The Genesis of AGBA

I want to say it was actually two Christmases ago when I first mentioned it to my brother Chris, and the original idea is now quite a difference from what it is now.

The great thing about APBA is that we let our imaginations run completely wild. We can replay historic seasons or playing seasons or teams that mattered most to us during our childhoods. We sometimes run leagues with other APBA owners, while we get to pretend to be General Managers drafting today's stars onto rosters, while scouting for the next big thing so you can get an edge on your division rival. I have pretty much done everything that I have imagined, but decided last Christmas to re-explore what I thought about the previous Christmas.

Originally, I started thinking about doing 20 teams franchises from 1967, while using 1992 & 2017 players, but from only those franchises, and from year-to-year they would have real life transactions from year-to-year. The other franchises would join in the same manner as they did, with 1969 & 1977 being the next years of expansion.

I mentioned it to my brother again, during Easter 2019 (the same time that we launched our 'Brothers In Dice: 1978 Replay').

He asked good questions, or some obvious questions that I completely overlooked...

Chris: "So what's going to happen to like the Mariners?"
Shawn (Me): "They'll join in 1977, and will be teamed up with 2002 & 2027"
Chris: "So... you won't ever get to Junior or Randy Johnson?"
Shawn: "Yeah, I mean this is a different universe and it will only have these players."

But I went home that night, and then I realized he was right, and then I started also thinking about the true transaction deal, and it really dawned on me how teams like the Detroit Tigers would be completely screwed -- Tigers went into the 70's rebuilding, they were lousy in the 1990's and are currently rebuilding as we speak, that is a lot of losing for quite some time in the foreseeable future. Plus I started thinking about the fact that the same franchises that have succeeded will be the same teams succeeding and thought what if I did all 30 franchises instead, and had certain ways of bringing in some of the home talent, while letting teams do any transactions.

At the same time, I was looking at the cool baseball logos and uniforms created in the Out of Park Baseball universe, and thought that I wanted to give these franchises in this dream project their own personas, identities. This is a universe that will be making its own sort of history, a universe that Barry and Bobby Bonds will be both playing at the same time, while at their peaks.

Originally 1967-1992-2017 was supposed to be the season to launch it, but I already owned a 1993 and 2018 set, and plus I would be closer to current players season, instead of playing close to 2-3 seasons behind the current stars. I was using the 2018 MLB Season cards for a mail-in league that I am part of, in the UAL, and did have to wait for that season to end (which ended this past, horrific March).

I bought the 1968 season, which I always wanted to own, and that's when the true evolution started to come together. At one point I realized a 30 team league, with the schedule that I wanted would be a complete nightmare, for a half-season league. I believe originally it was supposed to be 92-94 games (I can't remember what the original number was) for each of the 30 teams, than I decided 28 teams would make the schedule making much easier....

But then, I looked over the talent in the three sets, and realized there would be so much baseball talent sitting out of action. While digging through some old files, I started looking over one of my old league setups for a Out of the Park Baseball project, and realized that one of its 36-team setups could be doable in this APBA dream project. I came up with a 76-games each, which actually wasn't much different from the other setup with 90+ games & 30 teams. Plus 76 games is just short of 81 games, and it will be easy to glance at a card and realize if I am approaching innings limits or whatever, by cutting the totals in half.

I figured out a schedule while the last few months, I rounded out rosters while still trying to decide how the divisions would be set up, and what teams would finally make the cut. Believe me, even as of a few weeks ago, I juggled around some teams with new logos, while ditching those that I was not comfortable with.

By the way, the league name AGBA (pronounced AG-BAH) actually was the same name of my high school APBA Baseball league with my classmates. I always liked the name, although it might come off sacrilegious having an abbreviation inside of an abbreviation, with the league being called AGBA (APBA Galaxy Baseball Association)...

but anyways, I will start breaking down each league and how I came up with the team, and all that.

AGBA Baseball: League's Setup of Play

The APBA Galaxy Baseball Association (AGBA, pronounced AG-BAH!) is a league of 36 teams, which consists of MLB players from three different eras. The inaugural season will involve players from the 1968, 1993 & 2018 MLB Seasons, with the next season following suit with 1969, 1994 & 2019 players and so on...

• Each team will consist of 10 players from each era at all times, no more or no less. 

• The league will consist of three individual leagues: The Western, Central & Eastern Leagues, in which each league consists of 12 teams separated into two divisions of 6 teams each.

• In AGBA's entirety: 36 teams, 3 leagues, 6 divisions.

• Each team will play a total of 76 games -- 6 games against each team in opposite division, and 8 games each against their division rivals. Teams don't play teams outside of their individual leagues, until the 2nd round of the AGBA Playoffs.

• Each team has a soft salary cap of $100 million.

• Players salaries are from a simulation baseball site, which the salaries are based on their actual MLB performance, endurance & fielding for that individual season. Their salaries will flux from season to season, which will create interesting player cuts, trades & pickups from season to season as well.

• Universal DH rule is in effect, due to there being many star hitters. 

