Recommended, with reservations.
The best parts of this book are the many excerpts from James’ writings and from interviews of James. Most of this is material from the Abstracts which isn’t widely available. While the title is The Mind of Bill James, it fails to actually get deeply into what makes James tick; rather, it occilates between a pretty standard biography and a “literary biography” tracing his writings.
Author Gray is a Red Sox fan, and often — too often — makes the story about the Red Sox rather than about Bill James. While James works for the Red Sox now, that’s obviously a fairly recent development. Frankly, I (and pretty much everyone else) am tired of the endless blathering about the Red Sox and wish they’d give it a rest. I will give him credit for the most lucid in-print description of the infamous “bullpen by committee” of 2003, widely blamed on James.
But Gray is a fairly plodding stylist, all too apparent contrasted with James’ wit. That’s unfortunate, but most authors don’t get a Boswell. (James, not Thomas.) And he did have the courage to quote James’ line about the Abstracts being “like Street & Smith’s Baseball for adults” — Gray writes for those annuals.
Well Cliff Floyd may be done already
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2361318
Cliff Floyd’s first name is Cornelius.
Why is Andruw not playing for the Netherlands today? Not hurt, I hope.
I know you don’t want to make too much of spring training – but Remlinger REALLY looks done…
Minor nitpick: the theory was “closer by committee,” not “bullpen by committee.” All bullpens are committees.
Unless the author put “bullpen by committee” in the book, in which case I’m speechless.
I think that both terms were used at various times, though of course you’re right.
Simply put, the plan wasn’t to not have a relief ace, it was to use the ace more efficiently, and not to not have defined roles but to have those roles very defined, only different than the norm. The problem was that they didn’t have a relief ace and that Grady never did figure out what the roles were.
There is a good bit about Grady’s Mistake in there, which I won’t spoil.
I got flamed at Primer once for saying the same thing jenny said. People do use “bullpen by committee” despite the fact that it makes no sense, as I learned.
Braves bullpen is getting shelled by a bunch of Indians’ scrubs. I know spring training results need to be taken with a (huge) grain of salt, but sheesh, it would be nice for them to win a few…
gammons is claiming a Horacio or Thompson deal with victor Diaz coming back this way. I’d give up horacio for victor diaz, im not sure why the mets would. i guess Nady makes him expendable. I like any guy that pedro called “little manny”. unless of course he was referencing hair style or attitude.
Would we trade with the Mets?
Go ‘Cocks!
Why would we do anything to help the Mets?
I don’t think trading Horacio to the Mets qualifies as “helping” them. I’d put it more in the category of “providing them the knife with which to stab themselves.”
Oh I would make the Horacio deal for sure, but not Thompson.
Bell Curve,
In response to your question, Andruw is probably not playing today, because the Netherlands are 0-2 and not making the next round, so no need to risk injury.
Victor Diaz has some talent, but he’s a head case.
He got off to a great start last year, but his all-too-frequent lack of effort and his seeming inability to comprehend simple baseball tenets (hitting the cutoff man, remembering how many outs there are) have made him a real a pariah to the local fans here.
If the New York sports fan is correct about one thing, it’s this: They hate players who dog it. And Diaz dogs it.
I don’t think we would make that deal either, unless there was another team and we were getting a left hander back
14-0 in the 3rd, looks like Team USA will advance. Like it was ever in doubt.
This is the game where Chipper breaks his leg
17-0 now. I think they get to call mercy soon.
Griffey’s 4×4 with 2 HRs & 7 RBI
Cliff Floyd is fine in his own words last night “Everyone needs to know I’m O.K. I’m still going out there and playing. No one needs to worry now. The tests were the response to small things.” So you can all stop with cliff being “done”
Diaz just sucks. Little manny is over rated and when we trade him away we will end up screwing over the other team. We have Milledge waiting to come up along with Nady already playing well, so we need to ship his ass off. If I were GM of the Mets Id gladly trade Diaz to the braves and rape your team for some prospects.
If you want Horacio Ramirez, he of the worst strikeout rate in the National League, be my guest.
NY, I think you’d like this statement…Home Runs will be flying out of Shea in record numbers next year. The problem is that the only way to make that true would be to put Ramirez in your rotation. Shoot, he could be your guy’s 3rd starter easily.
But is Cliff Floyd fine in his own words today?
Gosh, I sure am worried about the Mets raping us of prospects. I am jsut shocked that NY METS isn’t talking about how the Muts have the greatest farm system in baseball history.
