Cubs 1903 -- questions about the era

Michael Hopcroft · 03-10-2009, 12:23 AM

I've started another historical project that I probably won't finish -- a 1903 Commissioner game managing the 1903 Cubs. So far so good, I guess: as of May 16, I lead the National League by a half game over the Reds and Giants. But I have two issues coming up: several players have asked me for contract extensions, and the Amateur Draft is coming up. I made one significant pre-season trade, bringing in George Magoon as a utility man/pinch-hitter/sometimes second-baseman (giving up John Dobbs in return).

On the contract extensions, I only have a total of about $17,000 to work with. Frank Chance wanted $12,000 -- an unheard of sum in 1903. In addition, two mediocre players have written me asking for extansions in the $7,000 range. I can't extend all of them, and I fear that a more reasonable contract will make them play more poorly. It also makes me wonder what I'm going to do when the contracts come up for my stars.

As for the amateur draft, I have no idea what my draft strategy should be with this early a setup. The draft pool was just set, and I'm not who desirable will be available at whatever my draft position is.

Since this is the first time I've gotten this far on this sort of project (which I hope imports properly into OOTP 10!), what advice can the more experienced give me?

(By the way, I'm hanging onto first place by the skin of my teeth, having only played six home games. Right now I'm in the middle of a brutal Eastern swing where I lost 3 out of 4 to Brooklyn and have to face Boston next.)

No Pepper · 03-10-2009, 03:02 PM

You could make Chance your field manager and get double-duty for the price of one! Chance was the leader of the team and if Hall of Fame credentials mean anything, he's a strong bet to resign. The real Cubs in December '03 traded for Mordecai Brown, who then went on to have some really great seasons for them. The Cubs were a good team without him but managed to pass the mighty Giants and Pirates with him and were in the WS 4 of the next 7 years. Sign Chance and scrap the others and look for pitching.

Michael Hopcroft · 03-10-2009, 05:19 PM

Right now I'm in ther middle of an Eastern swing that seemingly never ends. I've only played five road games all season, and the Giants have been killing me.

Frank Chance has been mediocre by his standards. He has great ratings, but he's hitting .264 with 14 RBI in 37 games so far. Johnny Evers was hot at the beginning of the year and has my only home run (they are suitably rare in this season). I had the lead for a few days, but the Giants have come on and are putting some distance behind them by early-season standards.

BaseballMan · 03-11-2009, 05:42 PM

You might want to start a dynasty thread on your season.
Its interesting to read a teams struggle through a season.

plannine · 03-12-2009, 08:01 PM

Keep your roster size small.....they only had 27 players all year, and 10 players appeared in less then 10 games, if you try to keep modern day roster sizes you will go broke!!!

Lee · 03-14-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plannine

Keep your roster size small.....they only had 27 players all year, and 10 players appeared in less then 10 games, if you try to keep modern day roster sizes you will go broke!!!

That is solid advice and vital for historical sims from this time. I will carry no more than 19-21 in the years between 1900 -1910.

03-10-2009, 12:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
Michael Hopcroft Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Portland, OR USA Posts: 422 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1x in 1 post	Cubs 1903 -- questions about the era I've started another historical project that I probably won't finish -- a 1903 Commissioner game managing the 1903 Cubs. So far so good, I guess: as of May 16, I lead the National League by a half game over the Reds and Giants. But I have two issues coming up: several players have asked me for contract extensions, and the Amateur Draft is coming up. I made one significant pre-season trade, bringing in George Magoon as a utility man/pinch-hitter/sometimes second-baseman (giving up John Dobbs in return). On the contract extensions, I only have a total of about $17,000 to work with. Frank Chance wanted $12,000 -- an unheard of sum in 1903. In addition, two mediocre players have written me asking for extansions in the $7,000 range. I can't extend all of them, and I fear that a more reasonable contract will make them play more poorly. It also makes me wonder what I'm going to do when the contracts come up for my stars. As for the amateur draft, I have no idea what my draft strategy should be with this early a setup. The draft pool was just set, and I'm not who desirable will be available at whatever my draft position is. Since this is the first time I've gotten this far on this sort of project (which I hope imports properly into OOTP 10!), what advice can the more experienced give me? (By the way, I'm hanging onto first place by the skin of my teeth, having only played six home games. Right now I'm in the middle of a brutal Eastern swing where I lost 3 out of 4 to Brooklyn and have to face Boston next.)

03-10-2009, 03:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
No Pepper All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,036 Thanks: 46 Thanked 171x in 75 posts	You could make Chance your field manager and get double-duty for the price of one! Chance was the leader of the team and if Hall of Fame credentials mean anything, he's a strong bet to resign. The real Cubs in December '03 traded for Mordecai Brown, who then went on to have some really great seasons for them. The Cubs were a good team without him but managed to pass the mighty Giants and Pirates with him and were in the WS 4 of the next 7 years. Sign Chance and scrap the others and look for pitching. __________________ Current Dynasty: The Slippery Elm Boys Historical Uniforms: Major, Minor, Latin and Negro Leagues 19th century uniforms and templates. Logo Collection

03-12-2009, 08:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
plannine Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 489 Thanks: 12 Thanked 6x in 6 posts	Keep your roster size small.....they only had 27 players all year, and 10 players appeared in less then 10 games, if you try to keep modern day roster sizes you will go broke!!! __________________ Good pitching will always stop good hitting and vice-versa - Casey Stengel Last edited by plannine; 03-12-2009 at 08:04 PM.

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03-10-2009, 05:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Michael Hopcroft Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Portland, OR USA Posts: 422 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1x in 1 post	Right now I'm in ther middle of an Eastern swing that seemingly never ends. I've only played five road games all season, and the Giants have been killing me. Frank Chance has been mediocre by his standards. He has great ratings, but he's hitting .264 with 14 RBI in 37 games so far. Johnny Evers was hot at the beginning of the year and has my only home run (they are suitably rare in this season). I had the lead for a few days, but the Giants have come on and are putting some distance behind them by early-season standards.

03-11-2009, 05:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
BaseballMan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 3,536 Thanks: 8 Thanked 90x in 60 posts	You might want to start a dynasty thread on your season. Its interesting to read a teams struggle through a season.