Understanding Sabermetrics: An Introduction to the Science of Baseball Statistics

Understanding Sabermetrics is a wonderfully written book with many examples of some dominant sabermetric formulas. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in sabermetrics.This book has one technical flaw in it I'd like to point out:In chapter six, on runs created, they define the B factor of the RCTECH formula as B = TB + [0.26(TBB-IBB+HBP)] + [0.52(SH+SF+SB)], but they do not explain what TBB stands for. Then, in the following example, they insert the value for total bases (TB) in for TBB. After reading Bill James' 1985 version of his Historical Baseball Abstract, TBB stands for Total Bases on Balls, more commonly known as BB or W; it is just an odd abbreviation. Thus, the value they obtain is off (albeit by 4) and they fail to define an obscure abbreviation.Besides this annoying mistake (I've been using this book to help write an introductory paper), it is extremely useful and a great read.

This is a small but fairly expensive book. It covers the basics of sabermetrics. The explanations are concise and many worked out examples. I have read a fair amount of original work by Bill James and Pete Palmer among others. So most the material was not new to me. I did learn a few things such as Win Shares and Park Effects. I really like the description of a simple simulation of Joe DiMaggio's consecutive game hitting streak. I noticed a few typographical errors in the calculations that distract from the presentation. I am looking forward to reading the two other books in the series.

This is something of a special interest and I could not find books about saber metrics at a Barnes and Noble Superstore. There are a few of these books and this subject isn't for everyone. It is for: People interested in baseball and records and box scores to an unusual degree, math nerds, statistics nerds, people who play FANTASY baseball--anyone overly interested in these subjects or some combination. This series is a good one, it walks you through it. There may be other books on the subject but not many for lay people. You probably have one person in your life who will go nuts for this, while the rest will scratch their heads and wonder what you were thinking. You know who that person is.

While it does a decent job of explaining the idea and formulas behind sabermetrics, there are numerous simple math errors made throughout the book (mostly in innings 6 & 7). I was easily able to catch these mistakes, so someone in the editing team should've as well...

So far so good. I bought this book because: I liked the concept of "Money Ball"; I love baseball; I love baseball statistics; I have been a baseball fan for 57 years and I will be 70 this year and am hoping this mental exercise will help keep my brain going !

Pretty good book. Informative on a good, moderate level for this subject. This book is not, however, appropriate for numbers averse readers.

An excellent introduction to the discipline of Sabermetrics. I have both read the volume twice and given it to others.

Great book.