(or 2001 a Strat-O-Matic
Odyssey)
by Phil Trygar
Every Strat-O-Matic player is unique. Team composition, managerial styles, team nicknames, drafting strategies, and many other attributes, all lend a flavor to a team unlike any others’. Every Strat league is unique. Constitutions, salary caps, roster size, keeper, draft, retro, and countless other differences and nuances, make each league out there a world unto itself. Take a bunch of unique guys with a passion for this game, put them into a unique league setting, and let me tell you…you’ve got a lot of uniqueness.
What strikes me as being the most fun aspect of face to face play that is lost when playing via e-mail or on-line, is seeing first hand your opponent’s style. Everybody’s got Style! From the gunslinger to the quiet man…from the dramatic to the sublime…from the paranoid to the dull…from a team built on power to a team built on speed, pitching and defense…each individual’s inner self usually rose to the surface during the heat of battle or over the course of a long season. Whether it be during game play or a draft, you could gleen a lot from your opponent just from the way he handled his cards, kept statistics or rolled the dice.
I’ve already described my friend Tony’s dice rolling style as the Clean and Jerk. My friend Paul’s unique style of rolling his dice could only be described as having a Flair for the Dramatic. He would hold the dice below table level with his wrist curled and his palm flat. With a sweeping motion, he would raise his arm skyward (or ceilingward in most cases), turn his wrist slightly so the dice tumbled off, and give it the big high follow thru that ended with his hand being behind his head. Pretty elaborate…very unique…but a royal pain in the butt, as the dice usually ended up on the floor at least half the time.
What are my conclusions after witnessing and dealing with the styles of countless numbers of Strat Gamers? If the eyes are the gateway to the soul of normal human beings, then the team is the gateway to the soul of a Strat player. In this chapter, I’m going to take a look at the different types of Gamers that you can find running around out there in the wilds of the Strat-O-Jungles that are called Strat Leagues.
The Accidental Tourist-Every league has had to resort to one of these guys at some point. He’s the body that’s plugged in to fill a vacated manager’s seat, but may or may not know how to play the game or even know baseball for that matter. Usually he or she drops out of the league before the season is half over, never to pass this way again.
The Actor-Not to be confused with The Gunslinger who can back his talk up with results, this gamer usually can talk a good draft beforehand, or talk a good game before a series, but usually will wilt under any pressure situtation.
The Bull in the China Shop-A volatile version of the Accidental Tourist except this gamer knows how to play and usually quite well. However, like the Tourist, their stay in a league is shortlived and the results of their visit destructive as they usually turn their roster over 3 times totally disrupting the league balance, tick off half the other managers with their overbearing nature, and then charge off to another unsuspecting league.
The Constant Rebuilder-Sometimes known as The Trendsetter, this gamer is a master at researching players and building a competitive team. He also looks positively to the future. So much so, that he neglects the present and is in constant rebuilding mode. Never able to pull the trigger on a deal to put him over the top, CR is consistantly someone else’s minor league team and a perennial 2nd division team owner despite his obvious knowledge of the game.
The Counselor-Never one to kick someone when they’re down, this gamer will go out of his way to console someone in a loss, or if their league buddy just lost a player to a season ending injury. Generally a good guy and great to have in a league, one must be careful that what is perceived as Counselor actions is not really a disguised Manipulator.
The Destroyer-Likes to run up the score for the sake of stats. Will steal in the top of the 9th even when he’s ahead 15-1, just to make his numbers look good. These gamers are about as well-liked as managers who do it in real baseball.
The Flair for the Dramatic-As I described earlier, this can apply to the way a manager carries himself or rolls the dice. It also can apply to the gamer who likes to try and pull off that little or no chance strategy at the oddest of times…and for some inexplicable reason…it works!
The Gamesman-A much more tolerable version of the Intimidator, this player knows how to get inside someones head just enough to throw off their opponents’ draft strategy or game play, but he does it in such a way that is not rude or overstepping his bounds. It is a skill that comes from years of practice and study not only of the game itself, but also the psychological makeup of his league opponents. To become a Master, one must possess this highly sought after skill level.
