SABR Convention History

Never been to a SABR convention before? You’re missing out! Here are some highlights from our previous gatherings. Click on a link below to scroll down.

1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s


SABR 1: Cooperstown, New York
August 10, 1971
National Baseball Hall of Fame Library

Chuck HintonSABR 2: Washington, D.C.
June 23-24, 1972
Central Quality Motel (Arlington, Virginia)
Featured speaker: Chuck Hinton
Ballgames: Orioles 3, Tigers 1 (Game 1); Tigers 2, Orioles 1 (Game 2)

  • Thirty-three members attended SABR’s second annual meeting — including four of the founders: Bob Davids, Paul Frisz, Cliff Kachline and Bob McConnell — despite massive flooding that weekend because of Hurricane Agnes. Recently retired MLB outfielder Chuck Hinton spoke about his job as Howard University baseball coach and hitting a home run off knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhelm. Films on the 1971 World Series and relief pitchers were also shown.

SABR 3: Chicago, Illinois
June 22-24, 1973
Sheraton-Chicago Hotel
Featured speakers: Bob Elson, Dave Malarcher
Ballgame: A’s 14, White Sox 3

  • Twenty-six members attended the third annual meeting at the Sheraton-Chicago Hotel on Michigan Avenue. Featured speakers were Bob Elson, longtime broadcaster who later received the Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award; and Negro Leaguer Dave Malarcher, who managed the Chicago American Giants to five pennants. Ballgame at Comiskey Park on Saturday night included “Welcome SABR members” message on the scoreboard.

SABR 4: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
June 22-24, 1974
Holiday Inn
Featured speakers: Fred Lieb, Gene Kelley, Ted Page
Ballgame: Phillies 5, Mets 2 (Game 1); Phillies 8, Mets 5 (Game 2)

  • Forty members and guests attended the fourth meeting. Guest speakers included Phillies/Reds announcer Gene Kelley, Negro Leaguer Ted Page, and sports writer Fred Lieb — who founder Bob Davids often credited with legitimizing the Society in baseball circles. The Negro Leagues Committee also organized a meeting at the hotel with a dozen former players, including Hall of Famer Judy Johnson. Dick Cramer, who helped organize the convention, and Pete Palmer formed a new research committee on statistical analysis that would revolutionize the game.

SABR 5: Boston, Massachusetts
July 11-13, 1975
Children’s Inn
Keynote speaker: Joe Dugan
Ballgame: Red Sox 10, Rangers 4

  • Sixty-four members attended the fifth convention, organized by SABR’s first Treasurer, Eric Simonsen. Guest speaker was Jumpin’ Joe Dugan, who regaled the audience with stories of Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Lefty Grove and former Boston Braves owner Judge Emil Fuchs. SABR members were guests of the Red Sox at Fenway Park on Saturday night, as Luis Tiant subdued the Rangers despite two rain delays. SABR established a permanent address for the first time in Cooperstown, New York.

SABR 6: Chicago, Illinois
June 25-27, 1976
Howard Johnson Motor Lodge
Keynote speaker: Lew Fonseca
Ballgame: Mets 10, Cubs 2

  • Forty-five members attended the sixth convention — the second held in the Windy City — at the Howard Johnson Motor Lodge on Lake Shore Drive. Guest speaker was Lew Fonseca, the 1929 American League batting champion and former White Sox manager. Chicago Sun-Times sports writer Eddie Gold showed old highlight films of the Cubs and sports writer Jim Enright spoke at the Friday session. Former Pirates and White Sox infielder Tony Piet also spoke. John Milner’s grand slam off Bill Bonham keyed a six-run fourth inning as Jerry Koosman and the Mets cruised to a victory on Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Free tickets were provided to SABR members, courtesy of the Arthur Meyerhoff Associates advertising agency.

1977 Columbus Clippers program, autographed by Clippers manager Frank Verdi and infielder Roy Staiger (Courtesy of Tom Hufford)SABR 7: Columbus, Ohio
June 24-26, 1977
Holiday Inn Downtown
Featured speaker: Johnny Bucha
Ballgame: Columbus Clippers 5, Tidewater Tides 4

  • The first convention held in a minor league city, which coincided with the 100th anniversary of Columbus’ first entry in the professional ranks with the Buckeyes of the International Association, was attended by 74 SABR members. Guest speaker at the Friday night “welcoming social” was former Cardinals/Tigers catcher Johnny Bucha, who was a mink farmer in Pennsylvania at the time. Future SABR President Kit Crissey organized a reunion that drew 24 former players — including Johnny Lipon, George Sisler Jr., Jim Fridley, Dick Hoover and Roy Hughes. Some of them later participated in an old-timers’ game umpired by SABR members Al Payson, Troy Soos and Tom Zamorski at the newly refurbished Franklin County Stadium, the first minor league park to have Astroturf.

