Interview at the Snakepit

An interview I did with the Arizona Snakepit is now up. It was an email interview - he sent some questions and I typed out some answers.

Another excerpt up

Another excerpt up - it's my last one focusing on a manager (though I might have one final excerpt overall still to go).

Ducksnorts, a Pads blog, offers an abridged version of my Dick Williams commentary. It focuses on the SDP parts and general commentary, leaving out his earlier stops.

Amazon issues all fixed

This is a bit of a belated post, but everything is A-OK with amazon.com. They are selling the book again - have been for the last several days in fact.

New book excerpt online: Tom Kelly

There's a new book excerpt online. It's up at Aaron Gleeman's site and focuses on Tom Kelly, former Twins manager.

More bad news about amazon and McFarland

As I wrote that last post, I got an email from a purchaser.

He'd ordered it from amazon, and just got an email from the Big Online Bookstore that amazon hasn't received any copies of the book yet from McFarland (?!?!?).

He forwarded me the email so I could see with my own eyes that amazon canceled the item (!!).

What the fuck?

UPDATED TO ADD:

Just had an email exchange with my publisher. McFarland says this sort of problem is common but normally gets straightened out quickly. They're putting someone on it now to fix the situation.

Amazon.com and my book

Something happened over at amazon.com today with my book. It's said you can buy a copy for $35.95 for two months now, but today it simply states: Sign up to be notified when this item becomes available.

No price is given for it or anything.

Damned if I know what's going on. One clue: on the search page leading up to the purchase page, it used to say will become available on December 15, 2009. Now it says January 4, 2009.

Well, I assume the book's pushback is affecting it. (Also, I assume amazon means January 4, 2010, not 2009.

I've been told McFarland is selling the book, even though it's official release date is April. (The official release date doesn't mean too much apparently. I think it's more for promotional purposes and official publications that offer book reviews). I know of at least one regular purchaser who received his already (actually, he got his before I got mine).

My book should still be available at McFarland's website. (Hey, it better be - right?)

UPDATED TO ADD:

Just had an email exchange with my publisher. McFarland says this sort of problem is common but normally gets straightened out quickly. They're putting someone on it now to fix the situation.

Met bloggers and Evaluating Baseball's Managers

I recently had two Met bloggers review the Met sections of Evaluating Baseball's Managers.

First, SBN blog Amazin' Avenue gives it a rave review, declaring:

If the Mets chapters are any indication of what we can expect from the rest of the book, Evaluating Baseball's Managers figures to be treasure. I certainly recommend it to any baseball fan with a fondness for history or any affinity for thinking about the game in new ways. Other than Bill James's book on managers—difficult to find these days—there's really nothing else like it out there.

Also, Metsradamus gave his thoughts. It's mostly a descriptive review, but he endorses it, saying:

But before you know it, you're going to have to get your girl or guy a Valentine's Day gift. Why not consider curling your significant other up with a good book to get them through those warm summer nights after new Met Jay Marshall gives up a grand slam to Alfredo Amezaga.

I have a suggestion for you: How about Evaluating Baseball's Managers, 1876-2008

THE BOOK IS OUT

Well, it's official: I'm now a published author apparently. Evaluating Baseball's Managers, 1875-2008 has come out. I got my author copies in the mail last week. Perhaps more importantly, I know of a random purchase who also got his.

McFarland is shipping them out.

Officially, the book's release is April, but that really doesn't mean squat. The publisher is selling and mailing them now.

Review from the Nationals Review

Washington blog The Nationals Review reviewed what I sent them on Nationals managers. It gets a thumbs up. Sample quote:

There are insights like this throughout the book. What I like about it most is that it is more than just a layout of the stats and then an explanation of said stats. Jaffe gives a clear evaluation of each manager, and then lays out a case for his conclusion. And while he makes his case, he gives the readers stories about the subject, without being overly poetic or getting too sappy. I find the book very interesting

On the verge of publication

Just got news from McFarland Publications: early copies of my book have reached their office, and I'll likely have my copies of Evaluating Baseball's Managers, 1876-2009 by the end of the week.

Almost there . . . .

Buzz from Braves Buzz

Braves Buzz blog likes what it read. Money quote:

The book is a must-read. From just reading the excerpts [a group of 12 Braves managers I sent him] I can tell you will come away with a greater understanding of the managers of the past as well as discovering newer ways to look at and evaluate managers. I'm looking forward to reading it entirely.

Mariners blogger's thoughts

Griffin Cooper of SoDo MoJo, a Mariners blog really likes what he read of my book. Money quote:

The thing that impressed me most while reading this, was the research. The author, Chris Jaffe, clearly put in an extreme amount of work and time into finding so many obscure facts for this book. The section I read was only 9 pages long, but I was still amazed by the sheer amount of info that I was able to find. It’s also extremely well written, and is very insightful as to how successful managers have found success.