anybody want to talk 1969???

[tomwistar]

The 1969 board is so quiet. I always enjoy hearing about favorite strategies, evaluations of different players, etc. on the ATG board. Not much of that here.

So just to try to get a little conversation started:

My favorite pitching bargain in 1969 is Wegener. At $2.5 million he pitches better than the Perrys, Stottlemyre, Jenkins, Osteen, etc. Mostly walks on his card, and he shuts down right-handed batters, who predominate in this game. Also really like Culp. On the higher end, I've had good success with Hands--anybody had a bad season from him?

I think Howard is the best hitting bargain, hands down. Produces as well as the $10+ mill guys but for 3 mill less. Always seems to be around .300, 50 homers, .400 obp.

Most frustrating player: Reggie Smith. He's been all over the map for me. A couple terrific .300+ seasons, but just as capable of hitting .240.

I still can't decide if I like Fernandez and Dietz. 150 walks, 150 strikeouts, 25 dingers. I've tried Fernandez a couple times batting second--the fact that he doesn't have gbas makes him potentially excellent there, I think. But I haven't won with him there.

Still don't know if defense is that important in this game--at least to the extent it is in ATG. Pitchers seem to still pitch well even with some 3s and 4s behind them. Which reminds me--I want to try Stanley at SS sometime, but haven't worked up the nerve to go with a 4 there.

Well, maybe this was a lame attempt to talk a little 1969 strategy. Anybody want to throw some ideas around???

Tom

[rschwartz51]

Check out the thread where we go for another round of the COMBO Theme.

I thought that in most parts star players acted like their salaries indicated they would regardless of the ballpark. A Willie McCovey actually hit 50+ hrs in Candlestick where in ATG so many studs would hit under .300 in a pitching ballpark.

I agree with Wagener. I had good luck with Downing.

I loved 1969 but boy it got quiet. I actually understand and more than ever I wish that they would give up individual years and go for the DECADE.

You need more players capable of starting on the 12 teams so as to avoid becoming stagnated.

[genegrid]

I love Dietz and Smith and Allen and have never used Weener or wegner or whatever his name is. And I refuse to use a 3 at SS.

[pedakrla]

[quote:2246faf0f5="genegrid"]And I refuse to use a 3 at SS.[/quote:2246faf0f5]

I think Campaneris (a 3 at SS) is one of the best values in the 1969 set at $0.65M. And once I actually make it into the playoffs, and win a few rings, and everyone jumps on the bandwagon, you can say that you heard it here first! :wink:

Haven't used Wegener yet, but he's shut me down a few times. Other sleeper pitchers I like (I say sleeper because they've been easy to pick up on waivers after the draft): Maloney, Taylor, Moose, Kilkenny.

[LMBombers]

Kirkpatrick has always produced for me in a corner OF spot. He needs a platoon mate though. Lou Pinella works great!

Rick Wise is an excellent value *SP.

[pedakrla]

Drabowsky, on the other hand....

I've heard a couple of the old pros praise him to the heavens, but I've had him for a season and a half in Anaheim Stadium, and he hasn't been as dominant as I hoped. ERA around 3.00, lots of HRs, lots of blown saves. I have him designated as my setup man against RHBs and LHBs, and I left "Closer" blank. I'm thinking about making "setup" blank as well, and just let HAL run the bullpen. HAL seems to do OK for me. :shock:

[ADRIANGABRIEL]

Just some random observations from the few teams I've played.

1. I think the $7-8M pitchers are some of the best values: Reed, Seaver, McLain, Jenkins, Hands, Perry.
2. I like Clay Kirby as a #4. Although, I'm going to try Gary Peters for the first time.
3. I think there are some excellent sub $1M relief bargains: Secrist, Face, Lyle, Wilson, Womack.
4. I'm not sure I know what makes a good offense. But, for the best bargain, I have two words: Angel Bravo.

I've been lucky enough to win two championships and make another finals. But when the credits run out, so do I.

[Play By The Rules]

Kudos to the guys still playing, but 69 is dead. It has been for awhile, takes leagues forever to fill. It was a nice bridge between 2005 and 2006.

It was a different experience than usual for sure, with the paucity of decent hitting.

[Risden]

I remain a big fan of the game. From my experience over the past few weeks and months, it only takes less than 4 days to fill an "open" league and there are several good theme leagues built around the 1969 game.

Drafting is a key component to this game. Unlike ATG/ATG II, there are not 12-20 great players at every position. Not all teams are loaded - it is more realistic in that sense.

However, the records that are being broken (offensive records) are quite unrealistic. It's as though the 1969 sluggers are all juiced... :(

[pedakrla]

What Risden said. I haven't played 1969 all that much (on my 4th season now), but it seems that you can build a winner in several different ways. Pitching and speed can play a big role.

I think the longest I waited for a league to fill was 6 days.