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Trading is for Losers
Bring a snack, this'll take some time Recently, I've been kind of obsessed with the MLB amateur draft. That led me to make this post about the players who were traded before they played for the team that drafted them. But that wasn't enough. My penance is not yet complete. So, now, we're taking a look at all the players each team has drafted, and are seeing how good those teams would be. This is essentially a test of each team's scouting ability, regardless of what they did with the players once they signed. The MLB amateur draft began in 1965. Since then, 10 of the 30 teams in the MLB have been added to the league as expansions:
The Royals, Padres, Brewers (Pilots), and Nationals (Expos) in 1969
The Mariners and Blue Jays in 1977
The Rockies and Marlins in 1993, and
The Diamondbacks and Rays in 1998
As a result, the ranking will almost certainly be biased in favour of the other 20 teams. So, grain of salt taken, let's begin The Rules
Each team gets 9 players: 1 from offensive position, and 1 starting pitcher
I also recorded the best 4 remaining starters, but these players did not factor into the rankings or bWAR totals
The "best" player at each position will be determined by career bWAR
In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by career fWAR
In order to qualify, a batter must have 500 PAs, and a starter must have 25 starts, as of Feb 1, 2021. These standards were slightly altered from the requirements for a batter (502 PAs) or a pitcher (162 IP) to be "qualified"
ONLY the team that signed a player has claim to them. If the player was not signed, they cannot be on that team
Each player's defensive position is determined by his designation in the "Positions" field on their baseballreference page (just below their name)
If a player is declared to be an "Outfielder", he is eligible for all 3 outfield positions
The player must have joined the team via the June amateur draft (primary or secondary phase), the January amateur draft (primary or secondary phase), or the August Legion Draft. No International Free Agents or Amateur Free Agents
The Rankings The teams are ranked by the cumulative bWAR of the best player at each position, from least to most WAR generated. Below the 9 best players are the best 4 remaining starters, and their respective career bWAR totals (these pitchers are not factored into the rankings or team WAR totals). Remember, the expansion teams are at a disadvantage of having less time to recruit players, with the newest teams getting the most severe handicap. If the type of round the player was drafted in is unspecified, he was drafted in the primary stage of the June amateur draft. At the end of the rankings is the "All-Star Team", the best player at each position from the whole group, as well as some general stats about the draft picks. Let's get started: 30. Miami Marlins (217.3 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Charles Johnson
22.6
1
1B
Adrian Gonzalez
43.6
1
2B
Austin Barnes
4.0
9
3B
Brian Anderson
8.7
3
SS
Robert Andino
1.9
2
LF
Christian Yelich
32.3
1
CF
Randy Winn
27.5
3
RF
Giancarlo Stanton
41
2
SP
Josh Beckett
35.7
1
Brad Hand (7.0)
Jose Fernandez (14.2)
Jason Vargas (17.5)
Josh Johnson (24.3)
29. Arizona Diamondbacks (226.5 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Chris Snyder
4.5
2
1B
Paul Goldschmidt
45.1
8
2B
Dan Uggla
18.2
11
3B
Jake Lamb
7.9
6
SS
Stephen Drew
15.9
1
LF
Justin Upton
33.9
1
CF
AJ Pollock
20.1
1
RF
Adam Eaton
18.6
19
SP
Max Scherzer
62.3
1
Josh Collmenter (7.3)
Trevor Bauer (17.5)
Brad Penny (18.9)
Brandon Webb (31.1)
28. Tampa Bay Rays (231.4 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
John Jaso
10.8
12
1B
Aubrey Huff
20.5
5
2B
Brandon Lowe
5.8
3
3B
Evan Longoria
56.7
1
SS
Tim Beckham
3.5
1
LF
Carl Crawford
39.1
2
CF
Kevin Kiermaier
27.4
31
RF
Josh Hamilton
28.2
1
SP
David Price
39.4
1
Jeremy Hellickson (11.7)
Alex Cobb (12.5)
Jason Hammel (12.8)
James Shields (31.0)
27. Colorado Rockies (282.7 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Chris Iannetta
15
4
1B
Todd Helton
61.8
1
2B
Craig Counsell
22.4
11
3B
Nolan Arenado
39.1
2
SS
Troy Tulowitzki
44.5
1
LF
Matt Holliday
44.4
7
CF
Chone Figgins
22
4
RF
Charlie Blackmon
17.9
2
SP
Aaron Cook
15.6
2
Jason Jennings (11.2)
John Thomson (12.3)
Kyle Freeland (12.8)
Jake Westbrook (13.1)
26. New York Mets (304.3 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Jody Davis
15.8
3 (January)
1B
Dave Magadan
21.1
2
2B
Daniel Murphy
19.6
13
3B
David Wright
49.2
1
SS
Hubie Brooks
13
1
LF
Greg Jefferies
19.6
1
CF
Lenny Dykstra
42.5
13
RF
Darryl Strawberry
42.2
1
SP
Nolan Ryan
81.3
1
A.J. Burnett (28.8)
Jacob DeGrom (38.1)
John Matlack (39.4)
Dwight Gooden (53.0)
25. San Diego Padres (321.6 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Nick Hundley
7.5
2
1B
Derrek Lee
34.6
1
2B
Trea Turner
16.6
1
3B
Chase Headley
25.9
2
SS
Ozzie Smith
76.9
4
LF
Kevin McReynolds
30.1
1
CF
Shane Mack
21.6
1
RF
Tony Gwynn
69.2
2
SP
Jake Peavy
39.2
15
Randy Jones (17.7)
Mike Caldwell (18.4)
Andy Benes (31.5)
Corey Kluber (32.3)
24. Toronto Blue Jays (330.4 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Yan Gomes
14.2
10
1B
John Olerud
58.1
3
2B
Orlando Hudson
30.9
43
3B
Jeff Kent
55.4
20
SS
Michael Young
24.7
5
LF
Shannon Stewart
24.9
1
CF
Vernon Wells
28.6
1
RF
Jesse Barfield
29.4
9
SP
Roy Halladay
64.2
1
Chris Carpenter (34.2)
Jimmy Key (48.9)
David Wells (53.5)
Dave Stieb (56.4)
23. Los Angeles Dodgers (335.5 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Russell Martin
38.8
17
1B
Mike Piazza
59.6
62
2B
Steve Sax
25.7
9
3B
Ron Cey
53.8
3 (June secondary)
SS
Bill Russell
31.3
9
LF
Matt Kemp
21.6
6
CF
Shane Victorino
31.5
6
RF
Davey Lopes
42.4
2 (January secondary)
SP
Clayton Kershaw
69.6
1
Rick Rhoden (35.4)
Charlie Hough (38.4)
Bob Welch (43.7)
Orel Hershiser (56)
22. Texas Rangers (337.6 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Jim Sundberg
40.5
1 (January secondary)
1B
Mark Teixeira
50.6
1
2B
Ian Kinsler
55.2
17
3B
Bill Madlock
28.2
5 (January secondary)
SS
Roy Smalley
27.9
1 (January)
LF
Mike Hargrove
30.4
25
CF
Pete O'Brien
19.2
15
RF
Jeff Burroughs
17.8
1
SP
Kevin Brown
67.8
1
Tom Henke (22.9)
Joe Coleman (23.2)
R.A. Dickey (23.7)
Kenny Rogers (50.5)
21. Chicago White Sox (358.2 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Ron Karkovice
14.6
1
1B
Frank Thomas
73.8
1
2B
Ray Durham
33.8
5
3B
Robin Ventura
56.1
1
SS
Randy Velarde
24.9
19
LF
Carlos May
10.5
1
CF
Mike Cameron
46.7
18
RF
Harold Baines
38.7
1
SP
Mark Buehrle
59.1
38
Gio Gonzalez (28.6)
Dough Drabek (29.2)
Rich Gossage (41.1)
Chris Sale (45.3)
20. Chicago Cubs (364.8 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Rick Wilkins
14
23
1B
Rafael Palmeiro
71.9
1
2B
DJ LeMahieu
24.8
2
3B
Josh Donaldson
41.5
1
SS
Scott Fletcher
32
1 (June secondary)
LF
Kris Bryant
24.3
1
CF
Bill North
26.8
12
RF
Oscar Gamble
22.9
16
SP
Greg Maddux
106.6
2
Joe Niekro (29.7)
Burt Hooton (35.6)
Jamie Moyer (49.8)
Rick Reuschel (69.5)
19. Los Angeles Angels (365.5 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Mike Napoli
26.3
17
1B
Carney Lansford
40.4
3
2B
Howie Kendrick
34.7
10
3B
Troy Glaus
38.1
1
SS
Damion Easley
20.5
30
LF
Darin Erstad
32.3
1
CF
Mike Trout
74.6
1
RF
Tim Salmon
40.6
3
SP
Chuck Finley
57.9
1 (January secondary)
Jered Weaver (34.6)
John Lackey (37.3)
Andy Messersmith (40.2)
Frank Tanana (57.2)
18. San Francisco Giants (380.0 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Buster Posey
41.8
1
1B
Will Clark
56.5
1
2B
Robby Thompson
33.9
1 (June secondary)
3B
Matt Williams
46.6
1
SS
Chris Speier
30.6
1 (January secondary)
LF
George Foster
44.2
3 (January)
CF
Garry Maddox
36.8
2 (January)
RF
Jack Clark
53.1
13
SP
Madison Bumgarner
36.5
1
Bob Knepper (21.9)
Joe Nathan (26.7)
Matt Cain (29.1)
Jim Barr (30.7)
17. New York Yankees (380.9 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Thurman Munson
46.0
1
1B
Fred McGriff
52.6
9
2B
Rex Hudler
6.3
1
3B
Mike Lowell
24.9
20
SS
Derek Jeter
71.3
1
LF
Brett Gardner
43.0
1
CF
Willie McGee
34.2
1 (January secondary)
RF
Don Mattingly
42.4
19
SP
Andy Pettitte
60.2
22
Stan Bahnsen (22.7)
Tim Belcher (26.0)
Mark Leiter (40.0)
Ron Guidry (47.8)
16. Seattle Mariners (401.4 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Jason Varitek
24.2
1
1B
Tino Martinez
29.0
1
2B
Bret Boone
22.9
5
3B
Kyle Seager
33.4
3
SS
Alex Rodriguez
117.5
1
LF
Raul Ibanez
20.9
36
CF
Ken Griffey Jr.
