So............I have my cards, I've obtained a copy of the complete 1994 MLB schedule, but I've come to the realization that there are a few things I need to clear up first.
If this is your first visit to this blog, I am recreating that 94 season from a Montreal Expos perspective, using the board game version of the classic Strat-O-Matic Baseball. For updates, you can follow my Facebook page, or look for updates from my Twitter account, @Clutchlings77. There are other excellent computer and board games out there, but Strat was the game of my youth, and the board version is my preference. There's something about rolling those dice, shuffling through the cards, and scoring the game myself.
The first decision I had to make was whether or not I should replay the whole season, or just take it from August 12, the date after the labour stoppage occurred. After much consideration, while I see the merits of just finishing the season from the date the players walked, I've decided that after researching and reading about this team, I really want to play the whole season with them. And my reason for that is purely sentimental - with two kids under the age of 3 in our house that year, I did not get a chance to watch the Expos a great deal. This is my way of re-living that time. After all, this is my project, and my blog.
The second, and more difficult decision is how to simulate the season itself. It won't be a true simulation in that I will have to alter the results with my own, but I would like to find the most reliable way to simulate the games between the other NL teams. AL too, for that matter. Keeping in mind that this is just not me clicking a mouse in order to replay 1994, I want to try to make things as reasonable and realistic as possible. Since playing all games from that season would not be practical, I've had to look at computer simulation. I do have Out of the Park Baseball 2012 on my iPad, but when I have tried to purchase the 94 edition from the App Store, I get a message saying that the file is being modified, and that I should check back later. I will try to get in touch with Tech Support at OOTP to see if they can remedy this situation for me. If any of you fine readers have any alternative suggestions for how I should simulate this season, please let me know.
Another consideration is how to fairly manage both the Expos, and the opposition. After all, I will be Felipe Alou, hunched over my desk, with Strat cards and dice in hand, trying to win as many games as possible. That shouldn't mean fielding the weakest lineup for each opponent, or ignoring strategic decisions. To that end, before the start of every series, I will look at Baseball Reference for the pitching match ups. For example, the Astros threw Harnisch, Drabek, and Kile at the Expos in their season-opening series, and I'll use that rotation. Similarly, when the Expos visit Pittsburgh for a series in late May, the Pirates will use starters Cooke, Lieber, and Neagle.
When it comes to actual strategic decisions (ie, when to bunt, steal, hit-and-run, etc), I'll try to do what any reasonable manager would do. That may be easier said than done, but if the opposition has a speedy base runner, depending on the situation, I'll likely opt for the steal. The problem, of course, is that I'm not playing a computer, which can use algorithms to decide strategy at a certain point of the game. I'm actually playing myself, but trying to win (if that makes any sense). In the spirit of fairness, I'll do what I can, paying attention to bullpen match ups and the like. At the same time, I'm playing to win. Felipe would expect nothing less.
A lesser decision, but still one I have to make nonetheless, is how to compile the stats my Expos will be compiling. I used to just take a piece of lined paper in landscape format, and use the lines as columns for the basic stats I tracked. No more - this is 2016, after all. After researching some baseball software, I came across an Excel sheet that someone had posted in a forum somewhere - it can track stats game-by-game, and has a cumulative page as well - perfect! I've added some stats of my own, and I think beyond the basics, I'll use OBP/SLG/SB%/K and BB rates as well for hitters, and WHIP, K and BB rates for pitchers, and possibly even GB%. I'm still tinkering with the spreadsheet, and will share it later on once I have it up and running.
One last consideration would be which version of the game I should play: basic, advanced, or super advanced? The basic version is just that, and still offers a fairly realistic simulation. The advanced version allows for more match ups, and has more options as far as fielding is concerned. I'm not familiar with the super advanced version, which apparently has far more options, including weather and ballpark effects. I have some more research to do there.
I suppose I should also consider the fact that this re-creation won't be successful, even though this was the first year under the Wild Card playoff format. If that happens, I will still play out the playoffs, using the teams my simulation advanced.
Of course, that won't happen. The 94 Expos will be there.
