Baseball Books

If you're a die-hard baseball fan, then you'll love this auction catalogue featuring Barry Halper's unique collection of baseball memorabilia. If you can't make it to Cooperstown, this book is full of some of the most incredible pieces of baseball history short of the Hall of Fame. From the first baseball ever used, to Babe Ruth's last will and testament, each page brings you closer to baseball heaven. The ultimate guide to baseball lore and a must for the "can't wait till spring training" baseball fan.

This is filled with great photos of some of the most amazing baseball memorabilia that you'll ever seen. The book can be really, really expensive, so try to find it used.

Andy.

This collection is a history of the great game of baseball. The Babe Ruth collectables alone are stunning, add in the Joe DiMaggio and all of the photos! Wow! To spend a few hours browsing this set of books is magic! I can't say enough (can you tell).

Very nice indeed. Photographs of sale items, which have distinct value. What I loved most was the inclusion of lot numbers and their final sale prices. Millions of dollars spent on what, at that time, were just some trinkets and a hobby.

Very well presented and I really like what I continue to see.

This book is great. The pictures are beautiful, the descriptions informative--an all around great piece of work for sports lovers. It's well worth the money.

Baseball America 2006 Prospect Handbook breaks down the top 30 minor league players for each of the 30 Major League Baseball teams. The handbook takes testimony from scouts, front office personel as well as minor league coaches. Problems do seem to arise with biased opinions about players. Sometimes you will see players get unfairly compared to great players. For instance the book refers to Justin Upton as the next Ken Griffey Jr. At the time that this book was written upton was not yet 19, had not signed a contract, and had never played a single game above the high school level. The staff writers do try to temper expectations but even their eyes can be clouded with unrealistic espectations of certain players. Another issue that can't be ignored is the fact that Baseball America does ignore a lot of the statistical analysis that has been made over the last 20 or so years. A great example how underrated players like Travis Hafner have been in past handbooks. With all of its faults I must say that it is still the premeire source on baseball prospects that is available. The handbook gives insightful and indepth analysis on 900 players. There is usually useful information on injuries, work ethic, bat speed, pitch speed, pitch movement, glove skills, and athleticism. This information comes from watching many games and speaking with the people closest to these players. As well as giving a minor league depth chart, the handbook also tantilizes readers with a projected 2009 future lineup(excluding the possibilities of trades or free agency). Another strength of the handbook is that there are 13 writers and each cover different teams so each time you read a new team you are given an interesting and fresh perspective. Wether you are trying to get ahead in your fantasy league, looking to the future of your favorite team, or just love baseball; this book is for you.

I have been a fan of Baseball America for awhile now; I consider myself knowledgeable about baseball, more thanks to John Sickels and Bill James than Baseball America.

Baseball America takes you where you don't normally hear about, or follow as in depth, such as college, high school baseball and international baseball.

I truly enjoy their work in this "guide book". However, I wish they would explain how they rank their players in the Top 30 category more clearly.

For instance. The Brewers' minor league system number one prospect of 2006 was Prince Fielder (a firstbaseman, now major leaguer). By reading the stats, I can see why. RHP Mark Rogers was ranked number 2. I failed to see why. The stats don't reveal the truth behind his "skills" and "talent". [these are in quotes, because baseball skill and talent are two different things...]
In the preface, Baseball America explains the Scouts scales. Perhaps this could be used more in the book itself when explaining how prospects are rated. How is, for instance, Mark Rogers better than Yovani Gallardo? (a fellow Brewers' RHP ranked 4th despite having better stats.

Yes, I am well aware that baseball isn't all about stats. But, Baseball America could do a better job of explaining the ranks.

Other than that minor gripe, I am very pleased with their efforts.

If you have any interest in following baseball beyond each team's 25-man roster, then this is an essential publication. Covering 30 prospects for each major league team (for a total of 900), this is about as comprehensive a look you're going to find at prospects.

Baseball America has a well-earned reputation as the best place to find minor league, college, and high school baseball information, and that expertise is evident in the book. Each team has their prospects graded, and a look at each team's most recent amateur draft is included. The list of the top 100 prospects is also enjoyable - or not, depending on how many players from your team are included on that list.

