I consider replaying one APBA season a pretty good feat. Well, how about 17 seasons? Yes, Rod Caborn has completed a total of seventeen replays in addition, by the way, to managing a team in the OAPBA League.
We recently covered his latest replay, the deadball season of 1883. Not only has Rod done the replays but he’s gone through the effort of compiling the highlights of his efforts for us peruse. He’s put together a pdf document full of info and leaderboards (you may have to zoom in a tad to view it).
Some were isolated league replays. Others were integrated seasons. The earliest season was the 1883 season. The latest was his integrated Modern Era league which included teams from this century. Very comprehensive data and the document looks great!
If you want to find out more about the man behind the replays, check out these APBA Fan Profile we did of Rod back in 2011.
As for his next project, Rod says:
I have no idea of what replay I’m going to undertake next. Thinking about something that incorporates teams from the mid-1930s and early 1940s, for the simple reason that one comes away with a better knowledge of the teams of each year or era from the replays.
Whatever it is, I can’t wait to hear about it! Well done, sir!
Hi Rod,
Congrats on completing so many seasons. As I near the end of my second replay I am also in flux as to how to proceed from here.
I am curious if you are doing all of them on BBW, or combination of cards/BBW. I am also enjoying the deadball era more than I though initially, and am curious if you had thought of integrating a negro league/MLB season (as baseball always SHOULD have been?
Am considering getting the new BBW so I can do the seasons APBA does not have on cards, or creating my own cards and just playing those as well. Unfortunately my goal of completing them all is going to be impossible without the BBW for me.
My thoughts are since I am almost done with 1905 and did 1901 doing a set of 1902 that I did make cards for, but have not printed (only because APBA does not seem to have this year targeted) or buying 1903 and getting the BBW while doing that replay as I take about 1 1/2 years to complete and will have more than enough time to do it both ways, and would like your input if you don’t mind.
I have done all the replays the old-fashioned manual way…using the cards. I start by entering lineups for three months of play (in pencil, to allow changes, which invariably occur). Also, I create my own schedule, which allows me to play three or four-game series for each matchup, rather than one day at a time (this also gives you a better context).
I am a Mac guy, so I don’t have BBW. I salute you on going for 1902. The replays are a great way to get acquainted with the early days of baseball, how the game was played, and gives you an in-depth knowledge of all the players, not just the stars.
Let me know which replay you next embark upon.
Rod Caborn
Scott. I have replayed a number of seasons on windows for competing game company. About 15 or so. Was due to career and time needed to do so. It is a joy and a challenge to manage all clubs. Stats are a breeze. But I recently came back to APBA cards. Why? I started there 40 yrs ago ,both, cards and apba. I also found the computer started to become rote and I wasn’t thinking about the games, just often clicking mouse. Felt cards made me enjoy baseball and game more. I live dead ball era too, and am going to start 1907 or 1910 very soon
Gary,
I think that is how I feel. I prefer the cards, as I feel like I am more in control as opposed to just making a few choices here and there.
I also feel more in tune to how the players are performing when I manage the day to day, and doing the stats manually, while a chore, still has it’s purpose.
I just know that taking 1.5 years to do one season makes my dream of playing all years unrealistic is all. I am going to do 1903 next, and probably do BBW and start with 1876 and do only the seasons not covered by cards.
Scott: I am coming, and probably have come to same place. I think that 1906 or 1907 cards is my next step, will start in Oct this year. Still not sure if I will play both leagues or not. 1906 I probably would play both NL/AL….
APBA does have nearly all post 1900 seasons on cards now, but it still wouldnt likely be possible for anyone to play all those on cards….
I would hope that company releases 1902 soon; it’s only one left that’s not on cards.
Pre 1900 seasons are all released by competitor, and there have been some realism issues in my view ,and in replays there on that company’s BBW….particularly in SB totals and batting averages in 1887, and 1890.
I was not aware of anyone else doing pre 1900. That said, not sure why that would prevent APBA from producing sets unless there is a licensing issue.
FYI I ordered the 1903 set today and the CPU version for the game today. I have about a month of season left and wanted to have the next set of cards ready to roll.
I came across my 2008 season that I had completely forgotten about. I want to do a post season tournament with all the teams from 1901, 05 and 1998 and see what happens. If it is fun I may make it an annual affair.
I just am enjoying the early days too much to not want to play them all, and also want to have a truly “all time” records established.
Scott. Hear you. I love the 1900 to 1920 era as well. Even did some work on it for society for American baseball research for that era. I ve replayed 1901, 1903, 1908, 1909 and 1915 on computer, competing game company. I will replay 1906, 1907, 1910 on apba cards. One last, the hr crazy era including 1998 versus pitching dominated dead ball don’t always yield good results. Pitching does win, but I am not sure Mordecai would be som dominant against 1998 NYY as he is on the table….
As a huge fan of the dead ball era, I can read about this stuff all day.
Rolling that many seasons is pretty impressive. I have completed 1947-1957 and 1969-1983 on BBW. I normally play for 3-4 teams per season.
I have full stats and highlights for each year; compiled career stats and a Hall of Fame.
Of note my all time homer leader is Reggie Jackson with 508 but I think once I get Mickey Mantle’s career done he will far surpass it. But then Henry Aaron will pass him.