Baseball Greatness

Baseball Greatness

Author: David Kaiser

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2018-02-20

Total Pages: 251

ISBN-13: 1476628629

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Recent advances in baseball statistical analysis have made it possible to assess the totality of contribution each player makes to team success or failure. Using the metric Wins Above Average (WAA)--the number of wins that the 2016 Red Sox, for example, added because they had Mookie Betts in right field, instead of an average player--the author undertakes a fascinating review of major league baseball from 1901 through 2017. The great teams are analyzed, underscoring why they were successful. The great players of each generation are identified using simple, reliable metrics--from Ty Cobb through Mike Trout, and pitchers from Christy Mathewson to Clayton Kershaw. Surprises abound. The importance of pitching is found to be vastly exaggerated. Many Hall of Fame pitchers (and some hitters) achieved immortality almost entirely on the backs of their teammates, while a few over-qualified players still await induction. Focusing on today's rosters, the WAA assessment shows that the game is threatened by an unprecedented shortage of great players.


Book Synopsis Baseball Greatness by : David Kaiser

Download or read book Baseball Greatness written by David Kaiser and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2018-02-20 with total page 251 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Recent advances in baseball statistical analysis have made it possible to assess the totality of contribution each player makes to team success or failure. Using the metric Wins Above Average (WAA)--the number of wins that the 2016 Red Sox, for example, added because they had Mookie Betts in right field, instead of an average player--the author undertakes a fascinating review of major league baseball from 1901 through 2017. The great teams are analyzed, underscoring why they were successful. The great players of each generation are identified using simple, reliable metrics--from Ty Cobb through Mike Trout, and pitchers from Christy Mathewson to Clayton Kershaw. Surprises abound. The importance of pitching is found to be vastly exaggerated. Many Hall of Fame pitchers (and some hitters) achieved immortality almost entirely on the backs of their teammates, while a few over-qualified players still await induction. Focusing on today's rosters, the WAA assessment shows that the game is threatened by an unprecedented shortage of great players.


The Image of Their Greatness

The Image of Their Greatness

Author: Lawrence S. Ritter

Publisher: Three Rivers Press

Published: 1992

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780517587287

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A revised and updated edition of this illustrated classic, one of the most celebrated and informative books ever on the history of baseball, takes the reader decade by decade through the names and faces that have shaped America's favorite pastime. Illustrations.


Book Synopsis The Image of Their Greatness by : Lawrence S. Ritter

Download or read book The Image of Their Greatness written by Lawrence S. Ritter and published by Three Rivers Press. This book was released on 1992 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A revised and updated edition of this illustrated classic, one of the most celebrated and informative books ever on the history of baseball, takes the reader decade by decade through the names and faces that have shaped America's favorite pastime. Illustrations.


The Cambridge Companion to Baseball

The Cambridge Companion to Baseball

Author: Leonard Cassuto

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2011-02-21

Total Pages: 281

ISBN-13: 0521761824

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From Babe Ruth to the Black Sox scandal, this Companion examines baseball's history, global identity, current challenges and memorable personalities.


Book Synopsis The Cambridge Companion to Baseball by : Leonard Cassuto

Download or read book The Cambridge Companion to Baseball written by Leonard Cassuto and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2011-02-21 with total page 281 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From Babe Ruth to the Black Sox scandal, this Companion examines baseball's history, global identity, current challenges and memorable personalities.


Greatness in Waiting

Greatness in Waiting

Author: Ray Istorico

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2008-01-30

Total Pages: 241

ISBN-13: 078643211X

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Before they acquired Babe Ruth or won a single championship, the New York Yankees (née Highlanders) were a team that inspired the strongest of feelings in baseball circles. Stars such as Jack Chesbro, Hal Chase, and Brooklyner Willie Keeler drew loud followings, and the team made loyal fans of those who disliked the cross-town Giants or Dodgers. Even Ban Johnson prized the franchise, which gave his upstart American League a foothold in the nation’s most populous city. Baltimoreans, on the other hand, nurtured an animus toward the team, which only a few years earlier had been called the Orioles. And former Orioles manager John McGraw hatched a plan, along with Giants owner Andrew Freedman, to sabotage the new club. This heavily illustrated volume combines a fully documented history of the deadball-era Yankees with 195 photos of the people, places, and events that figured prominently in the story.


