What would be in your 10 baseball book list ? - Page 2

Eckstein 4 Prez · 03-28-2006, 01:54 PM

I'll second The Numbers Game. Great read.

The Professor · 03-28-2006, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig S.

My personal favorite is Mike Sowell's The Pitch that Killed. A great story by an author who actually knows how to write. Terrific portrait of the period, both as it relates to baseball and society.

Other favorites:

- Schwarz's The Numbers Game
- anything by Charles Alexander
- The Beer and Whiskey League
- Slide, Kelly, Slide
- Bill James' New Historical Abstract
- Eight Men Out
- Neyer/James Guide to Pitchers

There are also several interesting titles out now, or due for release soon.

All TT selections! I'd second all of these...especially Sowell's book and The Beer and Whiskey League

WrightWing · 03-28-2006, 03:06 PM

I'd like to toss out 3 books that while probably don't belong on any Top 10 lists, are still terrific reads none-the-less.

1)Me and My Dad: A Baseball Memoir by Paul O'Neill with Burton Rocks

2)The Final Season: Fathers, Sons, and One Last Season in a Classic American Ballpark by Tom Stanton

3)Sleeper Cars and Flannel Uniforms by Elden Auker with Tom Keegan

They may not be "classics", but they sure can remind you of why you love the game...

ukhotstove · 03-29-2006, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WrightWing

I'd like to toss out 3 books that while probably don't belong on any Top 10 lists, are still terrific reads none-the-less.

1)Me and My Dad: A Baseball Memoir by Paul O'Neill with Burton Rocks

2)The Final Season: Fathers, Sons, and One Last Season in a Classic American Ballpark by Tom Stanton

3)Sleeper Cars and Flannel Uniforms by Elden Auker with Tom Keegan

They may not be "classics", but they sure can remind you of why you love the game...

Love books like that probably why I like the Searching for Heroes book as you kind of get lost in what baseball used to be and should be like, looks like I made a good purchase on the Bill James book now I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas cause it's being delivered today. Grrrr it left Liverpool 3 1/2 hours ago it's only 1/2 hour away do they not know I'm waiting for my baseball fix ?

Go Tribe · 03-29-2006, 05:22 PM

Catcher in the Rye

kq76 · 07-14-2006, 10:33 PM

I was thinking of getting "the Book on the Book", but after reading its Amazon.com reviews I'm thinking I probably shouldn't. A few of you recommended it. I wonder if you wouldn't mind reading the reviews and commenting on them. Are the criticisms valid? Have you changed your opinion on the book after reading them?

Last night I requested Universal Baseball Association from my local library. I can't wait to get it. I've been meaning to for a few years now, but never did. Next after that will probably be either Ball Four or the Numbers Game.

bababui · 07-14-2006, 10:59 PM

UKHS...anything by Roger Angell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Angell

disposableheros · 07-15-2006, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kq76

I was thinking of getting "the Book on the Book", but after reading its Amazon.com reviews I'm thinking I probably shouldn't. A few of you recommended it. I wonder if you wouldn't mind reading the reviews and commenting on them. Are the criticisms valid? Have you changed your opinion on the book after reading them?

Last night I requested Universal Baseball Association from my local library. I can't wait to get it. I've been meaning to for a few years now, but never did. Next after that will probably be either Ball Four or the Numbers Game.

i think they are correct as far as the straight forward (what they call 'boring' or 'dry') writing, but im not sure if id say any book in this genre is an entertaining read or go so far as to say its not worth reading because of the style. is Baseball Between the Numbers an entertaining read, or is it more textbook-like?

Felber does use some WTF? assumptions, but he often makes disclaimers about the assumptions before he goes into them and clearly states the conclusions drawn from them are suspect. i read them as more of a way to make you think, rather than him giving me proof of something.

i think its funny that Palmer gives him a glowing review, when Felber specifically states that he loves Palmer and his methods of valuation compared to the 'nonsense' that are Win Shares. scratch my back and i'll scratch yours?

he does go into park effects rather well (dispelling some of the myths and confirming others) and i like his methods of ranking and judging the GMs of the time period he is working with.

i think it was worth the read if not only for the comparison between his conclusions and other statheads. there is definitely nothing groundbreaking, though.

as far as The Numbers Game, its a history of stats. some good stories in there that i've never heard.

