how and when

[scorehouse]

is the mystery card year selected? does hal keep track of which years have been used and try to balance them? is the year selected when we draft or opening night?

[LMBombers]

Each player card is randomly selected without bias towards what cards of his has been chosen in prior leagues. He will always have a 20% chance of every card each season.

The card is randomly chosen in the preseason and he keeps that card all season long no matter if he is dropped and picked up again or traded.

The card years are revealed after the season and playoffs (even if you are not in the playoffs).

[scorehouse]

thanks. that explains it. i just have bad frigging luck :(

[jayhawk81]

Do you really believe that each year has a 20% chance?

The Conspiracy Theorist in me says the years weightings are unique which drives some of the salary differences. Two guys could have the same average OPS and D over 5 years but one guy costs more than the other Why? coz the probable outcomes are not equally weighted.

Just a thought.

[dutchfarley]

Well I can't for sure say your theory is incorrect. But just because a player has the same average OPS as another player it doesn't mean they are carded the same. Players that played in low ballpark single and homer parks ( like the astrodome) will typically have better cards than players with similar numbers in more hitter friendly parks ( like Coors Field) It seems that the salaries are driven more off of card chances ( as they should be) as opposed to straight stats.

I guess unless you are referring to the OPS that would be generated based on card chances. If those are the same, defense is the same, and injuries are the same, salaries different, then I agree that would be off.

[fatdaddy054]

Interesting question. I looked back on all 80's leagues i participated in and found this for G. Brett:

Card for Brett:
79-18
80- 21
85- 17
88- 16
91- 13

not sure what it means, but i was curious.