able to fight for the NL West for many seasons.

Key Players:
RF Pete Rose (.332 5-53 8)
1B Lee May (.295 38-126 1)
C Johnny Bench (.359 43-142 1)

2. San Francisco Giants (84-78)
1971: 92-71 (2nd), 1970: 89-73 (2nd)

The Giants are the opposite: Many big names, but they're starting to age. This could be the last year SF competes for the pennant for awhile.

Key Players:
RF Bobby Bonds (.327 39-119 25)
1B Willie McCovey (.243 25-81 0)
SP Juan Marichal (18-8 2.82 13)
SP Gaylord Perry (17-9 3.34 8)

3. Houston Astros (77-85)
1971: 88-74 (3rd), 1970: 91-71 (World Champ)

The Astros won the Series two years ago. This year's seeming weakness isn't due to their lineup, which remains exceptional, but the quality of their pitching. Losing SP Larry Dierker to Kansas City may cost them dearly.

Key Players:
2B Joe Morgan (.270 17-55 35)
3B Doug Rader (.314 33-142 3)
1B Rusty Staub (.322 21-103 4)
LF Bob Watson (.341 24-95 1)
CF Jimmy Wynn (.281 44-117 16)

4. Los Angeles Dodgers (76-86)
1971: 84-78 (4th), 1970: 75-87 (5th)

Picking up Reggie Jackson from Oakland was a masterstroke, but probably not enough to make the Dodgers any more than credible. Unlike Houston, their strength is in their rotation.

Key Players:
RF Reggie Jackson (.284 43-139 3 for Athletics)
SP Don Sutton (16-9 2.61 7)
SP Don Drysdale (18-14 3.68 8)

5. Atlanta Braves (75-87)
1971: 93-70 (NL Champ), 1970: 83-79 (3rd)

Atlanta has several very good players, but like San Francisco they're starting to age. Hank Aaron, though great, is starting to lose power.

Key Players:
1B Mike Epstein (.268 32-121 2 for Senators)
CF Dusty Baker (.313 30-111 14)

6. San Diego Padres (66-96)
1971: 58-104 (6th), 1970: 49-113 (6th)

The Padres are still lousy...but starting to strengthen. Within the next two years or so we expect them to be in the thick of their division like Montreal and Kansas City.

Key Players:
None

[CatKnight]

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

The Orioles surprised us last year by repeating as divisional champions. While we continue to expect an impressive performance by the Red Sox, Baltimore's the safe bet to repeat.

1. Baltimore Orioles (94-68)
1971: 102-60 (1st), 1970: 103-59 (1st)

The Orioles have the keys to a long term dynasty: An excellent heart of the order, and excellent pitching. Weaknesses on the fringes of their roster could be the only trouble.

Key Players:
CF Paul Blair (.326 24-111 19 SB)
2B Bobby Grich (.288 17-76 1)
LF Frank Robinson (.298 23-60 3)
1B Boog Powell (.313 38-94 2)
SP Jim Palmer (18-6 2.80 10 CG)

2. Boston Red Sox (91-71)
1971: 86-76 (4th), 80-82 (5th)

Like Baltimore the heart of the Red Sox order has a lot of potential. They don't have much depth though, and could pay for it over a 162 game campaign.

Key Players:
SS Rico Petrocelli (.284 23-89 1)
1B Cecil Cooper (.317 14-95 5)
CF Reggie Smith (.300 28-106 10)

3. New York Yankees (79-83)
1971: 95-67 (2nd), 1970: 88-74 (3rd)

Yankee ownership continues to promise excellence and divisional pennants. Unfortunately for the Yanks they just don't have the personnel to deliver yet.

Key Players:
LF Roy White (.303 16-82 28)
C Thurman Munson (.290 10-82 2)
SP Mel Stottlemyre (22-4 2.14 13)

4. Washington Senators (74-88)
1971: 87-75 (3rd), 1970: 89-73 (2nd)

Last year the Senators promised to stay in Washington 'for the forseeable future.' These Senators have never reached the playoffs, and the 'old' team hadn't won the Series since 1924. How long will the Washington faithful wait?

Key Players:
LF Frank Howard (.309 34-113 1)

5. Detroit Tigers (70-92)
1971: 66-96 (5th), 1970: 80-82 (4th)

After a few awful years the Tigers are starting to climb back into the thick of the hunt.

Key Players:
2B Dick McAuliffe (,287 11-53 1)
C Bill Freehan (.291 28-88 0)
SP Pat Dobson (14-16 4.23 4)

6. Cleveland Indians (66-96)
1971: 52-110 (6th), 1970: 64-98 (6th)

The Indians continue their poor run on the bottom of the division. They appear to be strengthening however, and may return to respectability in 1973 or 74.

Key Players:
None
*******

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST

The AL West experienced incredible volatility in the offseason, with the move of Chicago to Milwaukee and the Athletics - sorry, A's - changing their name. Look for the A's to continue their dominance. They need to look over their shoulders though, as most of the division's becoming competitive.

1. Oakland A's (103-59)
1971: 97-75 (World Champ), 1970: 106-56 (AL Champ)

Oakland makes up for the loss of Reggie Jackson, a tactical blunder, by picking up Mickey Stanley from San Diego. Look for a powerful offense and impressive pitching to take them to another divisional title.