Unless you're a team that can afford to sign several high-priced free agents each year, player development is critical to future success. And if you're a fan who has a serious interest in your team, then it's an area to which you likely pay a great deal of attention. But while other publications touch occasionally or briefly on team's top minor-league prospects, no other mainstream publication does as good a job of giving a serious and deep look at your organization's prospects.

I'd recommend buying this one every year, as it's one of the best general looks at an organization's prospects. Along with John Sickels' prospects book (available on his website), this is a necessary purchase for serious fans.

This marks the fifth year in a row that I've purchased this book. It has become my bible for evaluating minor league talent. Its scouting reports are clear, well-written, and for the most part, on target. Whether you're a fantasy baseball owner or just a fan of the game, you'll enjoy this book.

Baseball America is, without a doubt, the most comprehensive, intelligent, and insightful source on the minors leagues, MLB teams' farm systems, and prospects. It also provides a lot of great insight and coverage of the best of college and high school teams and players, as well as some coverage from international prospects which could some day be in the majors. Simply put, Baseball America is an invaluable source of the more-than-casual baseball fan.

So it's no surprise that Baseball America's Prospect Handbook is *the* source of information on prospects. It gives you the top 30 prospects of every MLB team, as well as scouting reports on all of them. This is invaluable for the hardcore baseball fan - anyone can spout off any team's top 10 prospects. Most fans know of the big names in 2005 - Jeremy Hermida, Delmon Young, Brandon Wood, Justin Verlander, Chad Billingsley, Carlos Quentin, Joel Guzman, etc. But when you want to go beyond the Top 10, when you want to do more than scratch the surface on the collection of talent (or lack thereof, in the case of teams like the Nationals and Reds) then this book is a necessity. I'd go so far as to say that if you're reading these reviews, this book is probably for you. Considering the information and well-designed format and attractive design, it isn't very expensive at all, and if you can find a used copy for those of you who are looking for information, not a museum copy, all the better, you can usually find one for around $15. Not bad.

So, do you want to know who's rated higher in the Indians organization, Bear Bay or Nick Pesco? Who has the higher ceiling in the Cubs' organization, Billy Petrick or Sean Gallagher? Do you have any question about any minor league player? This is the book to go to.

Recommended for hardcore fans and those who enjoy keeping up with the younger talent on the horizon.

In the mid-1970's author Donald Honig traveled the USA with his tape recorder and let 18 ex-ballplayers tell their stories. The result is a superbly readable oral history of baseball from the 1920's-1940's. Each ex-player does his part, coming through with moving memories that inspire and illuminate. We hear from Bob Feller, Charlie Gehringer, Billy Herman, Ted Lyons, Lefty Grove, John Mize, Spud Chandler, and many others. Each man is blessed with certain eloquence as he describes his upbringing, his start in baseball, and his years on the field. I particularly enjoyed Bob Feller describing his pitching technique, Cool Papa Bell's recall of barnstorming with Negro League squads, and Pete Reiser's initial years in the show. But many other tales are just as good, and the pages never drag. A few older readers may recall some of the events described here. The rest of us get a feel for baseball in the pre-television era when the parks were smaller, the crowds lighter, the nation poorer, and the grass real.

Sadly, at this writing only Bob Feller and Max Lanier remain, but the memory of each player survives in these eloquent pages. Readers might also enjoy THE GLORY OF THEIR TIMES, an earlier oral history from author Lawrence Ritter.

Donald Honig has created a gem for baseball fans who appreciate the players and the game of the 20's through the 40's. Even the not-so-avid fan will recognize many of the stars featured in Honig's book. This list includes Bob Feller, Lefty Grove, Charlie Gehringer, Johnny Mize, Wes Ferrell & Ted Lyons just to name a few.

As good as the stories are that the "stars" tell, it's the other players who relate the best tales. In particular, Billy Herman's tale about his night as Ernest Hemingway's dinner guest is almost worth the price of the book alone. Cool Papa Bell's stories of his experiences in the Negro Leagues and "barnstorming" against Major League players are priceless. Rip Sewell's explanation of how he began to throw his "Eephus pitch" is one of the few times that I've seen in print.