Book Synopsis Greatness in Waiting by : Ray Istorico

Download or read book Greatness in Waiting written by Ray Istorico and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2008-01-30 with total page 241 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Before they acquired Babe Ruth or won a single championship, the New York Yankees (née Highlanders) were a team that inspired the strongest of feelings in baseball circles. Stars such as Jack Chesbro, Hal Chase, and Brooklyner Willie Keeler drew loud followings, and the team made loyal fans of those who disliked the cross-town Giants or Dodgers. Even Ban Johnson prized the franchise, which gave his upstart American League a foothold in the nation’s most populous city. Baltimoreans, on the other hand, nurtured an animus toward the team, which only a few years earlier had been called the Orioles. And former Orioles manager John McGraw hatched a plan, along with Giants owner Andrew Freedman, to sabotage the new club. This heavily illustrated volume combines a fully documented history of the deadball-era Yankees with 195 photos of the people, places, and events that figured prominently in the story.


The Major League Baseball Ultimate Book of Records

The Major League Baseball Ultimate Book of Records

Author: Major League Baseball

Publisher: McClelland & Stewart

Published: 2013-10-15

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 0771057350

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Since the first pitch was thrown, MLB has tracked the performance of every team and player, documented every hit and measured every home run. And while some plays are part of the everyday game, there are moments in baseball when a player's performance reaches a new level of greatness and new records are made. The Major League Baseball Ultimate Book of Records catalogs the game's most remarkable achievements, as well as some of the less traditional and quirky stats that all play a part in the game. MLB's team of in-house writers, researchers and historians have scoured the history of the game and written the most accurate, complete and definitive record of baseball stats and achievements. Major League Baseball Ultimate Book of Records documents the absolute best of the best and packs each achievement into this lavishly illustrated book where fans will be treated to never-before-seen photographs of their favourite players. Double-page spreads will show Henderson racing to second base to claim the stolen base record, while another full color spread celebrates Bond's crushing hit that set a new threshold for most home-runs. All the records are here, each with an account of events and spectacular photographs that make this truly the most spectacular baseball book ever published.


Book Synopsis The Major League Baseball Ultimate Book of Records by : Major League Baseball

Download or read book The Major League Baseball Ultimate Book of Records written by Major League Baseball and published by McClelland & Stewart. This book was released on 2013-10-15 with total page 258 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since the first pitch was thrown, MLB has tracked the performance of every team and player, documented every hit and measured every home run. And while some plays are part of the everyday game, there are moments in baseball when a player's performance reaches a new level of greatness and new records are made. The Major League Baseball Ultimate Book of Records catalogs the game's most remarkable achievements, as well as some of the less traditional and quirky stats that all play a part in the game. MLB's team of in-house writers, researchers and historians have scoured the history of the game and written the most accurate, complete and definitive record of baseball stats and achievements. Major League Baseball Ultimate Book of Records documents the absolute best of the best and packs each achievement into this lavishly illustrated book where fans will be treated to never-before-seen photographs of their favourite players. Double-page spreads will show Henderson racing to second base to claim the stolen base record, while another full color spread celebrates Bond's crushing hit that set a new threshold for most home-runs. All the records are here, each with an account of events and spectacular photographs that make this truly the most spectacular baseball book ever published.


The Image of Their Greatness

The Image of Their Greatness

Author: Lawrence S. Ritter

Publisher: Crown Publishers

Published: 1984

Total Pages: 406

ISBN-13: 9780517554227

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A history of baseball from 1900 to 1983, decade by decade. Includes 600 photographs and information on players, teams, and managers.


Book Synopsis The Image of Their Greatness by : Lawrence S. Ritter

Download or read book The Image of Their Greatness written by Lawrence S. Ritter and published by Crown Publishers. This book was released on 1984 with total page 406 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A history of baseball from 1900 to 1983, decade by decade. Includes 600 photographs and information on players, teams, and managers.


