I've played quite a few games with various manager hook settings, prior to and after the relievers come in... Initially I was going to use 4 for the hook like has been suggested by a few people, but under certain situations that I manipulated intentionally by switching teams, the starter stayed out just a little too long for my liking, although these were in very specific situations. I felt 5 was a good compromise. As far as the 7 for relievers, that is based on numerous simmed games, checking on the pitchers stats. As far as actually playing games, 6 might be a decent compromise compared to 7, but 7 basically insures that the manager replaces the relievers as would be expected. The goal that we're trying to get to is that you want the manager to replace the starter and the relievers as expected instead of "protecting" the bullpen by not not replacing pitchers both starters and relievers, and 8 on the stamina seems to accomplish that goal. If you want to use 6 as the hook all game long, under certain situations the starter may be pulled early , but the bullpen should be ok. To each is his own i guess.