83.8
1
RF
Jose Cruz
19.6
1
SP
Mark Langston
50.1
2
Erik Hanson (22.1)
Mike Moore (27.9)
Mike Hampton (28.2)
Derek Lowe (34.3)
15. Cincinnati Reds (402.7 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Johnny Bench
75.2
2
1B
Joey Votto
62.1
2
2B
Justin Turner
29.5
7
3B
Todd Frazier
24.8
1
SS
Barry Larkin
70.5
1
LF
Eric Davis
36.1
8
CF
Reggie Sanders
39.8
7
RF
Paul O'Neill
38.8
4
SP
Gary Nolan
25.9
1
Mike Leake (16.9)
Don Gullett (18.2)
Tom Browning (19.8)
Charlie Liebrandt (33.3)
14. Milwaukee Brewers (422.7 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Darrell Porter
40.9
1
1B
Jeff Cirillo
34.5
11
2B
Paul Molitor
75.7
1
3B
Ryan Braun
46.9
1
SS
J.J. Hardy
28.1
2
LF
B.J. Surhoff
34.4
1
CF
Robin Yount
77.3
1
RF
Gary Sheffield
60.5
1
SP
Chris Bosio
24.4
2 (January Secondary)
Moose Haas (17.3)*
Bill Wegman (17.8)
Yovani Gallardo (22.1)
Ben Sheets (23.2)
*Moose Haas tied with Jim Slaton for 17.8 bWAR. However, Haas has 22.7 fWAR, whereas Slaton has 15.8 fWAR 13. Houston Astros (424.9 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Craig Biggio
65.5
1
1B
Lance Berkman
52
1
2B
Bill Doran
32.9
6
3B
Ken Caminiti
33.5
3
SS
Carlos Correa
26.3
1
LF
Luis Gonzalez
51.7
4
CF
Kenny Lofton
68.4
17
RF
Ben Zobrist
44.6
6
SP
Roy Oswalt
50.0
23
Darryl Kyle (20.2)
J.R. Richard (22.2)
Ken Forsch (26.0)
Floyd Bannister (26.4)
12. Detroit Tigers (425.0 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Lance Parrish
39.5
1
1B
Jason Thompson
25.0
4
2B
Lou Whitaker
75.1
5
3B
Travis Fryman
34.4
1
SS
Alan Trammell
70.7
2
LF
Bobby Higginson
23.1
12
CF
Curtis Granderson
47.0
3
RF
Kirk Gibson
38.4
1
SP
Justin Verlander
71.8
1
Dan Petri (17.1)
Rick Porcello (19.9)
Jack Morris (43.5)
John Smoltz (69.0)
11. Cleveland Indians (427.4 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Ron Hassey
14.7
19
1B
Jim Thome
72.9
13
2B
Jason Kipnis
21.8
2
3B
Buddy Bell
66.3
16
SS
Francisco Lindor
28.7
1
LF
Albert Belle
40.1
2
CF
Brian Giles
51.1
17
RF
Manny Ramirez
69.3
1
SP
CC Sabathia
62.5
1
Jeremy Guthrie (18.4)
Charles Nagy (24.8)
Greg Swindell (30.5)
Dennis Eckersley (62.1)
10. Kansas City Royals (435.8 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Mike Sweeney
24.8
10
1B
George Brett
88.6
2
2B
Mark Ellis
33.5
9
3B
Alex Gordon
35.1
1
SS
Bill Pecota
9.1
10 (January)
LF
Johnny Damon
56.3
1
CF
Carlos Beltran
70.1
2
RF
Willie Wilson
46.1
1
SP
Zack Grienke
72.2
1
Mark Gubicza (37.4)
Kevin Appier (54.5)
Brett Saberhagen (58.9)
David Cone (62.3)
9. St. Louis Cardinals (441.0 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Ted Simmons
50.3
1
1B
Keith Hernandez
60.3
42
2B
Matt Carpenter
28.3
13
3B
Andy Van Slyke
41.3
1
SS
Placido Polanco
41.9
19
LF
Albert Pujols
100.7
13
CF
Ray Lankford
38.2
3
RF
J.D. Drew
44.9
1
SP
Jerry Reuss*
35.1
2
Lance Lynn (24.2)
Bob Forsch (24.6)
John Denny (32.2)
Dan Haren* (35.1)
*Jerry Reuss and Dan Haren tied with 35.1 bWAR, but Reuss has 11.3 more bWAR than Haren 8. Atlanta Braves (444.4 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Brian McCann
31.9
2
1B
Freddie Freeman
28.8
2
2B
Ron Gant
34.1
4
3B
Chipper Jones
85.3
1
SS
Andrelton Simmons
36.8
2
LF
Dale Murphy
46.5
1
CF
Brett Butler
49.7
21
RF
David Justice
40.6
4
SP
Tom Glavine
80.7
2
Zane Smith (20.2)
Jason Schmidt (29.5)
Kevin Millwood (29.8)
Adam Wainwright (41.0)
7. Minnesota Twins (466.6 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Joe Mauer
55.3
1
1B
Gary Gaetti
42.1
1 (June secondary)
2B
Brian Dozier
23.1
8
3B
Graig Nettles
68.0
4
SS
Jay Bell
37.2
1
LF
Chuck Knoblauch
44.6
1
CF
Kirby Puckett
51.1
1 (January secondary)
RF
Torii Hunter
50.7
1
SP
Bert Blyleven
94.5
3
Dave Goltz (23.1)
Scott Erickson (24.8)
Brad Radke (45.4)
Frank Viola (47.0)
6. Philadelphia Phillies (468.7 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Bob Boone
27.4
6
1B
Mike Schmidt
106.9
2
2B
Ryne Sandberg
68.0
20
3B
Scott Rolen
70.1
2
SS
Jimmy Rollins
47.6
2
LF
Lonnie Smith
38.5
1
CF
Marlon Byrd
25.8
10
RF
Larry Hisle
25.0
2
SP
Cole Hamels
59.4
1
Aaron Nola (21.7)
Randy Wolf (22.8)
J.A. Happ (22.9)
Kevin Gross (27.7)
5. Baltimore Orioles (485.9 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Matt Wieters
18.3
1
1B
Eddie Murray
68.7
3
2B
Bobby Grich
71.1
1
3B
Doug DeCinces
41.7
3 (January secondary)
SS
Cal Ripken Jr.
95.9
2
LF
Jayson Werth
29.2
1
CF
Steve Finley
44.2
13
RF
Nick Markakis
34.0
1
SP
Mike Mussina
82.8
1
Ben McDonald (20.8)
Mike Flanagan (25.5)
Jake Arrieta (25.9)
Mike Boddicker (31.3)
4. Pittsburgh Pirates (490.8 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Jason Kendall
41.7
1
1B
Richie Hebner
33.0
1
2B
Willie Randolph
65.9
7
3B
Jose Bautista
36.7
20
SS
Freddie Patek
24.1
22
LF
Barry Bonds
162.8
1
CF
Andrew McCutchen
44.6
1
RF
Dave Parker
40.1
14
SP
John Candelaria
41.9
2
Rick Honeycutt (21.6)
Bronson Arroyo (23.4)
Gerrit Cole (26.0)
Tim Wakefield (34.4)
3. Washington Nationals (493.5 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Gary Carter
70.1
3
1B
Tim Wallach
38.5
1
2B
Tony Phillips
50.9
1 (January secondary)
3B
Ryan Zimmerman
38.5
1
SS
Mark Grudzielanek
26.5
11
LF
Tim Raines
69.4
5
CF
Andre Dawson
64.8
11
RF
Bryce Harper
33.7
1
SP
Randy Johnson
101.1
2
Stephen Strasburg (33.3)
Cliff Lee (43.2)
Steve Rogers (44.7)
Javier Vazquez (45.6)
2. Oakland Athletics (515.9 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Gene Tenace
46.8
20
1B
Mark McGwire
62.2
1
2B
Phil Garner
29.7
1 (January secondary)
3B
Sal Bando
61.5
6
SS
Mike Gallego
17.0
2
LF
Rickey Henderson
111.2
4
CF
Chet Lemon
55.6
1
RF
Reggie Jackson
74.0
1
SP
Tim Hudson
57.9
6
Mike Morgan (26.2)
Kevin Tapani (29.2)
Barry Zito (31.9)
Vida Blue (45.1)
1 Boston Red Sox (641.9 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
ROUND DRAFTED
C
Carlton Fisk
68.4
1 (January)
1B
Jeff Bagwell
79.9
4
2B
Dustin Pedroia
51.6
2
3B
Wade Boggs
91.4
7
SS
Nomar Garciaparra
44.3
1
LF
Ellis Burks
59.8
1 (January)
CF
Fred Lynn
50.2
2
RF
Dwight Evans
67.1
5
SP
Roger Clemens
139.2
1
Bruce Hurst (34.1)
John Tudor (34.2)
Jon Lester (44.6)
Curt Schilling (79.5)
THE ALL-TIME DRAFTED ALLSTARS (921.9 bWAR)
POSITION
PLAYER NAME
bWAR
DRAFTING TEAM
C
Johnny Bench
75.2
Cincinnati Reds
1B
Mike Schmidt
106.9
Philadelphia Phillies
2B
Bobby Grich
71.1
Baltimore Orioles
3B
Wade Boggs
91.4
Boston Red Sox
SS
Alex Rodriguez
117.5
Seattle Mariners
LF
Barry Bonds
162.8
Pittsburgh Pirates
CF
Ken Griffey Jr.
83.8
Seattle Mariners
RF
Reggie Jackson
74.0
Oakland Athletics
SP
Roger Clemens
139.2
Boston Red Soc
Mike Mussina (82.8)
Bert Blyleven (94.5)
Randy Johnson (101.1)
Greg Maddux (106.6)
Overall Statistics So, there you go. Boston is apparently full of scouting gods (or at least used to be), and the newest teams get hit really hard by having fewer years to draft. Mostly out of personal curiosity, I also decided to track some general statistics about the entirety of the project:
POSITION
TOTAL bWAR
bWAR PER PLAYER
AVERAGE ROUND DRAFTED
C
1007.4
33.58
5.50
1B
1685.1
56.17
6.22
2B
1071.7
35.72
7.65
3B
1341.0
44.70
4.60
SS
1185.6
39.52
5.23
LF
1370.8
45.69
4.75
CF
1321.2
44.04
7.40
RF
1273.3
42.44
5.34
SP
2044.2
68.14
5.70
TOTAL
12300.3
45.56
5.71
AND THAT'S ALL, FOLKS! You made it. Maybe you read through it all, maybe you just looked for your own team. Whatever the case, thanks for reading. Any criticism/suggestions on how to improve would be greatly appreciated. I've just started doing this kind of thing, and I find that I'm enjoying it. Signing off for now, I may be back again with another massive post (I have an idea, but don't know how well it will work out)
Theory crafting what the the devs are thinking. Updates 4-6
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/288358708742717440/772203828330102784/image0.png (Above is the link to fallow along with my theory crafting) About a month prior to the launch of "Beast of the East" which added Texas, Oklahoma, and finally northern Colorado. In additon it added more lore and interest to the legion as well as flavor for the Navajo tribe which I just recently played (Highly recommended, though, don't go for Asymmetric warfare's guerilla tree (which I did), do the decimation one or even conventional if you wanna be spicy. You'll want the defense). I decided, after creating the home of the Navajo, I should indeed look to other nations to be added, as well as what those nations could possibly be. So, lets check out the update tree: Update 4.0: Tandi's Legacy Named after the effective founder of the NCR, this is set to be an update primarily dealing with Fallout 1 / Fallout 2's California as well as the canon majors and updated North-Californian /Oregonian tribes in Arroyo and likely the nation's nearby neighbors as shown in fallout 2. Additionally, the NCR is set to have, "New Election & Crisis system", likely hinting at issues the nation was dealing with during and around the time of New Vegas including the issues of the barons shown, kind of already, in a much less drastic form that needs this major update. The second half however is the brotherhood of steel, which finally is to receive the maximum content as well as create what seems to be a special GUI / decisions about the other brotherhoods throughout the United States. This is in addition to the Brotherhood's home of Lost Hills getting a total redesign and update of its national focus trees which will likely add much more content for the Brotherhood's homeland. San Fran as well is likely to get an update, as the ever beloved Shi are too getting a new fancy focus tree in addition to their new portrait they where given in the previous update. Finally, was the, at least confusing to me, addition of: "Explore crime and Commerce within the Big circle", which seems to be implying that their is going to be a major update to the city-states of Vegas, Vault City, and New Reno...I assume, involving gambling and crime? Maybe some extra techs only they can get? Or, maybe, even interactions between them. Things I would want to see, or would be interesting: Note, "An Expansion Through the whole of California", it seems heavily implied especially by the Big circle update that this means more then just those listed there. Some ideas I have are as fallows:
An actual Enclave in New Reno, especially after the dev for the Enclave reborn mod is now in the team.
