I realize that there are good managers who will always win a lot of games and there are other managers who wont. However, lately, it seems like the manager rating seems to predetermine how many games you win. I'm not saying it's "fixed" but...this does seem a bit strange.

11 of my last 13 teams have all won almost the same number of games--between 83 and 86 games. I have drafted different kinds of teams lately and they still win the same # of games. I've drafted teams heavy on power and played in Crosley Field---same result. I've drafted teams with speed and pitching in pitching ballparks. Same result. I've drafted certain teams in a certain stadium (Ebbets Field) that I used to always do well in--same result.
I am about to finish up another season. This team was doing great and was on target to win about 94 games. Then, I 'somehow' went into a slump, lost 7 in a row and 10 of 14. I'm 80-72 with 10 games left so again I am on target to win between the 83-86. I have another team that is almost at the break and that one is also on pace to win 83.

If I was drafting the same players again and again--or even the same team again and again--I could understand. But all different kinds of teams in all different kinds of stadiums???? Come on. I've been playing for a few years now but this seems to have only happened in the last 7-8 months or so

I used to really enjoy playing but I am thinking of perhaps quitting.

Sounds to me like you're simply finding strategies that win 83-86 games per season. Rather then try different types of teams, pick a style you like, run it, tinker with it, improve it, run it again, and see if you do better.

If you're playing all Open League teams, try some of the many creative Theme Leagues out there to shake things up.

Once you acheive Hall of Fame status, you start winning more games.  Unless, of course, you pay to get the premium package which includes the cheat codes.

Posted by uncleal on 7/11/2010 7:15:00 PM (view original):
Sounds to me like you're simply finding strategies that win 83-86 games per season. Rather then try different types of teams, pick a style you like, run it, tinker with it, improve it, run it again, and see if you do better.

I have agree with uncleal....I looked at both of your teams, the Sim phonies play in a plus 1 HR stadium, you need a little more power in the middle of you lineup and a deadball starter or 2 to lower your HR's allowed. The Pittsburg lumber co. is all Pirates....it's hard to have a really good OL team picking players from 1 francise. Don't give up, keep tweeking your teams,you'll have plenty of reason to quit when you start winning 93-96 games per season and get blown out in the first round of the playoffs.

If I started an alias today and entered a team, I'd win between 90-105 games, same as with my HOF nic. If you're going to draft from only one franchise, I recommend using the Cubs. That database is just chalk full of quality players.

As Booger correctly says....that database is just chalk full of quality players...however, he forgot to mention none of them played for the Cubs.  I think if you have more than 2 Cubs on your team regardless of who it is you will play well early and choke in the 2nd half.

Agree with the other guys.  If you are continually Winning 83-86 games and always changing, chances are you are decent (not great) at picking teams and therefore you can Win more often than not in OL but you have not closed all the gaps so you cannot really expect to Win 100.  In any event, one thing you will learn if you ever Win 100 or more, usually the team with the most Wins in the league gets beat in the first round.....THAT is what is fixed if anything..hahahaha.

I've had 6 teams end in the last week...69, 85, 86, 88, 90, 90 wins.  I have others currently going on pace for the playoffs, others with no hope.

I used to be like you, I think.  I'd go with guys I liked and thought SHOULD work, and I always did crappy.  Though my rating still doesn't reflect it, my most recent 50 teams (out of 179) have probably accounted for half my playoff appearances because I started paying attention.  I don't analyze it the way some do, because I want to keep it fun, which is probably why I'm still not an elite owner, but I'm okay with that.

The difference now is, I pay a little more attention to stats and I go in with a strategy based on what kind of team I want/my ballpark, etc.  Sometimes it's feast or famine, but that may be a risk you have to take against good owners.

If you're really frustrated, join progressives. Everyone's in the same boat early, and drafting and management play a huge roll.

I'm a very vocal advocate against the recent streakiness of the SIM, but it would be WAY to hard for them to coreograph everyone's win totals.