For everyone that plays OOTP in a historical sense...

lfj · 12-27-2001, 02:26 AM

Recently I picked up a copy of the book The Ballplayers (1990 version) and have to say that it is a GREAT complement to OOTP! If you haven't seen this before, it gives a biographical description of baseball players throughout history. I think their criteria was anyone that had 100 at bats or 50 innings pitched (something like that), including the Negro Leagues, prominent umpires, ballparks, etc.

I started my OOTP historical career in 1903 and after receiving the book, I enjoy the game so much more. OOTP is not just names and stats of past players anymore for me, but a real look back at the early days of baseball and the characters that were a part of it.

It interesting to see who is on the leaderboards of my OOTP career and then go back to look how they actually did in their careers. The book lists their career totals, nicknames, given names, league championship and world series stats, etc.

Unbelievable that someone can put together something like this...I guess that's why it has taken 11 years for the second edition. The players start with Hank Aaron and end of Dutch Zwilling. If you can't find it for a reasonable price, check it out at your local library. Definitely worth it!

Anyway, I just wanted to share this with everyone...

redsox45 · 12-27-2001, 10:04 AM

LFJ,

It appears there's two volumes. One goes from A-L and the other from M-Z. Together they're about $50.

Could you answer me a few questions about them?

How long are the biographies? Are they really in depth for all players or just a few? Do they have pictures somewhat like the pics on the Library of Congress baseball card site?

Does it explain HOW these guys got their nicknames? I'd like to know how "Kaiser Willhelm" got his name -- I find it hard to believe that he was born with it, although he did pitch prior to WWI.

How far back does it go? pre 1900 or just the 20th century? That's really another era of baseball alltogether, and should have a book of its own right.

Will

lfj · 12-27-2001, 04:19 PM

The version I have is from 1990 and yes, they did just release another version this year in 2 volumes. I found mine for much less than the current price and was mostly interested in the older players (for players from 1990 on I figured I could find out as much as I wanted to by searching the web, but for the older players, the information was not going to change).

For the better players, the bios are longer (J.R. Richard has 1/2 a page, Tris Speaker a page and a 1/2, Babe Ruth a page and a 1/2, Dan Brouthers - for you Red Sox fans - 3 paragraphs, etc...)

The complete entry for Kaiser Wilhelm:

Given name - Irvin Key
1874-1936 RHP 1903-05, 08-10, 14-15, 21
Pirates, Braves, Dodgers, Baltimore (FL), Phillies
1432 ip, 58-108, 3.44
Manager 1921-22 Phillies 77-128 .376
Umpire NL 1904-05

Wilhelm gained the moniker Kaiser well before the name became hated in WWI. He debuted with the 1903 pennant-winning Pirates, was not used in the World Series, then went 14-22 and 4-23 with Boston. He also lost 22 for Brooklyn in 1908. Given another chance by the outlaw Federal League in 1914, he was 13-17 for Baltimore before his arm went dead. He stayed in baseball as an umpire and a coach for the Cubs and Phillies, and managed two abysmal Philadelphia clubs in 1921-22.

Again, I can't recommend this book enough. Check it out at the library some time. The edition from 1990 is 1 volume and contains over 6,000 entries.

redsox45 · 12-28-2001, 10:12 AM

Very interesting! Thanks a lot.

Will

12-27-2001, 02:26 AM	#1
lfj Minors (Single A) Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 69	For everyone that plays OOTP in a historical sense... Recently I picked up a copy of the book The Ballplayers (1990 version) and have to say that it is a GREAT complement to OOTP! If you haven't seen this before, it gives a biographical description of baseball players throughout history. I think their criteria was anyone that had 100 at bats or 50 innings pitched (something like that), including the Negro Leagues, prominent umpires, ballparks, etc. I started my OOTP historical career in 1903 and after receiving the book, I enjoy the game so much more. OOTP is not just names and stats of past players anymore for me, but a real look back at the early days of baseball and the characters that were a part of it. It interesting to see who is on the leaderboards of my OOTP career and then go back to look how they actually did in their careers. The book lists their career totals, nicknames, given names, league championship and world series stats, etc. Unbelievable that someone can put together something like this...I guess that's why it has taken 11 years for the second edition. The players start with Hank Aaron and end of Dutch Zwilling. If you can't find it for a reasonable price, check it out at your local library. Definitely worth it! Anyway, I just wanted to share this with everyone...

12-27-2001, 10:04 AM	#2
redsox45 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Machias, Maine Posts: 4,573 Blog Entries: 1	LFJ, It appears there's two volumes. One goes from A-L and the other from M-Z. Together they're about $50. Could you answer me a few questions about them? How long are the biographies? Are they really in depth for all players or just a few? Do they have pictures somewhat like the pics on the Library of Congress baseball card site? Does it explain HOW these guys got their nicknames? I'd like to know how "Kaiser Willhelm" got his name -- I find it hard to believe that he was born with it, although he did pitch prior to WWI. How far back does it go? pre 1900 or just the 20th century? That's really another era of baseball alltogether, and should have a book of its own right. Will __________________ Top Five Books I Ever Read: 1. Murder of Roger Ackroyd -- Agatha Christie 2. Birds of Prey -- Wilbur Smith 3. King Solomon's Mines - H. Rider Haggard 4. Comstock Lode -- Louis L'Amour 5. Andersonville -- McKinley Kantor

12-28-2001, 10:12 AM	#4
redsox45 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Machias, Maine Posts: 4,573 Blog Entries: 1	Very interesting! Thanks a lot. Will __________________ Top Five Books I Ever Read: 1. Murder of Roger Ackroyd -- Agatha Christie 2. Birds of Prey -- Wilbur Smith 3. King Solomon's Mines - H. Rider Haggard 4. Comstock Lode -- Louis L'Amour 5. Andersonville -- McKinley Kantor

12-27-2001, 04:19 PM	#3
lfj Minors (Single A) Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 69	The version I have is from 1990 and yes, they did just release another version this year in 2 volumes. I found mine for much less than the current price and was mostly interested in the older players (for players from 1990 on I figured I could find out as much as I wanted to by searching the web, but for the older players, the information was not going to change). For the better players, the bios are longer (J.R. Richard has 1/2 a page, Tris Speaker a page and a 1/2, Babe Ruth a page and a 1/2, Dan Brouthers - for you Red Sox fans - 3 paragraphs, etc...) The complete entry for Kaiser Wilhelm: Given name - Irvin Key 1874-1936 RHP 1903-05, 08-10, 14-15, 21 Pirates, Braves, Dodgers, Baltimore (FL), Phillies 1432 ip, 58-108, 3.44 Manager 1921-22 Phillies 77-128 .376 Umpire NL 1904-05 Wilhelm gained the moniker Kaiser well before the name became hated in WWI. He debuted with the 1903 pennant-winning Pirates, was not used in the World Series, then went 14-22 and 4-23 with Boston. He also lost 22 for Brooklyn in 1908. Given another chance by the outlaw Federal League in 1914, he was 13-17 for Baltimore before his arm went dead. He stayed in baseball as an umpire and a coach for the Cubs and Phillies, and managed two abysmal Philadelphia clubs in 1921-22. Again, I can't recommend this book enough. Check it out at the library some time. The edition from 1990 is 1 volume and contains over 6,000 entries.