Billy Martin (NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME LIBRARY)SABR 8: Paramus, New Jersey
July 28-30, 1978
Paramus Parkway Holiday Inn
Keynote speaker: Tony Lupien
Ballgame: Yankees 7, Twins 3

  • The eighth annual convention, attended by 81 members, was highlighted by the release of SABR’s groundbreaking Minor League Baseball Stars, the first major compilation of seasonal and career records for players, teams and leagues at that level. Bob Hoie and Ray Nemec spearheaded the effort to get the book ready for publication. Guest speaker was Tony Lupien, the longtime Dartmouth College coach who played with the Red Sox and Phillies during World War II; he gave a “scholarly discourse on player organizations, personnel management and the pension plan.” Kit Cressey organized another players panel, which included Jack Martin, Hinkey Haines, Charlie Hargreaves and Russ Van Atta. An old-timers’ game, narrated by Mel Allen, preceded the Saturday afternoon game at Yankee Stadium. But, as Bob Davids reported, “DiMaggio, Mantle, Maris, Ford and Berra all took a back seat when (the recently fired) Billy Martin came on the field to the announcement that he would be back as Manager in 1980.”

Cool Papa Bell (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library)SABR 9: St. Louis, Missouri
June 29-July 1, 1979
Lennox Hotel
Keynote speaker: Mike Shannon
Ballgame: Phillies 6, Cardinals 4

  • For the first time, more than one hundred attendees — 115 to be exact, including 78 members — showed up for the annual convention, thanks in part to the promotion of off-site activities around the city for spouses and children of SABR members. Former Cardinals World Series hero Mike Shannon, already a seven-year veteran of their broadcast team, was the keynote speaker at the banquet. Negro Leagues great James “Cool Papa” Bell became the first of many Hall of Fame inductees to speak at a SABR convention. Former players Andy High of the “Gas House Gang” Cardinals and Buddy Blattner also spoke, along with longtime SABR member Bob Broeg, a St. Louis sports writing legend. At Busch Stadium, SABR members saw Del Unser hit a dramatic game-tying home run with two outs in the ninth as the Phillies won in extra innings.
  • Audio: Listen to Cool Papa Bell, Andy High, and Buddy Blattner’s talks at the 1979 SABR Convention (courtesy of Cleveland Public Library)

SABR 10: Los Angeles, California
July 11-13, 1980
Travelodge Hotel at Los Angeles International Airport
Keynote speaker: Roy Smalley Jr.
Ballgame: A’s 5, Angels 4

  • Attendance for the 10th annual convention, the first one held on the West Coast, was 85, with 62 of them being active SABR members. Former National League shortstop Roy Smalley Jr. fielded questions about his son, All-Star infielder Roy Smalley III, and his brother-in-law, longtime manager Gene Mauch. A Friday players panel included 1930 Braves rookie sensation Wally Berger; Negro Leagues catcher Quincy Trouppe; Bert Shepard, who lost a leg in World War II and returned to pitch; and American League umpire Joseph Rue. SABR members saw another old-timers’ game, this time at the “Big A” in Anaheim, marking the Angels’ 20th season in the American League. Eleven research presentations were delivered, including one on statistical support in broadcasting by longtime Dodgers statistican Allan Roth, later to be namesake of SABR’s Los Angeles chapter. Meanwhile that summer, in Lawrence, Kansas, Bill James coined the phrase “sabermetrics” to describe the study of statistical analysis in baseball.
  • Read more: A look back at SABR 10 in Los Angeles

SABR 11: Toronto, Ontario
July 24-26, 1981
University of Toronto, Erindale campus
Keynote speaker: None (panel presentation)
Ballgame: None (MLB labor dispute)