If you enjoyed Lawrence Ritter's, "The Glory of Their Times", a book about baseball's very early players, then you will love Honig's book. These two works are worth a place in every baseball fan's collection!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

If Lawrence Ritter's "The Glory Of Their Times" is number one in the list of oral histories of baseball, then Donald Honig's "Baseball When the Grass Was Real: Baseball from the Twenties to the Forties Told by the Men Who Played It" ranks a close second. True to Ritter's form in interviewing and editing the tapes for an oral history of baseball by those who played it, Honig does a great job of having the players tell of their time in baseball, the stories of what it was like in the majors and the history - the time that they played. Everyday life and the public perception of ball players had changed between the time Ritter's interviewees played in the majors and Honig's group had played, the difference being interesting in itself. Honig's subjects tell of a time that is still remarkably different from ours by a group that also is rapidly diminishing, victims of old age. The book is a remarkable slice of history, definitely worth the time and money to read for anyone who is interested in baseball and history.

THIS IS ANOTHER GOOD BOOK BY DONALD HONIG. THIS IS ABOUT THE MEN WHO PLAYED IN THE 20'S 30'S AND 40'S. SOME GREAT STORIES AND INTERVIEWS ARE WHAT YOU GET IN THIS MUST READ BOOK. WISH IT HAD MORE BUT WELL WORTH READING FOR ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED ABOUT BASEBALL WHEN THE GRAS REALLY WAS REAL. VERY RECOMMENDED.

If you loved Larry Ritter's "The Glory of Their Times," then you definitely should read this one. It follows the same format and lets some of baseball's greats (and not quite so greats) from the 20s and 40s tell it like it was. It'll make you yearn for the good ol' days of Ruth, Gehrig, and Foxx.

As we share Shiner's nostalgia, we rediscover Aaron, Mays, McCovey, Mantle, and Gibson, old heros, old memories. Baseballs Greatest Players, The Saga Continues is more than a Who's Who of baseball, it's a way of life, a catalog of events, a collection of memories. As Shiner reveals the greatest players, we, who are old enough to remember, bask in their glory and relive our own unachieved ambitions.

But Shiner does more than take us back, he bundles the past with the present and into the future, tyingthe memories together forever in our minds. McGuire's record-setting season rekindles other home run hitters: Roger Maris, Reggie Jackson, Mickey Mantle, even Babe Ruth. We connect to the present, even anticipate the future. McGuire's 70 home run season triggers a vision of people diving into San Francisco Bay to retrieve the balls Barry Bonds his in 2001, the year he surpassed McGuire's record.

Baseball fans will love this book, others will like it. It's clearly, simply, and accurately presented and guaranteed to stir a memory or two.

It's hard not to enjoy this well written, easily readable book on baseball's best players of the past 50 years. Lively anecdotes plus comprehensive (but not boring) analysis shows exactly why these are the best players of the game. I got a kick out of remembering a lot of things I had almost forgotten, like just how good Bob Gibson was. Some of the facts are amazing, like that in the last two years Sandy Koufax pitched, there were 8 games where the Dodgers only scored one run for him--but he won 4 of them. This book also avoids wallowing in sex and drug garbage. It's a baseball book, not National Enquirer. Balanced, interesting, a really solid piece of work.

With the writing of Baseball's Greatest Players, author David Shiner takes a serious risk. The only thing a sports fan loves more than making a "greatest list" is arguing voluably about why the other guy's list is WRONG! One read of this book will shut down most any other greatest list's chances, and it does so with style, wit, and a healthy dose of readable fact.

In its text, Shiner's book fulfils both the needs of casual fan's interest and the SABR-members desire for solid, quantifiable statistical evidence. But it goes beyond just fact and storytelling to get to the intangibles that separate the players truly great between the white lines from those whose personality and dedication supported not just their teams, but the game itself.

Baseball, more than any other sport (though Canadian hockey fans will rightly take exception to this) carries its past with it. This continuity, this love of the game that both transcends and unites generations is served well by Shiner's writing. Buy Baseball's Greatest Players, and take it to a sports bar near you. You won't go wrong.

