POLL: Why do we play ATG?

I chose #1, but suspect it is really because we are all masochistic morons, given our wonderful hosts.

I chose number 1 as well.

I wanted to vote for all 3. Settled on 1.

I love interesting cards and all but I personally wish that the set was limited to guys that played in the Majors after 1900. I would eliminate the NeL guys and pre 1900 guys. Perhaps that is not fair but that is just my opinion.

Or Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich switching spouses. Not to mention kids. And scandalously, even their dogs.

What kind of man would do a dog switch??

Or Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich switching spouses. Not to mention kids. And scandalously, even their dogs.

What kind of man would do a dog switch??

HAL and Ralphie arranged a double dog switch

Sorry, Andy, but none of the above. I don't think there is another field of human endeavor, and I'm talking about the real game, where the results are so apparent and well-documented, yet the analysis of performance is so subtle and difficult. In golf, you either hit the green or you don't. In baseball, what is the value of an arm in left? Of a SS with less range but fewer errors? Lots of games actually do simulate some history, but few illuminate the underlying components of that history like Strat. Just to give one example, which is more significant, baseball's fielding percentage, or Strat's percentage of x chances converted into outs?

Strat is a window into the baseball world as it must be seen by some of its genius practitioners, from Billy Beane to Muggsy, aka Little Napoleon aka John McGraw or Connie Mack.

Hank

Very well said Hank! I've always loved this game since I was a kid, and now that I am disabled it has become my life. I doubt that I'd even be alive right now without it, maybe that's why I get upset when people bash it.

Good article on the 1904 season... McGraw/Johnson & Chance/Harper tidbits...

http://www.thisgreatgame.com/1904-baseball-history.html

Sincerely,
Delivery Boy...

Yes, Vinnie, those historical anecdotes are marvelous!

I'm firmly in the #2 camp (the poll does confirm my fear that there are indeed math marvels running loose here!) but the folks I've met in the leagues are a special treat. I've pulled back on playing but just can't resist the franchise leagues, so these have added to a growing list of seemingly ineradicable vices!