  • The first convention held outside the United States drew another record attendance of 147, including 97 members. Preparations for the convention were hampered by the MLB players’ strike and the Canada Post labor dispute, but organizers Bill Humber and Dave Crichton were still able to mail all correspondence to SABR members during business trips to New York. Hall of Famer Early Wynn, then a Blue Jays broadcaster, also canceled his scheduled banquet appearance at the last minute, so the keynote speech became a panel discussion that included former major leaguers Goody Rosen, Phil Marchildon, Roy Hughes and Reno Bertoia. Former Negro Leaguers Gene Benson, Buddy Burbage, Jeep McLain and Sy Morton were joined by novelist John Craig for another panel. Convention attendees were saddened by the May 29 death of SABR member John Tattersall, “the national authority on home runs hit in the majors.” Tattersall’s research on home runs was continued by Bob McConnell and, later, David Vincent. SABR’s Tattersall-McConnell Home Run Encyclopedia has been licensed to Baseball-Reference.com and is publicly available there.
  • Read more: John Thorn explains why he became a SABR member at the 1981 convention — and why you should be, too.
  • Related link: Read John Thorn’s review of SABR 11 in The Sporting News (August 8, 1981)

Sparky Anderson (NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME LIBRARY)SABR 12: Baltimore, Maryland
June 25-27, 1982
Towson State University
Keynote speaker: Sparky Anderson
Ballgame: Orioles 4, Tigers 1

  • A lively convention saw another explosion in attendance, this time to 227 (including 151 members), “by far the biggest event the Society has participated in during its 11 years,” as Bob Davids reported. Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell delivered the invocation at the Saturday banquet and then introduced the main speaker, manager Sparky Anderson, who offered “a testimonial of his … good fortune of going from a .218 hitter to a World Champion manager.” Rex Barney, former Dodgers pitcher and longtime Orioles public-address announcer, also spoke; Dick Beverage, Bob Bluthardt, Dutch Doyle, Cappy Gagnon and Ron Liebman delivered impromptu presentations, while Bill James held a Q&A session. The Friday night panel included former Rangers manager Billy Hunter, SABR member Roy Hughes and Towson State star Al Rubeling. The Orioles generously provided 200 free tickets to Saturday night’s game — No. 24 in Cal Ripken Jr.’s record-setting streak.
  • Read more: A look back at SABR 12 in 1982

SABR 13: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
July 15-17, 1983
Mashuda Hall, Marquette University
Keynote speaker: Hal Goodenough
Ballgame: Brewers 5, Twins 0

  • Hal Goodenough, a boyhood teammate of Mickey Cochrane and former member of the Braves’ front office, was the guest speaker for the 13th annual convention, which set another record with 262 attendees (including 205 members). It was the third straight convention held on a college campus facility. The players panel consisted of Ken Keltner (also a SABR member), Andy Pafko, Mike Hegan, Fabian Gaffke, umpire Stan Landes and Negro Leaguers Lester Lockett and Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe. A “traditional Milwaukee” tailgate party was held before the Saturday night game, which featured a Moose Haas three-hit shutout over the Twins.

SABR 14: Providence, Rhode Island
July 6-8, 1984
Brown University
Keynote speaker: Lou Gorman
Ballgame: Pawtucket Red Sox 7-3 and 4-2 over Rochester Red Wings (doubleheader); 1884 vintage game

  • The 14th convention, which drew another record crowd of 350 (including 230-plus members), was held in Providence to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the 1884 World Series between the Providence Grays and the New York Metropolitans. A symposium on that season was led by Joe Lawler, Dick Waldbauer, Fred Ivor-Campbell, John Husman (great-grandson of John Lee Richmond) and Fred Stinson. Lou Gorman, a Providence native then in his first year as general manager of the Boston Red Sox, was the banquet speaker. The player panel consisted of Clem Labine, Dave Stenhouse, Tony Lupien and Pawtucket Red Sox owner Ben Mondor, who generously offered McCoy Stadium as the venue for SABR’s re-enactment of the 1884 World Series between games of an International League doubleheader. A workshop on writing and publishing was led by Linda Levin and James A. Peterson. The 1884 “vintage game” (right), featuring replica uniforms produced by the Textiles Department at the University of Rhode Island, was delayed by rain and the five innings had to be split up (three innings before the first PawSox game and two-and-a-half before the second PawSox game). The SABR “Mets” got revenge on their real-life World Series defeat by beating the SABR “Grays,” 4-3. But, as Rich “Dixie” Tourangeau recalled, “with all the greatest SABR minds either in the stands or on the field, not one had thought to record a box score of the game … an unforgettable oversight.” This year was the first SABR convention with its own journal, a series of nearly three dozen articles from the Providence Journal from 1875 to 1885 documenting the history of major-league baseball in the city.
  • Read more: Rich “Dixie” Tourangeau shares his memories of SABR 14 vintage game
  • Read more: Download a PDF of Days of Greatness, the SABR 14 convention journal