• Stamina charts and stamina ratings will be used for starting pitchers each game. Each pitcher gets a pregame dice roll to see if their stamina went up or down prior to the game (think Max Scherzer during 2019 MLB Playoffs, who woke up with a stiff neck).

• Steals charts and battery mates' grades will be in effect. There will be the normal, result 15-11 basic game element to it, plus strategy to steal whenever a manager feels like it. Using the Master Game speed ratings for base runners, while they will want to steal against easier battery mates. Catcher's throwing arm & pitcher's move to first will be combined, meaning if you have a catcher with a TH+3, and a pitcher with MF+3, you have a +6, to go against the baserunner with a speed of 26 minus the +6 = speed of 20, meaning more margin of error for the base runner.

• I will be using the 2011 PAAL Boards, which has results depending on the HR Allowance grades to pitchers such as H, G, M & L.

• Also by using the PAAL Boards, also means that I am using the numeric pitching grades that are used in Master Game or Baseball for Windows.

• I will also be using the APBA Baseball Error Card and Unusual Play Card (from the APBA Journal)

• APBA Brawl Chart.

• J-4 Batters can only start 6 times during a season (which all players starts will be tracked), while the games that they don't start won't see those players appear until the 6th inning or later.

• J-4 Starting Pitchers will be held to innings limits and game starts, equivalent to a 76-game season.

• J-1 or J-0 Starting Pitchers can pitch every 5th day (3 games off between each start). 

• Relievers will be using Usage Fatigue charts, and may be forced to rest from time to time, depending on their usage. 

• Non J-4 Starting Pitchers will not have innings limits, since those innings will have a lot to do with the stamina they are given from start to start, pitchers hitting their stamina max will suffer fatigue & possible grade reductions considering the scenario.

• Reliever innings limits depend on the grade... ( A Relievers = 100% of innings pitched, B Relievers = 112% of innings pitched, C Relievers = 125% of innings pitched, D Relievers= no limits.) Once relievers pass their season total marker, they are downgraded a grade, then another grade for every 12% over.

• In-Inning relief changes, relievers up 1 letter grade (or +5 numerically) -- only for LH vs LH & RH vs RH.

• All Injury charts will be in effect (using J-Chart), with result of dice roll result will be split in half, due to the season practically being half of what Major League Baseball plays. For example, if a J-4 rolls a 34, and the result is 27 games, split in half (13.5 rounded up) to 14 games.

• J-1, J-2 & J-3 Hitters can start as many games, but there is always the risk factor, especially for J-3 players.

• Each Regular Season game will consist of 9 innings, plus a potential of 3 maximum extra innings, meaning teams can end up in a tie (after the end of the 12th inning). Teams will record 2 points for wins, 1 point for ties in the standings. I know, I know... it's Baseball blasphemy to have ties, but I have 1,368 games a season to roll, and I would be helping myself in the long run. Plus through exhibitions, I have already seen teams come back from 5 runs to 8 runs down late in games, teams can score in bunches.

This should pretty much cover the in-game setup, and season setup. 

Next I will go over the genesis of the league setup, where teams are located, how I decided on what, and how things will be done from season to season, including the playoff setup, etc etc.

A Miracle, Mixed Signals & Players Stepping Up

Major League Baseball has miraculously agreed to a 2020 MLB Season, that just a few days ago appeared dead in the water. The season will be a 60-game season with the a universal DH for both leagues, while extra innings will feature a base-runner on second.

I think I can speak for most people, that most people are glad that they finally agreed to play, while the majority is not thrilled with the new rules and how everything has played out over the last few months between the owners and players.

Personally, I could do without it, and that's coming from a guy who breathes, sleeps, and thinks Baseball 24/7, 365 days of the year. To be honest, there are more important issues in this country right now than worrying about a pointless games, especially one that was made more pointless with it being only 60 games.

There is certainly going to be such a serious upward spike in the fall, which could (and would) derail the entire season's conclusion, and this is not just for baseball, but this goes for all sports. Have you ever watched a television show that you started to get into, and suddenly the network decides to cut the plug? Same deal, imagine a sports season that people start tuning into, getting all invested in, only to fall victim (no pun intended) to COVID-19.

Sure, many of us want to feel some sort of normalcy, but people need to realize there is nothing normal about the world today. People need to break out of this fantasy world that believes sports or the entertainment business in general will be able to sync up to this so-called new normal. It could take years for us to have any sort of control of the virus, and the rate that we are going that will indeed be the case.

Taking out the worst case scenario, it could be possible for sports world to coexist inside a pandemic that is more controlled, stabilized, with cases down to the minimum & contact tracing in place. Nothing is impossible as long as we all can work at it together, but the Coronavirus is not going to magically disappear as some might think.

The pandemic unfortunately wasn't the only curve ball thrown into the mix for 2020. We also have had the racial injustices inflicted onto black America, brought peaceful protests, riots, and some reform to judicial systems and city police stations across the country. The racial injustices are nothing new to quite a few of us, and although its very unfortunate that more unnecessary deaths had to happen, but it appears that the country could and may be waking up to the realization that systemic racism does indeed exist. Sure all lives matter, but they only do once we can recognize the fact that black lives matters as well, and foremost at this point.

