Complex baseball theory book based on statistical studies?

[KnickNut3]

Hello. Been wondering about this for a while, but just thought of it in fron tof my computer now.

I remember on Baseball Tonight sometime last year, they quoted a book that studied baseball theory using complex mathematics and statistics. They quoted things like the best hitter should really bat second, the pitcher should bat 8th, etc. If I remember right, the word "baseball" wasn't even in the title, although I may be mistaken.

Does anyone know of this book or a book like it? I'm a statistical/mathematical and baseball junkie, but not just baseball statistics, so I'm on the lookout for a good read. Thanks.

 

[Syringer]

Wow, sounds like a book I'd be into. I'm into baseball and math as well..would definitely interested in checking it out.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

http://www.baseballprimer.com/articles/jfraser_2001-03-12_0.shtml

 

[MrDingleDangle]

i dont know about that one, but a good nerd baseball book is "The Physics of Baseball"

you learn some crazy things in that book that the players dont even know that they are doing.

like i believe one section was about how they put earmuffs on outfielders and they only broke the right direction like 25% of the time after the ball was hit...so it turns out that even though they dont know it, they get a lot of info on where the ball is going by sound, not by sight, or at least a large contrabution comes from that

 

[kranky]

I know exactly what book that is - Percentage Baseball by Earnshaw Cook.

Here's an example I remember from reading it - statistically, teams would do better if they made the lineup starting with the best hitter and going down to the worst.

 

[KnickNut3]

The Physics of Baseball looks really cool--especially since I play for the baseball team and look to major in physics.

I couldn't find Percentage Baseball on Amazon nor B&N. Am I doing something wrong? Haha

 

[kranky]

Originally posted by: KnickNut3
I couldn't find Percentage Baseball on Amazon nor B&N. Am I doing something wrong? Haha

Well, I think it was published in the 60's. Your library could probably track one down for you to read.

 

[KnickNut3]

Hmm... no luck in the local libraries. Do others confirm this book? Any other similar one's or new editions under a certain name? I'm itching for it haha. Thanks again for the info.

 

[Comp625]

There's 1 copy on Ebay for $7.50 (signed by the author).

Googling it doesn't help too much.

Some articles and websites:

Source 1
Source 2
Source 3