User:Desmond Hobson/sandbox2

This is a possible page covering the MLB Dream Bracket, which I mentioned in the "Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on American sports broadcasting" page.

The MLB Dream Bracket was a simulated single-elimination tournament that was conducted by Major League Baseball in the spring of 2020. It was designed to occupy the MLB calendar as the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the start of the season and suspended all MLB-related operations.

Simulated games were played during April and May, with MLB.com issuing the final report on May 5.

Structure
The tournament featured all-time rosters from the 30 MLB teams. To fill out the bracket and avoid the possible use of byes, two additional teams were named: one with top players from Negro league baseball and another with MLB players 25 years of age and younger. Seeds were based on historical team performances. This criteria was used in descending order:
 * Most wins in the World Series
 * Most pennants (league championships)
 * Best winning percentage

American League and National League teams were placed in opposite sides of the bracket and did not meet until the finals. The Negro League Stars were placed with the AL teams, and the 25 & Under Stars were placed with the NL teams. Both additional teams were awarded eighth seeds.

Games were played using the Out of the Park 21 simulation program. MLB.com generated box scores and play-by-play for each game.

All series were best-of-7 and there was no re-seeding after any rounds.

Player selection
MLB named 26 players to each team, divided into 11 pitchers, two catchers, and 13 other position players. Individual players were eligible to be placed on multiple teams. To allow for more realistic outcomes, the best three seasons for each player on their team(s) were averaged to produce a composite profile. (For example, for Babe Ruth's time with the New York Yankees, his 1920, 1923, and 1927 seasons were used.)

Designated hitters were used in each game, regardless of which teams participated.

There was no limit as to how many teams for which an individual player could be selected.

Played for four teams

 * Roberto Alomar - Blue Jays, Indians, Orioles, Padres

Played for three teams

 * Alex Rodriguez - Mariners, Rangers, Yankees

Played for two teams

 * Ronald Acuña Jr. - Braves, 25 & Under
 * Pete Alonso - Mets, 25 & Under
 * Harold Baines - Orioles, White Sox
 * Cody Bellinger - Dodgers, 25 & Under
 * Miguel Cabrera - Marlins, Tigers
 * Rod Carew - Angels, Twins
 * Gary Carter - Mets, Nationals
 * Eddie Collins - Athletics, White Sox
 * Carlos Correa - Astros, 25 & Under
 * Andre Dawson - Cubs, Nationals
 * Sean Doolittle - Athletics, Nationals
 * Jim Edmonds - Angels, Cardinals
 * Rollie Fingers - Brewers, Padres
 * Carlton Fisk - Red Sox, White Sox
 * Jimmie Foxx - Athletics, Red Sox
 * Goose Gossage - Padres, Yankees
 * Lefty Grove - Athletics, Red Sox
 * Vladimir Guerrero - Angels, Nationals
 * Roy Halladay - Blue Jays, Phillies
 * Reggie Jackson - Athletics, Yankees
 * Randy Johnson - Diamondbacks, Mariners
 * Germán Márquez - Rockies, 25 & Under
 * Pedro Martínez - Nationals, Red Sox
 * Mark McGwire - Athletics, Cardinals
 * Rafael Palmeiro - Orioles, Rangers
 * Jonathan Papelbon - Phillies, Red Sox
 * Gaylord Perry - Giants, Indians
 * Frank Robinson - Orioles, Reds
 * Babe Ruth - Red Sox, Yankees
 * Nolan Ryan - Angels, Rangers
 * Johan Santana - Mets, Twins
 * Tom Seaver - Mets, Reds
 * Ted Simmons - Brewers, Cardinals
 * Juan Soto - Nationals, 25 & Under
 * Huston Street - Athletics, Rockies
 * Bruce Sutter - Cardinals, Cubs
 * Matt Williams - Diamondbacks, Giants
 * Christian Yelich - Brewers, Marlins

Bracket
Numbers indicate how many games were won by each team.

AL: Cleveland Indians def. Negro League Stars
The Indians defeated the team of Negro League greats, 12-3, in the deciding game.

Despite being the lower seed, the Indians hosted all games.

AL: Detroit Tigers def. Los Angeles Angels
In another series that went the distance, the Tigers beat the Angels to overcome a 3-games-to-1 deficit. The webcast (details below) was taped only hours after Tigers great Al Kaline died.

Second round
This round is equivalent to the Major League Baseball Wild Card Series.

Quarterfinals
This round is equivalent to the American League Division Series and the National League Division Series.

Semifinals
This round is equivalent to the American League Championship Series and the National League Championship Series.

Final
This round is equivalent to the World Series.

New York Yankees def. Cincinnati Reds
The two "pennant winners" split the first two games at Yankee Stadium. After Andy Pettitte and Mel Stottlemyre combined for the shutout in Game 3, the Reds took the next two games at Great American Ballpark. New York then took Game 6 with Mariano Rivera striking out the side to earn the save. In Game 7, the Yankees used a five-run fifth inning to pull away from the Reds and win the virtual title.

Webcasts
Selected games of the Dream Bracket simulation were streamed live on MLB.com's Twitch page and archived on MLB.com. Telecasts were based on OOTP's quick-play mode and averaged 30 minutes in length. The commentators were Scott Braun and Jon Morosi.

Interactive element
DraftKings was the presenting sponsor of the tournament and offered one-day fantasy sports contests for cash prizes.