SABR 15: Oakland, California
July 11-14, 1985
Hyatt Regency
Keynote speaker: Roy Eisenhardt
Ballgame: A’s 11, Brewers 2

  • SABR’s return to the West Coast saw an attendance of 293 for the 15th annual convention. Oakland A’s president Roy Eisenhardt was the featured speaker at the banquet. The Friday player panel consisted of Philadelphia A’s all-star Sam Chapman, ex-major leaguer Earl Robinson and longtime Oakland Oaks catcher Bill Raimondi. A Saturday presentation by sports writer Leonard Koppett was followed by a sabermetrics panel discussion with Bill James, Allan Roth and Pete Palmer. On Sunday, members saw the A’s defeat the Brewers with SABR providing trivia questions for the Oakland Coliseum scoreboard. Bob McConnell, one of SABR’s 16 founding members, won the inaugural Bob Davids Award, SABR’s highest honor.
  • Read more: Learn more about SABR 15 in this Sports Illustrated article by Austin Murphy from April 28, 1986

SABR 16: Chicago, Illinois
July 17-20, 1986
Loyola University, Lakeshore campus
Keynote speaker: Bill Gleason
Ballgame: Cubs 11, Giants 6

  • The SABR convention’s popularity continued to grow, as a record 479 members and guests attended SABR 16 in Chicago. It was the last national convention held at a college campus using dormitory rooms and cafeteria dining. Bill Gleason, the longtime Chicago Sun-Times columnist, was the banquet speaker on Saturday night following a sweltering ballgame at Wrigley Field in 96-degree heat. Rich Topp reports: “Roland Hemond was willing to give us 500 free tickets to the White Sox game, but a survey of the membership wanted to see the Cubs. So we took a tour of Comiskey Park and Roland gave us 500 free batting helmets instead. The Cubs wouldn’t do tours. So we got ’em back by taking our helmets to the Cubs game. When Harry Caray led the singing in the seventh inning, the TV camera scanned the area of SABR members and we all wore helmets with ‘SOX’ on them.” Chico Carrasquel, John Klippstein, Rich Nye, Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe (right, shown with Mark Kanter), Marv Rotblatt and Nelson Potter made up the player panel. Local chapter members also put out a 56-page special publication called Baseball in Chicago, with articles celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Cubs-White Sox World Series of 1906. Joe Simenic, another one of the “Cooperstown 16”, won the second Bob Davids Award.
  • Photo gallery: View a collection of photos from SABR 16 courtesy of Mark Kanter
  • Read more: Download a PDF of Baseball in Chicago, the SABR 16 convention journal

SABR 17: Washington, D.C.
June 26-29, 1987
Crystal City Marriott (Arlington, Virginia)
Keynote speaker: John Steadman
Ballgame: National Old-Timers’ Baseball Classic, RFK Stadium

  • The 17th annual convention set an attendance record of 631 that wouldn’t be topped for 15 years. The convention featured more than 15 hours of research presentations, a player panel headlined by Milt Pappas, tours of Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium (the Orioles were out of town) and the Babe Ruth birthplace. The premiere of Eddie Frierson’s award-winning one-man show Matty, written and performed by the longtime SABR member from California (right), was delivered at SABR 17. Longtime Baltimore sports writer John Steadman delivered the banquet speech. SABR members also got front-row seats for the sixth annual old-timers’ game, which featured the newest members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Catfish Hunter and Billy Williams. Frierson, dressed as Christy Mathewson, pitched batting practice to Joe DiMaggio and Hank Aaron, among others.
  • Photo gallery: View a collection of photos from SABR 17 courtesy of Mark Kanter

SABR 18: Minneapolis, Minnesota
July 7-10, 1988
Holiday Inn Metrodome
Keynote speaker: Andy MacPhail
Ballgame: Brewers 5, Twins 4