Brief synopses of baseball's best players during the past 50 years. Fun and informative. Enjoyed reading this, think others would also.

What an enjoyable book! I loved it. Great short biographies of the greatest baseball players from the past 50 years. For the serious baseball fan or the novice (or anyone who wants to know the story behind legendary players like Mantle and Mays, or why Ricky Henderson really IS one of the greatest players ever). Whether you are ten or eighty, this book is fun, interesting, and helps explain why millions love baseball--and their heroes! Makes a great gift for kids or adults. Exciting stories, well written.

Very rarely do books come out that can be instantly realised as classic pieces of our culture. History of The Game is one such book, carrying you through over a hundred years of the most memorable, most mindboggling, most stunning baseball moments. When you read this book, when you gaze at the pictures, you will be taken back to a time when you sat up with your father to watch the late-night west coast game, when you waved with the crowd in Fenway, when your heart broke with the Sox in '86; when you leaped for joy for the miracle of '69; where you were for McGwire or Maris or Dimaggio. This book is not only full of simply baseball memories, but the memories of our life. It is a must-have for any true fan of the game.

A review of the book Baseball: 100 Classic Moments in the History of the Game

WOW! If one word could summarize this incredible book, this three letter word, Wow, would be it. You know someone who loves baseball? Go out and get this book for them and they will always be in debt to you. With over 400 photos, and over 300 pages this book, sponsored by the National Baseball Hall of Fame, is a beautiful tribute to America's sport.

Every one of these 100 mystical, classic moments leaps off the pages as the reader is seduced by subtle photographs and masterfully poetic writing by the editors. Of course we see Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ty Cobb, Dizzy Dean, Satchell Paige, Ted Williams, Joe Dimaggio, Willie Mays, and more recent baseball greats Hank Aaron, Pete Rose, Cal Ripken, Mark Mc Gwire and Sammy Sosa. These are but a few of the baseball super stars in this book. But how about Johnny Vandermeer who pitched back to back no hitters for the Cincinnati Reds in 1938. Or how about Jim Bottomley of St. Louis who in 1924 set a record by getting six hits with six at bats. These six hits, three singles, a double, and two homers of which one was a grand slam home run resulted in 12 RBI's in one 9 inning game.

This book also touches on how technology such as radio and professional lighting changed the dynamics of baseball and vastly increased the total attendance in all ballparks. One is easily lost in time by quickly becoming absorbed with the easy style and the dramatic photos of this book. A great book for baseball lovers everywhere. `

America has been having a love affair with baseball for over 100 years. Reading this book is a way to relive the nation's collective memory of baseball through its best and worst moments.

Readers will be guided through the highlights of the game and will see over 400 stunning photographs from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum photo archives. This hall of Fame is a not-for-profit educational institution dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the historical development of baseball. Over 350,000 people travel to Cooperstown, NY each year to enjoy the museums exhibits and special events.

Nolan Ryan played for 27 seasons in the Major leagues and he was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1999. He has written a foreword filled with his memories of the game.

"I consider myself one of the lucky ones. I've spent most of my adult life making a living doing something I love." -Nolan Ryan

The text tells of little-known details and legendary records.

All I have to say is..."Do men look good in baseball uniforms or what?" Now, if my grandmother sees this book, she will steal it from me. We enjoy going to Mariner games on occasion, but if there is a game you can bet she is listening to the radio while she is cooking in the kitchen, will be found sitting in front of the TV, or is at the game.

I can't think of a better gift for a friend or relative who wants to reminisce over the classic moment in baseball. You can learn more about "The Curse of the Bambino," World Series games from 1903-1999," "The youngest Major League ballplayer," and ""The House that Ruth Built."

This is the definitive story of baseball and is told in a way no other book has told the story before. This is a chronicle of baseball's greatest conquests and defeats, its triumphs, heartaches and joys.

~The Rebecca Review

for the baseball fan this is a must.great plays captured here in there full essence&texture.when you see or read the impact of these plays you think what was i doing? the images are forever timeless you feel like they were all yesterday.so much joy&emotion from seeing them.that's why this is AMerica's Greatest Game ever.it has it all&more.the game has forever changed but it's impact is History always in the making.a great book.