Major League Baseball in the 1970s

Major League Baseball in the 1970s

Author: Joseph G. Preston

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2004-01-23

Total Pages: 412

ISBN-13: 0786415924

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Many of the most powerful trends in baseball today have their roots in the 1970s. Baseball entered that decade seriously behind the times in race relations, attitudes toward conformity versus individuality, and the manager-player relationship. In a sense, much of the wrenching change that American society as a whole experienced in the 1960s was played out in baseball in the following decade. Additionally, the game itself was rapidly evolving, with the inauguration of the designated hitter rule in the American League, the evolution of the closer, the development of the five-man starting rotation, the acceptance of strikeout lions like Dave Kingman and Bobby Bonds and the proliferation of stolen bases. This book opens with a discussion of the challenges that faced baseball's movers and shakers when they gathered in Bal Harbour, Florida, for the annual winter meetings on December 2, 1969. Their worst nightmares would be realized in the coming years. For many and often contradictory reasons the 1970s game evolved into a war of competing ideologies--escalating salaries, an acrimonious strike, Sesame Street-style team mascots, and the breaking of the time-honored tradition that all players, including the pitcher, must play on offense as well as defense--that would ultimately spell doom for the majority of attendees.


Book Synopsis Major League Baseball in the 1970s by : Joseph G. Preston

Download or read book Major League Baseball in the 1970s written by Joseph G. Preston and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2004-01-23 with total page 412 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Many of the most powerful trends in baseball today have their roots in the 1970s. Baseball entered that decade seriously behind the times in race relations, attitudes toward conformity versus individuality, and the manager-player relationship. In a sense, much of the wrenching change that American society as a whole experienced in the 1960s was played out in baseball in the following decade. Additionally, the game itself was rapidly evolving, with the inauguration of the designated hitter rule in the American League, the evolution of the closer, the development of the five-man starting rotation, the acceptance of strikeout lions like Dave Kingman and Bobby Bonds and the proliferation of stolen bases. This book opens with a discussion of the challenges that faced baseball's movers and shakers when they gathered in Bal Harbour, Florida, for the annual winter meetings on December 2, 1969. Their worst nightmares would be realized in the coming years. For many and often contradictory reasons the 1970s game evolved into a war of competing ideologies--escalating salaries, an acrimonious strike, Sesame Street-style team mascots, and the breaking of the time-honored tradition that all players, including the pitcher, must play on offense as well as defense--that would ultimately spell doom for the majority of attendees.


Contesting the Myths of Samurai Baseball

Contesting the Myths of Samurai Baseball

Author: Christopher T. Keaveney

Publisher: Hong Kong University Press

Published: 2018-03-19

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 9888455826

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Almost right from the introduction of baseball to Japan the sport was regarded as qualitatively different from the original American model. This vision of Japanese baseball associates the sport with steadfast devotion (magokoro) and the values of the samurai class in the code of Bushidō, in which greatness is achieved through hard work under the tutelage of a selfless master. In Contesting the Myths of Samurai Baseball Keaveney analyzes the persistent appeal of such mythologizing, arguing that the sport has been serving as a repository for traditional values, to which the Japanese have returned time and again in epochs of uncertainty and change. Baseball and modern culture emerged and developed side by side in Japan, giving cultural representations of this national pastime special insights into Japanese values and their contortions from the late nineteenth century to the present day. Keaveney explains the origins of the cultural construct “Samurai baseball” and reflects on the recurrences of these essentialist discourses at critical junctures in Japan’s modern history. Since the early modern period, writers, filmmakers, and manga artists have alternately affirmed and debunked these popular myths of baseball. This study presents an overview of these cultural products, beginning with Masaoka Shiki’s pioneering baseball writings, then moves on to the long history of baseball films and the venerable tradition of baseball fiction, and finally considers the substantial body of baseball manga and anime. Perhaps what is most striking is the continuous relevance of baseball and its values as a point of cultural reference for the Japanese people; their engagement with baseball is a genuine national love affair. “A fascinating study of samurai baseball and the culture it represents viewed through historical and contemporary literature, poetry, manga, and movies. An important, original work that is full of insights. Christopher Keaveney has put enormous effort into researching this book and he is to be congratulated. I learned a lot by reading it.” —Robert Whiting, author of You Gotta Have Wa and The Meaning of Ichiro “Keaveney’s book offers a nuanced introduction to the Japanese model of samurai baseball along with an analysis of many of the works that treat the guiding principles of that model. A fresh look at Japan’s national pastime.” —Bobby Valentine, former MLB player and manager and former manager of the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball “Christopher Keaveney effortlessly combines a thorough knowledge of Japanese baseball—its players, managers, fans—with the cultural productions surrounding it. The result is a nostalgic trip through history and an edifying survey of literature, film, and manga.” —David Desser, professor emeritus, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign


Book Synopsis Contesting the Myths of Samurai Baseball by : Christopher T. Keaveney

