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From: cde@cornell.UUCP (Carl Eichenlaub)
Newsgroups: net.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: Opening day!
Message-ID: <7277@cornell.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 3-Apr-84 15:53:31 EST
Article-I.D.: cornell.7277
Posted: Tue Apr  3 15:53:31 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 7-Apr-84 01:49:48 EST
References: <144@ganehd.UUCP>, <668@pyuxa.UUCP>
Organization: Cornell Univ. CS Dept.
Lines: 58

Isn't it curious that the N.Y. Mets' opening day
streak that came to an end yesterday tied the 
previous record held by ... The St. Louis Browns!
In the pre-expansion days of the sport, they were
in close running with the Washington Senators as
being recognized as the most inept team in the
majors.  What is it about mediocre teams that gives
them an opening day edge?

While I'm going to the bother of submitting to this
newsgroup, I'll ask a question that has often occurred
to me: Has anyone else out there read either (or both)
of the wonderful baseball Abstracts by Bill James?
He is a writer with an engaging style and a point of
view on baseball statistics that is fascinating.  As
I understand it, he published his Abstract for several
years for a small group of like-minded fans (who call
themselves SABR - the Society for American Baseball
Research), then Ballentine came along and mass-marketed
the '82 and '83 editions.  The '84 is due out in April
according to my local bookstore, where you can bet I 
have an order placed.  I turned on a fellow graduate
student in my department a year ago, and we both have
grown to view the game in terms defined and explained by James.
To hear our conversations sometimes, you'd think we both had
memorized large portions of both Ballentine editions (which,
come to think of it, I probably have, having read both cover-
to cover at least twice and having repeatedly re-browsed, dipped
and read favorite passages).  You want to know how compelling,
reasonable and well-presented this material is?  James has
gotten me - a lifetime Red Sox Fan and devout supporter of
all things Bostonian - to believe that Joe DiMaggio was probably
a better player than Ted Williams! At least to the point
where I can reasonably discuss and weigh the relative importance
of objectively measurable aspects of their careers.  If you
would like to

Use the Runs Created Formula
Understand why the Cubs always fade in September
Estimate Robin Yount's chances of getting 3000 hits
Know why either Brett or Schmidt will eventually be known
    as the greatest third baseman of all time
Understand how the Hall of Fame chooses its members
Appreciate that Joe Morgan was the best player in the game in the 70's
Know how one fielder can be objectively better than another while
    having a lower fielding average
Predict where 80% of all American league batting titles will be won
etc. 
etc.
et magna cetera

then get hold of those back issues if you can, and look for James' 
newest compilation of opinions and fascinating facts - The Bill
James 1984 Baseball Abstract.

Carl D. Eichenlaub
Cornell Universtiy