Baseball for Brain Surgeons

[fossen]

OK. I don't like baseball. mainly because I don't really see the complexity that y'all rave about.

BUT, for the second season in a row, I'm going to really try to acquire a taste for baseball. For me, personally, history is all well and good, but strategy is what really attracts me to a sport. It's why I am football obsessed 365 days a year.

So, I've been reading Baseball for Brain Surgeons by Tim McCarver. I'm pretty happy with it, as it gets deep into the pitcher/batter duel. I'm understanding a bit more of the decision making that goes on from pitch to pitch, and starting to use that while playing baseball games.

So, two questions:

1) Is Tim McCarver a complete a$$? I've heard some say that he's a pompus jerk who sees the entire game through the eyes of the catcher. I generally agree, from reading the book. But does he know his baseball? Is he a good analyst?

2) Any other recommendations for this kind of book? Insight into the strategy of a baseball game?

[Shaver]

Re: Baseball for Brain Surgeons

1) Yes
2) Just watch the game, Bro... just watch the game. It's art!!

[Shaver]

Re: Baseball for Brain Surgeons

1) Yes
2) Just watch the game, Bro... just watch the game. It's art!!

[fossen]

Re: Baseball for Brain Surgeons

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
1) Yes

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">
Yes, he's an a$$? Yes, he's good? Both?

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
2) Just watch the game, Bro... just watch the game. It's art!!

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">
OK, then. Who's a good broadcaster? I know from football that some analysts are simply better than others, both at having insight, and expressing it.

[fossen]

Re: Baseball for Brain Surgeons

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
1) Yes

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">
Yes, he's an a$$? Yes, he's good? Both?

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
2) Just watch the game, Bro... just watch the game. It's art!!

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">
OK, then. Who's a good broadcaster? I know from football that some analysts are simply better than others, both at having insight, and expressing it.

[ryan36]

Re: Baseball for Brain Surgeons

JOE MORGAN!! He, IMHO, is probably the best baseball analyst ever. He's not pompous, or high-and-mighty, he and Jon Miller are just damn fun to listen to.

A couple of other books, that are really good:
1) The Toughest Job in Baseball
by Peter Pascquarelli (think I spelled that right)
2) Men at Work
by George Will

In the first one, they follow Jim Leyland around the Pirates for an entire year...it's a documentary on what managers go through, day in, day out. It's old, though, so I don't know if you'll be able to find it or not. And Men at Work also takes a look at managing, as well as everything else, both are great books...and I don't really hate Tim McCarver as much the rest of the world, and I liked his book as well.

[ryan36]

Re: Baseball for Brain Surgeons

JOE MORGAN!! He, IMHO, is probably the best baseball analyst ever. He's not pompous, or high-and-mighty, he and Jon Miller are just damn fun to listen to.

A couple of other books, that are really good:
1) The Toughest Job in Baseball
by Peter Pascquarelli (think I spelled that right)
2) Men at Work
by George Will

In the first one, they follow Jim Leyland around the Pirates for an entire year...it's a documentary on what managers go through, day in, day out. It's old, though, so I don't know if you'll be able to find it or not. And Men at Work also takes a look at managing, as well as everything else, both are great books...and I don't really hate Tim McCarver as much the rest of the world, and I liked his book as well.

[GarrettHill]

Re: Baseball for Brain Surgeons

Ask Steve Carlton. McCarvers career was extended by several years because of Steveo.

[GarrettHill]

Re: Baseball for Brain Surgeons

Ask Steve Carlton. McCarvers career was extended by several years because of Steveo.

[tbuck]

Re: Baseball for Brain Surgeons

I know baseball strategy from years of playing and watching it, but i'm not too fond of reading about it. I like the stories that surround the game, and i've read many a good baseball book. Some of my favorites are:

-Ball Four by Jim Bouton
-Bronx Zoo by Sparky Lyle with Peter Golenback

These are first person "diary" type books that take you through a season with a professional ballplayer. When Bouton's book was written it rocked the baseball world because he was the first to tell the "behind the scenes" stories that go with being a big leaguer. Sparky Lyle's book is a chronicle of his 1978 season with the Yankees. Both books are very funny, and give good behind the scenes insight. Also, check out anything by the author Roger Kahn. He may be the best baseball writer ever. Try "Seasons in the Sun".

That type of reading should bring you closer to the game. Learning the strategy will follow. Another recommendation: join a rotisserie fantasy baseball league. Try the free one on Yahoo! It'll make the season more fun, keep you more informed on players, and give you a reason to watch and love baseball. Once you get hooked, you're hooked for life. The strategy will be absorbed over time.

Enjoy!

[tbuck]

Re: Baseball for Brain Surgeons

I know baseball strategy from years of playing and watching it, but i'm not too fond of reading about it. I like the stories that surround the game, and i've read many a good baseball book. Some of my favorites are:

-Ball Four by Jim Bouton
-Bronx Zoo by Sparky Lyle with Peter Golenback

These are first person "diary" type books that take you through a season with a professional ballplayer. When Bouton's book was written it rocked the baseball world because he was the first to tell the "behind the scenes" stories that go with being a big leaguer. Sparky Lyle's book is a chronicle of his 1978 season with the Yankees. Both books are very funny, and give good behind the scenes insight. Also, check out anything by the author Roger Kahn. He may be the best baseball writer ever. Try "Seasons in the Sun".

That type of reading should bring you closer to the game. Learning the strategy will follow. Another recommendation: join a rotisserie fantasy baseball league. Try the free one on Yahoo! It'll make the season more fun, keep you more informed on players, and give you a reason to watch and love baseball. Once you get hooked, you're hooked for life. The strategy will be absorbed over time.

Enjoy!

[yoyoma]

Re: Baseball for Brain Surgeons

Read anything by Bill James like the Baseball abstract or win shares or baseball for dummie if your new to the game

[yoyoma]

Re: Baseball for Brain Surgeons

Read anything by Bill James like the Baseball abstract or win shares or baseball for dummie if your new to the game

[HitDoctor]

Re: Baseball for Brain Surgeons

Agree on Joe Morgan and also watching alot of baseball helps one's understanding of the game. Another thing, if you really want to be geeky (present poster included) is scoring games. Doing it pitch by pitch, Helps you understand the thinking, or lack there of, in a sequence. I use the scorepad software for my palm. It gives you a wealth of info from a completed scored game. the link is below, check it out!

Scorepad.com software for the palm used by the pros

[HitDoctor]

Re: Baseball for Brain Surgeons

Agree on Joe Morgan and also watching alot of baseball helps one's understanding of the game. Another thing, if you really want to be geeky (present poster included) is scoring games. Doing it pitch by pitch, Helps you understand the thinking, or lack there of, in a sequence. I use the scorepad software for my palm. It gives you a wealth of info from a completed scored game. the link is below, check it out!

Scorepad.com software for the palm used by the pros