Customer Reviews

Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract

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If I could keep only two books in my baseball library, Bill James' Historical Abstract would be one of them; the other would be among Total Baseball, Macmillan's Baseball Encyclopedia and STATS' All-Time Major League Handbook. While James has stated he will update this baseball classic (it is over a decade old now), this book has aged much more proudly than most old sports histories. James mixes in colorful anecdotes with crisp analysis and helpful statistical evaluations. The new edition, if it ever is published, will undoubtedly employ updated statistical tools to compare history's best players. In the meantime, grab this book if you can find a copy. I don't know of many owners willing to part with it -- even on loan!

This hefty volume shines new light on baseball--and sports in general--against the backdrop of American history. Particularly illuminating are the player profiles (check out the pieces on Ty Cobb, Lefty Grove, Ernie Lombardi, Mike Schmidt and Mickey Mantle vs. Willie Mays) and the all-time players' rankings. You'll find yourself re-reading sections just for the sheer joy of immersing yourself in beautifully crafted, cliche-free prose. An essential library addition for anyone who loves the game of baseball.

As a baseball author myself, I'm pretty picky when it comes to reading about the game. The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract is the best book in my baseball library, which now approaches 200+ titles. [Somebody] complained about James's opinions, but for me, that's why I read Bill James: for his opinions! James doesn't present opinion as fact; he presents opinion as opinion, fact as fact, and then tries to persuade you that he's right. His work has influenced a number of modern baseball writers, including Rob Neyer of ESPN..., as well as myself. I read James's yearly Abstracts in the 1980s, but it's this book that really got me interested in learning more about baseball.

Apparently, a new edition of the Historical Abstract is due for publication in summer 2001. Buy it!

Among the best baseball books ever written. James is known for his statistical work, but he's also a terrific writer, always willing to venture down the back alleys of baseball history. The book has many great photos (check out the photo of Joe Martina, or Ty Cobb in his David Byrne-like big suit) and lot of odd tales about the lives of old-time players. I'm looking forward to its re-release.

The Historical Baseball Abstract is perhaps the most read book in my baseball library. It has something inside to satisfy every kind of baseball fan. James provides his trademark cogent statistical ysis on many of the subjects he has written about before. The historical information on former players is outstanding - any baseball fan looking to expand their knowledge of the game's history will devour this book. James chimes in informatively on some interesting player debates (Mantle vs Mays, Berra vs Dickey) and offers his insight on how the great players in history match up to each other. Some of the information is admittedly outdated, as the book was published in the mid-80s. However, that flaw will change upon the publishing of James' updated Abstract, due out within the next couple years.

Bill James presents an excellent overview of baseball in every decade that it has been played, except the 1990's. He also presents insight into statistical analysis of players without focusing so much on stats that he ignores reality. When I read it in 1989, it was the best baseball book I had ever read. Now, the rankings in this book are somewhat outdated since they don't include many recent players, but the history and theories presented in the book are still the best out there

There is a "New Historical Abstract" out. But this edition is MUCH better -- I explain why below.

This book is wonderful. I have enjoyed it for 20 years. Probably the best book Bill James ever wrote. It covers the history of baseball decade by decade and then rates players (with extensive discussion of his rationale). It uses statistics but is not overly dependent on them (as the New Bill James Historical Abstract is).

One of the things I like best is how he collects information on what people thought of players at the time and constrasts that to current opinion. He gives a number of telling examples of how memory and other factors distort opinion. This is fascinating as a reflection on history, not just baseball history.

Another great strength is that he brings up other people's opinions and explains why he differs. He also puts a lot of weight on external valuations (such as MVP voting).

As I noted, he does use the statistical methods he is justly famous for but he uses fairly simple ones. He also explains and justifies their use and notes their limitations.

One section I liked best is Bill's essay on the origins of platooning. It takes it back much further than is commonly realized and also puts it in the context of baseball history in general and explains why platooning began when it did and the reasons its popularity waxed and waned.

The New BJ Historical Baseball Abstract has the benefits of bringing it more up-to-date and adding a lot on the Negro leagues (which are real benefits). However, it has lost a lot of the humility that characterizes the original. It also does silly things like trying to meld together two very distinct measures of greatness (peak value and career value) by taking the geometric mean of the two. I like the old one (this edition) because Bill is searching for truth, recognizing that all methods have limits.

As I noted at the opening. I think this is a wonderful book for anyone who wants an understanding of baseball history. Even if you've already read the New abstract (especially if), this one is worth reading as well. Its perspective is quite different and contains a lot of material dropped from the new one.

Bill James is the best at what he does because he makes the statistical side of the game interesting. He never forgets that the game is played by human beings with human strengths and weaknesses. His perspective on players' rankings and his ability to tell a good story are what keep me coming back for more. As for the comments of the reviewer who thinks Bill is obsessed with Joe Jackson: Get over it! Sounds like you're just a bit obsessed yourself. Why would you pick on this one thing and use it as the basis for a review of the entire book? For everyone else: Read anything Bill James writes about baseball.

I have the yearly Abstracts from '83 to the end in '88 and have reread each many, many times and I reread the Historical Abstract at least once a year. Simply great books for anyone who loves the national pastime.

This is a good book, but something that reviewer RUBE WADDELL wrote stood out. James's belief that he is the only person that should determine who should and should not be in the Hall of Fame, does stick out and displays itself with a rather ugly glare. I found James to be a little over the top with his brutally candid opinions of players, but I suppose that is what makes the book a good read. The statistics are solid and make for interesting reading. I would have to agree further that James does have political aspirations within the game of baseball. The good thing is that the right people are running the HOF, and James is not amongst them.