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Title: The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract by Bill James ISBN: 0-7432-2722-0 Publisher: Free Press Pub. Date: 13 June, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.41 (71 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Why is baseball a beautiful game? Bill James knows!
Comment: I almost fell out of my chair when I saw "The New Bill James Historical Abstract" in the bookstore. James is every baseball fan wrapped into one and has always been able to see the cold statistical side of baseball along the human side. He even talks about uniform styles and baseball players' looks, which my wife enjoys. This is the kind of book that it takes months to completly consume, the reader starts at the beginning, but then a short tale leads us to another area to compare, then off we go to another similar player who we remember,then to something else. For baseball lovers this book is a must, but for the casual fan this is also a teriffic book. I became obsessed with his 1985 "Historical Abstract" and his yearly publication when I was in my early twenties, I hope young people today find this book and share some of my experiences.
Rating: 5
Summary: For every baseball fan
Comment: How can you not like this book?
Bill James is a stat-head. You already know that. And if this were simply a compilation of obscure stats -- many made up by James himself -- I'd probably skip it. I can get my stats elsewhere, thank you. I already own the Baseball Encylopedia and Total Baseball.
But Bill James is also a terrific, engaging writer. His studies, in every book he writes, are filled with humorous and insightful observations on individual players and the history of the game. It's true in this book, too. Just when you think you've read enough about, say, the Top 100 Shortstops in history, James sneaks in an essay about why catchers and shortstops have historically been such genial, well-liked people, and why the outfield is filled with such curs. The book is filled with essays like this, in unexpected places, so that turning the page you're never sure what new and funny stories or trends you'll find.
It ain't perfect. The Win Shares system is subjective. It is imperfect. And Bill James bears grudges. He despises Rogers Hornsby and has some pretty not-nice things to say about Joe Morgan, the broadcaster. So what? The ratings are merely a jumping-off point for character studies and anecdotes. And any book without prejudices -- at least any BASEBALL book -- is bound to be dull. Chill out and enjoy. It's a fun read.
Rating: 4
Summary: Mixed emotions
Comment: It is a requirement of any real baseball fan to have this book in their library.
The first section of the book focuses on the history of the game, decade-by-decade. James presents a very readable and enjoyable view of strategy evolution, baseball economics, and throws in a few odds and ends for good measure.
The second section rates the top 100 players at each position and includes short (sometimes lengthy) comments for each player. The section also provides a general description of the "Win Shares" system that is the basis for the player ratings.
The third section of the book is a reference section containing statistics and Win Share data for several teams of varying quality.
If you've never read James before, you'll understand why he is the greatest baseball writer of our time. James mixes insightful analysis, personal opinion, and humor to create an enjoyable reading experience. A big plus for the book is the structure. The book is designed for those who want to read about how baseball was played in the 1930's, then skip over to find out who James ranks as the 53rd best 2nd baseman.
Readers of the original Historical Baseball Abstract or the yearly Baseball Abstracts will probably be somewhat disappointed by this edition. After all, the first edition of this book is one of the greatest baseball books ever written.
Personally I prefer the first section of the book. I am more interested in the history of platooning or the evolution of the minor leagues than who is ranked as the 87th best left fielder. Unfortunately, the first section of the book has not changed a whole lot from the first edition, and the more interesting articles are edited or eliminated entirely. The new section on the Negro Leagues and the series of articles on the greatest all-time team are notable exceptions.
My opinion on the player rating section is mixed. It's nice to be reminded that Don Money played baseball, or to read about players like Johnny Bassler (who knew anything about him?). On the other hand, the best part of the first edition was the controversy over the player ratings. In this book, James is much more factual than argumentative (maybe he's softening up), plus the most interesting part of the first edition, the Peak Value vs. Career Value argument, is no longer included in the book.
But it is still Bill James. Read it, think it, agree or disagree, but most of all enjoy.
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Title: The 2004 Bill James Handbook (2003 statistics) by Bill James, John Dewan ISBN: 0879462582 Publisher: ACTA Publications Pub. Date: November, 2003 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by Michael Lewis ISBN: 0393057658 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: 10 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Rob Neyer's Big Book of Baseball Lineups : A Complete Guide to the Best, Worst, and Most Memorable Players to Ever Grace the Major Leagues by Rob Neyer ISBN: 0743241746 Publisher: Fireside Pub. Date: 02 June, 2003 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
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Title: Baseball Prospectus 2004: Statistics, Analysis and Insight for the Information Age by The Baseball Prospectus Team of Experts ISBN: 0761134026 Publisher: Workman Publishing Company Pub. Date: February, 2004 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE HALL OF FAME by Bill James ISBN: 0684800888 Publisher: Free Press Pub. Date: 06 April, 1995 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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