Floyd was “done” two years ago.
Well, the Mets did have the greatest farm system in baseball history a few years ago, thanks to one player… but then Benny Agbayani came to the major leagues, and became the greatest player in major league history.
The world will never be the same, although the farm team has never recovered.
NY METS 13 year old,
Omar Minay could General Manage his way out of a wet paper bag, much less rape some team of their prospects. Just look at his track record. Thank you, and have a good night.
So… in other news, what happened to Anthony Lerew today? I just saw the box score, and that’s pretty awful. Did anyone see the game? Was he really that bad?
Pardon me, I meant could “not” General Manage his way out of a wet paper bag.
Since a Victor Zambrano can buy you Scott Kazmir, I think we could easily get Lastings Milledge for Horacio Ramirez’s old jock strap.
Floyd’s actually very good player who was finally healthy last year. I don’t expect that to continue.
Floyd’s always been fragile. In 12 MLB seasons, Floyd has only had 500 ABs 4 times.
Yes, Floyd had a great year last year. But, my favorite ’05 Floyd moment was a screaming failure.
Early in the year, The Kolb was attempting to gag up a save. He’d frittered away a 2- or 3-run 9th-inning lead & the bases were loaded with 2 out. Bobby had seen enough & summoned the immortal John Foster.
Floyd kneeled down halfway between the on-deck circle and home plate, staring down Foster, trying to intimidate him, as he warmed up.
First pitch. Popup. Ballgame. Floyd slams down his bat and John Foster earned his first and only MLB save.
Wow, the Dutch pitcher was 1 walk away from a 7-inning perfect game as they beat Panama 10-0, even without Andruw! Impressive.
your right, floyd was “done” two years ago. But last year He was great for us. Why do you assume that I or the METs would want Horacio? Get some perspective will you. Why would the METs trade an over valued player in Diaz and get back a pitcher who cannot pitch out? Too bad about that marte kid hu? I bet you miss him just a little. And when he goes on to be an all star I will laugh and think of the braves. Bad, Bad, trade. Talking about the METs minor league players? you should have known better. We have great coming up. Why don’t you go check out our pitchers Bannister, Pelfrey, Heilman, Our 2nbasemen Hernandez .Oh yea and that kid milledge who without a doubt be a star in baseball. Give us the crown now. The New York METs Are the new NL Champs!!!!!!!
Cheers
Danny Kolb
Jorge Julio?
Heath Bell?
I’m terrified.
oh, sorry we have a few great players comming up. I wouldn’t want offend the gramar police
so what about those pitchers? They suck and…….Id take the mets pitching staff over what you got any day.
Keep deluding yourself on the hype coming out of New York, Mets fan. When was the last time the Mets were tops in your own city, yet alone your own league? The Mets’ starting rotation beyond Pedro is league average at best and the bullpen is full of suspects. The Braves’ bullpen isn’t anything to write home about either, but our starting rotation tops yours, our batting lineup tops yours, and our manager tops yours.
Good luck with the chase for the Wild Card.
!Those pitchers meaning Bell, and Julio. Some of your are damn stupid so I thought I would help you better understand.
The METs just beat you in every aspect. Our farm team’s are better then yours. Our MLB METs team is better Then the Braves. Our line up is better along with our pitching. I know this as well as you, so lets stop playing this little game and admit the truth. The METs are just a Better team. Say what you will but It wont change the fact you have an inferior team then the METs. Kiss the pinkie ring and bow before your 2006 World Series champs
Mr. Met,
Seriously. Did you even graduate from middle-school?
If English is not your first language, fine; I get that.
But if that’s not the case, who watches you?
Who buys your connect-the-dots books?
Who helps you assemble your Tonka Toys?
Root for whomever you like with as many made-up reasons as you can handle, but try a little night school or something. In addition to readin’, writin’ & ‘rithmatic, I might teach you the meaning of the word “shameless.”
No offense, Mac.. Those capital letters in NY METS’ posts remind me an awlful lot of Alex. He’s not supporting his posting addiction under an alias, is he? (I have to admit Alex would also have to be hiding about 100 I.Q. points as well.)
Oh, NO! Not this question again!
Hey, I’ve got a great idea–how about another thread hijack along the lines of yesterday?
Here are my favorite movies (in no particular order):
Casablanca
Annie Hall
Sliding Doors
Braveheart
Bloodsport
Blade
Airplane!
Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control (documentary)
Groundhog Day
Star Wars
Not unless Alex has taken to using AOL, and why would anyone do that?
AAR,
Annie Hall! Way up there for me, too. (See “Match Point” if you haven’t already–really good.)
Other faves:
Taxi Driver
Dr. Strangelove
Network
Sunset Blvd.
All the Presidents Men
The Sting
Goodfellas
Reservoir Dogs
Sgt. York
The Godfather
Jaws
Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Maltese Falcon
That’s a lotta “guy movies.”
Man oh man, lots of great ones.
I haven’t seen Match Point yet, but I’ve heard it’s good. But I haven’t liked all that much that he’s done since the 1970’s. The ’80s Mia Farrow stuff just wasn’t the same for me. Sweet and Lowdown was great, though.
Here are some more guy movies:
Dirty Harry
First Blood (the first Rambo movie)
Beverly Hills Cop
Top Gun
A Few Good Men
Rounders
Die Hard
Lethal Weapon
Out of Sight
Robocop
Ronin
Sneakers
To Live and Die in L.A.
Glengarry GlenRoss:
“Put that coffee DOWN! Coffee’s for closers only.”
I like to think that Leo said that to Kolb at some point last year.
“Match Point” is nothing like any film Woody Allen has ever done. It’s still got his hands all over it, but a very linear drama that builds and builds and has a couple wild twists in the end. Plus, it’s in London, not NYC–Scarlet Johanson is the only American in the film. Very, very good.
Scarlett Johansen… now THERE’s an American.
Oh, I get patriotic just thinking of her.
Not to sound like a perv, but the very first scene in “Match Point” where Woody introduces us to her is the work of a master.
Allen practically makes love to her with the camera. She’s actually great in the flick, but he MAKES her look even better (if that’s possible).
Speaking of flicks, I’m running out now to finally see “Crash”…
AAR,
Down boy, down. Put the wood away before someone gets hurt. You don’t want to go on and poke any one’s eyes out, especially not the METs character…
I’ve found a video of AAR with Scarlett that i think you all should see…
Favorite movies? Glad you asked! In no particular order…
Get Shorty
The Untouchables
The Big Lebowski
Sneakers
Swingers
Rounders
The Natural
The Godfather
Pulp Fiction
Fight Club
The Great Escape
The Princess Bride
Big Fish
Old School
Major League
The Usual Suspects
Dr. Strangelove
My favorite is Vertigo. such a perfect film
Kyle, unfortunately, I have to shoot down that nasty rumor–because, you see, I’m not gay, and if I ever lay one of my willing fingers upon Scarlett’s luscious body, I would probably find myself asked by a guy with brass knuckles to take a long walk off a short pier.
I’ll admit that it hurts a little bit to think about, especially since Scarlett’s character went to Yale in Lost in Translation, but she probably doesn’t even know I exist. Except unlike all the girls in high school and college who don’t know I exist, she can probably order my death.
oldies but goodies.
The Last Of The Mohicans.
Man, Woman, and Child.
Dead Poets Society.
The Sixth Sense.
The Rock.
Tomb Laider.
yes, totally off-topic
Favorite movies that have not yet been mentioned:
Animal House
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Blazing Saddles
Young Frankenstein
Chinatown
L.A. Confidential
yes, another alex r.,
scarlet makes me salute when i think about her. speaking of her, i thought “a love song for bobby long” was a fantastic movie. it was also based in my home of new orleans.
Top Gun is only a “guy movie” in that it contains extreme homoeroticism.
Hi. I should clarify that I don’t write for Street & Smith’s. When I was in my mid-twenties, Street & Smith’s put their name on a series of mass market books (separate from their magazines). I hacked those out. I think my style was even more plodding back then, heh heh.
Thanks for reading. Sorry you didn’t enjoy it more.
Scott
I’m late to this thread, but just want to mention that I don’t write for Street & Smith’s. They lent their name to some mass market books I was paid to hack out in the mid-nineties.
My style was even more plodding back then, heh heh.
I’m sort of with you about the title. I did my best to show how Bill looks at baseball, politics, crime, etc. But the title came from the publisher, and I never did feel too comfortable with it.
Just curious: Was there a specific superfluous Red Sox part you had in mind? I tried to stay centered on Bill….
Thanks for reading and reviewing,
Scott
Sorry for the double post. Didn’t think the first one went through. (Feel free to delete the first.)