"The Level Playing Field" -- An Alternative MLB History (2015-2150)

[jaysdailydose]

Hello, and welcome to The Level Playing Field!

As most of you know, I had several ideas I was working with, and I created a poll to ask the community which of my ideas they would be most interested in reading as a dynasty report. This idea was the winner of that poll, and I'd like to thank everyone who participated and helped me shape this idea into what I hope will be one of the most memorable dynasty reports ever over the next ten years. Allow me just a moment to let you know this full idea. I've attempted this before, but we did not truly have the tools in the game to really bring this to life.

The Idea:

The "Level Playing Field" is a random debut, alternative history of MLB. One of the major stumbling blocks to me being able to do the league I wanted was that in previous versions of OOTP, you were not able to use the amazing Spritze database with random debut. You are now able to do this.

Anyway, the idea is simple. I lock all league strategy settings, financials, and gameplay settings to one set of settings. I use a set of financials that I have tweaked now over several versions to provide as realistic an MLB environment as I feel is possible under the financial system.

With locking the league totals and strategy settings, ballparks, and teams -- you establish ONE competitive environment for all of the players who will play in your league! In this case, using the Spritze DB, it will include all the old Negro league ballplayers who never got a chance at MLB, Japanese stars, and so many other players. ALL of these players will compete on the same fields under the same conditions, so a homerun hit in 2015 will be the same as a homerun in 2150 as far as statistical integrity goes.

This will enable us to take a look at who would rise above the rest, and in this world, there will be no "Well, look at the era he played in, of course he hit 50 homeruns!" debates. All accomplishments can be measured against all other accomplishments, and that is what I was looking to achieve.

The only thing I was not able to do to my liking was starting the league in 1901, but that is honestly very minor. I want to play the same amount of years as the World Series Era in real life, and then I have provided an extra 20 years or so for all players in the DB to eventually have a full career.

My Personal Dynasty Goals:

They may not be "goals" per se, but I will be in control of a team as general manager and manager for the entire duration of the franchise, playing out games for whatever team I happen to be managing at that time. I do have a few personal goals I have worked out over the years that I'll share with you here so you can get an idea of what I'll be trying to accomplish personally.

First, I start off with the Detroit Tigers, as they are my hometown team. I will NOT be using commissioner mode, so I will be able to be fired at any time. Overall, I am trying to manage to 28 personal championships, hopefully with the Tigers, to surpass the 27 World Series Championships the New York Yankess have won in our reality. For me to achieve this goal, I must complete it by the end of 2129, which would be 114 seasons, just like in our world. (Thanks to user Chambertrain for pointing out to me that I didn't have this written in to the report. The goal is 28 Championships in the amount of years of the World Series Era, for full clarification! Thank you Chambertrain!)

That is total, but I know it is not realistic to have a 150 year old character in game, so I will not be doing so. This ties in to my other goal, which I call "Chasing Joe McCarthy." By statistics, McCarthy is the most successful manager in the history of the game. He managed in parts of 24 seasons, so I will create a new character every 24 years (I do retain the right to put my "son" in the same job that I would leave upon the previous character's retirement) and I will attempt to pass the records that McCarthy set in real life as a standard of managerial excellence.

I will be paying special attention to the Hall of Fame, as well, and I will be attempting to have the most Hall of Famers managed in the history of this dynasty.

One final thing I will be paying close attention to, as something that I think will be enjoyable for most to see, is how the #1 pick in each Amateur Draft does over the course of his career.

I am going to be reserving 10 posts as the beginning of this thread for historical information, and I will be doing the inaugural draft and beginning play in this dynasty tomorrow afternoon. This will be a VERY long thread, so I hope you get in early.

Sharing my leagues is part of the immersion for me as a writer, and writing on games is some of the only writing I do in my life for fun, and not for pay -- so I hope you will enjoy this journey as well. I feel like a man at the beginning of a long voyage whose ending is uncertain... and I hope you'll help me find out about that voyage along the way!

Thanks for reading, and I hope you will subscribe!

[jaysdailydose]

World Champions

This post will be updated after the conclusion of each season.



World Championships -- By Club

We will track total championships by club after the conclusion of each season, as well.

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National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum


The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will open in the year 2050.

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My Managerial Records





Individual characters will be played for 24 seasons!

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Most Valuable Player Award (AL/NL)

The Most Valuable Player Award will be updated following the 2015 season.


Silver Slugger Award (AL/NL)

The Silver Slugger Award will be updated following the 2015 season.


League Ace Award (AL/NL)

The League Ace Award will be updated following the 2015 season.

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Major League Baseball - Career Leaders



The following image will be updated at the end of each season, to show the greats of Major League Baseball.