The strength of this book is found in the many detailed and interesting essays about the evolution of professional baseball over the last 100 years. The essays are emotionally highlighted by some of the best baseball photography you can hope to see. The book was done in cooperation with the Baseball Hall of Fame in conjunction with its 1997 photography show.

Clearly, many people will receive this book as a gift. I suggest it especially for youngsters who are developing their first interest in baseball. At that age, there is an insatiable thirst for knowledge that this wonderful volume can help to quench. Experienced fans will also enjoy receiving it, so keep it in mind for birthdays and occasions like Father's and Mother's Days.

The book is divided into five chapters:

1900-1919: A Sport . . . And A Scandal

1920-1941: The Home Run Saves the Game

1942-1960: The War and Post-War Period

1961-1974: Expansion

1975-1999: Today's Game

Each chapter begins with an essay about the entire period covered. Then the chapter highlights 20 events from that period. A brief summary begins each of the 100 events, followed by a detailed essay with numerous photographs. So you can quickly scan the book to find something that interests you (the index is good for finding your favorite players, teams, and events), and leave book marks on sections you want to return to.

The choice of subjects is varied and interesting. You get great moments in baseball (Babe Ruth "calling" his home run in the World Series, Bobbie Thompson's shot heard round the world, Roger Maris's 61st home run, and Nolan Ryan talking about his 7 no-hitters). In addition, you get historic moments like when Jackie Robinson first played for the Dodgers, the trading of Babe Ruth from the Red Sox to the Yankees, the first night game, and the first World Series. Beyond that you get the serious challenges to the game such as the Black Sox scandal, the evaporation of attendance after television coverage started, and teams moving onto new cities. You also get the oddball events like Bill Veeck's continuous promotional activities (including a midget coming to bat), the New York Giants refusing to play in the 1904 World Series because the American League was made up of "minor league teams," and games being lost because of "bonehead" plays (like a baserunner failing to touch second base on a winning hit).

I also considered the book from the perspective of someone who has been a Dodger fan for 47 years. Every moment that I most cherished from that period is highlighted somewhere in this book.

One thing that surprised me was that I had no other books about baseball as a whole before acquiring this one. I wonder how I happened to miss this way of enjoying baseball? If you are like me, you too will be glad you have a chance to enjoy your memories and acquire new and interesting information about baseball. In my case, I was fascinated to see the baseball parks in Boston that preceded Fenway Park, that were used by the Red Sox and the Braves.

The depth of this book is impressive in many ways, as well. For example, if someone did something remarkable . . . like pitch the first perfect game, that section will also list the others who have duplicated the feat, who they played for, and who won the game. Some of the great players are covered in several ways. Babe Ruth is fully displayed as a Red Sox pitcher, then as a Yankee slugger. Seeing him age and gain weight make this seem almost like a biography of him. Several Yankees get similar treatment, like Mickey Mantle.

After you have finished enjoying the book, I suggest that you find other fans who can expand your knowledge about the players and events that interest you. You can use your new-found familiarity here to probe for better information. For example, what happened to old so-and-so after he retired? What was the greatest radio sportscast of a baseball game? In that way, this book can be the beginning of more fun with baseball, not the end.

I also suggest that you take up any chance you get to play some baseball (or softball if that is more available). It's good to exercise your body as well as your eyes with baseball!

Lauenstein gives more facts than a schoolmarm.

This book compiles information from a wide variety of resources - including excellent experts in the field - and presents it all in one place in an easy to follow, common-sense approach. Key principles for all aspects of life are discussed - financial, emotional, educational, not just how to throw a better curve. For any student athlete, male or female, in any sport, this author provides insights and keys to laying a foundation in school which will be of great benefit no matter what career path is eventually taken. This is an excellent guide which should be available in every school in the nation for every student. I wish this book had been available when I was in high school.

Ray Lauenstein has put together the first comprehensive guide for high school athletes bound for college. Trying to get into the right college is a difficult process, but for the student-athlete there are additional challenges, and Mr. Lauenstein provides an excellent roadmap to navigate the process. If your goal, or your child's goal, is to play sports at the college level, this book is a must read.

