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2 Cubbie Book Reviews

Star-divide

I recently received both books that our very own, Al Yellon, has worked on.  Since I hadn't seen any posts on it, I decided to let people know my thoughts on the books.  Hopefully, this'll help sway people who are still undecided.

Maple Street Press Cubs Annual 2009

The Cubs Annual provides stats and articles on the Cubs and Cub related by-products through 120-plus pages of.

I got this book a coupla weeks ago, and was immediately impressed with a wealth of statistical information.  For example, with batters, while you get the normal batting line, you also get great analysis into where swings were taken and player's hot zones.  I noticed how polished of a strike zone Soto has, how 2009 Fontenot has the potential to be 2008 Fontenot and how Soriano likes the low pitches WAY too much.

The articles are well written and describe various forms of Cubdom.  In fact, the only articles I didn't like were the looks at the 2008 season, because I don't like depressing endings to my stories.

My favorite article was the look at Len Kasper's regular routine.  Getting a look at a guy who I listen to for 3 hours a day was very interesting (probably since I have better chances to a broadcaster than a Major League baseball player).

Other highlights included Al's examination on Wrigley Field past, present and future, an indepth examination of our minor leaguers and a statistical view on how Fukudome might not suck as much as we know he sucks.

All in all, the annual is a great read for all Cubs fans.  Everyone will learn something because of it, and you might have an opinion or two changed as well.

If interested, the annual can be found here.


Cubs By The Numbers

I got this book a few days ago, and dove right into it.  Cubs By The Numbers throws random facts and stories about Cubs throughout history at you in an orderly fashion.

Each chapter shows a specific number's players through time.  They start with anecdotes and facts on the most recognizable Cub and progress through the random in-betweeners.  Each chapter ends with the "Most Obscure Cub to Wear" the number followed by the "Guy You Never Thought of as a Cub Who Wore" the number.

SPOILER ALERT

For example, who remembers Larry Bowa wearing #1.

As a whole, the book throws a wide range of stats and tales at you in bunches.  So, for me, it's the perfect bathroom book.  (In fact, the reason that I finished it in three days involved two meals of Buffalo Wild Wings and one meal of White Castle.)  Pick this book up if you're looking for a collection of anecdotes arranged in an interesting manner.

If interested, Cubs By The Numbers can be found here.


Hopefully you enjoyed the review.

P.S.  Just in case it seems forced, I haven't been asked to do this by anyone, I was bored and felt like writing about these books.

P.P.S.  If there are incorrect spellings or punctuation, understand that I'm ornery and in a rush, since I accidentally deleted the finished review and this is attempt #2.  Grrrr.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

1 recs  |  Comment 7 comments

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Comments

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I keep hearing

Great things about the books. Can’t wait to read them knowing Al they will be insightful.

Life is a crazy game of poker

by Steve Sax on Mar 10, 2009 2:50 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks!

For the annual, credit due to all the BCB’ers who wrote articles, thanks to them for their hard work.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 10, 2009 3:56 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Anyone ever read Hoodoo?

I found it for $10 so I bought it and I don’t really like it. Too much curses talk and The Infamous Foul Ball talk.

Bleeding Cubbie Blue since 1985.

by Bricks and Ivy on Mar 10, 2009 9:38 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Well...

… since that’s what the book was about, I don’t see why it was wrong to discuss those things in it.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 10, 2009 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I never said it was wrong.That's just why I didn't like it.

I bought it because it was 10 bucks.

Bleeding Cubbie Blue since 1985.

by Bricks and Ivy on Mar 10, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Slightly Off topic

I was looking to make a comment somewhere on this but I finally took the time to read Game of Shadows (still a few chapters left). I had bought it a few years ago and just took the time to read it now. This is a must read for any sports fan. Its much more than a book about Bonds. It also takes a long look at Olympic athletes. I don’t recommend this book because it dishes the dirt on these athletes (and it does), but I recommend it because really looks at the me mechanics behind athletes on steroids and other supplements and how to them, its not about succeeding at sports, its about becoming record breakers.

by dmlichte on Mar 10, 2009 3:36 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.

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