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dsheffield206's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
eely225's review against another edition
5.0
Imagine that you're sitting in the stands of a meaningless-yet-pleasant game of late-season baseball. You're sitting with a knowledgeable friend who suffers from the particular disease that affects so many baseball fans, being compelled to relate everything that happens on the field both to the history of the game since the nineteenth century and to society at large, seeing in every check swing pitching change echoes of the conflicts great and small that have defined the sport's place in all our lives.
Now, imagine that you're someone who likes having that kind of conversation.
At this point, it doesn't take much imagination to conclude that if you're that kind of person, you'll love meandering your way through the many digressions that explain professional baseball as it is right now along with Rob.
As a side note, the game examined in this book is available on MLB's YouTube page. It was quite enjoyable to read the book and then watch it as I went along:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lChREArpFK0&t=3819s
Now, imagine that you're someone who likes having that kind of conversation.
At this point, it doesn't take much imagination to conclude that if you're that kind of person, you'll love meandering your way through the many digressions that explain professional baseball as it is right now along with Rob.
As a side note, the game examined in this book is available on MLB's YouTube page. It was quite enjoyable to read the book and then watch it as I went along:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lChREArpFK0&t=3819s
rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
This book's narrative about the history of baseball is framed around one game--played on my birthday last year. It compiles information about player stats and how the technology that tracks them has changed the game.
mgrey15's review against another edition
4.0
Solid introduction to a lot of what’s going on with baseball today, though it is now (already!) slightly out of date on a few things. The biggest potential issue is that Neyer focuses on a 2017 game between the As and the Astros. While mostly using the Astros as a focal doesn’t affect his points, there is now a certain cringey aspect to that team being involved, though that is NOT Neyer’s fault at all.
francomega's review against another edition
4.0
Neyer goes ining-by-inning through a game between the Astros and the A's from September 2017, using the on-field action as a springboard for digressions on the state of the baseball today. Great job capturing the current state fo the game.
mbeaty91's review against another edition
5.0
Very interesting and opinionated book about, well, the modern game of Baseball. Covers a wide range of topics from bunting to climate change to diversity to tv revenue. Great read for baseball nerds.
domnorton's review against another edition
4.0
By using the context of a (fairly meaningless, yet fun) ball game between the A’s and the Astros, Neyer uses events in the game as springboards to embark on tangental discussions such as changes in roster mechanics, demographic shifts, and analytics usage. By doing this, Neyer describes the state of post-modern baseball.
Throughout, there is an undertone of “baseball is in decline”. Yet, Neyer appears hopeful that MLB will become more willing to experiment, with pitch clocks, and by de-juicing the balls, for example.
Overall, this book is not spectacular, but is an enjoyable read nonetheless - a solid 4.0.
Throughout, there is an undertone of “baseball is in decline”. Yet, Neyer appears hopeful that MLB will become more willing to experiment, with pitch clocks, and by de-juicing the balls, for example.
Overall, this book is not spectacular, but is an enjoyable read nonetheless - a solid 4.0.
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