This book is great! I gave it to my cousin who's on the high school baseball team, and he loved it. I would definitely recommend this book.

"Baseball, playing outside the lines" is the book every parent needs, to guide their student athlete through the maze of college recruiters. The author has been there, done that, and is able to focus on what is really important, "an education should be the primary focus". This book should be mandatory reading for every student who aspires to playing baseball, or for that matter any sport at the college level.

this is delightful reading. There are stories told by the subjects -- and some of them are great story-tellers -- then narratives by the authors summing up each subject's life and career.

This is certainly inspirational in the sense of overcoming obstacles, but it isn't icky. The obstacles include racial prejudice, poverty, health, etc and the subjects range from long-retired players (Mudcat Grant retired after the 1971 season) to current ones (Juan Pierre). The lessons are really aimed at the young adult audience, but as an adult I am enjoying it also.

A fun read!

This book was great fun and appeals to baseball fans of all ages.

It comprises 20 true life stories of baseball players (and one executive) from various eras, allowing the reader to jump around if he chooses selecting to read first the stories of players he remembers best. You really get a sense of each player's personality, making it a quick and fascinating read!

This book is one of the greatest books I have read in a while. I could not put it down once I started to read it. I recommend this for all people, especially baseball fans! Each Chapter is exciting and worded just perfect. All in all, this is a fabulous read and an all-around good book!!!

Great book. Meet the author at a Nationals basebaal game. He has been great e-mailing my son to talk about the book and baseball.

Amazing what the authors coaxed out of their interview subjects. Baseball greats like Whitey Ford share childhood memories likely never before committed to print. In the case of some, like Ron LeFlore, they're not just memories, but admissions.

Since the players covered range from Hall of Fame greats to today's stars, there's something for fans of all ages. My son is consuming this book as fast as I am.

In fact, "Before the Glory" walks in the Sasquatch-sized footsteps of one of baseball's first great classic books: "The Glory of Their Times: The Story of the Early Days of Baseball Told by the Men Who Played It" by Lawrence Ritter (published in 1966). It was an oral history of the likes of Rube Marquard and Smoky Joe Wood.

I wouldn't be surprised if "Before the Glory" comes to occupy the same cherished place in readers' minds as "The Glory of Their Times" did in mine. A great gift for any young baseball player -- as well as yourself.

Why is this book is out of print?
Why did it never go paperback?
I'm a fan of nearly all Bill James' work; but this is his best. I found it in the public library and had to buy my own copy online for about $30, used.
This is absolutely Bill James' most effective integration of numbers and age-old baseball questions. He must have been very pleased to write this and very disappointed that it didn't find a more enthusiastic audience.
Let's hope he ignores the sales numbers, goes with his gut, and puts out a new edition.

The five stars I give this book is more impressive when you understand I can't stand the opinionated stat cookers who are trying to take over the game. And Bill James is the worst. But fortunately there aren't a lot of meaningful statistics that relate to mangagers (other than wins of course) and that forced James to do some real research and writing. He's acutally a pretty good writer. His analysis of John McGraw is some of the best baseball history available. If only he'd put his statistical obsessions aside and take another look at baseball greats he might produce more books that are based on reality rather than a manuipulation of numbers to justify irrational prejudices.

This was a good effort from Bill James, butit left me wanting more. There were a lot of key managers that could have been addressed in greater detail

Without a doubt, Bill James is THE man who can best shed light on those forgotten heroes of yesteryear and today along with focusing on what or who are the greats. By tackling the subject of mgrs. he's added another feather in his cap regarding baseball history. The book is simply chock full of astute observations, great stats, and even better off-the-wall stories. The way the book is laid out also does not overwhelm you because it covers the entire history of the game. James breaks it down by decade and gives you a good feel for the eras and the managers who made them. I can hardly wait to see what James tackles next.

