50 Comments
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Phil Dellio's avatar

Joe's a great writer. I will buy the new book, just like I bought the last two. In terms of the blog (my subscription comes up for renewal in a few days), I sincerely wish he'd cut down on the self-promotion a bit--20 or 25%, let's say.

Ken Thompson's avatar

I liked "The Machine" and who else but Pete Rose sliding into third base to illustrate this era of Cincinnati Reds baseball? It should be required reading for Bob and Phil Castellini but that's another post.

Shawn Kaufman's avatar

I look forward to reading it. Love all your baseball books 📚 ⚾️

stallmaniac's avatar

I love your books but I think you're too addicted to sub-headings. I don't really think any of your books needed them. Especially not "Why we love baseball"

John McLacken's avatar

My copy is pre-ordered! Outstanding cover and outstanding column about book covers. Long wait to Feb.7, but at least I know I’ll have those cut stories to read as a bonus. Thanks Joe!

Mike Barker's avatar

I agree with you that The Machine is a great book with a good cover.

The Greg Kiendler painting of the great 8 at Yankee Stadium in 76 is my favorite picture of my favorite team. Since your book was about 75 it wouldn’t have really worked.

And having Pete on the cover probably actually sold some copies in Cincinnati.

Mike Barker's avatar

I love it!!

It’s a great cover 😮

But that MAYS cover is 🖤🧡⚾️

Into the Outfield's avatar

The cover hits! Like I'm lying right there in the on deck circle

Thomas Love Seagull's avatar

A great cover. How can I get it here in Japan?

KTM's avatar

The cover is outstanding! Kudos to you for selecting it!

Tom J's avatar

Congrats. Awesome.

Gee S's avatar

Special signed copies: some of us this side of the Atlantic are feeling rather excluded.

Perry's avatar

The New Bill James Historical Abstract (2001) is another book that had a FANTASTIC old action shot on the cover. https://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/book_images/cvr9781439106938_9781439106938_hr.jpg. I haven't been able to ID the players -- google AI is giving me lots of wrong and bullshit answers -- but it looks like the 1930s and I think the catcher is Mickey Cochrane.

Andrew's avatar

What’s the best way to pre-order here in Europe (Germany) Joe?

Braydon Roberts's avatar

My completely subjective cover rankings if I were browsing in a store:

1) Fifty Seasons- Love the action shot. The text is crisp. Love the grass as background for the text. Everything works.

2) The Soul of Baseball- Love the shot of Buck. Like the title and subtitle. Not a huge fan of the random stadium at the bottom or the quote.

3) The Machine- Love the action shot of Rose. The team shot is fine but not my favorite. Agree on the subtitle being way too long. Putting the quote right under the subtitle makes for way too much small text all together.

4) Why We Love Baseball- I just don't love minimalist covers. But the colors and text work for me.

5) The Baseball 100- Too minimalist and the colors don't work as well.