New baseball books I need this off-season

All,

Skip had given me some link to Bill James' Total Baseball, but I don't happen to have this on me. I have zero baseball books at the moment. What are some of the best ones out there? Links, title, author, all are welcome.

I'm especially interested in books on the earlier players, such as in the Deadball Era.

Thanks.

[Skipper Steve]

My recommendations for books can be found at:

http://www.netshrine.com/media.html

I also have about 8 books, in hand, that are on my "to do" list - - - just finding the time is hard.

Yog, while I haven't read it yet, I recommend:

"Now Pitching For The Yankees" by Marty Appel
for you - - just a feeling that you'll like it.

[SmedIndy]

Yog -

It's Bill James' Historical Baseball Abstract

Total Baseball is separate.

I just read a neat biography on Chris Von Der Ahe. I have one on Hal Chase coming.

The BEST baseball book is "The Pitch That Killed" by Mike Sowell about the Ray Chapman / Rex Mays incident in 1920.

I do enjoy "The Beer and Whiskey League" about the old American Association.

"Baseball Dynasties" by Neyer and Epstein is a good argument starter.

Skip, I definitely like your link f/books. I hadn't realized your site was so thorough (Immortals, books, I wonder what else is out there I haven't perused yet).

Smed, I'd seen the Bill's "Abstract" book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, but thought it was something different. Now I need to get this and Total Baseball. Do you know who publishes Total Baseball.

BTW, I figured I'd post a new thread here, since I can always look back and see what I need. I also hope that it can branch off into discussing "must-have" or great books on baseball so that all can enjoy. I thank you both f/your posts and anyone else who may wish to join right in the fun.

[SmedIndy]

I can't recall who publishes Total Baseball, but a search on Amazon will lead you right there.

Yog, I have an extensive library, but no snazzy web site to link...

Well, taking that you know more than myself about the game, tell me about a title or two I should get. I'm definitely getting Bill James' "Abstract" book and Total Baseball.

[SmedIndy]

Those two, plus the ones I referenced before.

Originally posted by SmedIndy
Those two, plus the ones I referenced before.

Thanks for all the leads. I'm going shopping and I do happen to have some cash on me. At least had after I get these books.

[Surhofffan]

Steve, I have to inquire about one of the books on your list.... "The Game According to Syd" by Syd Thrift?! Just wondering why you liked the book, because he's part of the totally screwed-up Orioles front office....

[Xanadu Dragon]

Originally posted by Surhofffan
Steve, I have to inquire about one of the books on your list.... "The Game According to Syd" by Syd Thrift?! Just wondering why you liked the book, because he's part of the totally screwed-up Orioles front office....

I really thought the book was intelligent - - - some novel thoughts.

Actually, all the books on my book list are just my "A" list - - - I've read many more that were good or OK, just not in the same league as the ones that make the list.

I think Sid's just in the collecting checks mode with the O's - - and watching everyone else screw up the team, IMHO. Doesn't seem like anyone there is doing any of the things Sid talks about in his book.

At the suggestion of my fellow forumers, I've selected:

1. The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract
2. The Complete New York Yankees: The Total Encyclopedia of the Team
3. Total Baseball : The Official Encyclopedia of Major League Baseball (Total Baseball, 7th Ed)
4. Now Pitching for the Yankees : Spinning the News for Mickey, Billy, and George

That's all I can afford for now and I'll finally be in touch w/everyone else. Now I've just gotta send some $ to Lee for his software and I'm in business.

[sweaver]

Two real good ones (I think the site recommends them as well) are Veeck as in Wreck and Eight Men Out. My votes for the best non-statistical books on baseball.

Originally posted by sweaver
Two real good ones (I think the site recommends them as well) are Veeck as in Wreck and Eight Men Out. My votes for the best non-statistical books on baseball.

Were you referring to "Eight Men Out 1988 Grand Slam" at Steve's media link above? I also see the Veeck as in Wreck there. What are they about? I usually try reading into a book based upon its title then peruse the table of contents from amazon.com.

If by chance I get through those 4 books ordered, my next additions to my "growing" library (all of the above 4 books) would be:

1. The New Dickson Baseball Dictionary
2. Talkin' Baseball, An Oral History of Baseball in the 1970's
3. All-Time Major League Handbook
4. All-Time Baseball Sourcebook

I think that Phil Pepe (book 2 above) used to be a sportswriter for the NY Daily News and he does his "pep talk" f/one of the news radio stations' sports update, wrote several books about NYY greats (Mick, Whitey, Yogi).

My main interest is knowing the game and of course my favorite team well, since I'm woefully behind people like yourself, GB, night al and too many others. After this, I'll get into individual players and teams so hope your recommendations can help.

[Xanadu Dragon]

Yog - - note the media section has books and movies - - - I think you're confusing the two.

BTW, Eight Men Out, the book, was made into a movie. I'm recommending the movie - - never read the book.

[satchel]

Originally posted by Xanadu Dragon

BTW, Eight Men Out, the book, was made into a movie. I'm recommending the movie - - never read the book.

I read the book - by Eliot Asinof. It was excellent and I highly recommend if you're interested in the Black Sox. It tells a meticulously detailed and compelling story, and you can learn a great deal not just about that team, but about baseball and its figures of that era - Comiskey, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, and such.
Yogi, I read "Talkin' Baseball" this summer and posted some thoughts and excerpts here on NDF. See the archives for a smattering if you'd like.

Also, between Total Baseball (which rocks), James's Historical Abstract, and Lee's disk, you will probably have all the historical stat info you need, and may find other "all time sourcebook" type books somewhat redundant. You might consider that if your baseball book budget is finite.