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Overall Dynasty Goals:

28 World Series Championships between all played characters in 114 years (The World Series Era)
Manage the most MLB Hall of Famers

"Chasing Joe McCarthy" Goals: (24 seasons)

2125-1333 - .615 Winning Percentage
792 Games Over .500
10 Playoff Appearances
9 American League Pennants
7 World Series Championships

[jaysdailydose]

The #1 Overall Picks

We will track the #1 Overall selection in the Inaugural MLB Draft and all subsequent amateur drafts in this space!

2015 - Jock Menefee, Baltimore Orioles (Inaugural Draft)

[jaysdailydose]

I'll be using this post to keep track of real-life Hall of Fame players, marking them as active as soon as I notice their entry, and then doing a stat comparison at the end of their "Level Playing Field" career.

I have to edit the list to add the Negro League players that have been inducted back in, so please be patient. I had originally used this list in a previous version and was unable to use Spritze, so it didn't help to have them in the list!

Hall Of Famers (Real Life vs. LPF!)

Hall of Famers List

Aaron, Henry L. (Hank)
Alexander, Grover C. (Pete)
Alomar, Roberto
Anson, Adrian C. (Cap)
Aparicio Montiel, Luis E. -- Active 2015
Appling, Lucius B. (Luke)
Ashburn, Don Richard (Richie) -- Active 2015
Averill, Howard Earl
Baker, John Franklin (Home Run)
Bancroft, David J. (Beauty)
Banks, Ernest
Beckley, Jacob P. -- Active 2015
Bench, Johnny L.
Bender, Charles A. (Chief) -- Active 2015
Berra, Lawrence P. (Yogi)
Blyleven, Bert
Boggs, Wade
Bottomley, James L. -- Active 2015
Boudreau, Louis
Bresnahan, Roger P.
Brett, George H.
Brock, Louis C.
Brouthers, Dennis (Dan)
Brown, Mordecai -- Active 2015
Brown, Raymond
Brown, Willard
Bunning, James
Burkett, Jesse C.
Campanella, Roy
Carew, Rodney C.
Carey, Max, G.
Carlton, Steven N.
Carter, Gary E.
Cepeda, Orlando M.
Chance, Frank L.
Chandler, Albert B. (Happy)
Chesbro, John D. (Jack)
Clarke, Fred C. -- Active 2015
Clarkson, John G. -- Active 2015
Clemente Walker, Roberto
Cobb, Tyrus R. (Ty) -- Active 2015
Cochrane, Gordon S. (Mickey) -- Active 2015
Collins, Edward T.
Collins, James J. -- Active 2015
Combs, Earle B.
Connor, Roger -- Active 2015
Coveleski, Stanley
Crawford, Samuel E.
Cronin, Joseph E.
Cummings, William A. (Candy)
Cuyler, Hazen S. (Kiki)
Davis, George S. -- Active 2015
Dawson, Andre N.
Dean, Jay H. (Dizzy)
Delahanty, Edward J.
Dickey, William M. -- Active 2015
DiMaggio, Joseph P. -- Active 2015
Doby, Lawrence E. (Larry)
Doerr, Robert P.
Drysdale, Donald S.
Duffy, Hugh
Eckersley, Dennis L. -- Active 2015
Evers, John J. -- Active 2015
Ewing, William (Buck)
Faber, Urban C. (Red)
Feller, Robert W.A.
Ferrell, Richard B. -- Active 2015
Fingers, Roland G. (Rollie)
Fisk, Carlton E.
Flick, Elmer H.
Ford, Edward C. (Whitey) -- Active 2015
Fox, Jacob N. (Nellie)
Foxx, James E.
Frisch, Frank F.
Galvin, James F. (Pud) -- Active 2015
Gehrig, Henry Louis (Lou) -- Active 2015
Gehringer, Charles L.
Gibson, Robert -- Active 2015
Glavine, Tom
Gomez, Vernon L. (Lefty) -- Active 2015
Gordon, Joseph L.
Goslin, Leon A. (Goose)
Gossage, Richard (Goose)
Greenberg, Henry B. (Hank) -- Active 2015
Grimes, Burleigh A. -- Active 2015
Grove, Robert M. (Lefty)
Gwynn, Anthony K. (Tony) -- Active 2015
