What a Strange Season

This iteration of All Time Baseball may be the strangest we have ever taken part in.  Consider Run Differential for a moment.  Love it or hate it, we have to agree in a computer simulation, RD is an important concept.  There is no clutch, no recurring late in heroics, no team chemistry.  The computer sims and those who score more win more.  Yet:

• By run differential, the best team in the league by far, the Oasis Gunters, are barely over .500 and would be out of the playoffs if they started today.
• By run differential, the second best team in the league, the Sparta Hoplites, are also just over .500 and would be out of the playoffs if they started today.
• By run differential, some very average teams are leading their divisions.   Flin Flon is 33-29 despite a meager +5, Ankhana has one of the best records in the league despite only +6, and Denver is -13, yet 3 games above .500.

On top of that, recent ATB history shows the best teams in the league boast an RD in the 230 range.  This season, the Gunters are on pace for less than 200 and the best current division leader, Shamokin, is on pace for just + 92.  (I orignally put 'just' in quotes like I just did, but removed it, afterall, 92 is really is just 92.  The ATB 17 best division leader by measure of RD would rank as the 46th best team of all time.)

This league, more than ever before, is utterly balanced.  I can't wait for the 20 resims, all 30 teams might make the playoffs.

Also consider the following:

• Barry Bonds (DHA) is slugging .390;  this 2002 version of Bonds averaged .602 in the resims and .561 for his career.
• Turkey Stearnes (SPH), never one to get on base, is still so far below expectations at .253, one has to consider benching him for a time.
• Joe DiMaggio (ALB) stinks, Stan Musial (HEL) stinks.  So does Randy Jonson (OAS), Nap Lajoie (ALB), and Josh Gibson (CHA).
• Yet, the maligned draft picks of Walter Johnson (HOB), Dazzy Vance (P10)*, Alex Rodriguez (BRO), and Christy Mathewson (HOB) are doing GREAT.  
• You want more?  Dennis Freakin' Eckersley (ANK) leads the AL in blown saves.  Harvey Haddix (WPO) is 11-1.  Babe Adams (DOW), Randy Johnson (OAS), Kevin Millwood (SPH), Jesse Tannehill (NOR), and Kevin Brown (BRO) are a combined 14-38.
• Want more?  How about these two:  Scott Rolen (DHA) has 49 RBI.  His career average is 41.  It's June 5th!  Pedro Martinez (SPA), in the midst of a career year and that is saying a lot given his history, goes down with an injury and his replacement, Max Scherzer, tosses back to back shutouts.  Of course he does.

In the immortal words of the Coen Brothers....

(not safe for work)

* I actually asked Ivar A if he made a mistake.  Go pound salt Mr Poulas!