The Hammer-The heavy hand of the law, this is usually a league commissioner or official that has had the power of his position go to his head. Quick to lay out swift punishment and pass new back breaking edicts, this fella is best steered clear of. Usually, these types never become the Leader that they were expected to be and often gained their position through Intimidator tactics. While I believe all leagues need structure and rules, unless someone intentionally and flagrantly breaks them, there is no need to punish everyone with equal severity. It’s why I always thought it best that a league commissioner not have a team in the league in order to keep an unbiased and more respected opinion.
The Innovator-If there is a new way to do something, this gamer will find it. Whether it be draft strategies, game play strategies, team building strategies, you name it this player will find a unique way to do it. Always trying to build a better mouse trap, this gamer must be careful not to slip into Contant Rebuilder mode.
The Intimidator-Not Dale Earnhardt, may he rest in peace. This player thinks he is a Gamesman, but does not possess the inner fortitude or self-control to practice that skill with any tact. A slightly higher (or lower depending on how you look at it) form of Gunslinger, if his overbearing tendencies are not brought under control, he will overstay his welcome in a league rather quickly.
The Joker-This type of player, while fun to go out for a few beers with, does not take the game serious at all. He may make trades on a whim, not show up for a series when he supposed to, forget about the draft, or any number of other disruptive actions that are sure to affect the league. Because he doesn’t do them intentionally, he is not a Mischief Maker.
The Juggler-This label can apply to both someone who is constantly rolling his dice and having them fall on the floor, or to the gamer who is trying to find time to play in 3 or more leagues. Toss in a family, work, eating, sleeping and breathing and this can be quite a daunting task indeed.
The Lawyer-More concerned about league by-laws than his team, this gamer thrives on calling someone on a league infraction or getting involved in disputes that don’t even involve him. About as fun to have around as a real lawyer.
The Leader-Every league needs a leader and sometimes this role can be cast upon someone who is unaware that they are being looked to in that manner. A Leader needs to recognize his importance to the league and accept the responsibility. The Leader needs to keep a clear eye in regard to helping interpret league rules, aiding in settling disputes, and in general finding common ground for the rest of the members of the league, as it his he that many of the other owners look to for guidance. Sometimes this gamer is not even the official head of the league, such as the commissioner or president. If this is the case, he must make sure not to overstep his bounds and tread on someone else’s authority. That can lead to certain league demise as factions will develop that are going to be loyal to both parties. A true Leader will recognize those situations and know when to take a step back.
The Manipulator-Using the traits of the Counselor and Mediator to his own advantages, this team owner remains sickeningly friendly with anyone, whether it be the league Master or the league Troublemaker. Especially fond of the Bull in the China Shop because he can usually get the better end of any trades, he does this to always put himself in position to pull off a deal with anyone…at least once…since most of the time his comraderie is a disguise worn to burn someone while wearing a smile on his face. Probably is a used car saleman or a lawyer in his day job.
The Marine-Hooooorah! As gung ho as they come, the Marine is first into the breech of any topic of discussion and usually the last to finally leave it be. His enthusiasm for the league seperates him from the Manipulators. Every league needs at least one of these guys, since unlike the quiet, unassuming Innovator, or the overbearing Intimidator, his skills make him ideal for tasks that no one else wants to do, such as league statistician, historian or schedule maker…and he’ll do them willingly.
The Master-The level all gamers strive for, but few attain. Every league has a Master who dominates the league and who the other members look to for guidance, but like belts in karate, Masters attain varying degrees of skill level. Over the years, I have met 2 Masters of the highest order. In my opinion, they summed up everything about the game that I appreciated and had all of the positive skills required in dealing with people, drafting, trading, managing , leadership and enthusiasm. They are the Innovator, the Gamesman, the Leader, the Marine, the Tactician, the Trend Setter, the Unsung Hero, and many others, all rolled into one. But I won’t tell them that. We don’t want it to go to their heads now, do we? J
The Mediator-This gamer is at his best when it comes to dealing with conflict and settling arguments. A must have skill to be a league commissioner or president, it is a key ingredient to becoming a Master.
