Maybe OOTPBB is more REALISTIC than I Thought

[ravinhood]

I probably was one of the biggest complainers about the AI taking old age hasbeens or paying millions of dollars a year for players over my optimum age requirements of 35. Until I saw this today

Giants send struggling pitcher Barry Zito to bullpen - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

It actually does happen in real life baseball. haha Barry Zito is a prime example of what the AI in OOTPBB does quite often actually. And it probably happens more often in real life baseball than I care to notice or look for. $126 million dollars for a 7.00+ era pitcher hahaha that's so funny I can hardly stop laughing.

Anyways I won't be so harsh now on the OOTPBB AI so much anymore for making trades and deals like this. I just know I won't and will get rid of someone like Zito in a heartbeat (hehe because the AI will trade me quality for him regardless lol).

On a side note have you ever noticed so many players going to the DL as this year? I mean it's like if they break a nail they go pew pew and cry and get on the 15 day DL. lol What happened to the real MEN and real PLAYERS of baseball? Pujols I think is the only one left that plays no matter what.

[FNC]

Hahaha!

I also got a good laugh.

I wonder how bad Zito's stats will be in OOTP 09.

He has gotten worse every year in SF.

[senorcoo]

Zito's numbers in Oakland were heavily skewed by a great pitcher's park with TONS of foul ground. He never showed DOMINANT K/BB numbers so it is no big surprise that he's getting his fanny lit. I am part of a sim league that uses DMB and I have always avoided him and pitchers like him. I always say, if you give me a choice between a guy who throws 98 mph and can't find the plate and a guy who throws 85 mph with pinpoint control, I'll take the fireballer because he can always learn control. The guy throwing junk is NEVER going to be able to throw that hard.

[DrSatan]

Originally Posted by senorcoo

Zito's numbers in Oakland were heavily skewed by a great pitcher's park with TONS of foul ground. He never showed DOMINANT K/BB numbers so it is no big surprise that he's getting his fanny lit. I am part of a sim league that uses DMB and I have always avoided him and pitchers like him. I always say, if you give me a choice between a guy who throws 98 mph and can't find the plate and a guy who throws 85 mph with pinpoint control, I'll take the fireballer because he can always learn control. The guy throwing junk is NEVER going to be able to throw that hard.

I'm not trying to start an argument or anything, BUT I would take the guy who can knock a flee off a dog's ass anyday over a fireballer that hits the mascot more then the strike zone. Eventually the fireballers lose their speed and have to become the guy throwing 85 with pinpoint control. That's why guys like Maddux and Glavine are still playing, and why Doc Gooden got a few more years in the league then he should have. You'll have guys like Ryan, Clemens, and Smoltz that pop up once in awhile, but they're rare and usually have a lot of injuries. Guys that last learn to adjust once their speed is gone. Another example is Jamie Moyer. I can walk faster then he throws, but he's going on 46 and still playing.

[rewc27]

I haven't seen much of Zito as I am on the east coast, but from what I've heard it sounded like he lost velocity.

Also, I never saw anyone learn control. I'm a Phillies fan, I watch Mitch Williams and Jerry Spradlin who threw hard but couldnt find the plate, and Ive seen Curt Schilling and Billy Wagner with pin point control. You either have control or you don't in my opinion.

[HolyCow98]

Isn't the Giants park considered more of a pitchers park then Oakland's?

[Gastric ReFlux]

Originally Posted by rewc27

I haven't seen much of Zito as I am on the east coast, but from what I've heard it sounded like he lost velocity.

Also, I never saw anyone learn control. I'm a Phillies fan, I watch Mitch Williams and Jerry Spradlin who threw hard but couldnt find the plate, and Ive seen Curt Schilling and Billy Wagner with pin point control. You either have control or you don't in my opinion.

Randy Johnson disagrees with you.

While there may be limits on how much control a pitcher can learn, control is a far more learnable skill than velocity. That makes velocity the more precious resource.