  • Andy MacPhail, the young general manager of the Twins, delivered the keynote address to a crowd of 340 members and guests in Minneapolis. Minor league home run legend Joe Hauser was a special guest speaker. Actor Peter Thoemke performed “Casey at the Bat” at the convention opening, while the players panel consisted of former AL Rookie of the Year John Castino, original Twin Julio Becquer, two-sport star Howie Schultz and Negro Leaguer Collins Jones. More than 30 research presentations were given, including “The Ebbets Field Diamond Jubilee” by Ron Gabriel, “The 30-30 Club” by Cappy Gagnon and “The Great Minneapolis-St. Paul Baseball Rivalry” by Stew Thornley.
  • Read more: A look back at SABR 18 in Minneapolis

SABR 19: Albany, New York
June 23-26, 1989
Keynote speaker: Bobby Brown
Ballgame: Albany Yankees 4, Eastern League All-Stars 3

  • SABR’s most tumultous national convention welcomed 524 members and guests. Dr. Bobby Brown, the former Yankees “bonus baby” infielder and the sixth president of the American League, was the banquet speaker. 1950 AL MVP Phil Rizzuto, who would be elected to the Hall of Fame five years later, was also a guest speaker. A group trip was made to the Hall of Fame in nearby Cooperstown and members took in the Eastern League All-Star Game. A political crisis erupted when, during Eight Men Out author Eliot Asinof’s presentation on the Black Sox, member John Holway handed out “8 Men Out” buttons to protest the Board’s recent ousting of Lloyd Johnson after four years as Executive Director. At a wild business meeting, Holway motioned to unseat the entire board (it failed) and withdrew his name as a candidate for president. Rich Topp, nominated from the floor, was elected in a close vote.
  • Read more: Download a PDF of Empire State of Baseball, the SABR 19 convention journal

SABR 20: Cleveland, Ohio
July 27-29, 1990
Sheraton Cleveland City Centre
Keynote speaker: Sam McDowell
Ballgame: Yankees 8, Indians 5 (Game 1); Yankees 4, Indians 3 (Game 2)

  • SABR’s 20th convention saw 481 members and guests, as 1960 Indians fireballer “Sudden” Sam McDowell was the awards banquet speaker and Hall of Famer Bob Feller headlined a player panel during his first convention in Cleveland. Bob Buege won the inaugural Cox Award — now called the Doug Pappas Award — as the best research presentation, for his “Milwaukee Braves: A Baseball Eulogy”. A Negro Leagues panel with Dr. Larry Hogan and authors Robert Peterson, Donn Rogosin, James Riley and John Holway was one of the highlights. Members also took a tour of Cleveland Stadium on Saturday and an Indians-Yankees doubleheader on Sunday afternoon.
  • Read more: Download a PDF of Baseball in Cleveland, the SABR 20 convention journal

SABR 21: New York, New York
June 27-30, 1991
New York Penta Hotel (Hotel Pennsylvania)
Keynote speaker: Mel Allen
Ballgame: Phillies 6, Mets 2

  • SABR’s 21st convention, and its first in the heart of the Big Apple, attracted 405 members and guests. Longtime Yankees announcer Mel Allen (right) was the keynote speaker. Singer Terry Cashman performed a rendition of “Talkin’ Baseball” and the famous Brooklyn Dodgers Sym-Phony Band also performed. SABR members got a special preview of Ken Burns’ upcoming documentary film, Baseball, heard audio highlights from Lawrence Ritter’s The Glory of Their Times interviews, and also took in a ballgame at Shea Stadium. Later that summer, founding members Bob Davids, Dan Dischley, Tom Hufford, Cliff Kachline, Pat McDonough, John Pardon and Joe Simenic gathered at the Hall of Fame Library in Cooperstown to celebrate the organization’s 20th anniversary.
  • Read more: A look back at SABR 21 in New York City
  • Read more: Download a PDF of Baseball in New York, the SABR 21 convention journal

SABR 22 convention program coverSABR 22: St. Louis, Missouri
June 25-28, 1992
Adam’s Mark Hotel
Keynote speaker: Bing Devine
Ballgame: Cardinals 4, Mets 3

