tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31506606.post2443708507204442667..comments2023-10-08T02:11:10.718-07:00Comments on Dr. Harvey Frommer On Sports: THE BOOK REVIEWDr. Harvey Frommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08132091412927905026noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31506606.post-6451988254502432222008-04-10T12:19:00.000-07:002008-04-10T12:19:00.000-07:00Hi, I read your blog from time-to-time and I've re...Hi, <BR/>I read your blog from time-to-time and I've read dozens of baseball books, including some of yours and others that you've recommended. I am a SABR member, have spoken at a few of their conferences, and am also the author of "It Takes More Than Balls," (the book title and subtitle, as you probably know, was not our decision.) <BR/><BR/>I was interested in your comment that the book is a primer, nothing more or less. Most of the comments we've received from baseball writers is that it's witty and breezy approach to baseball. The worst criticism from the sporting world, so far, is that the book is far more than a primer. A few expressed "concern" that the book offers, perhaps, more information than would interest a casual fan. Criticism or not, the inclusion of historical anecdotes and lesser known players and managers, etc., was not by mistake. Rather, our goal was to try to have the reader feel better acquainted with today's game by offering a good-read that offerd thorough historical context, from why salaries are so astronomical to why statisticians are driven to distraction coming up with ways to compare players across generations. One of the pieces that is most enjoyed is where we write about desegregation of the game (in the section called "Branching Out") and point out that some of the game's most iconic players of the early 1900s -- black and white -- never played against the full spectrum of talent and how different things would have been had white pitchers faced Josh Gibson or if Gehrig’s and Paige’s prime years had actually been head-to-head. This "argument" is nothing new to you or me, of course, but it's interesting to fans who are interested in knowing more about baseball's colorful and often controversial history. Again, our thorough research and historical framework makes this more than a simple primer -- though the title may suggest nothing more, nothing less.<BR/><BR/>I have followed your work for a long time and would like to know more about your thoughts on our book, as this doesn't plan to be my only one. If you have the time or inclination please feel free to contact me at Deidre@TheSavvyGirls.com.<BR/><BR/>Best, Deidre SilvaDeidrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13135764388006268307noreply@blogger.com