Customer Reviews

The Politics of Glory: How Baseball's Hall of Fame Really Works

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you really care if Phil Ruzzitto should or should not be in the Hall of Fame this is the book for you. Bill James is the dean of sabrematicians, the guys who study baseball statistics for what those numbers can tell us about the game. The Politics of Glory uses statistics to examine the players who are in the Hall of Fame and makes some judgments as to whether they should be there and looks at players who are not in the Hall of Fame and makes similar judgments. The book is fun to read for anyone who likes baseball. The statistical methods are easy to follow and is written with a good humor that makes this potentially dry subject very intersting.

... you're enjoy it more if you have a degree in math. It makes several interesting arguments why Drysdale and Rizzuto shouldn't be in the HOF. Nice discussion on the merits of Milt Pappas versus Drysdale. I never realized that the Veterans Committee had let in so many questionable candidates. Fortunately I think that the HOF has resolved that problem thanks largely to Joe Morgan's efforts (Thank you Joe!). I had heard the story on how Rick Ferrell got elected by the VC, maybe the least deserving member ever elected by the VC to the HOF. I had heard it was unanimous, but it was only 14 of 18 veterans who voted him in (blame Jim Campbell on this one).

This book is very thought provoking and honest.I love the way he analyzes players from different eras by using that eras stats to base his quality assessments on. Maybe not all hall of famers belong there, but the truth is statistics sure say a lot.When will he come out with an updated hall of fame book?

This book is very thought provoking and honest.I love the way he analyzes players from different eras by using that eras stats to base his quality assessments on. Maybe not all hall of famers belong there, but the truth is statistics sure say a lot.

Another great book from the master sabermatrician, Bill James. It is obvious that James is a huge baseball fan who is simply fed up with the current fabric of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Why, for example, is Hack Wilson in the Hall of Fame? James examines his curious selection, among others, in this must-read.