Hafey, Charles J. (Chick)
Haines, Jesse J.
Hamilton, William R.
Hanlon, Edward H. (Ned)
Hartnett, Charles L. (Gabby)
Heilmann, Harry E.
Henderson, Rickey N.H.
Herman, William J.
Hooper, Harry B.
Hornsby, Rogers -- Active 2015
Hoyt, Waite C.
Hubbell, Carl O. -- Active 2015
Huggins, Miller J.
Hunter, James A. (Catfish)
Irvin, Monford (Monte)
Jackson, Reginald M.
Jackson, Travis C.
Jenkins, Ferguson A. (Fergie)
Jennings, Hugh A.
Johnson, Walter P.
Joss, Adrian (Addie) -- Active 2015
Kaline, Albert W.
Keefe, Timothy J.
Keeler, Willie H. (Wee Willie)
Kell, George C.
Kelley, Joseph J.
Kelly, George L.
Kelly, Michael J. (King)
Killebrew, Harmon C.
Kiner, Ralph M.
Klein, Charles H.
Koufax, Sanford (Sandy)
Lajoie, Napoleon (Nap) -- Active 2015
Larkin, Barry
Lazzeri, Anthony M.
Lemon, Robert G.
Lindstrom, Frederick C.
Lombardi, Ernest N.
Lyons, Theodore A. -- Active 2015
Maddux, Greg
Mantle, Mickey C.
Manush, Henry E. (Heinie)
Maranville, Walter J. (Rabbit) -- Active 2015
Marichal Sánchez, Juan A. -- Active 2015
Marquard, Richard W. (Rube) -- Active 2015
Mathews, Edwin L. -- Active 2015
Mathewson, Christopher (Christy)
Mays, Willie H. -- Active 2015
Mazeroski, Williams S.
McCarthy, Thomas F.
McCovey, Willie L.
McGinnity, Joseph J.
McGraw, John J.
McPhee, John A. (Bid)
Medwick, Joseph M.
Mize, John R.
Molitor, Paul L.
Morgan, Joe L.
Murray, Eddie C. -- Active 2015
Musial, Stanley F.
Newhouser, Harold (Hal)
Nichols, Charles A. (Kid)
Niekro, Philip H. -- Active 2015
O’Rourke, James H. -- Active 2015
Ott, Melvin T. (Mel) -- Active 2015
Paige, Leroy R. (Satchel)
Palmer, James A. -- Active 2015
Pennock, Herbert J.
Pérez Rigal, Atanasio (Tony) -- Active 2015
Perry, Gaylord J. -- Active 2015
Plank, Edward S.
Puckett, Kirby
Radbourn, Charles G. (Old Hoss) -- Active 2015
Reese, Harold H. (Pee Wee)
Rice, Edgar C. (Sam)
Rice, James E.
Ripken Jr., Calvin E. (Cal) -- Active 2015
Rixey, Eppa -- Active 2015
Rizzuto, Phillip F.
Roberts, Robin E.
Robinson, Brooks C. -- Active 2015
Robinson, Frank
Robinson, Jack R.
Roush, Edd J.
Ruffing, Charles H. (Red)
Rusie, Amos W.
Ruth, George H. (Babe)
Ryan, Lynn Nolan
Sandberg, Ryne
Santo, Ron -- Active 2015
Schalk, Raymond W.
Schmidt, Michael J.
Schoendienst, Albert F. (Red)
Seaver, George T. (Tom)
Sewell, Joseph W.
Simmons, Aloysius H. (Al)
Sisler, George H. -- Active 2015
Slaughter, Enos B. (Country)
Smith, Osborne Earl (Ozzie)
Snider, Edwin D. (Duke)
Spahn, Warren E.
Speaker, Tristram E. (Tris) -- Active 2015
Stargell, Wilver D. (Willie)
Sutter, Bruce
Sutton, Donald H.
Terry, William H.
Thomas, Frank
Thompson, Samuel L.
Tinker, Joseph B.
Torre, Joe -- Active 2015
Traynor, Harold J. (Pie) -- Active 2015
Vance, Arthur C. (Dazzy)
Vaughan, Joseph F. (Arky)
Waddell, George E. (Rube) -- Active 2015
Wagner, John P. (Honus)
Wallace, Roderick J. (Bobby) -- Active 2015
Walsh, Edward A.
Waner, Lloyd J.
Waner, Paul G.
Ward, John Montgomery
Welch, Michael F. (Mickey)
Wheat, Zachariah D. -- Active 2015
White, Deacon
Wilhelm, James Hoyt
Williams, Billy L.
Williams, Theodore S. -- Active 2015
Willis, Victor G.
Wilson, Lewis R. (Hack)
Winfield, David M.
Wynn, Early -- Active 2015
Yastrzemski, Carl M.
Young, Denton T. (Cy)
Youngs, Royce M. (Ross)
Yount, Robin R.

---There are currently 57 real-life Hall of Famers active in The Level Playing Field Universe!

