11-24-2001, 04:50 PM
The new Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract is out and it's fabulous. He rates the top 100 players of all time (including Negro League players) and, incredibly, the top 100 at each position. Great, great book. Lots of terrific anecdotes, which if you love baseball, you'll really love. One example:
Joe Gantenbein hit .290 with the Athletics in 1939, then had an off year in 1940 and lost his job. In 1943 he was in uniform, and he happened to run into Bill Dickey outside a hotel, waving for a taxi.
"Dont I know you?" Dickey asked.
"Sure," said Gantenbein.
"I can't remember your name," said Dickey. "But we used to pitch you high and outside."
Highly recommended.
Joe Gantenbein hit .290 with the Athletics in 1939, then had an off year in 1940 and lost his job. In 1943 he was in uniform, and he happened to run into Bill Dickey outside a hotel, waving for a taxi.
"Dont I know you?" Dickey asked.
"Sure," said Gantenbein.
"I can't remember your name," said Dickey. "But we used to pitch you high and outside."
Highly recommended.