The Meddler-Possessing too much of the Tinkerer gene and perhaps suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Trading Disorder , this guy basically likes to trade and if he can’t pull one off himself, he’ll give you his unbidden esteemed opinion of any transaction. “Ohhh, I’d have given you more than that”, or “Wow, I can’t believe you traded him for that.”, are two of his favorite quotes. Not as disfunctional as the Thief, since any meddling in potential transactions is done innocently enough, they still tend to muck up potential negotiations should they get wind of a trade before it happens.
The Mischief Maker-Basically he’s just a Joker, but one who intentionally causes mayhem. It’s best to weed out these guys in a hurry, as they are also as adept at causing conflict between 2 other parties as they are at starting a conflict with someone on their own.
The Mortician-A form of the Woe-Is-Me gamer, this fella pronounces judgement on a pennant race or gives his negative opinion of a team, but usually not his own. His pronouncements usually come in May when a season is fairly young, but his assessments are sometimes taken seriously enough that, like a grim reaper, whoever he has given his opinion of is considered as dead for the season as a doornail. Many a playoff team has been unjustly written off by likes of he.
The Nervous Nellie-This gamer not only can’t sit still in his chair for a face to face game or computer game, but he also can’t keep his hands off his team roster long enough to get any true evaluation of it. Afraid if he doesn’t make a trade soon, it’ll never happen, Nellie is always prone to making one more trade then he should every year.
The Oscar or Felix-Every league has an Oscar, who can’t find all of his cards when he needs them, but if he does, they’re usually dirty, bent and mangled. His scoresheets look like chicken scratch and his draft lists…draft lists, what draft lists? His opposite is a Felix, who painstakingly and meticulously monitors and compiles his stats and keeps his cards and team information in impeccable order and condition. Just like the real Odd Couple, it’s usually amusing if these 2 ever play any face-to-face games.
The Pack Rat-This guy’s game plan is…well, he doesn’t really have a game plan. His team is usually a collection of aging superstars without any common thread to define them, other than it looks like a guy collecting baseball cards.
The Paranoia Man-Thinking everyone is out to get him, this player Trusts No One, and like Fox Mulder, is seeing conspiracy and the paranormal in everything that occurs in the league. Even Super Hal is looked at as being against him.
The Procrastinator-This gamer shows up at some point in everyone. Decisions become more difficult to make, from the strategy of whether to bunt or hit and run, to who to take next in the draft. A Master can overcome this tendency by using his wisdom and gut instincts in a given situation, but a lot of guys lose their comfort zone and tend to always make the wrong decisions at the wrong times. These fellas usually end up as Woe Is Me-ers.
The Quiet Man-Sometimes playing or dealing with this type can be taken the wrong way. His lack of emotion of any kind can be taken as aloofness or disdain, but in reality it is his poker face or game face. This gamer takes his Strat seriously and doesn’t let emotion or anger cloud his judgement. And he never, ever, let’s you see him sweat or know if things are going good or bad.
The Shameless Self Promoter-Making his players look good and his team look even better is the agenda of this team owner. Another used car salesman wannabe, he tries to make even the most pathetic Strat card look good if he’s trying to trade him to you, but if you had the same guy…well, don’t even insult him with that kind of trade offer.
The Short Fuse-The quick to anger and blow his stack makeup of this player can take on many forms, such as the Pencil Breaker, The Dice Thrower, The Shredder, and The Screamer. While we’ve all lost it at one time or another, it is important to control this tendency, since it clouds better judgement, creates tension and makes a lot of people wonder.
The Stats Geek-My personal favorite as one of the most pathetic types of gamers there is, The Stats Geek is so far into theories and calculations, that he has totally lost touch with the fun of playing the game itself…and with reality itself in a lot of cases. An Innovator gone mad, he entrusts his whole entire team approach on card ratings, number crunching, writer’s opininions and statistical formulations, so much so that he may as well be playing blackjack or craps. Usually not possessing an original bone in their body, or an original thought in their head, these guys tend to enjoy standing on the shoulders of giants and proclaiming the work their own. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who’ll have the best cards each year, but these guys think it’s their sworn duty to tell you who they’re going to be. A lot of the fun and anticipation of getting the new card set has been ruined by this lot, who want to dissect every possible statistic on a player and spew out their results, opinions and statistical variations on player card ratings, fielding ratings, ballpark numbers, etc. before the next Stats Geek beats them to the punch. The chance that these guys ever played baseball beyond being their Little League teams score keeper is slim to none…but they’ll take a good sized test sample and theorize you a good game.
