Andy's Reviews > The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball

A review and statistical analysis of strategies in baseball. The authors pick through baseball ideas very methodically, and the book's organization is its biggest virtue. It really steps you carefully through each consideration and checks each possibility. The best sections are the chapters on bunting and intentional walks. Unfortunately the thoroughness is done up to a fault; the writing style gets a little repetitive and could really have used some editorial work. There are also some methodology question marks - the authors sometimes use arbitrary thresholds and splits that seem reasonable enough but beg the question, "Why this way instead of that way?" Not for beginners to the subject of statistical sports analysis, even if it purports to be aiming for the general public.