Och, Aye! Ye Wobbly Wee Spinner…
All-Star Baseball debuted in 1941, nestled between APBA’s precursor, National Pastime (1930) and Hal Richman’s Strat-O-Matic (1961). In this era, the game bore the name of former big-leaguer, Ethan Allen. Yet, it was a product of Cadaco-Ellis, Inc., eventually re-branded Cadaco’s All-Star Baseball. In Dad’s workroom, this game merely…existed…in a chrysalis of dust mites, webbing […]
Baseball! for the Odyssey² – Marking a Milestone in Early Baseball Video Games
The year is 1977. Elvis passed away or, depending on your worldview, started a new life working at Stuckey’s in Rock Port, Missouri. Jimmy Carter entered the White House, Ted Turner had a brief stint as the Braves manager, smallpox was finally eradicated in the wild, and Saturday Night Fever hit theatres (not in order […]
Strat-O-Matic Baseball 365
Strat-O-Matic Baseball 365 is a fun way to enjoy the Strat-O-Matic Baseball game. You can create a league with friends or just sign up for a league. Usually the league has around 12 teams. Each team can spent around $1 million dollars on team payroll. You choose 25 players for your roster and then you […]
Reliving 1962 On My Tabletop
Awhile back, I grabbed a copy of David Krell’s book 1962: Baseball and America in the Time of JFK. In pouring through the pages, I became nostalgic for what I feel was an easier time in American history. It was this book that got me to thinking about playing the ’62 NL season (with Strat-O-Matic, […]
Retro Computer Baseball Game Review – Avalon Hill Pro Manager
This is the fourth entry in a series focusing on computer baseball simulations to supplement the chapter “Play Retro Baseball Video Games In Your Browser” from my Hardball Retroactive book along with the corresponding post at Hardball Retro. The series focuses on baseball simulations – games in which the primary emphasis is on managerial strategy […]
Challenge the Yankees
Christmas had come. Our lists were made and submitted. We’d get some of the things on our list, but there would always be a few surprises. Under the tree on Christmas Day, 1964, was a gift I didn’t recognize. It was long and flat and when I opened it I was staring at the start […]
Superstar Baseball – Sports Illustrated Baseball
Sports Illustrated published a baseball game in 1971 that was designed by David Neft, leader of the team who created the first Macmillan’s Baseball Encyclopedia in 1969. The game was made with quality pieces and each team had 25 players on a team sheet. The 1971 season teams were rated for players batting and pitching […]
Retro Computer Baseball Game Review – MicroLeague Baseball
This is the third entry in a series focusing on computer baseball simulations to supplement the chapter “Play Retro Baseball Video Games In Your Browser” from my Hardball Retroactive book along with the corresponding post at Hardball Retro. The series focuses on baseball simulations – games in which the primary emphasis is on managerial strategy […]
Why ’74?
On a relatively frequent basis, I’m asked how my replays are going and why I chose the seasons in which I’m immersed. And while it’s unfortunate that my theory of actual reality (where did that phrase come from?) more than occasionally gets in the way of rolling dice, the Strat-O-Matic box has finally been reopened […]
Retro Computer Baseball Game Review – Computer Statis Pro Baseball
This is the second entry in a series focusing on computer baseball simulations to supplement the chapter “Play Retro Baseball Video Games In Your Browser” from my Hardball Retroactive book along with the corresponding post at Hardball Retro. The series focuses on baseball simulations – games in which the primary emphasis is on managerial strategy […]
