Chuck Mathews: Version 2: 1980s AIM Replay Manager (6/6/2006 edition)
password for all future revisions: 11232003

		CHUCK MATHEWS: 1980's DECADE REPLAY MANAGER

Installation Instructions:
Chuck Mathews consists of the following four files:
	
        MgrMathw.lib, MgrMathw.msy, MgrMathw.mob, MgrMathw.dct

You must copy or move each of these four files into your BBW directory or folder.

		OVERVIEW OF MANAGERIAL STRATEGIES/STYLE

Chuck Mathews is a companion manager to the 1980s program Joe Gardner and is designed to handle replays for the 1980s*. Although he is programmed to handle the entire decade (with the exceptions noted), he is probably best for the latter half of that period. 

A snapshot of Mathews will show: 

1) Pitching changes that are designed to handle a variety of approaches that dominated the era. Viz.: the use of long closers, early (7th inning) in save situations; the use of "semi-long" closers in the 8th inning, and the use of setup relievers for ninth inning only closers, a practice which dominates today. Additionally, Mathews is often willing to use multiple closers (generally relievers with 10+ saves) in close games. For example, if one closer is struggling or his team is batting with a threat situation occurring, he will PH for that closer to bring in a fresh one. He will, however, stick with a closer slightly longer than Joe Gardner. But not if the lead will be lost.

2) Mathews will occasionally use starters in relief but is usually limiting this to situations where the team's bullpen is thin or overworked or if a starter pitched in a dual role and had a high number of relief appearances (say 10+). He will, however, prevent the last available pitcher who can start from being used (except in emergencies). This is to keep at least one potential starter for the next day's game. So, you do NOT need to bench a team's rotation.

3) Mathews, was was done during the period, will PH, PR or sub defensively for star players in lopsided games, preferring to use, in particular, itchy players as replacements. Additionally, he will pull starters in such one-sided games if his team's bullpen is healthy. This strategy will be most noticeable if the team's bench has several itchy players, the game is out of hand, or any of the star players in the lineup are not in a fully rested AIM setting/status.

4) Reluctant to use resting star players, Mathews will, however gamble with these quality athletes if the game is on the line. This is usually limited to having them PH late (9th onward) with the game on the line.

5) Running/Small ball: Mathews is generally conservative with the reins early, especially if his team grabs the lead. However, late in tie games, he is especially reluctant to run if his team's "big guns" are at bat or he's behind. His approach with the H&R is similar. Moving runners with the bunt, meanwhile, usually occurs early only against top flight pitchers and in middle or late innings only if behind or against quality pitchers and/or catchers. Overall then, Mathews is more of a big inning manager than a small ball/one run inning manager.

*NOTE: Mathews cannot handle the strike-shortened 1981 season. 

For additional information on this or other managers, visit The Digital Skybox (www.TheDigitalskybox.com)