RSSBook Review: The Baseball Economist
February 17th, 2008 by Kyle James 
I just finished reading The Baseball Economist: The Real Game Exposed
This book was absolutely fantastic and one that I would highly recommend to anyone that is either a fan of the game or loves statistics. Because the subject of the book is baseball, the regression analysis and formulas presented seem to flow naturally. The chapters are perfectly sized analysis in themselves that each make for an evening sit-down.
With chapters like “The Legendary Power of the On-Deck Hitter”, “The Evolution of Baseball Talent”, and “Scouts vs. Stat-Head” you know that you have something interesting in your hands. J.C. does a masterful job of laying statistical data to support his conclusions without losing the reader.
My personal favorite chapter, “The Extinct Left-Handed Catcher,” looks at why there is no such thing as a left-handed catcher in baseball. J.C. looks for performance reasons and ultimately concludes “the benefits of using right-handed catchers are small, maybe the costs will yield some answers.” These costs ultimately show their solution in the very simple revelation: “The biggest reason there is no left-handed catchers is natural selection. Catchers need good throwing arms. If you have a kid on your baseball team who is left-handed and has a strong arm, what are you going to do with him?” Any baseball person can easily answer this, he’s going to pitch!
The entire book was filled with revelations similar to this! Every chapter brought statistical analysis into the equation to definitively prove relationships in baseball. Is any of this going to make me a better baseball player, coach, or fan? Probably not, but for anyone that has a passion for the sport I’m sure they will feverously consume this book with the same passion. It’s obvious that J.C. also shares that passion and it carries through this work.
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February 17th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Sounds like a fascinating book. I hadn’t heard of it before but I like baseball, so I think I would like this read.
Does he talk at all about Billy Bean economics in this book?
Andrew
(a weak-throwing leftie who ended up at first base)
February 17th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Andrew,
The book is a lot like Moneyball. Although where Moneyball only hits on the Oakland A’s this book looks at some statistically analysis of all organizations. I would definitely classify it in the same category.
If you liked Moneyball another book similar is Scout’s Honor which attempts to analysis the Atlanta Braves exactly like Moneyball did the A’s. I’m a huge Braves fan, but that book was only alright. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND Built to Win a book by Atlanta Braves former GM and current team president John Schuerholtz. The stories of motivation, commitment, and hard work are much to be desired. I have so much more respect for the man after reading it and think that anyone who manages or deals regularly with people could gain a lot from his insight.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
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June 5th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
I’m going to have to get around to reading this one. The book sounds like a great companion piece to the Alan Schwarz book I’m reading right now. It’s called The Numbers Game: Baseball’s Lifelong Fascination With Statistics.
There’s a lot of great Bill James’ stories in there in regard to his beef with the Elias Sports Bureau.
As far as left-handed catchers go…I always thought it had to do with there being more right handed batters and righties getting in the way of the catcher’s throwing motion to second. Although the theory of good left handed arms being funneled into the pitching realm makes sense too. Lol, baseball is filled with these questions that we all have are own theories for.
June 5th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Hey Tim,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I’m a huge Bill James fan too, unfortunately I can’t claim any relation that I know. If you like Bill’s work and want to splash some economics and money into the equation to justify your numbers then you will definitely enjoy this book.
June 9th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Wow, this book sounds like something I would love. I loved Moneyball. I will have to look for this book. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
Lane of LosAngelesSource.com
August 25th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
I’ve been wanting to read this book, glad to hear the good opinions now I’ll have to go get it.
Your comment about the left handed catchers was neat, caught me off guard. I right away thought of Joe Mauer, who bats left, but then remembered that he still throws right-handed (pretty sure).
cheers