Rating: 
Summary: THIS IS THE BASEBALL BOOK
Review: This is a book of baseball analysis -- focusing on teams and players, and secondarily on methodology. Sandwiched between an introductory "Handy, Dandy Guide" with definitions of the special performance statistics, and a few original analytic studies on special topics (e.g., on base stealing and on translation of Japanese and Mexican league stats into major league ones), is a set of well researched, entertaining, and original analyses of every Major League team, including its organizational strategy and 2004 prospects. In addition, there are stats and comments on each prospect and roster player, including BP's "PECOTA" forecasts of each player's 2004 performance (more detailed and longer-term forecasts, as well as "roto" values, can be found on the BaseballProspectus.com website). This is a terrific resource for the serious fan and the fantasy player. It's not a quick read, but it's a great reference that will reward the reader throughout the coming season.
Rating:
Summary: Great Resource on Team and Player Prospects
Review: This is a book of baseball analysis -- focusing on teams and players, and secondarily on methodology. Sandwiched between an introductory "Handy, Dandy Guide" with definitions of the special performance statistics, and a few original analytic studies on special topics (e.g., on base stealing and on translation of Japanese and Mexican league stats into major league ones), is a set of well researched, entertaining, and original analyses of every Major League team, including its organizational strategy and 2004 prospects. In addition, there are stats and comments on each prospect and roster player, including BP's "PECOTA" forecasts of each player's 2004 performance (more detailed and longer-term forecasts, as well as "roto" values, can be found on the BaseballProspectus.com website). This is a terrific resource for the serious fan and the fantasy player. It's not a quick read, but it's a great reference that will reward the reader throughout the coming season.
Rating:
Summary: Not Your Typical Baseball Book
Review: This is not a fantasy guide. This is not a typical season preview magazine. It is however a fantastic book full of insightful and funny writing on everything baseball.Some of the statistics can be hard to understand or figure out where they came from but they are useful once you grasp what they mean. I still don't know how to figure out things like Value Over Replacement Player (VORP) or Equivalent Average (EqA) but I know what they mean now and they are much more useful than the everyday RBI's and batting average totals you'll find everywhere else. This book isn't just about the numbers though. You've got chapter reviews on every MLB team along with a paragraph or two on every significant player in every MLB organization (including minor leaguers). Did I mention that besides being a very useful reference book that it is entertaining, too? The writers refer to all sorts of off-the-wall pop culture references within the articles making for fun reads. If you really love baseball, you should get this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Not here yet ...
Review: What is the difference between "BP 2004" and "BP: Stats ..."? Whatever the difference Amazon is sooo unhelpful. The book is a great reference tool the whole year long.
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