Gil Johnson (Version 2.1), 1970-79 period AIM Manager

 

            Designed to manage or guide 1970's decade replays, Gil

Johnson (consisting of the four files: MgrGilJh.dct, MgrGilJh.mob,

MgrGilJh.msy, and MgrGilJh.lib) follows the general managerial

style of the period. To wit:

 

            1) A quick hook for AL pre-DH starters and

NL starters with a much slower approach to pulling

starters AFTER the DH was introduced. Similarly, he will permit

quality relievers to pitch much longer with the DH in effect

(e.g., 3+ innings).  Relievers in pre-DH or NL leagues

will generally have much shorter outings.

 

  a) Johnson does NOT set aside a starting rotation and, therefore,

will occasionally use a starter in relief (if they compiled relief

appearances during the year). This will usually be done late in

close games or where a team's bullpen was thinned due to fatigue

or injury. However, he will "save" or prevent one possible starter

(e.g., one or more GS) from being used in relief in order to start

the next day (or game).

 

  b) Johnson will employ both a "bullpen by committee" approach

for teams with multiple closers or no single dominant closer.

With such bullpens, he will greatly favor platoon advantages and

will also be quick to summon another closer if the current reliever

is struggling. For teams with one dominant closer, however, Johnson

will usually stay with that stud reliever even if being hit hard

unless the save has been blown.

 

        2) Johnson's offensive substitutions, meanwhile, tend to

be more aggressive as you get deeper into the game. This will

include attempts to pad or add to a lead in a threat situation.

Platoon advantages or disadvantages come into great play, as well.

 

            3) Blowout or Rout Strategies: Johnson will PH, PR or sub

defensively for star players in lopsided games. He favors, in

particular, usuing "itchy" substitutes (both offensively and

defensively) and will be more aggressive in going to the bench if

an "itchy" sub is available.

 

            4) Pinchrun Specialists: Several teams during the 70's,

most noticeably the Oakland franchise, made great use of PR

specialists or players who were used predominantly, if not

exclusively, as pinchrunners. Johnson will quite aggressively use

these players - not only in critical situations late (i.e, down

or tied) but also to add to a close lead. In almost all situations,

these players will only be used a pinchrunners and will be

immediately replaced defensively.

 

 NOTE: Be careful in editing these PR specialist PR and RUse numbers. Also, be careful that the League Manager lineup generator does use these players in the starting lineup. If that is done, many of these specialists will wind up tired for

the next several weeks and, thus, won't be available for game use.

 

            5) "Guerilla ball" vs. "Gorilla ball." Johnson is

programmed to use both the small ball and aggressive baserunning

tactics of the K.C. or Oakland (see #4 above) clubs and many of

the post-1975 (or so) franchises as well as the big inning,

station-to-station styles that predominated in the early part of

the decade (e.g, Boston, Pittsburgh) especially with DH teams.