Thinking About Writing A Book

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by John1941

How is Riggs Stephenson an "egregious oversight" if he wasn't good enough to be a regular? He had four years as a regular out 14 major league seasons. (I understand that was complicated a little by injuries, but people don't get elected on "might-have-beens.") To me he seems to be roughly equivalent to John Kruk.

Well, he was injured playing college football, which ruined his throwing arm (people find that interesting). He has a greater than .300 lifetime MLB batting average (people find that interesting, too). He's going into the book. If that offends you, sorry, there's no debate. Don't buy or read the book, if it gets published if it bothers you. It bothers me, a lot, given that he was a household name when he played for the Cubs, that he's not in the HOF. I know this because of all the old scrapbooks I have. Him and guys like him are the whole point of the book idea. If you're going to put McGriff, Rolen and Baines in, while overlooking household names from the past, well, that's why I intend to publish this book.

[JollyElm]

Make sure you do a deep dive with each of your subjects, namely how they were perceived and respected by their teammates and opponents. That inside insight is invaluable as to what their worth truly was on the field. For instance, Keith Hernandez was brought up. That guy was a frickin' leader and a huge driver of those successful Mets teams. The theoretical WAR that everyone always seems to immediately turn to tells us nothing about that aspect of a player's impact on the game.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

The theoretical WAR that everyone always seems to immediately turn to tells us nothing about that aspect of a player's impact on the game.

For gameplay, that's exactly what WAR does. It does not capture things like leadership in the clubhouse, however

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Make sure you do a deep dive with each of your subjects, namely how they were perceived and respected by their teammates and opponents. That inside insight is invaluable as to what their worth truly was on the field. For instance, Keith Hernandez was brought up. That guy was a frickin' leader and a huge driver of those successful Mets teams. The theoretical WAR that everyone always seems to immediately turn to tells us nothing about that aspect of a player's impact on the game.

You are exactly right, sir. +1 agree totally. By all means, Keith Hernandez goes in. Mattingly goes in, too.

I know there will be folks upset about some of these guys going in. Likewise, there will be someone who doesn't go in, that I somehow overlook. I will do my best with it.

What I envision at this point is to go chronologically, 1800s to now. In the end, I will come up with a list, and go with it.

[John1941]

Originally Posted by jingram058

Well, he was injured playing college football, which ruined his throwing arm (people find that interesting). He has a greater than .300 lifetime MLB batting average (people find that interesting, too). He's going into the book. If that offends you, sorry, there's no debate. Don't buy or read the book, if it gets published if it bothers you. It bothers me, a lot, given that he was a household name when he played for the Cubs, that he's not in the HOF. I know this because of all the old scrapbooks I have. Him and guys like him are the whole point of the book idea. If you're going to put McGriff, Rolen and Baines in, while overlooking household names from the past, well, that's why I intend to publish this book.

It sounds like he has a very interesting story and I'd love reading about him - but I'm very argumentative about baseball so I was just responding to that specific HOF claim. I guess this is not the appropriate thread to be arguing against selections.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by John1941

It sounds like he has a very interesting story and I'd love reading about him - but I'm very argumentative about baseball so I was just responding to that specific HOF claim. I guess this is not the appropriate thread to be arguing against selections.

Well, heck, argue away, sir! It's more than appropriate. These discussions are how I learn!

[insidethewrapper]

Lou Whitaker
Mickey Lolich

[perezfan]

I don't see Richie Allen mentioned yet, but I may have just missed it. From that general era, I would also suggest Tommy John, Al Oliver and Dave Concepcion (who I saw was previously mentioned).

[Kevin]

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