The Navada Bandits get some love / national focus trees. These would be the Jackals, the Vipers, Kronos' clique on Area 51, and probably the Yakuza territories since their boss is also into the mainline mod.
Other Oregon tribes, particularly the Rib breakers for instance.
Update 5.0: End of Civilisation (which is either a spelt wrong version of Civilization or is a place that they are adding?) This, is the Montana and northern map update of your dreams, one which deals in a lot of Steam and religious doctrine. First off, major reworks all around, from Heaven's Gate, to Old Country, and the Bonedancers. As well as totally new National focus trees for Timberline, and the Littlefoot tribe. Next is some, more interesting lore tid bits relating to the 'best ending for the Great Khans' a migration to the region pushed by the powers at be in Vegas. This is story of journeys in continued in the apparent unique flavor Old Country, a nation of ghouls from Vault 100, maybe journeys into what was once USA occupied Canada? New arrivals would be the Montana Brotherhood, and more Native American Flavor in the Inuit tribe / nation. Finally is this mysteriously named: CPF, which I have money betting on it being a police force trying to put order back into the region, but I don't know if that is correct since CPF could mean a lot of different things. Things I would like to see:
If the update is a total expansion to the Northwest, does that mean there is going to be national focus trees for the minor religious nations South of Heaven's gate? Murtagh for example, would it be given a focus tree?
The Art above is, very odd, even for Fallout standards, Most likely its supposed to represent a Ghoul host likely under the Old Country. BUT, if I might speculate, their color reminds me a lot of the Scorched from Fallout 76. It would be odd to see them in Montana but they would be a interesting nation for sure given the Scorch's lore is, very weird and spooky even by Fallout standards.
Update 6.0 A New Tide OH SWEET MOMA, is this going to get all of the Caribbean?! It seems so given its highlights INCLUDE all the major islands (Cuba, Bahamas, Haiti) but the more here could be both hyping, and misleading depending on the context. For example it could be that the entirety of update is just the island nations listed and as well as some flavor regions around them. But besides that, the hype can come from that of the major added feature, "Witness a Mighty Bastion of the Old World", unless they are taking from their new lore which they will have to add since the Caribbean's have never been even mentioned in lore as far as I can remember. BUT, it could mean in addition to Caribbean, and the mention of Crocodile Mutants make me think one thing. Florida, a region that was explored only in a mod for Fallout 4, and has been an interesting thought for regions since fallout 4's completion years ago. Though, I wouldn't hold your breath, because Florida is likely to be a very complex place especially in its proximity to the Eastern Brotherhood. Other then that, Its mainly a touchup nation, for what is likely the northern Bandit wall in the far south, as well as a possibility of The Housten Rockets getting a naval ambition? Again, this is where we have little to go off of. Things? : Simply put, this is where I am stopping this post, if interest is high for more discusion, upvote this massive essay and walkthrough. Thank you all for you time and reading!
Hello, and welcome back to Most Embarrassing Moments! Today, let's take a look at the MLB. Some of these teams, have had some of the most laughable stories that we'll look in. Before we get into the topic, don't forget to vote for tomorrow's LoF shitpost, alright, let's go. Arizona Diamondbacks - Randy Johnson was arguably the best pitcher that the D-Backs have ever had. But this was simply laughable. In 2007, Randy Johnson was almost at 300 wins for Arizona. The Diamondbacks tried to low-ball him by giving him a $2.5 million for 1 year. Understandably, he wasn't happy with the deal, and he fucked off to San Francisco. Atlanta Braves - Everything. Just everything about John Rocker. He had a decent career, but this statement was rotten. I would retire first. It's the most hectic, nerve-racking city. Imagine having to take the Number 7 train to the ballpark, looking like you're riding through Beirut next to some kid with purple hair to some queer with AIDS right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time right next to some 20-year old mom with four kids. It's depressing. John? This can't get worse, right? The biggest thing I don't like about New York are the foreigners. I'm not a very big fan of foreigners. You can walk an entire block in Times Square and not hear anybody speaking English. Asians and Koreans and Vietnamese and Indians and Russians and Spanish people and everything up there. How the hell did they get in this country? Are you fucking kidding me? Baltimore Orioles - I could go far away back in 1951, when the Orioles were the St. Louis Browns, they had to use a fucking stage performer to bat, but no, I'm going to for the infamous 30-run game. This Orioles team allowed 30 runs in one game... 30 runs, HAVE YOU HEARD OF DEFENSIVE REPLACEMENTS?! Boston Red Sox - I could go for the Babe Ruth Trade, I could go for the that time Tony Canigliaro got hit in the face with the ball, but no, the clear winner here is Bill Buckner. Mookie Wilson hit a slow roller at Buckner at first base. So Buckner was aware that Mookie Wilson was really fast. So he tried to rush the play, but the ball rolled through the left side of his glove and through his legs to allow Ray Knight to score the winning run. Bill... oh god no. Chicago Cubs - This was the epitome of embarrassment. So the Cubs had a 3-0 lead and a 3-2 series lead in the 2003 NLCS. Luis Castillo hits a fly ball into foul territory in left field. Bartman reaches out and deflects the ball robbing Moises Alou of a potential catch. Then the Marlins murdered the Cubs in the 9th inning and they went on to win the NLCS and the World Series. But after the incident, this was just absolutely rotten. Fans started throwing debris and shouted insults at the poor man. You only have yourself to blame on that one, lads. Shocking. Chicago White Sox - This was too easy to find. We should all know about the 1919 Black Sox Scandal. Eight players of the team were banned for life for throwing games on purpose during 1919 World Series, Arnold Gandil decided to be a fucking idiot and get a New York gangster to get money for fucking gambit, and it all ended in 8 players being banned, and so did Joe Jackson. Cincinnati Reds - Pete Rose was one of the greatest baseball players to ever play the game, but this was just absolutely out of line. He was a fucking idiot... who gambled on his own team. What? Cleveland Indians - This was one of the worst ideas that I've seen. So back on June 4, 1974, The Indians were a dumpster fire. Their attendance was ass, everything was fucked. So Ted Bonda decided to make an event called "10-Cent All-You-Can Drink Night". The idea work so well that the attendance was 25,000, but they were forced to forfeit their game because the fans were drunk and decided to throw cups on the field. Way to go, Ted. You really outdone yourself. Colorado Rockies - That streak.. JUST THAT STREAK! I'm mad too, Troy. Detroit Tigers - Oh, how could we forget about the 119-loss season. The starting rotation was absolutely fucking terrible. Nate Cornejo, Jeremy Bonderman, and Mike Maroth? Are you fucking kidding me? And their offense was led by Dmitri fucking Young, and their defense was... oh boy. Houston Astros - *BANG BANG BANG\ *evilly laughs** Oh, how little you truly knew about the deal you made. Los Angeles Angels - Game Five of the 1986 ALCS. Oh my goodness. Dave Henderson hit a home run and he got the game winning sac fly. Off of their reliever Donnie Moore. That loss made them go 16 years without a postseason appearance. And to top it all off, Donnie Moore, committed suicide after shooting his wife 3 times. Christ above. Los Angeles Dodgers - This was so shocking. So back in 2011, Frank McCourt had to file the DODGERS for bankruptcy. What a total fucking idiot. Thank god he sold the team to Guggenheim Baseball Management, OR THE DODGERS WOULDN'T HAVE A TEAM! Kansas City Royals - Their attendance. That is all. To be honest, I'd stay home if I didn't have shitty baseball teams. Miami Marlins - The Marlins 1997 World Series was the best World Series in my opinion. But after that, it was a fucking hellhole. The Marlins were in financial troubles. So what did Wayne Huizenga do? Traded their best players, and that ended up being a 100-loss season the year after. Milwaukee Brewers - Ryan Braun is a Brewers legend. But in 2012, after winning the NL MVP, he tested positive for using steroids. Great job, Ryan! Minnesota Twins - This team gets bitchslapped every year they face those Damn Yankees in the playoffs. This is why I've never taken this team seriously. New York Mets - HOW THE FUCK DO YOU CHOKE A 7-RUN LEAD?! ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! Poor FivePoints. I feel sorry for that bastard. New York Yankees - You lost in the 2001 World Series. In 7 games. To the expansion team known as the Arizona Diamondbacks. I feel nothing. Oakland Athletics - After 3 straight World Series Championships, they traded Reggie Jackson and Ken Holtzmann to those Damn Yankees. In return, Mike Torrez, Paul Mitchell and Don Baylor all hit 15 home runs all season, while Jackson and Holtzmann would win 2 straight WS Championships with the Yankees. My goodness. Philadelphia Phillies - 10,000 losses. My good lord. Pittsburgh Pirates - The 1980's were wild, weren't they? Try a cocaine ring in the depths of Three Rivers Stadium. Some of the players were NL MVP Keith Hernandez and Tim Raines. Jesus. San Diego Padres - The Padres and the World Series are not friends at all. 1-8 in the Fall Classic? Fucking brutal. San Francisco Giants - STEROIDS, JUST THAT! Seattle Mariners - Oh, Mariners, Mariners, Mariners. How could we forget that 2001 season. You had the best record in all of baseball, and you punched your fans in the dick by getting obliterated in the ALCS by... WHADDAYA KNOW, THE DAMN YANKEES!! St. Louis Cardinals - How do you lowball your best player, and let him walk for 10 years? This is why you're fucking terrible. Tampa Bay Rays - The Rays were bulking up their core after their 2011 ALDS loss to the Texas Rangers. They acquired Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez. But Manny decided to be a fucking idiot and use PEDs and was forced to retire. Texas Rangers - David fucking Freese, what a joke. Toronto Blue Jays - How the fuck do you lose your last 7? You have some of the best players in George Bell, Jesse Barfield, Lloyd Moseby, and a young Fred McGriff, and you collapse like that. Washington Nationals - Drew Storen. That fucking hack gave up 4 runs. 4 FUCKING RUNS! Anyway, that is the end of this presentation, you let me know what moment should be in this list, let me know in the comments below. If you enjoyed this post, make sure to upvote and I will see you in the LoF! Have a nice night, everyone.