There are a few other books that deal exclusively
with baseball managers and I've read most of them.
None deal with the subject as objectively or with as
much detail and enthusiasm as Bill James' new offering. Besides the
celebrated managers of baseball history such as Stengel,
McGraw, Mack and others, there are great pieces on lesser
known managers such as Bill McKechnie, Fred Haney, Spencer
Abbot and Billy Southworth. James also details a few objective
ways to discuss and evaluate a manager's accomplishments.
The book maps out the trends of various managerial strategies
such as the sacrifice bunt and the use of a bullpen. Anyone who
loves baseball will find this book hard to put down. And it'll make
you think. As James says "managers are fascinating people" and this
book makes for many hours of fascinating reading.

I've been reading Bill James for almost ten years now, and the Baseball Handbook just keeps getting better. Whether you're in a fantasy, rotisserie, or simulation league, this book is the basic set of data and analysis you need. I'd buy it for the career player stats and the left/right breakdowns alone.

Don't draft without it!

Lists career major league stats for every one who appeared in a game in 2001. There are also break downs for lefty/righty, pitchers hitting, managers tendancies, projections, and leader boards in many obscure categories. You can refer to it through out the year. I haven't missed one yet and don't intend to. No commentary, just pure stats.

If you're a stats freak, this is the book for you. Bill James is the MAN!

I have read this book every day for 3 weeks and I find something new everyday.

BUY IT!

This book has it all. Pitcher breadowns vs. lhb & rhb. Batter brekdowns vs. lhp & rhp. Defense is broke down by position. Each ballpark even has stats on how certain type of players did. Plus, every player who played in 1998 is listed in the book along with his age,year and career stats, and some with minor league stats. This book is a must for all real stat minded baseball fans.

I've purchased this book each of the past six years, and I anticipate purchasing it the next six as well. It has all the basic stats for anyone in the major leagues that year and the projections for 2000 and probably the most accurate available.

I enjoy the leaderboards and also the park effects and defensive stats.

My only problems with the book are how it meshes with the Minor League Handbook (green book). For rookies or part-time major leaugers it does not include minor league career totals despite showing all of the player's minor league stats. These numbers would be far more interesting than the career totals they show with just minor leaguers. I also wish they would include Zone Rating in the defensive stats, but Mr. James refuses to allow it in a book with his name, so you are forced to purchase the Player Profiles (blue book) as well if you want those numbers.

All in all, it is the earliest and best yearly stats annual available, but I would like to see some small improvements made.

This is a very good and quite readable oral history about the Brooklyn Dodgers of the 1940-1950's. That celebrated team won several pennants, integrated baseball with Jackie Robinson, and had many colorful and talented characters. Written in the 1980's, we hear from ex-Dodgers stars like Roy Campanella, Duke Snider, Ralph Branca, Pee Wee Reese, Leo Durocher, and even some fans. We see how this team played in quaint little Ebbets Field, mostly succeeding except for some heartbreaking losses in the World Series against the Yankees. But sadly, the real heartbreak came when greedy owner Walter O'Malley looked at declining attendance and fled to Los Angeles after 1957. This book should be of great interest to baseball aficionados, particularly those that remember their heroes in Ebbets Field. Readers should also enjoy THE BOYS OF SUMMER, a superb if melancholy account by Roger Kahn.

Born and raised in Brooklyn USA...Golenbock's "Bums" is the best book I've read on my dear Dodgers...The quotes from former members of the team are outstanding and offer a direct insight how the players felt about management, other players and especially the fans..I've re-read it about ten times..Great to pick up when one is a "how I miss my team" mode....Get it! You'll enjoy it and treasured it.

super oral history of one of baseballs most fabled franchises. great insights into the inner workings of the baseball organization and front office, as well as player interviews which reveal the real people and lives of the players and fans of "dem bums"

This is a wonderful book if you're a fan interested in the early days of baseball, especially the New York teams. The author captures everything around the human spirit surrounding the Dodgers, Ebbets Field, the fans that treated the team like family, Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, the Giants and Yankees rivalries.

The strength of this book lies in the first-hand accounts given by the players, executives, and fans that made the Dodgers franchise what it was. It is around these accounts that the book is built, and there is nothing more fascinating than hearing contemporaries reminisce about Campy or the Duke. This moves the book away from journalism and makes it something deeply personal. A must-have for any fan of the game, and especially of the Brooklyn Dodgers.