  • SABR’s 22nd convention, which drew 485 members and guests, was a celebration of the 1942 Cardinals and Sportsman’s Park. Former players Stan Musial, Terry Moore and Red Schoendienst took part in players panels, along with Marty Marion, Ted Savage, Joe Cunningham and Tom Poholsky and St. Louis Browns players Ned Garver, Don Lenhardt, Jim Delsing, Ed Mickelson and Babe Martin. (The Cardinals panel was moderated by longtime SABR member and sports writer Bob Broeg, namesake of the St. Louis chapter.) Members took part in a tour of The Sporting News and attended a Cardinals-Mets game at Busch Stadium. Former Cardinals general manager Bing Devine was the keynote speaker.
  • Read more: Download a PDF of St. Louis’ Favorite Sport, the SABR 22 convention journal

SABR 23: San Diego, California
June 24-28, 1993
Town & Country Resort Hotel
Keynote speaker: Dick Williams
Ballgame: Reds 6, Padres 2

  • The Ted Williams Chapter played host to 350 members and guests for SABR’s 23rd convention, back on the West Coast for the third time. A panel of players from the 1984 Padres included Kurt Bevacqua and Bruce Bochy. The manager of that team, Dick Williams (right, with Bevacqua at the mic), was the keynote speaker after the Saturday night banquet. Another memorable session was a Thursday night reception with San Diego native and Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr. Other panels included former major-leaguers Joe Nuxhall, Ray Boone, John Kibler, Pete Coscarart, and Irv Noren, and Pacific Coast League veterans Rod Graber, Al Olsen, and Tony Criscola with umpire Bob O’Regan and sports writer Earl Keller. A non-players panel included former American League umpire Ed Runge, longtime executive Buzzie Bavasi, and Reds announcer Marty Brennaman. Many attendees and their families also took a trip to the San Diego Zoo.
  • Read more: A look back at the SABR 23 convention in San Diego
  • Read more: Convention organizer Joe Naiman reflects on SABR 23
  • Read more: Download a PDF of A History of San Diego Baseball, the SABR 23 convention journal

SABR 24: Arlington, Texas
June 16-19, 1994
Arlington Marriott
Keynote speaker: Robin Roberts
Ballgame: A’s 11, Rangers 10

  • SABR’s 24th convention drew 405 members and guests to the Metroplex for a packed schedule that included four panels, plus speeches by Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan at the Friday luncheon and Robin Roberts (right) at the Saturday banquet. The players panel included Roberts, Bobby Bragan, Frank Lucchesi, Jim Kern, Ray Burris, Rich Hand and Randy Hundley; the executives’ panel, moderated by longtime Astros boss and SABR member Tal Smith, included Eddie Robinson, Sandy Johnson, Dick Butler and Stan McIlvaine; and the writers panel included Jeff Guinn, Tim Kurkjian, Phil Rogers, Jim Reeves, Mike Sowell and John Thorn. In addition, Thorn and Buck O’Neil participated in a special talk called “Old Time Baseball.” Many members also took a trip to the Six Flags amusement park nearby and a tour of The Ballpark in Arlington.
  • Read more: Download a PDF of Texas is Baseball Country, the SABR 24 convention journal

SABR 25: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
June 15-18, 1995
Hyatt-Regency Pittsburgh
Keynote speaker: Chuck Tanner
Ballgame: Padres 12, Pirates 4

  • Chuck Tanner, manager of the 1979 World Series champion Pirates, delivered the keynote address to 451 attendees at SABR’s 25th annual convention in Pittsburgh. The convention opened Thursday with an afternoon of softball at the Bill Mazeroski Field, adjacent to old Forbes Field in Oakland. Some forty men played ball that afternoon. The evening included a lengthy panel discussion involving former Pirates living in the Pittsburgh area who were part of the 1960 World Series championship team, including Mazeroski, Elroy Face and Bob Friend. On Friday, the convention gang went to Three Rivers Stadium to see the Pirates play San Diego. The pre-game party included a “tailgate” picnic at the Stadium. On Saturday, members of the 1971 championship Pirates participated in a panel discussion that took care of the morning. There was an afternoon bus tour of historical baseball sites in the city; the sites included two old downtown ball park locations and grave sites of several Pirates immortals. The awards banquet was held Saturday night. The master of ceremonies was Nellie King, former Pirates pitcher and radio broadcaster. The guest speaker was Chuck Tanner. Sunday morning featured another panel of baseball greats from the Pittsburgh area; the chief spokesman for that group was Frank Thomas.
  • Read more: A look back at SABR 25 in Pittsburgh
  • Read more: Download a PDF of Baseball in Pittsburgh, the SABR 25 convention journal

