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What
people are saying about Watching Baseball Smarter
|
| May
6, 2008 Hi, Zack— I’m a recent transplant to Los Angeles, having moved from Philly. The Dodgers have rekindled my interest in baseball that had faded sometime in the 80’s as the Phils reverted to mediocrity. (It’s fun to have Larry Bowa coaching third base as a nostalgia dividend.) I’m enjoying your latest book very much and finding it extremely helpful in getting back up to speed. -Jamie Pasadena, CA |
| February
28, 2008 I have read most of your book. I think it is great - especially for someone like me who didn't really know very much baseball but I am surrounded by two addicts. -Beverly New York, NY |
| February
20, 2008 Not sure if I properly congratulated you on the tremendous success and response to WBS. With that, congratulations my friend. It was, and is, truly an enjoyable read. Equally enjoyable was to watch the combination of years of development, hard work, publicity, blogging, and everything in between culminate in your strongest outing to date, and a sure catalyst for future opportunity. Adam, age 19 Cross River, NY |
| February
11, 2008 hey Zack your book was great I did not want to put it down -Ryan |
| February
9, 2008 Good Luck with the book.. I really REALLY Enjoyed it! Got it for a couple of people for gifts! -Lanz, age 42 Idaho |
| January
21, 2008 I own a copy of your book! I got it for Christmas, and I got a copy for my cousin as well. She seems to be enjoying it! -Peter |
| January
1, 2008 When I told my two sons (22 and 21) and my wife I wanted the book, all three said, "Hey, you know just about everything about baseball". After playing it as a kid of course, I've coached it, scouted (for Milwaukee), announced it on the radio, been an official scorer, umpired, ushered in a minor league park, and was a beer vendor in another minor league park, and - like you - been to hundreds of big league games. Well, I did learn a few things and more and for those I'm grateful to your research and writing. Would I have ever guessed that the accursed wave began in Oakland? Never. The Black Panthers began in that city but I would've figured the wave came from a prissier place like Wrigley Field. -Darrell |
| December
25,
2007 Hey Zack merry christmas, hope you remember me, I just got your book a profesional fans guide... and i read some of it already and it is GREAT you have some amazing insite into the game, keep snagging Zack -Albert |
December
7, 2007 |
| November
18, 2007 I heard your interview on NPR about Watching Baseball Smarter and went out and bought copies for family and friends. Thanks for all the fun and helpful info in the book. -Joanna |
| November
12, 2007 I'm about 50 pages into your book, but I never have time to read. I used to think I knew the basic rules of baseball, but I have been humbled! -Daphne, age 30 San Antonio, TX |
| November
6, 2007 Dear Zack, I love your book about watching baseball; I bought it, and have given to many people. I'm a pediatrician, and when I have a baseball loving family in the office, I often mention it. -Ann |
| November
5, 2007 I have been reading and enjoying your book, "Watching Baseball Smarter." I had just finished reading "Now I Can Die in Peace," about the '04 Red Sox, and was looking for a new baseball book. Yours jumped out, because I recognized your name. I bought it and have devoured it -- I'm almost done. I am a superfreaky baseball geek, but I think you actually take the cake. You know more than I do -- which is not easy to do -- and you certainly have more balls than me (no pun intended), which is also not common. I am going to try to dig up your first book on-line. Ball hawking is a great hobby of mine. It all started five years ago, when a Juan Pierre foul ball fell in my lap (literally) on my birthday at a Rockies game at Coors Field. I was instantly hooked. I am up over 200 balls now -- nothing in comparison to you, but enough that most people think I need a support group! -Josh, age 32 Phoenix, AZ |
| October
29, 2007 I thoroughly enjoyed your book WATCHING BASEBALL SMARTER, in fact it is going in my game backpack (along with the rules of baseball, scorebook, and other assorted paraphenalia (I hope spell check catches that one). -Scott Nashua, NH |
| September
7, 2007 Loved your WBS book, helped with explaining things to my daughter. She's learned a lot about baseball this season since she at long last found an interest in it. (The brainwashing & hypnotism finally worked, muahahaha!) -Melanie St. Louis, MO |
| September
2, 2007 Hi Zack, Just finished Watching Baseball Smarter, and I wanted to thank you for writing it. I already knew a lot about the game, (got all answers correct on the fair ball quiz,) but you have increased my awareness on the dynamics of every at bat, (never really understood the hit and run till now,) the subtle signs of players and managers, and just generally have made baseball even more enjoyable for me to watch than it's been for the past 40 years. Today I watched by beloved Mets sweep the evil Braves and noticed that because the game was on TBS, the cameramen thought nothing of showing LoDuca sign Glavine for many pitches, yet the tv audience couldn't see one single pitch sign McCann showed Smotlz. The tv frame was always JUST above his stubby little fingers. If it wasn't for you, I would never have noticed that the home turf bias extends much farther than the colors worn in the stands. I never had learned how to score a game either. While I probably never will do it, it's nice to know that I could, if I felt like it. Anyway, loved the book, loved the anecdotes, and will be giving this book for Xmas to all my baseball friends. Thanks again, xoxo -Liz Red Bluff, CA |