The Just · 07-15-2006, 12:58 AM

I'll list a few off the top of my head.

- "Baseball Between the Numbers" by Baseball Prospectus. If you agree with some of the statistics in this book, or even if you don't, it's an interesting read.

- "October Men" by Roger Kahn. A nice book about the 1978 Yanks.

- "Ballparks: Then and Now" by Eric Enders. It's a nice compilation of ballparks all over America. Pictures, histories, key moments, etc.

- "Universal Baseball Association" by Robert Coover. This book is great, and is highly recommended for any of you Dynasty Forum nuts out there. It's about a grown man who made his own baseball board game, created characters, played out a load of seasons, and it would take over his life.

kq76 · 07-15-2006, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disposableheros

i think they are correct as far as the straight forward (what they call 'boring' or 'dry') writing, but im not sure if id say any book in this genre is an entertaining read or go so far as to say its not worth reading because of the style. is Baseball Between the Numbers an entertaining read, or is it more textbook-like?

Felber does use some WTF? assumptions, but he often makes disclaimers about the assumptions before he goes into them and clearly states the conclusions drawn from them are suspect. i read them as more of a way to make you think, rather than him giving me proof of something.

i think its funny that Palmer gives him a glowing review, when Felber specifically states that he loves Palmer and his methods of valuation compared to the 'nonsense' that are Win Shares. scratch my back and i'll scratch yours?

he does go into park effects rather well (dispelling some of the myths and confirming others) and i like his methods of ranking and judging the GMs of the time period he is working with.

i think it was worth the read if not only for the comparison between his conclusions and other statheads. there is definitely nothing groundbreaking, though.

as far as The Numbers Game, its a history of stats. some good stories in there that i've never heard.

Thanks for that! I think it will go in my "pick it up if you find it cheap somewhere" or my "wait until you've read everything on your must read list" list.

I don't think I've ever really read a baseball stats book before (although I liked it a lot, I wouldn't really label Moneyball as one), but I've been entertained by numerous baseball stats articles and even some portions of statistics textbooks. But yeah, some writers are more boring than others and it sounds like this guy might be one of them.

I agree with the point about being able to appreciate something for it just making you think even if it doesn't come up with any truths. So that's a plus for it.

As for Palmer's rec, I don't put much, if any, faith in recommendations coming from people in the same industry. I'd rather pay attention to a review from an anonymous person, but even them you can't really trust. I've heard too many stories about people being paid to post positive reviews. You guys are a completely different story though.

I think I'll love the Numbers Game though because it sounds like it mainly deals with the history of stats and I love learning out about how things came to be. It will be especially nice to find out what could possibly have been the reasoning behind all those stats I despise!

Skipaway · 07-15-2006, 01:32 AM

Andrew Zimbalist books:

May the Best Team Win: Baseball Economics and Public Policy

In the Best Interests of Baseball? The Revolutionary Reign of Bud Selig

swampdragon · 07-15-2006, 01:59 AM

From my 100 favorite books list:

1. The Ballplayers
2. New Historical Baseball Abstract
3. Baseball Prospectus Annuals
4. We Played the Game
5. The Glory of Their Times
6. The Boys of Summer
7. The 198x Bill James Baseball Abstract

aewin · 07-15-2006, 07:20 AM

On the stats/sabermetrics side of things, I don't think anyone has mentioned:

The Diamond Appraised by Craig Wright and Tom House

or

Teaching Statistics Using Baseball by same author as Curve Ball.

On the REAL baseball front, I have found very useful:

The Science of Hitting by Ted Williams

Pitching by Bob Shaw

and the coaching manual by the ex LAD guys (I can't remember the title off hand).

rcbuss · 07-15-2006, 08:30 AM

The Book

Herd Fan · 07-15-2006, 08:47 AM

I read a fun book called The Joy of Keeping Score last year. A very enjoyable little book about a dying art form.