[Huckleberry]

Originally Posted by rewc27

I haven't seen much of Zito as I am on the east coast, but from what I've heard it sounded like he lost velocity.

Also, I never saw anyone learn control. I'm a Phillies fan, I watch Mitch Williams and Jerry Spradlin who threw hard but couldnt find the plate, and Ive seen Curt Schilling and Billy Wagner with pin point control. You either have control or you don't in my opinion.

As an Astros fan I will note that your use of Billy Wagner in your example disproves your own point.

[Xavier12]

Perfect example of how you stop working hard when you're busy ironing your money.

[DaddyO]

Originally Posted by rewc27

I haven't seen much of Zito as I am on the east coast, but from what I've heard it sounded like he lost velocity.

Also, I never saw anyone learn control. I'm a Phillies fan, I watch Mitch Williams and Jerry Spradlin who threw hard but couldnt find the plate, and Ive seen Curt Schilling and Billy Wagner with pin point control. You either have control or you don't in my opinion.

Let's see. First one I saw learn control was Sandy Koufax. Then Nolan Ryan. Then Dave Stewart. Then Randy Johnson...

I think it's rather common for veterans to gain command and control. Not that most do, but it's not that rare.

[Flying Dutchmen]

To continue the theme of the thread, tonight's game notes for the Yankees/Tigers game almost sound like some of the AI moves that frequently come up for criticism on this board:

ESPN - Tigers vs. Yankees - Recap - April 30, 2008

The Yankees optioned C Chris Stewart to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and recalled reliever Chris Britton from their top farm club just one day after they sent him down. They also signed catcher Chad Moeller after designating him for assignment on Friday. Reliever Sean Henn was reinstated from a rehab stint and designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

If nothing else, it's a nice reminder that even the real GMs out there sometimes look indecisive and waffling from time to time.

[Go Middies]

Originally Posted by rewc27

I haven't seen much of Zito as I am on the east coast, but from what I've heard it sounded like he lost velocity.

Also, I never saw anyone learn control. I'm a Phillies fan, I watch Mitch Williams and Jerry Spradlin who threw hard but couldnt find the plate, and Ive seen Curt Schilling and Billy Wagner with pin point control. You either have control or you don't in my opinion.

I had heard that he's barely above 80 at the moment. Anybody know Frank Tanana's phone number? Please give it to Barry.

[Left-handed Badger]

Originally Posted by rewc27

I haven't seen much of Zito as I am on the east coast, but from what I've heard it sounded like he lost velocity.

Also, I never saw anyone learn control. I'm a Phillies fan, I watch Mitch Williams and Jerry Spradlin who threw hard but couldnt find the plate, and Ive seen Curt Schilling and Billy Wagner with pin point control. You either have control or you don't in my opinion.

Nolan Ryan, Bob Feller, Randy Johnson, Sandy Koufax, etc.

[Left-handed Badger]

Originally Posted by Flying Dutchmen

To continue the theme of the thread, tonight's game notes for the Yankees/Tigers game almost sound like some of the AI moves that frequently come up for criticism on this board:

ESPN - Tigers vs. Yankees - Recap - April 30, 2008



If nothing else, it's a nice reminder that even the real GMs out there sometimes look indecisive and waffling from time to time.

If they send down Britton tomorrow and bring Stewart back up, I will agree with you. (followed by the day after switching them again)

[DrSatan]

Originally Posted by Left-handed Badger

Nolan Ryan, Bob Feller, Randy Johnson, Sandy Koufax, etc.

Don't forget Nuke Laloosh, and Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn.

[The Wolf]

Originally Posted by Flying Dutchmen

To continue the theme of the thread, tonight's game notes for the Yankees/Tigers game almost sound like some of the AI moves that frequently come up for criticism on this board:

ESPN - Tigers vs. Yankees - Recap - April 30, 2008

Clearly they have their team's roster entered into OOTP and are letting the AI manage it.