Over the years I have thoroughly enjoyed throwing together playlists for different occasions (making coffee, working out, weddings, seasons, etc.) and thought I'd share! Please let me know your thoughts, favourite mixes, as well as recommendations for future playlists. All feedback is welcome! Hope you enjoy them: That Weekend Feeling Skip to the good bit; weekend grooves to wave away any weekday blues. Awesome Mix: Ultimate Edition (Mixtape) A great hero, named Kevin Bacon, once taught an entire city full of people with sticks up their butts that, dancing, well, is the greatest thing there is. The legend of Footloose comes alive with Awesome Mix: Ultimate Edition - Songs from and inspired by the Guardians of the Galaxy series. Morning Motivation: Steal Some Sunshine Soak up the sun with energetic jams and breezy classics! I'd Drink To That: Party Playlist Mix it up with a party playlist to keep the night buzzing. I'd Sing To That: Carpool Karaoke Pack up and take those pipes on a roadtrip! The catchy. The memorable. Just Jams 🎧 Nothing but jams to fill a pair of headphones or stadium. Brendan's Listen Local Funky & Thumpy! Some of my favourite energetic jams, classics, and BBQ party starters from our local Australian & New Zealand artists. Friday Fire It's Friday! Friends. Family. Fun. Groovin' The Brew Nothing but rockin' party grooves on tap. Diverse Pop Sounds It's pop, but not as you know it. Break Thru Ear Candy. Sunday Sesh Beers & bangers on a weekend! Run To Paradise Set up goals, and knock them down with an energetic running playlist. Summer Daze The heat is on with a playlist of crisp summer tunes. Autumn Mix: Volume 1 A breezy & brilliant playlist for the ever-changing Autumn seasons. Chilled Pop Soft, chilled winter pop songs. Warm Tunes Warm songs of Spring, like a comforting embrace. A Mid-Summer Night's Drink 🍻 Lord, what fun these mortals be! Wind Down 🌚 When the night winds down, so does some great music. 90's Baby! 📼 It is the sound of the roller disco, BMX bike track and arcade! The Hip Hip Hop Only the hippest of the hip. My modern and classic hip hop favourites. Indie Bops: It's ALT Good Get your alternative bounce on. Not Your Final Form: A Workout Playlist All the other licks with the pumped up kicks to keep you going during a workout. My favourites and a few other choice tunes for pushing harder, faster, stronger. Easy On The Ears Easy, Easy, Easybeats. Life Is Good ☀️ Today is gonna be a good day. Dial M For Music Deep, cathartic music. JOY Smile. Vibe Hard Get into the zone, and vibe-out to infectious tunes! Rock & Roll Never Dies Who says rock & roll is dead? Commercial radio? It's always been around; you've just got to roll with it and look harder. Get your kicks! Brainfood Introspective acoustic, calming strings, uplifting anthems, and a touch of nature. Food for the brain, and perfect background noise for studies. Game Night 🎲 For every occasion... casino, tabletop, videogames; a soundtrack to a brilliant game night! Sizzlers: BBQ Playlist 🍔 Fire up the burner and the anthems with a barbeque playlist hotter than the bright ball in the sky. Kickstart My Heart: Classic Rock Radio Rocking all over the world. Rush Hour Grinding Gears. Riff Raff: Party Rock Some rowdy rock to turn up the night. RE : FRESH 🍹 SUPERDOPE. Piña colada's and Caribbean Rum. The Driver There's a voice in my head that drives my heel. Country Road Might as well cruise. Might as well banjo. Born to be Wild Life's an adventure; you can't be tamed. Night Moves: Dancing In The Moonlight Unwind with the moonbeams. Night drives & night lives. Funk Right Off Get Funk'd. Rambling Roses 💐 Beauty and Love are as body and soul. Beauty is the mine, Love is the diamond. Sweat. Reset. Whatever it takes. 'Cause you love the adrenaline in your veins. Power Pop: Marathon Power pop to push and electrify a workout. Cool Beans: Coffee Playlist Recharge with some warm tunes. Kitchen Crooners 🎀 Now we're cooking! Now We're Cooking! Tasty tunes for the Kitchen. Pool Party Dive in to great poolside swing. Inspiration 💡 Takes Flight Reach for the Sky! Going Places Always push forward. First 💍 Songs for special days. DisNeat - Taking The Mickey Nothing but Disney favourites. Road Trip: Spinning Wheels Hear the call for adventure and hit the road. Guilty Pleasures 🍨 You like the Grease soundtrack? Word. Catchy AF POP Pop that bops. Essentials and the catchiest of the catchy. Acoustica Stripped Back. Playlist + Chill Cool off with some chilled beats and sweet acoustic. Making Waves Unwind with breathy, breezy songs perfect for a walk on the beach. The Playlist Of The Decade (New Years Eve) We welcomed 2020 with the ultimate party playlist jam-packed with familiar throwbacks and modern favourites from the 2010's! Good times! Rhythm Heaven Step up and dance. Sax on the Beach 🎷 Gratuitous? Nah! An instrument to elevate a song from good to great! BedroX 🔥 Sparks. Pump It Up: The Playlist of Champions 🏆 Winner winner, chicken dinner. Retro Rewind Twist & shout to killer Jukebox Classics. Classic Se7ens Nothing but 70's favourites. Great Eight's Nothing but 80's Favourites. Noughty & Nice Nothing but great 00's Throwbacks. The Best Playlist Never Heard It's unheard of! Best Songs You Might Have Missed Potentially slipped under the radar. Songs for Soundtracks 🎬 Royale with cheese. The Grand European Playlist About to take off! EPIC 🗡 Fortune & Glory! SUPERHOT VR : ROCK The champ is coming. SUPERHOT VR : HIP-HOP Kings never die. SUPERHOT VR : ACTION John Wick Schtick. Cowboy Bebop : Spike Spiegel Spike Spiegel is an ex-Syndicate goon and a bounty hunter aboard the Bebop. He is proficient in martial arts, zipcraft flying, and gunfights, but he also has comical and aloof sides of his personality. If there's three things he can't stand, it's kids, pets, and women with attitudes. Cowboy Bebop : Faye Valentine Faye Valentine is a coma survivor of over 50 years and she is trying to regain her memory. She got into a lot of debt upon entering this futuristic world, and she had to resort to a life of crime and hustling to survive... that is, until she decided to live on the Bebop and become a bounty hunter. Cowboy Bebop : Jet Black Jet Black is an ex-ISSP Special Forces Officer and the Captain of the Bebop. He is a bounty hunter and is called the "Black Dog" because once he sinks his teeth in he never lets go. Jet enjoys American Jazz music, taking care of Bonsai trees, and has a knack for investigative work. Cowboy Bebop : Radical Edward Edward is a net diver from Earth. Edward is a child prodigy for hacking and has an aptitude for anything mechanical, even though Edward has some eccentricities in other parts of her personality. For instance, Edward speaks in third person and sometimes behaves like a wild animal. At The Movies 🎟 Lights, camera, playlist. James Bond Classics 🍸 A martini, shaken, not stirred. The Word Is Bond 🍸 The world is not enough; but this playlist comes pretty close. Live Love LIVE Blistering live performances. Future Nostalgia Neo-swing, retro swagger; it's future nostalgia. B-Side Yourself Hidden Gems, Deep Cuts & Rarities. Punk'd You're Gonna Go Far, Kid. Building Houses: Hit By Hit Baby let's play house. Far ALT A playlist rocking that weird shit. Stay Home: The Safety Dance Stay safe out there. Day Tripper A playlist for a long drive - a day trip. In Tents Music For Camping. Roots Bluesy classics to strut to. All That Jazz Get jazzy on it. Focus Features Take a breather. Australiana Paradise. Drive Time Coast to coast. Songs for a spin. Stone Cold Classicals It's classically classic. Hall of Fame 💎 Songs for the career climbers and L.A. dreamers. Glitz & glam; all that jazz. This is Halloween Everybody Scream! It's Beginning to Sound A Lot Like Christmas! Christmas Classics. Just For Laughs 🎭 What a Joker! Two Nights In Tao🎙 Karaoke? There's a first time for everything. GAME Take control. Game On : Borderlands Psycho-delic CHOO CHOO THE PAIN TRAIN'S COMIN' Red Dead Redemption II Songs For Bloody Duels, Whiskey-Fueled Gambles, and Rolling Desert Plains. Energy Shot Keep animated with an energetic dose of catchy music! Party Fillers A background mix for any event. The Essential AC/DC AC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1973 by Scottish-born brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Although their music has been variously described as hard rock, blues rock, and heavy metal, the band themselves call it simply "rock and roll" The Essential One Republic OneRepublic is an American pop rock band formed in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 2002. It consists of lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Ryan Tedder, guitarist Zach Filkins, guitarist Drew Brown, bassist and cellist Brent Kutzle, drummer Eddie Fisher and keyboardist Brian Willett. The Essential Shinedown Shinedown is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed by singer Brent Smith in 2001. Shinedown has sold more than ten million records worldwide, and has had the most number one singles on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts out of any band, with 16. The Essential Dua Lipa Dua Lipa is an English singer and songwriter. After working as a model, she signed with Warner Music Group in 2015 and released her self-titled debut album in 2017. The success of the singles helped her self-titled album become one of the most-streamed albums on Spotify. The Essential Preatures The Preatures are an Australian band from Sydney. The band was formed in 2010 and features Isabella 'Izzi' Manfredi on vocals/keyboards, Jack Moffitt (guitar), Thomas Champion (bass) and Luke Davison (drums). The band won the Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition with their song Is This How You Feel. The Essential Maroon 5 Maroon 5 is an American pop rock band from Los Angeles, California. It currently consists of lead vocalist Adam Levine, keyboardist and rhythm guitarist Jesse Carmichael, lead guitarist James Valentine, drummer Matt Flynn, keyboardist PJ Morton and multi-instrumentalist Sam Farrar. The Essential INXS INXS were an Australian rock band, formed in 1977 in Sydney. INXS was fronted by Hutchence, whose magnetic stage presence made him the focal point of the band. Initially known for their new wave/pop style, the band later developed a harder pub rock style that included funk and dance elements. The Essential Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The group, whose best-known line-up comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, are regarded as the most influential band of all time. The Beatles are the best-selling music act of all time. The Essential Volbeat Volbeat are a Danish rock band formed in Copenhagen in 2001. They play a fusion of rock and roll, heavy metal and rockabilly. Their current line-up consists of vocalist and guitarist Michael Poulsen, guitarist Rob Caggiano, drummer Jon Larsen and bassist Kaspar Boye Larsen. The Essential Chromeo Chromeo is a Canadian electro-funk duo from Montreal, formed in 2002 by musicians David "Dave 1" Macklovitch and Patrick "P-Thugg" Gemayel. Their sound draws from blue-eyed soul, dance music, rock, synth-pop, disco and funk. As of 2018, the band has released five studio albums. The Essential Queen Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1970. Their classic line-up was Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals) and John Deacon (bass). With estimated record sales ranging from 170 million to 300 million, they are one of the biggest. The Essential Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, and dancer. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. The Essential Brian Setzer Brian Robert Setzer (born April 10, 1959) is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He found widespread success in the early 1980s with the 1950s-style rockabilly group Stray Cats, and revitalized his career in the early 1990s with his swing revival band, the Brian Setzer Orchestra. The Essential Florida Georgia Line Florida Georgia Line are an American country music duo consisting of vocalists Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley. Their 2012 debut single "Cruise" broke two major sales records: it was downloaded over seven million times, making it the first country song ever to receive the Diamond certification. The Essential KISS Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973 by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley. Well known for its members' face paint and stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid-to-late 1970s with its elaborate live performances. The Essential Sheppard Sheppard is an Australian indie pop band from Brisbane, formed in 2009. At the 2014 ARIA's ceremony, they were nominated for Album of the Year, Best Group, Best Independent Release, Best Pop Release, Song of the Year, Producer of the Year, and Best Video. The Essential Matchbox 20 Matchbox Twenty is an American rock band, formed in Orlando, Florida, in 1995. The group currently consists of Rob Thomas (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Brian Yale (bass guitar), Paul Doucette (drums, rhythm guitar, backing vocals), and Kyle Cook (lead guitar, vocals). The Essential Coldplay Coldplay are a British rock band that were formed in London in 1996 consisting of vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, and drummer Will Champion. Coldplay have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the world's best-selling. The Essential Daughtry Daughtry is an American rock band formed and fronted by namesake Chris Daughtry, who was a finalist on the fifth season of American Idol. Their self-titled debut album was released in November 2006 and reached number one on the Billboard 200. To date, Daughtry has sold over 9 million albums. The Essential Black Eyed Peas The Black Eyed Peas are an American musical group, consisting of rapperswill.i.am*, apl.de.ap, Taboo, J. Rey Soul and singer Fergie. Originally an alternative hip hop group, they subsequently refashioned themselves as a more marketable pop-rap act and have become best-selling artists.*
