Cookie Lopez & Cookie Lopez II - 1940's Manager Cookie Lopez is designed specifically to manage 1940-45 seasons with AIM. Lopez II will use less small ball tactics at the end of the decade when offense and HR's increased. Although Lopez II was designed, along with his companion manager Cookie Lopez I, to handle each half of the 40's, Lopez II (and Lopez) can be used for any season of the decade (*see note below for additional information and tips). Additionally, Lopez II can be used for some high bullpen usage/low complete game teams of the 1930's (such as the Senior Circuit St. Louis club of 1939) or more "conservative" early 1950's organizations (such as Detroit or the Junior Circuit Boston franchises). Lopez II is programmed to recognize many of the "odd" aspects of baseball during the war years in particular. This included heavy emphasis of the dual use of pitchers as both starters and relievers, the use of relief "aces" who would pitch in multiple roles and the heavier emphasis on small ball tactics and one-run innings during the "dead baseball" period of the war years. Summarizing Lopez II, you will see that he will: 1) Use star starting pitchers in relief, especially in critical situations late. As such, however, Lopez II will "save" at least one potential starting pitcher (1 or more actual games started) from being used in relief. Therefore, you won't have to bench starting pitchers (Lopez II does NOT set aside a rotation). In fact, it's strongly suggested that you do NOT bench a rotation. 2) Relievers, especially quality ones, will be used in almost any role. This includes (if ratings permit it) using a pitcher in long and short relief, and as closers - either early or late. "Stud" relievers, then, will sometimes be brought into games as early as the 5th inning onward. 3) Pitching changes are based, in part, on the total relief appearances (TRA) of the bullpen. Thus, teams with high bullpen usage will obviously result in a quicker hook than teams with lower TRA (note: micromanagers cannot "read" a pitchers complete games totals). 4) Blowout or rout substitution patterns are conservative. Usually, only "superstar" type players are removed; however, if an "itchy" bench player is available, Lopez II will likely put him into the lopsided game. Superstar players will be: PH, PR or subbed defensively for. 5) Small ball tactics are generally limited to those ballclubs that actually used them. However, Lopez II will resort to these "guerilla-type" tactics against quality or high grade pitchers. The use of these tactics will decline as you approach the 2/3 years of the decade (i.e., 1948-49) as offense, particularly home runs, picked up. 6) This version is much more willing to use non-pitchers in very lopsided games especially when the team's bullpen is thin. Additionally, in rare circumstances where a team's bullpen is depleted (no rested relievers available), Lopez II WILL summon a tired (not wornout) reliever to be used in a close game late (7th inning on) if the starter is being hit hard. In blowout type games, Lopez II will try to get at least 6 inning out of the starter and then use a non-pitcher to finish up. *An excellent idea for greater variety in a replay is to use - if possible - a mix of micromanagers. For the 1940's you can use Lopez I (post-1945) for clubs that had higher CG totals and lower bullpen usage than the average for the league/season. Additionally, Lopez I is better suited to handle very poor teams with high team ERA and a more plodding base running style (e.g, station-to-station advancement and low SBs). Teams, meanwhile, that had either aggressive base stealing and more liberal use of the H&R would be better handled with Lopez II. Staffs (pre-1945) meanwhile that had higher than average CGS/relief appearances would also be better managed with Lopez II. You can also use the 1930's MM Bucky Wilson for teams that were more. Notes: - Does not use whole roster, but some subs play 8+ games, mainly to pinch hit/run. |