Buck O'Neil (COURTESY OF PBS)SABR 26: Kansas City, Missouri
June 6-9, 1996
Kansas City Marriott
Keynote speaker: Steve Fehr
Ballgame: Royals 12, Mariners 8

SABR 27: Louisville, Kentucky
June 20-23, 1997
Hyatt Regency Louisville
Keynote speaker: Jim Bunning
Ballgame: Iowa Cubs 3, Louisville Redbirds 0

  • A total of 440 members and guests attended SABR’s 27th convention in Louisville, Kentucky. Hall of Fame pitcher and Kentucky Congressman Jim Bunning (right) delivered the keynote address. Pee Wee Reese, a Louisville native, highlighted a player panel that also featured Carl Erskine, Don Lund, Ed Stevens and Tot Presnell. Another panel included then-current Louisville Redbirds Gaylen Pitts, Kevin Koslofski and Brian Maxcy. Branch Rickey III and Redbirds general manager Dale Owens also spoke. Members took a tour of the Louisville Slugger Museum and Bat Factor and attended an American Association game between the Redbirds and Iowa Cubs. Cubs pitcher Miguel Batista tossed a two-hit shutout.
  • Related audio: Listen to Jim Bunning’s keynote speech from SABR 27 (with introduction by former major league pitcher Ned Garver)
  • Read more: Download a PDF of A Celebration of Louisville Baseball, the SABR 27 convention journal

SABR 28: San Francisco, California
June 25-28, 1998
San Francisco Airport Marriott (Burlingame, California)
Keynote speaker: Bill Rigney
Ballgames: Rangers 7, Giants 3 and San Jose Giants 5, Lake Elsinore Storm 0

SABR 29: Scottsdale, Arizona
June 23-28, 1999
Radisson Resort and Spa Scottsdale
Keynote speaker: Tommy Henrich
Ballgame: Cardinals 1, Diamondbacks 0

SABR 30: West Palm Beach, Florida
June 21-25, 2000
Sheraton West Palm Beach Hotel
Keynote speaker: Elden Auker
Ballgame: Marlins 7, Cubs 4 and Brevard County Manatees 4, Jupiter Hammerheads 3

  • SABR’s 30th convention, which drew 302 members and guests, focused on baseball in Florida and the Caribbean, with panels highlighted by Hall of Famers Tony Perez and Monte Irvin. Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Elden Auker was the keynote speaker and a bus trip to Pro Player Stadium in Miami was taken for a Marlins game. General manager Dave Dombrowski (right, with Perez) was also a featured speaker. Articles in the convention publication From McGillicuddy to McGwire focused on the 1997 Marlins, spring training ballparks, and the Caribbean Baseball Series. Doug Pappas won the research presentation award now named for him with “111 Years of Major League Ejections.”
  • Read more: Download a PDF of From McGillicuddy to McGwire, the SABR 30 convention publication

SABR 31: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
July 11-15, 2001
Four Points by Sheraton Milwaukee
Keynote speaker: Bud Selig
Ballgames: White Sox 7, Cubs 2 and Twins 5, Brewers 3

  • Commissioner Bud Selig was the keynote speaker in his hometown for SABR’s 31st annual convention, which had an attendance of 574 members and guests. There were four informative panel discussions: an All-American Girls Professional Baseball League panel that included Vivian Sheriffs Anderson, Annastasia Batikis, Jackie Mattson Baumgart, Betty Moczynski, Mary O’Hara and Joyce Hill Westerman; a panel of former Negro Leaguers with Dennis Biddle, Sherwood (Woody) Brewer and Carl Long; Milwaukee authors Tom Flaherty, Jim Ksicinski and Gregg Hoffmann; and finally, the traditional players panel with former Milwaukee Brewers and Braves Johnny Logan, Felix Mantilla, Andy Pafko and Bert Thiel. Members had the chance to attend a game at new Miller Park, along with a trip to nearby Chicago for another game at Wrigley Field.
  • Read more: Read John Zajc’s recap of the player panels from SABR 31
  • Read more: Download a PDF of Baseball in the Badger State, the SABR 31 convention journal