Solitaire is the much beloved choice for killing time in the office or at the home computer. The three most popular solitaire card games are Klondike, Spider, and FreeCell, and these enjoy dizzying heights of popularity as a result of being included as part of Microsoft Windows in the 1990s (for more on this, see this article). What these three games have in common is that they all fit the "builder" genre. That means that they follow the basic formula of many solitaire games, where the overall objective is to arrange cards in ascending order from Ace through to King, for each of the four separate suits. Typically this is done by placing and moving cards within a tableau of rows and columns of cards, where the cards are often arranged in descending order, sometimes with an additional requirement of alternating colours. Klondike, Spider, and FreeCell are by no means unique in this regard, and the genre of "building" games is the most popular archetype within the larger world of solitaire card games. Not all solitaire card games are builder games, but builder games are the most common and arguably the most loved. So which other solitaire games of this type should you know about and should you try first? I've explored the world of solitaire card games extensively myself, and also examined numerous lists about the most popular ones, to help you begin your experience with the best of the best, rather than waste your time with mediocre or obscure games. The six builder games covered in this article are time-tested classics that are most well-known and loved, and represent the best "next step" for anyone wanting to branch out after enjoying Klondike, Spider, or FreeCell. Each of the builder games discussed here represents a small category of its own, because there are many popular variations and related games for each, which I will cover as well. As with my previous articles on solitaire games games, the accompanying links go to Solitaired.com, which is a website where you can play these games for free. But because these games are so common and well known, you'll find that they are included in most software and websites that offer collections of solitaire card games.
== Games With One Deck ==
BAKER'S DOZEN Overview: Baker's Dozen also represents a family of games that plays much like Forty Thieves (see below), but with a single deck. While some variations have a stock, in Baker's Dozen and its most closely related games all the cards are face up, so you have complete information to work with. Game-play: The tableau consists of thirteen columns of four overlapping and face-up cards each, while the four foundations begin empty. To ensure that the tableau doesn't lock up too quickly, Kings are automatically placed to the bottom of each column when they are turned up. Just like in Forty Thieves, only the single top card of each column may be moved, and columns are built downwards, in any colour and suit. Empty spaces in the tableau may not be filled. As you'd expect, the aim is to get the entire deck onto the four foundations, building up each from Ace to King, with each being built upwards by value. Variations: Portuguese Solitaire makes Baker's Dozen slightly easier by allowing empty spaces in the tableau to be filled with Kings, while Spanish Patience allows building on the foundations regardless of suit. Baker's Two Deck is effectively the same as Baker's Dozen but using two decks, with eight foundations and a tableau consisting of ten columns with 10 or 11 cards each. My thoughts: Because this only involves a single deck, Baker's Dozen is much quicker to play than Forty Thieves, and the chances of success are also significantly higher, with as many as 2 of 3 games being easily winnable. The fact that Kings begin at the bottom of the tableau ensures that you don't get stuck too quickly, and being able to build down in the tableau independent of suit ensures a great amount of flexibility. At the same time managing the tableau carefully is still important, especially in cases where empty spaces don't get filled. This makes Baker's Dozen a quicker, simpler, and more accessible game than Forty Thieves and its many variants, while still remaining rewarding and satisfying to play. https://preview.redd.it/uzpzp0dtend61.jpg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=28ee57dfe129f73475b95e4b1c12d2910b9a0284 Related games: Castles in Spain requires building down in the tableau to be with alternate colours, and in most versions of this game all but the top card of each column in the tableau begins face-down. Quite similar is Martha and its harder sibling Stewart, where every second card in the tableau begins face-down. Good Measure is a more difficult variation of Baker's Dozen, since it uses ten columns of five cards each, and has more strict rules for building on the foundations; Canister has only eight columns with even more cards on each. Bisley: Special mention can be made of Bisley, which is a classic but more difficult game in this family. In Bisley you use a tableau of thirteen columns of four cards each to build upwards on the four Aces, and simultaneously build downwards on the Kings whenever they become available. CANFIELD Overview: Canfield is one of the all time greats among solitaire games, and is a genuine classic. Also known under names like Demon, Fascination, or Thirteen, you'll find that it appears in almost every book with solitaire card games. According to legend, the game owes its origin and name to Richard A. Canfield, a 19th century gambler. For an initial outlay of $52, Canfield offered gamblers a reward of $5 for every card successfully played to the foundations, with a $500 pot for successfully playing all 52 cards to the foundations. Anything more than 10 cards played to the foundations would get you out of the red, but in most cases the game favoured the casino, indicating how hard the game can be to play. Game-play: Game-play is much like Klondike, with the aim of building up all four suits in order. The key difference is the starting set-up, because there is a single face-down reserve of 13 cards (sometimes called the "demon"), with a 14th card turned up as the first foundation card. The foundations begin with the cards corresponding to the rank of this initially turned up card (rather than the usual Ace), and the idea is to build upwards from there, if necessary "turning the corner" from King through to Ace. Also different from Klondike is the starting tableau, which consists of just four face up cards alongside the reserve. The stock is turned up three cards at a time as in standard Klondike, with as many re-deals as necessary. Any space that appears in the tableau is immediately filled by the top card of the reserve pile, which is always kept face-up. Variations: Given how challenging it can take to win a standard game of Canfield, a number of variants exist that simplify the game slightly, increasing your chances of playing cards to the foundations. Canfield's gambling house is said to have given players the option of going through the stock three times when dealing three cards at a time, or just a single time when dealing one card at a time, and it has been estimated that most games would only see 5 or 6 cards played. The game becomes slightly easier with Canfield Rush, where the cards are first dealt three at a time, then two at a time, and then individually in a final deal of the stock. My thoughts: Canfield does have a strong connection to Klondike, but has a smaller tableau to work with, while also providing a much smaller number of cards (only 13) that are face-down in the tableau at the start of the game. The real key is finding a way to make these cards available and get these into the game. Given how hard the original game is, I prefer playing with the rule that allows dealing of cards individually, and cycling through the stock as often as necessary. Some of the related games discussed below, such as Rainbow and Storehouse, significantly improve your winning chances, and can be very satisfying to play. Certainly if you enjoy Klondike, this game is a great next step to try. https://preview.redd.it/u62f87euend61.jpg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=073fd04a2eea40447c0b030072ece279293ffca5 Related games: In Rainbow (also called Rainbow Canfield), cards may be built downwards in the tableau regardless of suit (some versions still require alternating colour), making it much easier to manipulate cards and work your way through the stock and the reserve. Additionally, cards from the reserve aren't automatically added to the tableau, giving you more control and adding strategic options. In most versions of Storehouse (also called Thirteen-Up), you get an additional head-start by placing your initial four cards on the foundations at the outset, while cards from the stock are turned up one at a time. The big difference in this game is that you must build down by suit in the tableau, which really changes how the game feels, because playing from the tableau to the foundation usually involves a whole string of cards at once. Eagle Wing (also called Thirteen-Down) is somewhat similar to Storehouse, and has a uniquely shaped tableau. Dutchess (sometimes spelled Duchess), is a Canfield style game that adds a reserve of four fans, while American Toad is an easy-to-win version of Canfield with two decks. Two Players: Canfield has been adapted for a multi-player game under the common name Pounce, and is also known as Nerts or Racing Demon. A commercial version exists under the name Solitaire Frenzy, and the published game Dutch Blitz is also a close relative. In Pounce, each player uses his own deck and tableau, playing simultaneously and real time onto shared foundations, with the goal is to be the first to get rid of your reserve pile. You can play with as many as half a dozen players or more, and the frenzied action typically proves to be enormous fun! FANGAMES (La Belle Lucie) Overview: La Belle Lucie, also called in English "Lovely Lucy" or "Beautiful Lutecia", is a classic representative of the family of games typically described as Fan games. It's one of the more difficult games in the genre to win, and thus some of its variants and closely related games have arguably become more popular than Lovely Lucy itself. But this classic game of French origin is a good archetype of the genre, and you'll find it included in most books with patience games, and on most solitaire websites and software. Effectively this game is just a tableau of 17 columns of three cards each (plus a column with a single card), but the fan-style arrangement with horizontally overlapping cards that is traditionally associated with this game is a signature feature. Game-play: A single deck is dealt face-up into 17 "fans", each consisting of three overlapping cards, plus an 18th column with just one card. Only one card can be transferred within the tableau at a time, so sequences can't be moved, and building happens downwards according to suit. Empty spaces in the tableau may not be filled. The aim is to build up four foundations by suit from Ace to King. Under the most commonly played rules, once you are unable to place or move any more cards, you take all the cards from the tableau and redeal them into fans with three cards each; there are two such re-deals. Variations: Three Shuffles and a Draw (also called Lovely Lucy With a Draw) adds a merci play, where you can move a single blocked card once during the course of the game. While La Belle Lucie is sometimes called The Fan, this is also the name of a popular variation which allows exposed Kings to be played to empty spaces in the tableau, making the game less frustrating and far more achievable. Trefoil is identical to La Belle Lucie except that the Aces begin on the foundations, resulting in an initial tableau of just 16 fans. My