Key Players:
3B Sal Bando (.300 19-88 2)
LF Joe Rudi (.302 21-85 2)
CF Rick Monday (.286 37-120 6)
1B George Hendrick (.262 11-63 1)
C Gene Tenace (.230 16-79 1)
SP Catfish Hunter (21-11 2.33 13)

2. Los Angeles Angels (93-69)
1971: 68-94 (5th), 1970: 69-93 (4th)

Our surprise of the year shows the Angels coming back with a vengeance. We don't think they can reasonably catch Oakland, but they might show the usual second place team, Milwaukee, they mean business.

Key Players:
3B Aurelio Rodriguez (.248 16-73 2)
CF Jay Johnstone (.306 15-69 6)

3. Milwaukee Brewers (91-71)
1971: 89-73 (2nd), 1970: 89-73 (2nd)

We said it last year. We'll say it again. How can a team in such poor financial condition field such a credible team? Milwaukee may lose a step from last year, but they're still very good.

Key Players:
LF Brian Downing (.264 12-58 1)
SP Tommy John (15-13 3.35 5)

4. Kansas City Royals (80-82)
1971: 85-77 (4th), 1970: 64-98 (5th)

The youthful Royals made no serious attempt to improve over the offseason other than picking up Dierker from Houston. Standing still simply isn't good enough.

Key Players:
1B Will Thompson (.217 8-34 0)
SP Paul Splittorff (7-2 3.09 2)
SP Bert Blyleven (17-8 3.35 10)

5. Minnesota Twins (77-85)
1971: 88-74 (3rd), 1970: 85-77 (3rd)

Minnesota is a good mix of veterans and youthful talent. Their veterans are starting to age though, and the Twins need a season to adjust as the new guard takes over.

Key Players:
2B Rod Carew (.346 4-54 28)

6. Seattle Pilots (54-108)
1971: 57-105 (6th), 1970: 55-107 (6th)

Seattle has yet to break 60 wins, and off season trades suggest they have no hope for this year either. The Pilots are turning into the sick man of the American League despite pitcher Marty Pattin's best efforts.

Key Players;
None

[CatKnight]

COMMENTS: Stabilizing?


I think I once mentioned (and I know I put it on the house rules page) that I was trying some new competitive balance rules, and if they seemed to be working after a few seasons I'd share. Here's what I found out.

Much (not all) of the competitive balance issue is caused by finances. In other words, the powerhouses and weaklings of your universe use the exact same AI. The more powerful teams (usually the Yankees) simply have more money to work with.

This causes a chain reaction. The weak teams don't resign their players as much, and those players usually get picked up by the 'bigger' teams looking to improve. The powerful teams spend more on medical, farming and scouting and so tend to lead there. You can look around and see many debates on both sides of the issue.

Anyway, I found the easiest way to control this was to control the AI's team budgets - and the best way to do that is through fan loyalty. Personally, I think fan loyalty is a misnomer. Unless you can keep it up for decades (again, the Yanks) having a really good season or two does NOT improve fan loyalty...at least enough to have a substantial impact on your budget. Take a look at my numbers up there for 1967-76: The Athletics were a powerhouse in this era, but their attendance was horrible.

So, to me fan loyalty is more like a modification to revenue. A POWERFUL modification, I might add. I've experimented with using fan loyalty to represent market share (New York vs. Tampa in a modern game), but the league eventually destabilized. This is what I use for "Royals:"

At the end of each season (before signings and FA) I reset fan loyalty as follows:

Team had:
47 or less wins: A+
48-54 wins: A
55-61: A-
62-68: B+
69-76: B
77-85: B-
86-92: C+
93-99: C
100-106: C-
107-113: D+
114-120: D
121-: D- (since F resets to D- anyway)


Realistic? I suppose not, except in the sense that a team that's doing very well might have an owner who thinks the team shouldn't need so much of his funds to thrive. More importantly, it works.

Here are the Noll-Scully ratings and other notes for the dynasty so far. A 'modern' N/S figure in a fully realized league would be about 1.6. In this era 1.7-1.9 or so would be 'good enough.'

1969:
Best Record: SFG (111 W)
Worst Record: SDP (46 W)
Tms 100+ wins: 2
Tms 60- wins: 4 (including 1 'tank' (.300 winning percentage or less)
Avg Div Lead: 12.5 games
N/S: 2.51

This is BAD. Very bad. Even taking into account 4 expansion teams. I had a bad 'load'/bad luck whatever. I tried revenue sharing after this season.

1970:
Best: OAK (106)
Worst: MON (46)
100+ W: 3
60- W: 2 (including 1 'tank')
Div Lead: 10.25 games
N/S: 2.43

Things got a little better in Y2, but not good enough. This is when I switched to fooling with fan loyalty, and intentionally overcompensated to try and get things back on an even keel.

1971:
Best: BAL (102)
Worst: CLE (52)
100+ W: 1
60- W: 3
Div Lead: 4.0 games
N/S: 2.06

Much better. I'd like to see the league stabilize around 1.9. I may not get my wish. I can live with 2.06. Also note the number of aberrant teams (100+ wins or losses) is steadily dropping from 6 to 5 to 4. We're now entering year 4, when things should start getting ugly.

1972 Prediction:
Best: CHC (111)
Worst: SEA (54)
100+ W: 2
60- W: 1
Div Lead: 8.5 games
N/S: 2.01

Despite a worrisome (lucky!?) performance by the Cubs, the N/S continues to stabilize and now only three teams have 100+ wins/losses. If this or something similar comes to pass (I hope to do better than 4th place!) then I'll be very pleased.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Awesome work!

I don't understand anything you just said, but it appears as though your adjustments are working

Can't wait for 1972. All this math is making my head hurt...