| August
23, 2007 My colleague was just telling me that when she read the start of your baseball book to her son, he became so delighted and over-excited, she had to read him another book afterwards to calm him down. -Ian New York, NY |
| July
31, 2007 hi there, I just started reading your new book. I am an avid Mets fan from NYC, as well a true Glav. fan. I saw him last year get 283 in Milwaukee, and was fortunate enough to have box seats last week to see 299. I have met him and chatted with him a few times at away games, and what a sensational personality.... I am thrilled for tonight's game, and just wanted to say thanks for writing such a witty, easy to understand baseball book, because I need to know more....... almost game time... gotta run... cheers... -Jill |
| July
28, 2007 Hey Zack, I just bought your book at Barnes & Noble. It was EXPENSIVE($15.01) but worth it! I am really enjoying it. -Evan |
| July
24, 2007 I just finished reading "Watching Baseball Smarter" and thought it was just great ! It tells the average fan everything he needs to know to appreciate both the complexity and beauty of baseball. Even my wife, who has tolerated baseball for 45 years because of me, is reading it with enthusiasm. Thanks for writing the book that long needed to be written. -Charlie |
| July
24, 2007 I read your latest book with great interest and admiration. I’ve collected baseball books like you collect foul balls, and I daresay our totals are somewhat similar, and found yours to be one of the best of its kind I’ve come across. -Ron Whippany, NJ |
| July
12, 2007 I read your Watching Baseball Smarter Book. I picked up a few tidbits I didn't know, but it was especially useful for my girlfriend. She goes to a lot of games with me, and had pretty good knowledge already, but now she knows way more than she probably ever wanted to. -Rob San Francisco, CA |
| July
12, 2007 I write a blog for the Hickory Crawdads baseball team (Low-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.) I just finished reading your "Watching Baseball Smarter" book. I'm completely impressed with it. I am NOT a sports guru, but I feel MUCH more educated on the game of baseball after reading this book. You did a great job with it. -John Hickory, NC |
| July
8, 2007 I've got just a few pages to go in your book but I can't believe how much I've learned. When the announcer talked about a come-backer I was so excited to know what he was talking about and there were other countless examples Linda, age 50 Oneonta, NY |
| June
28, 2007 Zack, I bought your book yesterday and began the preface last evening. I can already tell that I'm going to enjoy reading it. Even though I have attended a lot of baseball games, I don't consider myself a baseball afficionada by any stretch of the imagination, and normally would not be interested in reading a baseball book, but your writing is so good, that I think most anyone would enjoy reading it. Congratulations. Mazeltov! -Gayle, age 73 Boise, ID |
| June
25, 2007 Hey Zack, Greetings from ‘old’ York, in Yorkshire, England! I’m in the middle of reading Watching Baseball Smarter, and am hugely appreciative of your efforts to explain the great game and its language to an English Cricketer. I’ve tried to follow MLB on the internet, and my enjoyment has reached a new level thanks to your book. John, age 43 |
| June
22, 2007 It's funny, well written, and on the money. I like the format- I think you've done a great job on the structure. I also think it hits the right balance of depth vs. accessability. I'm not sure there's anything new in there for me, BUT it would make a GREAT gift for my 15 year old sister. I don't see her often enough to pass along all of the finer points and your book would make a good stand-in. The world would be a better place if everyone had a baseball mentor with your enthusiasm. |
| June
12, 2007 I gave one of the copies of your book to my dear friend Kate, who is a real baseball fan. She just called to tell me that her cousin from California is visiting and he's been reading it and has totally fallen in love! He got on the phone and told me that he was really floored by all the stuff he learned and also about how well organized the book was. He happens to be a recently retired college English professor who has taught non-fiction writing for years. -Gina New York, NY |
| June
10, 2007 The book is awesome, I saw it advertised on Maxim and decided to order it. We thought we knew everything about baseball, but we found out we didnt. I left the book for other soldiers to read at the Morale, Recreation and Welfare center (MWR) and the other day I saw a female officer with it at the mess hall. My soldiers loved it too. -Richard E. Hernandez Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army Kirkuk, Iraq |
| May
31, 2007 Zack, I have been a baseball fan all my life. I recently got engaged to a beautiful woman named Kaytee. She loves me, so she puts up with baseball. I wanted her to enjoy watching the games and not just tolerate them for my sake. She has seen the entire Mets season thus far! I got your book and I read it, so that I could explain things more clearly to Kaytee. Now, she considers herself a genuine Mets fan! I thought your book was amazing. I was a huge baseball nut before reading your book, now I am a deeply serious geek. -Ethan |