thoughts: This is a terrific single-deck game, because you have perfect information given that all the cards are face-up, and the large number of columns/fans means that buried cards have at most only a couple of cards blocking them. La Belle Lucie is very difficult to win under the original and strict rules, especially because empty fans may not be refilled, and cards beneath an unplayable exposed card (e.g. a King) are permanently inaccessible. The merci rule that lets you unblock one card is virtually essential, and usually a standard way of playing, but even after two redeals the game can still be hard to finish, depending on the draw. Some of the variants and related games that simplify things slightly are more satisfying. This is one of my favourite solitaire games to play with a single deck, since it is less luck-dependent than many other popular single-deck games like Klondike. https://preview.redd.it/wbkhlyawend61.jpg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=062ced3c363b906d2a0145ac742cccd257092c30 Related games: One of the more popular games in this family is Super Flower Garden, where building downward is permitted regardless of suit; with good play under these rules the game can be completed almost every single time. Shamrocks takes the essence of La Belle Lucie, but implements several other changes to make the game much easier: Kings are moved to the bottom of the fan during the deal, and you may build up as well as down on the fans (which are limited in size to 3 cards) and can ignore suits; to prevent it being too easy there are no redeals. Similar games: Games in the Baker's Dozen family (covered previously above) are sometimes classified as Fan games as well, because the game-play is quite similar, with 13 columns/fans of four cards each, but the absence of re-deals gives them a different feel. Bristol is often played with a tableau consisting of fans as well, but there are only eight fans of three cards each, while the rest of the deck functions as a stock that you deal onto three waste or reserve piles. Despite some hidden information, those who appreciate Fan games are likely to appreciate Bristol as well. Intelligence is a two-deck game in the style of La Belle Lucie, while the relatively easy two-deck game Buffalo Bill relies on reserve cells rather than tableau building. CASTLEGAMES (Beleaguered Castle) Overview: Beleaguered Castle is the most famous member of what can be called the "Castle" family of solitaire games, and is a classic game that you'll find in most books of Patience. This game sometimes also goes under the alternative names of Laying Siege and Sham Battle. It is an excellent example of an open solitaire game, because all the cards are dealt face-up at the start, so you begin with perfect information. Game-play: With the four Aces placed in a vertical column as foundations, the rest of the cards are dealt face-up into four rows of six overlapping cards each on either side, forming a tableau consisting of two "wings". As expected, the goal is to build all four foundations in order from Ace through King. Cards may only be moved within the tableau one at a time, rather than in stacks, so only the end card of each row within the tableau may be moved, either to the foundations, to another row in descending sequence regardless of suit, or to an empty space in the tableau. Variations: In Streets and Alleys, the Aces don't begin in the starting foundations at all, but are included in the initial tableau of dealt cards, so that the four rows on the left side of the foundations each consist of seven cards each rather than six. Thomas Warfield's Stronghold adds a storage cell to Streets and Alleys, to give more strategic options for movement. Citadel improves Beleaguered Castle's initial position slightly by allowing you to build straight to the foundations during the deal, while Selective Castle lets you choose the rank of the foundation cards after the deal. Some solitaire sites offer a Beleaguered Cities variant (sometimes simply called Castle), which makes the game much easier by allowing you to build in ascending or descending sequence (still regardless of suit), and this ensures that you can nearly always complete the game successfully. My thoughts: Despite the unusual signature "wing" setup, strictly speaking the mechanics of Beleagured Castle are like most other solitaire games (especially Forty Thieves, see below), but with a single deck, eight columns of six cards each, and no stock. The strict rules for movement and building within the tableau make this a very difficult game to complete successfully. Ideally you want to be able to get one of the rows entirely clear, to give you more options for manipulation within the tableau. Even so, being only able to move the outside card on each row is quite limiting, and as a result you will often be thwarted by the luck of the draw early on, especially if high cards bury some lower cards, and so this classic game can be somewhat frustrating. You'll often find yourself quickly redealing and starting over, hoping for better luck the next time around; one advantage of a digital version is that you can keep redealing until you get a deal that seems like a reasonable starting draw. The simpler variant Castle is a good place to start with this game, since it increases your chances of success drastically. https://preview.redd.it/6bc5x6zwend61.jpg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c46244357066a57635272d995c07235c72b3103f Related games: Fortress operates on a similar concept, but there are five rows on each side of the foundations instead of four. In addition, you are restricted to building on the same suit, but you may build in ascending or descending sequence. Aces start within the tableau (thus two rows have six instead of five cards). The variant Chessboard applies the same principle as Selective Castle, by letting you choose the rank of the foundation cards after the deal (building around the corner on the foundations as required), in order to take better advantage of the cards you have been dealt. Zerline is a German game where Queens are high, and helps by adding a four-card storage area. SIR TOMMYGAMES Overview: Sir Tommy (Old Patience, Try Again, Numerica) is also known as Old Patience, which reflects its origin as the oldest known patience game, and possible ancestor of all others. The average person may not have heard of it, but it deserves a place on this list because this is a game from which so many other solitaire games are derived, including many more familiar ones. It is at the head of a family of games where cards in the tableau can't be moved after being placed, and that's a unique quality that also makes it quite challenging to win. Game-play: Suits are irrelevant in this game, and the aim is to build four foundations from Ace to King. You deal the deck face-up one at a time, and the tableau has four columns (or waste piles); dealt cards can be played on any column but cannot be moved from one to another. So while it's still technically a building game because you are building up the foundations, there is no packing in the tableau to assist you with this. Variations: Some variants (e.g. Auld Lang Syne, Tam O'Shanter) turn Sir Tommy into even an simpler luck-based game nearly impossible to win, while others are extremely strategic like the well-known Calculation. Amazons is an interesting version played with a smaller deck that has the goal of building to the Queens (= Amazons), and is best played digitally given the amount of redealing. Other variants make the game easier (and for me, more enjoyable) by increasing the number of tableaus (Strategy, Lady Betty, and Last Chance) or redeals (Acquaintance), or make it more interesting by requiring building by colours (Puss in the Corner, and Colours, Alternate). My thoughts: Good players can win as many as 20% of their games, and storing cards in the right order on the four columns is critical, because you want to avoid having low valued cards blocked by higher ones, or having too many cards of the same number in one column. Reserving a pile for Kings and another for high cards is often a good strategy. Even so, it's a hard game to win and can be frustrating. I recommend trying some of the easier variants as a way to enjoy this game; there's a good reason so many variants have evolved from the original over time. It's a large family that includes many solitaire variants, and these are well worth trying and exploring. https://preview.redd.it/1hydbd93fnd61.jpg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=588e8636d70c42b2b914e70a77581629b3edc8be Related games: Several two-deck games are in the Sir Tommy family, including Fanny, Frog (also called Toad), Fly, and Grand Duchess, most of which involve using a reserve. Several two-deck games use similar mechanics but operate with a larger 20 card tableau in the style of the simple game Carpet, but involve building both up and down on the foundations; for me personally these are the most fun of all Sir Tommy variants, and include Twenty (also called Sly Fox), Colorado, Grandmother's Patience (also called Grandmamma's Game), and Grandfather's Patience - all excellent games. Calculation: Calculation deserves special mention, and has become a classic in its own right. What makes it unique is that the foundations are built up by one, two, three, and four respectively, and it requires a lot of skill. The variant Betsy Ross is more luck-dependent but is also easier to complete successfully. YUKON Overview: Yukon first appeared in a 1949 book on solitaire games, and has since exploded in popularity. This single deck solitaire game was partly inspired by Klondike, which is of course the most popular solitaire card game of all time. But because Yukon has no stock and more flexible rules for movement of stacks within the tableau, it allows a lot more scope for thinking. Game-play: While inspired and indebted to Klondike, Yukon creates a game with a very different feel by removing the requirement that stacks of cards must be in alternating sequence in order to be moved. In other words, you can move any stack to a legal card within the tableau, regardless of the sequence of the cards in that stack. While this makes the game easier, another significant change makes it harder: there is no stock that you deal. So all the cards are in the tableau at the outset, and you'll have to manipulate the tableau cleverly to uncover face-down cards and build all four suits onto the four foundations from Ace through King. Variations: To make Yukon slightly easier, a couple of variants alter things slightly to simplify the gameplay, such as removing the requirement that only Kings can be placed in an empty space in the tableau (this variation is sometimes called Great River). Some digital implementations give the option of reducing the number of suits used, such as in Yukon One Suit, which you can nearly always win, while still having to think carefully. My thoughts: The rules for manipulating the tableau give you more options than Klondike, and thus more to consider and think about. Both Yukon and Russian Solitaire (mentioned under "related games" below) are extremely popular solitaire games, because they are simultaneously more challenging and more rewarding than Klondike style games. Skill plays more of a role, and there are players so dedicated to Yukon that they have played it thousands of times. In regular Yukon you can expect to win as much as 1 in 4 games, but the added level of difficulty in Russian Solitaire reduces that to as little as once in 20 games. The key is to bring the face-down cards into play as soon as possible. https://preview.redd.it/650mlj93fnd61.jpg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=683c006a12bdf74ad8921bd619fed40a8fb14405 Related games: Russian Solitaire makes Yukon harder by only allowing you to build down in the tableau with cards of the same suit, instead of in alternating colours, and it is an extremely popular game in its own right. This requirement is also in place with Alaska, but may build in ascending or descending order in the tableau, which makes it easier to win than Russian Solitaire. Australian Patience is another popular spin-off from Yukon, and adds a stock which is dealt one at a time, while the entire 7x4 tableau starts face up; however this can feel like it's more about careful observation than decision making. Many other Yukon inspired games exist, including games which add things like a reserve, storage cells, or extra decks. Scorpion: Special mention should be made of popular game Scorpion, which some categorize as part of the Yukon family, and the rules for moving unarranged stacks in Yukon may even originate in Scorpion. However, Scorpion uses Spider's requirement that stacks from Ace to King of the same suit must be assembled within the tableau before being discarded. Scorpion variants include Wasp, Three Blind Mice, Chinese Solitaire, and others.
