e-ratings and 3's

[nycalderon]

Sykes definitely has the most entertaining roster... and I'm quite sure he will be trading...

[honestiago1]

The point about the overall talent in the player pool is on the mark -- "If everyone has 1's and 2's, you're at a disadvantage." And while I agree you can't go whole hog defense, I must point out that the only constants in the 80s game are running, bat control and defense. Defense is an everyday thing, so absolutely, a pair of 1's up the middle (not to mention a 1 with a '-' arm in CF) is going to take pressure off your offense.

Obviously, it's real baseball (again). Fielding over hitting up the middle (no matter what league you're in). Put your big bats on the corners. Hide gloves where you can (LF, 3B, 1B [and DH, of course]).

Guillen: that dude is ALWAYS scarfed up by somone, as is Remy. Talk about a pair of tap hitters. Anybody ever play them in tandem? And while, I'm on it, what would be the most underwhelming Hoover IF in the 80s game (good field, no stick)?

Guillen SS, Flynn 2B, perhaps? Anybody got a 3B and a 1B to go with that?

[albert2b]

After checking my previous 10 playoff teams, I found that I used a 3 in the middle IF on 5 of them! Even though I think I'm less "afraid" to use a 3 at SS or 2B than the average manager, I still was a little surprised to find out half my playoff teams (including 2 out of my 3 championship teams) had a 3 in the middle IF.

Now does this mean there's a direct correlation between middle IF D and winning? Who knows? Personally, I think it's how you construct your team surrounding that 3 which makes the difference in being successful or not. I just wanted to post to show that the likes of Smalley, Owens, Phillips, Browne and Flannery can be starting (or at least platoon) players on playoff teams and sometimes championship teams.

[albert2b]

Just wanted to add that, of those 5 playoff teams which had a 3 starting for them, they were always paired with at least a 2 and sometimes a 1 playing opposite of them in the middle IF. So, while I am brave enough to play a 3 at 2B or SS, I have yet muster up the courage to play TWO 3's in the middle :)

I do have a team about to start in which this might occur, however. This is the Decade keeper league and it looks like my middle will comprise of Smalley, Sax and Backman. I will keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best, I suppose :roll:

[honestiago1]

Good gloves, no power, less than 2M:

C-Benedict (less power than Melvin)
1B-Cabell
2B-Flynn
SS-Guillen
3B-Hoffman (2e30) or Anderson (3e15)?
LF-Felder
CF-G Young
RF-T Scott

I predict less than 3 runs/game with this outfit.

Now, pair them with the "all puffball" pitching staff (pitchers who don't strike many out) and see what happens.

[moodinator123]

I would pick this one:

C-Boone
1B-Garvey
2B-Flynn
SS-Burleson
3B-B. Bell
LF-R. Manning
CF-Pettis
RF-D. White

This one could commit only 80 errors all season. If paired with a staff on say Blyleven, Soto, Guidry, Key...Henke in the pen, they may only score 500 runs, but might only give up 400.

[honestiago1]

doesn't fit the "less than 2M" criteria

[Larryrickenbacker]

Howdy,

I usually opt for a "1" at SS (80% of the time). 2nd Base almost always a "2", while CF is a 50/50 split between "1" and "2". I'm most comfortable with very good leather up the middle-where it's most needed.