Ah, 1969. Such a different time compared to today.
A gallon of gas cost 35 cents, the average 3-bedroom home cost around $25,000, neither parachute pants nor the Macarena had been invented ... and pitchers could still pitch.
All right, that's a little harsh. We have some fine pitchers today. The 90-mph mark used to be rarified; now it's the norm. And the development of such pitches as the screwball, split-finger fastball and cutter since 1969 have given pitchers more options than ever before.
But the hitters have developed even quicker thanks to the advancement of nutrition/supplements (ahem), the globalization of the game and the improved resources available to young players.
The difference between the two time periods is so pronounced that regular modern-day Strat-O-Matic owners feel like they've entered Strat-O-Matic cricket the moment they dig into their Strat-O-Matic 1969 analysis. These are the three most distinct differences that I noticed, and how I accounted for them, and whether it has worked:
1) Starting pitchers can effectively pitch much deeper into games. Larry Dierker, my No. 1 starter, doesn't even hit fatigue till the ninth inning, and even then, in play terms, the guy won't let me yank him from the game. And I'm fine with that. Like many aces from his era (Bob Gibson, Juan Marichal, Mike Cuellar, Sam McDowell), a tired Larry Dierker is still better than any reliever on my staff.
How I accounted: I noted this one early and took that to mean I didn't have to spend much on my bullpen. I went ahead and grabbed an expensive closer, Dick Hall (who sported a .88 WHIP in 1969) for $3.38 million but didn't spend more than $.82M on any other role. And I have only four relievers in total – a specialist vs. righties, a specialists vs. lefties, a closer and a setup man. Just like the "old days," I tell my starters it's their game to decide. A few times, those starters have even given me 10 innings to decide it.
Verdict: My pitching staff ranks second in the league in runs allowed despite playing half its game at Shibe Park, a favorable hitters park. Dierker has been a horse, as has Steve Carlton and Dick Bosman. Not surprisingly, I have 50 complete games in 105 total games, 23 CGs more than all but two teams. The only thing that hasn't worked: The bullpen. Dick Hall hasn't lived up to his billing (do expensive closers EVER live up to their billing?), as he has blown numerous saves and has an 0-4 record. And my specialists (Joe Grzenda vs. lefties, Ron Willis vs. righties) haven't been effective. The only good bullpen guy has been Frank Reberger, who I picked up off the free-agent wire. How effective? He's even relieved Hall in two save situations and nailed down the save. I still like the starter/reliever balance I have, though.
2) The fielding in general is very inferior to today's fielding. You can formulate your own reasoning for that. I think it's mostly about technique, the gloves these players use and the inferior conditions of the fields they play on. Nevertheless, shortstop Maury Wills sits at 24 errors, and 3B Coco Laboy and 2B Rod Carew each have 12. Even 1B/RF Frank Robinson has nine, and CF Jimmy Wynn has eight errors.
How I accounted: Really, I didn't. First of all, I figured we all battled the same neglect for leather. And offense is so hard to come by, I more heavily valued that than fine defense. The good defense can make a difference in close games, but I'll take the guy who can make for a miscue with his bat or legs. Wills has 32 steals and is hitting .338 vs. LHPs, and he costs barely more than a million. Carew was among the league leaders in hitting before a recent slump (he's now hitting .312), and Laboy, who costs $.82M, has 14 homers. All I could do is try to replace these poor fielders late in the game with someone who can field better.
Verdict: It has worked, not necessarily because my poor fielders have outhit their defensive lapses, but because my fellow Strat owners took the disregard to a whole new level with their teams. I'm actually middle of the pack in terms of errors – nobody cares much about their defense.
3) Where's the power? In 1969, 17 players hit 30-plus homers (which is, of course, way up compared with the years before that). In 2006, 33 players accomplished the task. Granted, there are more teams these days, but the homers-per-game rate is also nowhere close.
How I accounted: I learned that I couldn't get both OBP and SLG in a player, unless I was going to overspend (which I did in the case of Frank Robinson). So I sought one or the other, relating it to the lineup spot I expected him to hit (OBP at the top of the lineup, SLG in the 5-6-7 holes and speed at the bottom). Also, I went with platoons at a few more spots than I expected to.
Verdict: I'd call it a success. I am a respectable fifth in runs scored, but second in batting average. And my lineup looks entirely different vs. LHPs and vs. RHPs. Everybody has a role, both in the lineup and on the team, just as a winning major league team does. Sure, it ain't easy to sit Rod Carew vs. lefty pitchers, but the numbers warrant it. I've trusted that and now can boast a +99 run differential.
Such as different game, and yet just as fun. My team is having a good ol' time, clicking along at 60-45. But there are many challenges still ahead – and I'm not talking about parachute pants.