The Tactician-Also called The Strategist, this gamer is the master at knowing when to implement certain strategies into a game. From pinch-hitting to playing the infield in, it’s hard to box this guy into a corner, because like a chess player, he’s already working 3 moves ahead. A Tactician needs to stay consistent with his moves however, or risk becoming too much of a Flair for the Dramatic. The dark side of this type of gamer, or the Yang to the Tactician’s Yin, is the Anti-Tactician. Rather than implement strategy into the game, this player uses no strategy at all. Not a single infield in move nor sacrifice bunt will be used during the course of a game. Believe me, they’re out there…I’ve seen this type of player in the wild with my own eyes.
The
Tinkerer- Trading just to trade is sometimes the attribute of this team
owner. He’s just as likely to pull off a real blockbuster as he is a junk for
junk and he isn’t happy unless he’s in the middle of at least 7 separate
negotiations.
The Thief-I hesitate to use such a harsh title on a player, but sometimes if the shoe fits… This gamer hovers around on the fringes of every trade conversation like a gnat, or like a pig after truffles he sniffs out which players might be dealt, and then he interjects himself into the trade talks between the other owners. He then either steals a player away from someone or raises the price of a given player beyond what is reasonable and what may have already been discussed by the other parties. If the latter happens, he then either backs out if the price gets to high, or passes the knowledge of a player being available on to some other team owner, who unsuspectingly interjects himself into the middle of the mess, thus getting the thief off the hook.
The Traveller-There are 2 forms of Traveller. The first is much like The Marine in that he is enthusiastic enough to travel great distances to play games. Every league, especially FTF leagues, needs everyone to have a little Traveller in them. The second form is much less desirable. This gamer travels from league to league on a whim, never staying in one place for very long, which can cause disruptions. However, please note that he is not as disruptive as The Bull in the China Shop, as usually he is just passing thru and doesn’t stay long enough to make very many trades or very many real enemies.
The Troublemaker-While many of you reading this and other articles on my website may label me a Troublemaker, I assure you that is not what I am. This player finds a problem with just about anything that happens in a league and makes it a point to tell everyone all about it. From rules to results, nothing is ever right for this guy and it’s always someone else’s fault.
The Unsung Hero-This gamer is usually a Leader in the making, but hasn’t accepted that role yet. Like the Leader and the Master, he is able to solve league problems if asked to but tends to stay more of a Quiet Man otherwise.
The Vendetta Keeper-Another of my own personal most disliked gamers, the Vendetta Keeper harbors grudges and ill will seemingly forever. Years later, alledged transgressions will be brought up that everyone else has forgotten about. Perhaps the worst trait of this player is the want to even the score. If this happens, he becomes the Win At All Costs gamer who is much, much, worse.
The Win At All Cost-When the Vendetta Keeper can take it no more, he crosses over to become a Win At All Costs player. A poison to any league, he will make sure he wins games vs teams he perceives as either being not as good as his, or who he feels is playing Win At All Cost against his own team. In this war of increasing escalation and attrition, it is the league that suffers the most, as tension and mistrust increase. Pretty soon, the league is a pointless mess of unhappy managers all sporting widely disparate home and away records.
I’m sure there are countless other types of managing and playing styles out there. In all likelihood, we’re all combinations of more than one style…and in the cases of a few Carrie-like guys I know, a combination of one too many. Hopefully we can all have the good ones and we can change or weed out the not so good ones. The bottom line however, is to respect everyone else’s style no matter how much it may grate on you, or try and steer clear of the styles that either you dislike or that disturb you the most. As a last resort, if all efforts to make it happen fail, then bow out as gracefully as you can and try and remain friends. In ten years you might not recall what your final season record was, but you’ll remember the people you played against. If you don’t, you’re missing out on the best part.
Remember, these are your leagues out there.
There’s no reason that they all can’t all be great ones. Do your part to make
them that way.