Indulging in Baseball's What-Ifs

[KG Erwin]

Got an interesting book from the library called "Play It Again", in which a group of baseball scholars & former players discuss the possibilities of alternative outcomes in the history of the game.

It's a fascinating discussion, and only adds fuel to those of us who like to simulate counterfactual history in our associations.

For example, what if full integration of black players into the majors had happened earlier? In my draft association, I advanced it by one year (1946) , but what if it had happened before then?

The effects of WWII -- this is a biggie. Guys like Ted Williams lost several years due to serving in the armed forces, but there were many others, including Bob Feller and Cecil Travis. Suppose professional ballplayers had been given an exemption from the draft, for morale purposes?

There are so many possibilities, and most of them can be explored using Pure Sim.

[dneely]

A fascinating topic! I would enjoy reading that book. I have read historical books on the what if side of say the South had won the Civil War. Always an interesting topic. What if Ruth had staying in Boston, what if he did not move out of the rotation, what if the color barrier never existed...tons of interesting topics.

Somewhat off this topic but I have started a 1923 league using your file and managing the Yanks and a 2007 league taking control of the D-Backs. Fun and very interesting so far.

Last off topic comment.....I wish we would hear from Shaun, if nothing more than to just say hello.

[KG Erwin]

The Amazon listing is here, Dave : http://www.amazon.com/Play-Again-Baseba ... 961&sr=8-2

[HangingSlider]

We old time Giant fans have always wondered.....

What if Willie Mays played his entire career in hitter friendly Milwaukee County Stadium and Atlanta's launching pad of a stadium?

And what if Hank Aaron played his whole career in the cavernous Polo Grounds and wind swept Candlestick?

And what if Mays had not lost 2 prime years to military service?

Would Bonds being chasing Mays' record today?  Steroids aside.

[Frozen Stiffer]

What if...

...that long fly ball never bounced off Canseco's head?  What would be the number one baseball blooper of all time?

[:D]

[Bustoff]

What if...

Bobby Thomson had struck out?

[KG Erwin]

ORIGINAL: Bustoff

What if...

Bobby Thomson had struck out?

Something like that is mentioned in the book. Would the Dodgers go on to beat the Yankees in the WS? Who knows?

[KG Erwin]

One of the biggest to me is if Joe Jackson had not been suspended for his alleged involvement in the 1919 Black Sox scandal. Surely he would be in the Hall of Fame. To me, his case is much more worthy of re-evaluation than is Pete Rose's.

[dneely]

KG:

The injustice done to Jackson has always been a big topic with me. I have read two bio's on him and other books on the "Black Sox" and my conclusion is enough information exists to, if not completely clear his name at least he should be voted into the Hall. His stats in the series were not like someone who was laying down and he was said to have little or no education and could not read the materials they forced him to sign. Plus he never received any of the so-called bribe money as Cicotti and Gandil did. I also remember Ted Williams spoke out frequently about Jackson and was part of a movement to have him cleared and put in the Hall as he belongs! Pete Rose is a completely different case, he bet on his own team and then lied about it for years. I actually met Pete years ago in Philly and had dinner with him. He was a very interesting person to say the least and in driving me back to the hotel he scared the devil out of me going about 100 in his Porche between lights! Apparently he was not worried about speeding tickets in "his town".