Download or read book Contesting the Myths of Samurai Baseball written by Christopher T. Keaveney and published by Hong Kong University Press. This book was released on 2018-03-19 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Almost right from the introduction of baseball to Japan the sport was regarded as qualitatively different from the original American model. This vision of Japanese baseball associates the sport with steadfast devotion (magokoro) and the values of the samurai class in the code of Bushidō, in which greatness is achieved through hard work under the tutelage of a selfless master. In Contesting the Myths of Samurai Baseball Keaveney analyzes the persistent appeal of such mythologizing, arguing that the sport has been serving as a repository for traditional values, to which the Japanese have returned time and again in epochs of uncertainty and change. Baseball and modern culture emerged and developed side by side in Japan, giving cultural representations of this national pastime special insights into Japanese values and their contortions from the late nineteenth century to the present day. Keaveney explains the origins of the cultural construct “Samurai baseball” and reflects on the recurrences of these essentialist discourses at critical junctures in Japan’s modern history. Since the early modern period, writers, filmmakers, and manga artists have alternately affirmed and debunked these popular myths of baseball. This study presents an overview of these cultural products, beginning with Masaoka Shiki’s pioneering baseball writings, then moves on to the long history of baseball films and the venerable tradition of baseball fiction, and finally considers the substantial body of baseball manga and anime. Perhaps what is most striking is the continuous relevance of baseball and its values as a point of cultural reference for the Japanese people; their engagement with baseball is a genuine national love affair. “A fascinating study of samurai baseball and the culture it represents viewed through historical and contemporary literature, poetry, manga, and movies. An important, original work that is full of insights. Christopher Keaveney has put enormous effort into researching this book and he is to be congratulated. I learned a lot by reading it.” —Robert Whiting, author of You Gotta Have Wa and The Meaning of Ichiro “Keaveney’s book offers a nuanced introduction to the Japanese model of samurai baseball along with an analysis of many of the works that treat the guiding principles of that model. A fresh look at Japan’s national pastime.” —Bobby Valentine, former MLB player and manager and former manager of the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball “Christopher Keaveney effortlessly combines a thorough knowledge of Japanese baseball—its players, managers, fans—with the cultural productions surrounding it. The result is a nostalgic trip through history and an edifying survey of literature, film, and manga.” —David Desser, professor emeritus, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign


Defining Greatness

Defining Greatness

Author: Michael Hoban

Publisher: Booklocker.com

Published: 2012-04

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781621412366

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Who belongs in baseball's Hall of Fame? That is, which players have EARNED the right to be there? In this book, Professor Michael Hoban uses Bill James' Win Shares system to come up with a formula that assigns a numerical value to a player's entire career. The system, called the CAWS Career Gauge (Career Assessment/Wins shares) establishes career benchmarks for each position - to determine if a player has obvious HOF numbers.


Book Synopsis Defining Greatness by : Michael Hoban

Download or read book Defining Greatness written by Michael Hoban and published by Booklocker.com. This book was released on 2012-04 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Who belongs in baseball's Hall of Fame? That is, which players have EARNED the right to be there? In this book, Professor Michael Hoban uses Bill James' Win Shares system to come up with a formula that assigns a numerical value to a player's entire career. The system, called the CAWS Career Gauge (Career Assessment/Wins shares) establishes career benchmarks for each position - to determine if a player has obvious HOF numbers.


Few and Chosen Yankees

Few and Chosen Yankees

Author: Whitey Ford

Publisher: Triumph Books

Published: 2001-09

Total Pages: 353

ISBN-13: 162368756X

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Whitey Ford, a Hall of Fame pitcher with the Yankees for 16 seasons, gives unique insight and takes on the challenge of selecting the five best players at each position in the franchise's history, which includes 26 World Series championships and 36 American League pennants--a legacy no other team comes close to achieving. Featured players include Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Johnny Mize, and Enos Slaughter.


Book Synopsis Few and Chosen Yankees by : Whitey Ford

Download or read book Few and Chosen Yankees written by Whitey Ford and published by Triumph Books. This book was released on 2001-09 with total page 353 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Whitey Ford, a Hall of Fame pitcher with the Yankees for 16 seasons, gives unique insight and takes on the challenge of selecting the five best players at each position in the franchise's history, which includes 26 World Series championships and 36 American League pennants--a legacy no other team comes close to achieving. Featured players include Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Johnny Mize, and Enos Slaughter.