More great writing from the crew at BP

Not for the casual fan by any stretch. Real numbers / theory heavy but organized into 27 easily digestible essays.

Also keep in mind this was published in 2005 so be prepared for some outdated examples. The chapter on steroids, for example, admits that it could use another 10 years of data to come to stronger conclusions.

Fantastic book for baseball fans that can appreciate advanced statistics on the sport. Not a light read by any means, but definitely worthwhile.

Thought-provoking. I'm the first to admit that I can't really follow the math (I understand the theory behind a regression analysis, but I couldn't run one, given a bunch of numbers), but I'm very interested in the ideas that flow from it. I'd suspected certain things--public financing of stadiums is a bad idea for everyone but the team owners, for example, or closers should be used at times other than the ninth inning--but it's nice to see actual evidence on them.

I'm also a bit lucky to be reading this book a few years after it came out, for a couple of reasons. First, because one of the authors, Nate Silver, has spent the intervening time covering himself in glory with accurate political predictions, which in turn gives him even more credibility here. "Well, he sure nailed the last two elections, so his methodology seems pretty solid."

Second, because there's now been time to see how the careers of various players mentioned in the book have since unfolded. Sometimes it's been good--Ryan Howard was just getting started then, and he's had some fine years--and sometimes not so good--they mention Eric Chavez, who's sadly spent most of the years since this was published on the disabled list. Whoops. Then again, it's also a useful reminder of the role of simple luck.

I think I'd like to read this book a couple more times, over the next few years. I suspect that I'll understand the game better now as I watch, and that I'll get more out of it again after I've watched a bit more.

Cool to go in depth on some sabermetric ideas that I had just accepted as fact. Learn where these ideas came from and all the math behind it.

I don't like baseball, but I love studying how statistics can be refined and manipulated, so I loved this book. It takes some concentration to get it, but all the concepts are explained, so it's definitely approachable.

I love books like this. I love baseball and this book takes my love in a new, informed direction.

Written a little over a decade ago and it's crazy how dated some of this information feels.

3/5 Stars

I saw the movie "Moneyball" and saw it making some good points, but grossly oversimplifying things (IMHO). Of course, to fit it into a Story that can be told in two hours, you would have to, but that is a different subject. Anyway, went to the Library to get the book to read it, and picked this up instead.

As other reviewers noted, if you want a book to teach you the basics of Baseball, go elsewhere. Heck, if you want an argument for advanced stats, look elsewhere. But if you are a baseball fan and are somewhat aware of these new stats, this book has intelligent treatments of many contested topics in the game. It is a snapshot of very smart writers looking at the game - at least as is was ten years ago.

They take up contested topics, and the answers they provide are not entirely consistent. But you will learn about the game, and the discussion by sitting with them as they explain what they love.

Do you think Derek Jeter is the best shortstop ever? Do you just love "small ball"? Still evaluating pitchers on their win/loss record? Do you like your favorite player because everyone thinks he is "gritty"? First of all, you should finish your Cheerios. Then, you should read this book.

this book was an excellent look at the analytical side of baseball, especially in the day of money ball and sabermetrics. It wasn't my most favorite baseball book by far (and I've read a bunch) because it was far too complex and complicated for the casual fan, or even the knowledgeable fan that isn't a mathematician. It has to be that way with the topic, but it didn't make for a "fun" read.

I realized I am not into stats this much.