Hall of Famers who do not get a real shot because of their age will be re-imported as their "son" so that all real stars get a fair shake at a career! Any real-life Hall of Famer who is active in 2015 and does not play at least the ten years required for HOF eligibility will be re-imported after their retirement, so every HOF'er is given a full shot!

[jaysdailydose]

The Level Playing Field -- Settings

2014 League Totals/Strategy (Locked forever!)
Custom Financials
Triple A/Double-A
Spritze Database/Random Debut
10/60/20/10 AI Evaluation Settings
20-80 Ratings Scale
Very Hard/Heavily Favor Prospects
Pre-2012 CBA Rules
Triple-A Recreates the IL and PCL

If there is another setting you are curious about during the course of play, drop me a line.

[jaysdailydose]

THANK YOU TO ALL THE FOLLOWING AND MORE:

The entire OOTP Developments Team.
Orcin
VanillaGorilla
Gehrig38
NYY#23
QuestDog
Silvam14
CephasJames
JustaFan
gRaider2001
The Wolf
Eugene Church
PainMantle
The Game
RchW
Lukasberger
Westheim
Griever20
Everyone who realizes "Everyone needs a break!"

...and oh so many more. If I forgot you, take a THANKS here and I'll update you in later!

[jaysdailydose]

Whew.

OK, so I got in everything I wanted, and I'll be bringing you the first pick of the draft, and my starting roster tomorrow afternoon, as it is currently 3:30AM my time, and the wife has already beaten me to bed.

I am very excited to begin telling this story, and I think we've got a lot of cool things we can follow that will forever be within easy view on the first page. It will be easy for me to update those things.

As I've said in the poll, I'm going to be playing every game out, and I'm going to try to play at least two series, five days a week. Some days we'll only get a single game in, but all box scores will be saved and presented to you for whichever team I'm controlling, and you can ALWAYS request a box score or game log for ANY team in this dynasty. Replays are only saving for my organization, but I am happy to pull up anything you'd like as we make our march across history.

I'm guessing it will take 10 to possibly 15 years to complete this project, but when you look around and realize that the Islandia Pro Alliance is already in its eighth year, its not hard to imagine.

I just want to thank everyone again for supporting my return to writing about the game, and if real life gets in the way, I'll make sure to let you know.

And to the developers, *please* make sure I'll be able to import the LPF into OOTP28, ok? Thanks in advance! Love you guys!

See you tomorrow for the start of games in The Level Playing Field universe!

[jaysdailydose]

With the first overall selection in the MLB Inaugural Draft, the Baltimore Orioles select...

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With the eighth overall selection in the MLB Inaugural Draft, your Detroit Tigers select...

A 20-year-old Gehrig, a 32-year-old Bonds, a 37-year-old Splinter, a 26-year-old Hornsby, and a 28-year-old Lajoie were the choices, among others.

Williams will definitely be getting a son in this world. I went with the potential of Gehrig over my scout's recommendation of Lajoie.

And now, I'm going to go crawl in with the wife... I just HAD to see who I got with the eighth pick (which was randomly determined!)

Congratulations to Baltimore, and I hope to put a quality Detroit Tigers squad around "The Iron Horse" starting tomorrow!

Thanks for following!

[jaysdailydose]

The First Round -- Inaugural MLB Draft

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MLB Inaugural Draft 2015 -- Rounds One Through Nine


Sorry if it is a little small and you have to zoom, but with this long of a file I had to make sure I got in under filesize requirements.

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I didn't set out to do this, but I'm sure you will find this and many other stories interesting over the next few years!



We drafted Julio "Whiplash" Navarro with the 23rd pick of the 6th round, and then his son Jaime with the 8th pick of the 11th round.

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MLB Inaugural Draft -- Rounds Ten through Nineteen

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I allowed my scouting director to take over after round 22, just to add some "fog", essentially.

Here is the initial active roster for your Detroit Tigers!

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Just for the record, Eppa Rixey will be 41 before this season is out. The contract he was assigned coming out of the draft has him extended through the end of NEXT season, which he will be 42 years old at the end of.

Now, I know owners want what they want -- but I told people I'd be on the lookout for "wonky" things, or ways to improve. I would hope even with an insane owner, they would realize that there is no value in extending a 41 year old, even if he does still appear to be talented.

Obviously, I have not seen the league play yet, so while I'll be ambitious, a .500 season to get my feet wet in the world would not be the worst thing in the world -- but I definitely hope I'm in the Series within the next six years or this will be a painful dynasty.

Also just for the record, all historical coaches for 2014 (Tigers had Ausmus, for example) have been deleted in favor of generating staff and scouts for all franchises. I then created 15 coaches, scouts and trainers at every personnel position. The main reason I did this is because through my testing I know they are much better at having former players become coaches, and we'll be looking at how that plays out over the years as well.