== Games With Two Decks ==
FORTY THIEVES (Napoleon at St Helena) Overview: Forty Thieves is a popular and classic game played with two decks, and is also included in most books with patience games. It also goes under the alternate name Napoleon at St Helena (not to be confused with a different solitaire game called "Saint Helena" or "Napoleon's Favorite"), and tradition says that this is the solitaire game Napoleon played while in exile on the island of St Helena. The game also goes under other names, including Roosevelt at San Juan. Its simple rules means that many variations exist, many of which are among the more strategic and satisfying versions of solitaire games that you'll find anywhere. Carefully working through the stock pile and manipulating the discard pile are a big element of successful play. Game-play: A tableau is dealt with ten columns, each with four overlapping and face-up cards. Strict tableau building rules apply, because only the single top card of each column may be moved, and only onto a card that is the next highest rank of the same suit; any card can be placed into a space that becomes available in the tableau. The remaining stock of 64 cards is turned up one card at a time, with no redeals. The goal is to get all the cards onto the eight foundations from Ace through King in each suit. Variations: In its strict and classic form, even with good play Forty Thieves is difficult to win, so many variants exist that seek to make the game easier. In some of these, the Aces begin as starting foundations ( San Juan Hill). In others, the tableau is not built down by cards of the same suit but by alternating colours (e.g. Streets), or by any suit other than its matching one (Indian). Some variations allow entire sequences of cards to be moved (Josephine, Forty Bandits, Ali Baba), or combine this with having tableau building in alternating colours (Number Ten, Rank and File, Emperor) or tableau building in any suit (Little Forty). In other variations, multiple redeals of the stock are permitted. My thoughts: Game-play is very tight in the strict form of the game. It's not always a good idea to play a card just because you can, because you may block cards within the tableau that you need. You also need to pay close attention to duplicates, since two decks are in play. As a result, careful planning and consideration is needed. Unused stock typically ends up into an increasingly large face-up discard pile, but in the latter parts of the game skilful play often makes it possible to dig back through this and complete the game. This usually proves most satisfying when playing with one of the variants that makes the game slightly easier, to increase your chances of pulling out a win. Even with these variants, you'll have to play skillfully, making the Forty Thieves family of solitaire games one of the more popular choices for those who like a longer experience that is thoughtful, challenging, and yet solvable, and where skill plays even more of a role than luck. https://preview.redd.it/p251re93fnd61.jpg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9521b0ca4458c88d6cd679fdcaf37b4a151a5479 More variations: Instead of 10 tableau piles, some variations increase this to 12 piles (Blockade, Napoleon's Square, Corona) or 13 piles (Lucas, Waning Moon); or decrease it to 9 piles (Maria) or 8 piles (Forty and Eight, Congress, Parliament, Diplomat, Red and Black), each with different combinations of rules for tableau building. Games with just 6 piles (Blind Alleys, Pas Seul) or 5 piles (Double Rail) begin to feel much like Klondike. Related games: Many other games take the Forty Thieves style concept and adjust it in more significant ways. In Interchange (more difficult), Breakwater, and Alternations, the initial tableau includes face-down and face-up cards. The very popular Thieves of Egypt begins with a pyramid shaped tableau. Busy Aces is a straight forward game in the style of Forty Thieves that is at the head of its own family, which includes the much simpler Fortune's Favor, a simple game ideal for beginners. For a terrific overview of all the Forty Thieves related games and their different nuances, consult Thomas Warfield's excellent complete guide to Forty Thieves types games. CONCLUSION This is by no means a comprehensive list that includes all builder-style solitaire games. But along with Klondike, Spider, and FreeCell, these seven additional games - Baker's Dozen, Beleaguered Castle,Canfield, Forty Thieves, La Belle Lucie, Sir Tommy, Yukon, and Forty Thieves - and the many related games that belong to their families, are the most common and popular forms of solitaire games that involve building. They have inspired many solitaire games like them, and have stood the test of time well. If you enjoy Klondike, which is the most popular version of solitaire in the world, then Canfield and Yukon are natural games to explore next. Beleaguered Castle can be a little frustrating due to the strict rules and dependency on the luck of the draw, and even the other games in its family can be quite challenging. I'd recommend it only for more experienced and dedicated players, and would instead suggest next exploring Baker's Dozen and the games in the "Fan" family inspired by La Belle Lucie. Their style of play is somewhat similar to Forty Thieves and its many siblings, which double the number of cards in the game by adding a second deck, and also adds a stock pile and discard pile you must manage. Forty Thieves type games are among the best you'll find for those who like a more challenging, thoughtful, and longer solitaire experience. Author's note: I first published this article at PlayingCardDeckshere.
A preview of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, courtesy of an old THN I found while cleaning
While doing some house cleaning, I came across my old copy of the 2007 THN Draft Preview. Rather than going into any real detail, I figured I'd just post their top 50, along with their NHL style projection and a line or two from their player profile.
Patrick Kane, RW, London Knights (OHL) - Offensive forward. "His hands are just sick," said one scout. "He might have the best hands in all hockey, not just junior."
James VanRiemsdyk, LW, USNTDP - Two-way forward. "His upside potential is as great as anybody's in this draft," one scout said.
Kyle Turris, C, Burnaby (BCHL) - Offensive forward. "There was talk in the scouting community that had the Philadelphia Flyers won the first overall pick, they would have used it to select Kyle Turris, an offensive forward who has drawn comparisons to Joe Sakic and Dany Heatley."
Jakub Voracek, RW, Halifax (QMJHL) - Two-way forward. "I see him as a very safe pick," another scout said.
Alexei Cherepanov, RW, Avangard Omsk (Russia) - Offensive forward. "He's the mystery of the draft," one scout said. "He might be the best when everything is said and done."
Sam Gagner, C, London (OHL) - Playmaking forward. "He has the highest hockey IQ of anybody in the draft," one scout said. "At worst, he'll be a solid NHL player."
Logan Couture, C, Ottawa (OHL) - Playmaking forward. "He's overrated," one scout said. "He's not a great skater and his development has really flat-lined."
Karl Alzner, D, Calgary (WHL) - Defensive defenseman. "He's a really steady defenseman who does everything well, but nothing great," one scout said. "He's the kind of guy everybody is looking for every year at the trade deadline."
Angelo Esposito, C, Quebec (QMJHL) - Offensive forward. "He's going to cause a lot of teams drafting in the top five a lot of sleepless nights," one scout said. "But he might be the bargain of the draft if he drops to No. 6 or 7."
Brandon Sutter, C, Red Deer (WHL) - Two-way forward. "He's a big kid who plays a physical game and has decent offensive talent," one scout said. "In other words, he's a Sutter."
Keaton Ellerby, D, Kamloops (WHL) - Two-way defenseman. "I'm not sold on him being a solid NHLer," another scout said. "He has all the tools, but I wonder about the toolbox."
Zach Hamill, C, Everett (WHL) - Offensive forward. "He has great hockey sense, but his size is an issue and he has average speed, which scares you a bit," another scout said. "But he might be the next Daniel Briere. Who knows?"
Colton Gillies, C, Saskatoon (WHL) - Character player. "He's one of the best skaters in the draft for his size," said one scout, with a caveat. "This guy can just fly, but he never does anything."
Maxim Mayorov, LW, Leninogorsk (Russia) - Offensive forward. "He's one of those guys who if he doesn't score for you, I'm not sure what else he can do for your team," a scout said.
Nick Petrecki, D, Omaha (USHL) - Two-way defender. "I think if this kid played in the OHL, we'd be talking about him as a top-five pick," one scout said.
Alex Plante, D, Calgary (WHL) - Two-way defenseman. "He's really rough around the edges, but he's a real solid player," a scout said. "He could be a real sleeper."
Jonathon Blum, D, Vancouver (WHL) - Mobile defenseman. "Anybody taking him in the first round is taking a gamble," a scout said. "I'm not sure if he's an NHLer or just a really good minor-leaguer."
Kevin Shattenkirk, D, USNTDP - Offensive defenseman. "He's very aggressive in the way he rushes the puck," a scout said. "He has a chance to be a good defenseman in the new NHL."
Oscar Moller, RW, Chilliwack (WHL) - Two-way forward. "He's kind of like Zach Hamill in that he's not big, but has good hockey sense and puck skills. His shot is just average."
Keven Veilleux, C, Victoriaville (QMJHL) - Project forward. "Scouts would like to see bigger offensive numbers from Keven Veilleux, but more than that they'd like him to play with additional fire and competitiveness."
Joakim Andersson, C, Frolunda (Sweden) - Defensive forward. "He's a solid two-way player who has good size and he's strong on the puck," a scout said. "His speed is not great and he'll never be a big scorer, but he has a chance to be a real solid player."
Thomas Hickey, D, Seattle (WHL) - Skilled defenseman. "We really like this kid," a scout said. "We wish he was a little bit bigger, but that's really the only flaw we can find with him."
Luca Cunti, LW, GCK (Switzerland) - Skilled forward. "He has as much skill as almost anybody in this draft," a scout said.
Max Pacioretty, LW, Sioux City (USHL) - Power forward. "He's a big strong kid and I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be able to develop into a really good player," a scout said. "He skates well and hits hard, but I would question his hockey sense a little bit."
Jim O'Brien, C, Minnesota (WCHA) - Project forward. "This season he was a boy playing against men and he struggled," said another scout. "He has always been a very good player, but he's weak. This kid is as weak as a noodle."
Mark Katic, D, Sarnia (OHL) - Offensive defenseman. "In a best-case scenario, Mark Katic will develop the same way Keith Ballard did and become a reliable NHL defenseman. In a worst-case scenario, he'll never play a game in the big leagues."
Mike Hoeffel, LW, USNTDP - Project forward. "Others aren't as sold on Hoeffler, saying that his lack of hockey smarts in many ways cancels out his skating ability. 'He didn't really light our fire at all,' said another scout."
Bill Sweatt, LW, Colorado College (WCHA) - Project forward. "He's the fastest skater in the draft, no question about that," one scout said. "This kid can flat-out fly."
John Negrin, D, Kootenay (WHL) - Two-way defenseman. "It took him a while to get going, but once he did he wasn't too bad," a scout said. "I really like his skating ability and the way he moves the puck. He's pretty strong, too."
Ryan McDonagh, D, Cretin-Durham (MN-HS) - Two-way defenseman. "He's the best player in high school," one scout said. "He does everything right and he has good offensive skills. He's also good defensively and he can hit and skate."