| May
24, 2007 I've been enjoying the hell out of it. I love the voice and I love how I'm conscious of the book's being exactly what it should be: that's a rare achievement. -Jeff, age 51 Greensboro, NC |
| May
18, 2007 I bought your book this week. I think it is written very well and your passion and your personality really come through. I can totally hear your voice reading/talking to me! So kudos, nice job, great work - all of that!! I have a new love for pitchers and catchers now - in fact let me just say that now i at least have somewhat of an understanding, thanks to you!! Can't wait to watch the next game on tv.... -Kim, age 29 New York, NY |
| May
4, 2007 Just read through your new book. Loved it. I'm suggesting it to readers on my blog at onsportz.blogspot.com, which is read by HS and college sports journalists. Good luck. |
| April
26, 2007 Having been cognizant of baseball since about 4 years of age I thought I knew the subject but I am learning a lot from your book! -Joe, age 71 West Palm Beach, FL |
| April
23, 2007 Subject: Chicks dig small ball and smart books So, I sit here reading your book during the commercials that interrupt my scrappy Twins pulling one over on Cleveland (I hope.) Just wanted to say thanks - for noting that it should, in fact, be called a "Run and hit." I have never understood that one. If you are ever in the Twin Cities for a game, give a shout, let a hot chick show you the dome, before it is gone. Sigh. -Jordan, age 37 Minneapolis, MN |
| April
16, 2007 My mom is reading your book now and loving it. -Brady, age 17 Gillett, Arkansas |
| April
15, 2007 I went to the game on the 12th and decided that i was going to score the game. I had wanted to do it for a long time but never actually did it. so in order to learn how to do it I copied the section of your book on scoring and brought it with me to Shea. luckily i got an easy game to score and with your books help it went perfectly. thanks! -Scott, age 26 Belleville, NJ |
| April
5, 2007 I'm plowing through your book and am up to page 146...I never heard of a gyroball, so I liked that story. And I always thought that if a switch hitter stepped in as a righty he couldn't switch over to lefty. Thanks for enlightening me about the two strike rule. I recommended your book to a friend of mine and his kids. I said they would learn a lot and get a kick out of it. -Brad, age 48 San Francisco, CA |
| April
3, 2007 Hi Zack! It was really good to see you at your book signing...I have to admit I haven't started reading your book yet because my sister (Alison) won't put it down--I actually heard her say last night, "I want to watch a baseball game" (if you knew her, you'd be as shocked as I was). She passed it around to a bunch of our friends at the bar where we were watching the OSU game (sigh) and a few of them expressed interest in buying a copy. -Lindsay, age 27 New York, NY |
March
30, 2007 |
| March
30, 2007 hey zack, i finished your book today after forcing myself not to read it in one day (better retention at my age). i totally loved it and learned a lot of stuff. you really know how to make a TON of facts really entertaining. the way the book is organized is particularly impressive. i'm sure it is going to make my game watching better informed and therefore more fun. one thing you mentioned near the end of the book was something that had crossed my mind...listening to the game on the radio while watching it. i'm gonna try that. -Mike, age 49 Birmingham, AL |
| March
28, 2007 I think my copy of the book should be in the mail right now, so I'm anxiously awaiting it's arrival... -Nick, age 17 Washington, D.C. |
| March
28, 2007 I'm lovin the book, it's written so that it's really easy to understand yet really informative... I might see you around Shea this year, maybe you could sign the book? -John |
| March
26, 2007 Wow, that's a really funny excerpt about the mound visits. I think I'll probably buy the book sometime soon, not sure when though. I wasn't sure if I was going to buy it before I read that, but now that I've seen the style it's written in, I think I will. -Greg, age 17 New York, NY |
| March 21,
2007 Whats the deal with you book? How can i get one? Its actually perfect for my friend. He's from Ireland and knows nothing about baseball but wants to get into it. -Tim New York, NY |
| March
12, 2007 Zack, I loved your old book. I'm sure this one will be just as good. Can't wait for it to come out! -Thomas, age 13 Washington, D.C. |
| February
18, 2007 I just finished reading an advance copy of your new book. As a semi-expert, there was enough new information to keep me interested and enough old information that's still fun to read. Thanks for making the off-season a little less bleak. I finished just in time for Spring Training. Go Brewers! -Ellen, age 26 Oklahoma City, OK |
| November
2, 2006 i'd love to hear more about the new book. i pre-ordered it from amazon last week...hey now that i think of it...since i already paid...why not go ahead and send me a copy :) -Mike, age 49 Birmingham, AL |
| August
27, 2006 Zack, I run a monthly baseball book group out here in Seattle, and we're always looking for new stuff to read, so I'd be happy to pick your new book for March or April... -Deanna Seattle, Washington |
| August
26, 2006 Hey I can't wait to read this book, I'll be sure to buy it. I've been trying to write a book for a while now, but I just can't do it. I get writer's block after like 16 pages...it's great that you have another book coming out. -Brady, age 16 Gillett, Arkansas |