03-28-2006, 01:54 PM	#21
Eckstein 4 Prez Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: The OC Posts: 6,358	I'll second The Numbers Game. Great read. __________________ Looking for an insomnia cure? Check out my dynasty thread, The Dawn of American Professional Base Ball, 1871.

07-14-2006, 10:33 PM	#26
kq76 Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 12,036	I was thinking of getting "the Book on the Book", but after reading its Amazon.com reviews I'm thinking I probably shouldn't. A few of you recommended it. I wonder if you wouldn't mind reading the reviews and commenting on them. Are the criticisms valid? Have you changed your opinion on the book after reading them? Last night I requested Universal Baseball Association from my local library. I can't wait to get it. I've been meaning to for a few years now, but never did. Next after that will probably be either Ball Four or the Numbers Game. __________________ My OOTP Wishlist \| My FAQ List OOTP Wiki \| Your Recommended Team Nicknames, By City (A Crowdsourced Project) For Beta/Devs: Full screen (1920x1080)

07-15-2006, 12:58 AM	#29
The Just Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 122	I'll list a few off the top of my head. - "Baseball Between the Numbers" by Baseball Prospectus. If you agree with some of the statistics in this book, or even if you don't, it's an interesting read. - "October Men" by Roger Kahn. A nice book about the 1978 Yanks. - "Ballparks: Then and Now" by Eric Enders. It's a nice compilation of ballparks all over America. Pictures, histories, key moments, etc. - "Universal Baseball Association" by Robert Coover. This book is great, and is highly recommended for any of you Dynasty Forum nuts out there. It's about a grown man who made his own baseball board game, created characters, played out a load of seasons, and it would take over his life. __________________

07-15-2006, 01:32 AM	#31
Skipaway Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Where you live Posts: 11,017	Andrew Zimbalist books: May the Best Team Win: Baseball Economics and Public Policy In the Best Interests of Baseball? The Revolutionary Reign of Bud Selig __________________ Jonathan Haidt: Moral reasoning is really just a servant masquerading as a high priest.

07-15-2006, 01:59 AM	#32
swampdragon Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Lonely Mountain Posts: 2,506	From my 100 favorite books list: 1. The Ballplayers 2. New Historical Baseball Abstract 3. Baseball Prospectus Annuals 4. We Played the Game 5. The Glory of Their Times 6. The Boys of Summer 7. The 198x Bill James Baseball Abstract __________________ “Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies." -- C.S. Lewis

03-28-2006, 03:06 PM	#23
WrightWing All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 709	I'd like to toss out 3 books that while probably don't belong on any Top 10 lists, are still terrific reads none-the-less. 1)Me and My Dad: A Baseball Memoir by Paul O'Neill with Burton Rocks 2)The Final Season: Fathers, Sons, and One Last Season in a Classic American Ballpark by Tom Stanton 3)Sleeper Cars and Flannel Uniforms by Elden Auker with Tom Keegan They may not be "classics", but they sure can remind you of why you love the game...

03-29-2006, 05:22 PM	#25
Go Tribe All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,534 Infractions: 1/0 (0)	Catcher in the Rye

07-14-2006, 10:59 PM	#27
bababui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 14,147 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	UKHS...anything by Roger Angell http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Angell

07-15-2006, 07:20 AM	#33
aewin Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 447	On the stats/sabermetrics side of things, I don't think anyone has mentioned: The Diamond Appraised by Craig Wright and Tom House or Teaching Statistics Using Baseball by same author as Curve Ball. On the REAL baseball front, I have found very useful: The Science of Hitting by Ted Williams Pitching by Bob Shaw and the coaching manual by the ex LAD guys (I can't remember the title off hand).

07-15-2006, 08:30 AM	#34
rcbuss Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Mauston, WI Posts: 226	The Book __________________ Robert C Buss FOBL Mauston Mad Cows

07-15-2006, 08:47 AM	#35
Herd Fan Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 129	I read a fun book called The Joy of Keeping Score last year. A very enjoyable little book about a dying art form.