David Perron, RW, Lewiston (QMJHL) - Skilled forward. "Perron gets physically manhandled, but he is one of the more talented players in the draft, is quick and is a wonderful stickhandler."
Brett MacLean, LW, Oshawa (OHL) - Skilled forward. "The other way you could look at it is he was good enough to play with (John) Tavares," (one scout) said. "He still had to put the puck in the net."
Michal Repik, RW, Vancouver (WHL) - Skilled forward. "He might be a guy, a few years down the road, where we're saying, 'I wish we had taken him sooner.'"
Dana Tyrell, C, Prince George (WHL) - Two-way forward. "If Tyrell's skill set matched his character, he'd be a top-five pick."
Lars Eller, LW, Frolunda (Sweden) - Project forward. "He also has NHL size, but rarely uses it. 'He seems sleepy at times,' one scout said.'"
Eric Doyle, D, Swift Current (WHL) - Two-way defenseman. "Doyle has good size and skating ability and puck skills are average."
Mikael Backlund, C, Vasteras (Sweden) - Skilled forward. "Backlund was being touted as one of the top draft-eligible players in Sweden when the season started, but a long-term knee injury moved him down the rankings."
Logan MacMillan, C, Halifax (QMJHL) - Two-way forward. "Scouts like his hame and view him as a reasonably skilled player with good speed and size. But there is concern about consistency."
Max Gratchev, LW, Rimouski (QMJHL) - Two-way forward. "He's a fireball," a scout said. "He's not a great skater, but he's quick from the faceoff circle to the net."
Maxim Goncharov, D, Central Army (Russia) - Two-way defenseman. "While he's not an end-to-end rusher, Goncharov does possess good offensive instincts and is not afraid to jump up into the play."
Maxime Tanguay, C, Rimouski (QMJHL) - Skilled forward. "Like his brother (Alex), Tanguay has a high level of skill and hockey sense."
Jeremy Smith, G, Plymouth (OHL) - Goaltending depth. "This year's draft is almost bereft of top-calibre goaltending, but Smith is one of the few quality keepers available."
Ruslan Bashkirov, LW, Quebec (QMJHL) - Two-way forward. "He's not the biggest kid or the prettiest player, but he's a gamer," one scout said.
Joel Gistedt, G, Frolunda (Sweden) - Goaltending depth. "He's come out of nowhere," one scout said. "He's a guy teams wish they would have drafted last year."
Tommy Cross, D, Westminster (MA-HS) - Two-way defenseman. "He's a big two-way player, but was difficult to read because of the high school competition."
Brendan Smith, D, St. Michael's (OHL) - Offensive defenseman. "Smith is a good skater who moves the puck well and gets involved physically, but needs to improve his play in his own end of the ice, something Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves will demand."
Nick Larson, C, Hill Murray (MN-HS) - Two-way forward. "I'm just not sure I see enough offense there to keep him as a center," one scout said. "He has some good raw skills, but I would like to see him compete a little harder."
Joe Lavin, D, USNTDP - Project defenseman. "He's really raw," a scout said. "His team has used him up front, which scares you a little."
Niclas Lucenius, C, Tappara (Finland) - Two-way forward. "Lucenius has decent skills and plays a good two-way game. He must, however, bulk up."
Akim Aliu, RW, Sudbury (OHL) - Project forward. "He has first-round skills and some team will get really lucky or strike out," a scout said. "It's a team game and you just hope that checks in with him soon enough."
2008 Preview
Also included is a look ahead to the 2008 draft, one year out. The top ten is, in order, Steven Stamkos (Sarnia, OHL), Drew Doughty (Guelph, OHL), Alex Pietrangelo (Mississauga, OHL), Michael Del Zotto (Oshawa, OHL), Kyle Beach (Everett, WHL), Jimmy Hayes (USNTDP), Colton Teubert (Regina, WHL), Mattias Tedenby (HV71, Sweden), Colin Wilson (USNTDP), Kevin Poulin (Victoriaville, QMJHL). Honorable mentions are Kelsey Tessier (Quebec, QMJHL), Yann Sauve (Saint John, QMJHL), Harri Sateri (Tappara, Finland), Mikkel Bodker (Frolunda, Sweden), Anton Gustafsson (Frolunda, Sweden), Johan Motin (Frolunda, Sweden), and Zach Boychuk (Lethbridge, WHL).
2009 Preview
There's also a peek ahead to 2009, which has John Tavares and "Euro-Pronger" Victor Hedman. Others to watch, in alphabetical order, are Steven Anthony, Jimmy Bubnick, Jared Cowen, Simon Despres-Bellavance, Matt Duchene, Landon Ferraro, Peter Holland, and Toni Rajala.
The Coronavirus Is Airborne Indoors. Why Are We Still Scrubbing Surfaces?
The Coronavirus Is Airborne Indoors. Why Are We Still Scrubbing Surfaces?
Scientists who initially warned about contaminated surfaces now say that the virus spreads primarily through inhaled droplets, and that there is little to no evidence that deep cleaning mitigates the threat indoors. HONG KONG — At Hong Kong’s deserted airport, cleaning crews constantly spray baggage trolleys, elevator buttons and check-in counters with antimicrobial solutions. In New York City, workers continually disinfect surfaces on buses and subways. In London, many pubs spent lots of money on intensive surface cleaning to reopen after lockdown — before closing again in November. All over the world, workers are soaping, wiping and fumigating surfaces with an urgent sense of purpose: to fight the coronavirus. But scientists increasingly say that there is little to no evidence that contaminated surfaces can spread the virus. In crowded indoor spaces like airports, they say, the virus that is exhaled by infected people and that lingers in the air is a much greater threat. Hand washing with soap and water for 20 seconds — or sanitizer in the absence of soap — is still encouraged to stop the virus’s spread. But scrubbing surfaces does little to mitigate the virus threat indoors, experts say, and health officials are being urged to focus instead on improving ventilation and filtration of indoor air “In my opinion, a lot of time, energy and money is being wasted on surface disinfection and, more importantly, diverting attention and resources away from preventing airborne transmission,” said Dr. Kevin P. Fennelly, a respiratory infection specialist with the United States National Institutes of Health. Some experts suggest that Hong Kong, a crowded city of 7.5 million residents and a long history of infectious disease outbreaks, is a case study for the kind of operatic surface cleaning that gives ordinary people a false sense of security about the coronavirus. The Hong Kong Airport Authority has used a phone-booth-like “full-body disinfection channel” to spritz airport staff members in quarantine areas. The booth — which the airport says is the first in the world and is being used in trials only on its staff — is part of an all-out effort to make the facility a “safe environment for all users. Such displays can be comforting to the public because they seem to show that local officials are taking the fight to Covid-19. But Shelly Miller, an expert on aerosols at the University of Colorado Boulder, said that the booth made no practical sense from an infection-control standpoint. Viruses are emitted through activities that spray respiratory droplets — talking, breathing, yelling, coughing, singing and sneezing. And disinfecting sprays are often made from toxic chemicals that can significantly affect indoor air quality and human health, Dr. Miller said. “I can’t understand why anyone would think that disinfecting a whole person would reduce the risk of transmitting virus,” she said. A range of respiratory ailments, including the common cold and influenza, are caused by germs that can spread from contaminated surfaces. So when the coronavirus outbreak emerged last winter in the Chinese mainland, it seemed logical to assume that these so-called fomites were a primary means for the pathogen to spread. Studies soon found that the virus seemed to survive on some surfaces, including plastic and steel, for up to three days. (Studies later showed that much of this is likely to be dead fragments of the virus that are not infectious.) The World Health Organization also emphasized surface transmission as a risk, and said that airborne spread was a concern only when health care workers were engaged in certain medical procedures that produce aerosols. But scientific evidence was growing that the virus could stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhaled — particularly in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation. In July, an essay in The Lancet medical journal argued that some scientists had exaggerated the risk of coronavirus infection from surfaces without considering evidence from studies of its closely related cousins, including SARS-CoV, the driver of the 2002-03 SARS epidemic. “This is extremely strong evidence that at least for the original SARS virus, fomite transmission was very minor at most,” the essay’s author, the microbiologist Emanuel Goldman of Rutgers University, said in an email. “There is no reason to expect that the close relative SARS-CoV-2 would behave significantly different in this kind of experiment,” he added, referring to the new coronavirus. A few days after Dr. Goldman’s Lancet essay appeared, more than 200 scientists called on the W.H.O. to acknowledge that the coronavirus could spread by air in any indoor setting. Bowing to enormous public pressure over the issue, the agency acknowledged that indoor aerosol transmission could lead to outbreaks in poorly ventilated indoor places like restaurants, nightclubs, offices and places of worship. By October, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which had maintained since May that surfaces are “not the primary way the virus spreads,” was saying that transmission of infectious respiratory droplets was the “principal mode” through which it does. But by then, paranoia about touching anything from handrails to grocery bags had taken off. And the instinct to scrub surfaces as a Covid precaution — “hygiene theater,” as The Atlantic magazine called it — was already deeply ingrained. “My tennis partner and I have abandoned shaking hands at the end of a match — but, since I’ve touched the tennis balls that he has touched, what’s the point?” Geoff Dyer wrote in a March essay for The New Yorker magazine that captured the germaphobic zeitgeist. From Nairobi to Milan to Seoul, cleaners in hazmat suits have been fumigating public areas despite W.H.O. warnings that the chemicals could do more harm than good. In Hong Kong, where 299 people died during the original SARS epidemic, elevator buttons are often covered in plastic that is cleaned multiple times a day. Crews in some office buildings and subways wipe escalator handrails with disinfected rags as commuters ascend. Cleaners have blasted public places with antimicrobial coatings and added a fleet of robots to clean surfaces in subway cars. Several Hong Kong-based scientists insist the deep cleaning can’t hurt, and supported the government’s strict social-distancing rules and its monthslong insistence on near-universal mask wearing. Procter & Gamble said sales of its personal cleansing products grew more than 30 percent in the quarter that ended in September, with double-digit growth in every region of the world, including more than 20 percent in greater China. Early on, officials required Hong Kong restaurants to install dividers between tables — the same sort of flimsy, and essentially useless, protection used at the U.S. vice-presidential debate in October. But as the Hong Kong authorities have gradually eased restrictions on indoor gatherings, including allowing wedding parties of up to 50 people, there is a fear of potentially new outbreaks indoors. Some experts say they are especially concerned that coronavirus droplets could spread through air vents in offices, which are crowded because the city has not yet developed a robust culture of remote work. “People are removing masks for lunch or when they get back to their cubicle because they assume their cubicle is their private space,” said Yeung King-lun, a professor of chemical and biological engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. “But remember: The air you’re breathing in is basically communal.” https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/18/world/asia/covid-cleaning.html
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