I'm proud of sports athletes and other entertainment stars stepping up to the platform, while using their celebrity status for good. LeBron James, Patrick Mahomes, Bubba Wallace and Stephen Jackson have stepped up to the forefront, and I believe the NBA will be the sport that takes this whole movement to the next level. I just wish we saw more support like this for someone like Colin Kaepernick, who sacrificed his NFL career for speaking out on a matter that was indeed a serious problem in the

A sport that surprised many was NASCAR of all sports, the sport embraced by the deep-fried, south-will-rise fan base. Bubba Wallace, the sport's lone black race car driver, stepped up to the plate mentioning the confederate flag should not exist at NASCAR events. The league stepped up, and followed through, but not before someone broke into Bubba Wallace's team garage planting a noose, which prompted a FBI investigation. The race at Talladega, Florida was cancelled due to rain, but prior to race the league's races all walked alongside Bubba Wallace's car in an emotional moment of solidarity. Good news, the noose apparently happened to be in garage, dating back to 2019, no federal crime committed. All good signs that the sport is moving forward in the right direction.

I have also decided to put some more work into my own personal blog, 'The Upside Down', for more serious subject matter as the above mentioned subjects. With all the news, and with all of us trying to get through our days during such serious times, has led to lack of work on the Boys of Summer Blog, and while I do apologize for that, I do ask for patience by my readers.

I really wasn't trying to be political. I am sorry if some may be offended by my views, but I can't apologize for knowing the difference between right and wrong.

Boston Leads the Pack in Mid-June

We are in mid-June 1978, and the Boston Red Sox (40-20) have won 11 of their last 12 games. The Red Sox currently hold a 5 game lead over the New York Yankees & 7 game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers.

It's not like the Yankees & Brewers have not been playing great themselves. The Yankees have won 7 of their last 9 games, while the Brewers have won 11 of their last 15 games.

Jim Rice continues to tear the leather off the ball, batting .321 with 21 HR & 66 RBI through 60 games. Dennis Eckersley lost his first 4 decisions, but has now won 8 games since, while lowering his ERA to 2.81, while his teammate Mike Torrez (APBA Grade C-Y) is pitching like an 'A' pitcher & above, with a 8-1 record & 1.33 ERA.

The Texas Rangers who swept the Kansas City Royals in Texas (less than a week ago), had a chance to make more ground on the Royals, but squandered that chance by losing a pair in K.C. The Rangers have been incredibly frustrating to their fans, while being outscored 21-11 in the two games. The Rangers' starting pitching outside of Jon Matlack (6-6, 1.95 ERA) has been god awful, with no ERA lower than 5.04. Fergie Jenkins is 3-5 with a 5.68 ERA, and has ruined his few great pitching performances by staying in one inning too long, while spoiling the entire outing.

The Royals, who have won 4 straight, lead the A.L. West by 4.5 games, while the California Angels (who remain in 2nd place) seem to be going in the opposite direction, losing 4 straight. The Rangers are a disappointing 26-31, sitting in 5th place.

The second-year Toronto Blue Jays (16-41) went from bad to worse, by losing 18 of their last 22 games, while the team is now on pace for only 45 wins. Jays starter Jesse Jefferson is 0-9 while sporting a 5.83 ERA. The team's two bright spots in pitching has been Dave Lemancyzk (4-6, 3.88 ERA) and Tom Underwood (3-4, 3.61 ERA & 68 K in 77.2 IP).

AGBA Teaser

Against the Ropes

I'm sure I am not the only one of late, that feels like he's a boxer that got his head bashed in by another boxer, barely standing on my two feet, leaning against the ropes.

Racial tensions are high, the country is fractured, and we are still in the middle of a pandemic.

I'm sorry it's been awhile since I have posted, but I do have some material on the way.

I am still working on the Brothers In Dice: 1978 MLB Replay with my brother Chris, while we are in mid-June for that replay. I have also been working on my new APBA project named AGBA, which I will explain soon enough.

My friend and former roommate at Ft.Gordon, John Lokka surprised me with a gift, by giving me a year subscription to the Society American Baseball Research. I can't thank him enough for believing in my writing, and for his friendship. We reunited after 20 years during a baseball game, last May, between the Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park. He also found himself a wonderful girl in Katie, in which they will be marrying sometime soon, in which they are still trying to figure out what to do with all the Coronavirus restrictions and such.

The UAL Draft is coming up next month, but to be honest at the moment I am on the ropes if I want to do a season this fall. If you remember right, the UAL, is a mail-in league of 26 or 28 team league of owners all around the country. With there not likely being a 2020 MLB season, it means at some point the league will have to take a year off. It would be kind of nice, if we just do the draft, and take this fall/winter off (the time period we play seasons) in anticipation for a likely second wave of the virus this fall/winter, not to mention the election, Christmas, in which will likely be difficult to navigate through as it is.

I feel like lately the blog has not shown off my best stuff, and I'm hoping to be rolling again here shortly, plus while writing for the SABR as well.

Let's all keep our heads up, and keep rolling plenty of 66's.