SABR 32: Boston, Massachusetts
June 26-30, 2002
Boston Park Plaza Hotel
Keynote speaker: Talkin’ Ted Williams Forum
Ballgame: Braves 4, Red Sox 2

  • Because everyone who sees a game inevitably sees it differently, the record-high total of 712 members and guests attending SABR 32 in Boston were asked to contribute their observations of the Braves-Red Sox game at Fenway Park — this idea culminated in the 2004 publication of The Fenway Project, edited by Bill Nowlin and Cecilia Tan. (It was reissued as an e-book in 2013.) Before the game, SABR’s first female president, Claudia Perry, threw out the first pitch. Other convention highlights included the showing of the oldest existing broadcast of a regular-season major league game (the next-to-last game of the 1967 season between the Twins and Red Sox); a “Lively Ball Colloquium” with two New England academic research teams; and a “Baseball as America” session organized by the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Panel discussions included a scouts panel with Bill Clark, Paul Snyder, Ray Fagnant and Galen Carr; a media panel with Nowlin, Joe Castiglione, Gordon Edes, Rob Neyer and Pete Van Wieren; a Boston Braves panel with Sibbi Sisti, Art Johnson, Joe Morgan and Ralph Evans; a Latino baseball panel with Anthony Salazar, Dr. Carlos Munoz, Eduardo Valero, Bruce Markusen and Luis Tiant; an umpires panel with Dave Anderson, David Vincent, Kevin O’Connor, and Bob Long; and the Talkin’ Ted Williams Forum led by former teammates Dominic DiMaggio and Johnny Pesky.
  • Download the e-book: Get your copy of The Fenway Project by clicking here
  • Read more: Download a PDF of The Northern Game and Beyond, the SABR 32 convention journal

SABR 33: Denver, Colorado
July 10-13, 2003
Marriott City Center
Keynote speaker: Jim Evans
Ballgames: Rockies 7, Dodgers 6 and Colorado Springs Sky Sox 4, Salt Lake Stingers 3

  • The 33rd SABR convention brought 494 attendees to the Mile High City. The keynote speaker was longtime major league umpire Jim Evans. A “future of baseball” panel included economist Andrew Zimbalist, Project Scoresheet founder Gary Gillette and former National Labor Relations Board chair William Gould. A panel on baseball simulation games included STATS Inc. founder John Dewan, Diamond Mind creator Tom Tippett, publisher Glenn Guzzo and longtime SABR member Bill James. A panel on publicly funded stadiums included SABR member Doug Pappas, Zimbalist, Tom Gleason and Karle Seydel. A “Baseball at Altitude” panel included Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd, Rany Jazayerli of Baseball Prospectus and author Dr. Robert Adair. Members attended a Rockies game and ballpark tour at Coors Field (right) and a minor league game in Colorado Springs.
  • Read more: Download a PDF of Above the Fruited Plain, the SABR 33 convention journal

SABR 34: Cincinnati, Ohio
July 15-18, 2004
Westin Hotel Cincinnati
Keynote speaker: Marvin Miller
Ballgames: Cardinals 7, Reds 5 and Clinton LumberKings 6, Dayton Dragons 5

  • The 34th SABR convention attracted 644 members and guests to Cincinnati. The featured speaker was Marvin Miller, longtime head of the Major League Baseball Players Association. The 1919 World Series panel included authors Jim Sandoval, Alan Nathan, David Fleitz, Gene Carney and Alan Schwarz. A panel on the Crosley Field-era Reds included Joe Nuxhall, Jim O’Toole, Lee May and sports writer Lonnie Wheeler. A local players panel consisted of Cincinnati high school products Todd Benzinger, coach Mike Cameron, Glenn Sample, Pat Tabler and Chris Welch. A panel on agents included Theodore High, Richard Katz, Brian Goldberg and Joe Bick. A panel on baseball relatives featured Joyce Dolle (wife of Gus Bell, mother of Buddy Bell), Eleanor Kluszewski (wife of Ted), Susan Dellinger (granddaughter of Edd Roush), Charles Dautel (grandson of Cy Rigler) and Paul Sallee (cousin of Slim). A panel on baseball collecting included Dick Hinds, Greg Rudd, Bill Daniels, Tim Turner and Stuart Hodesh. Members also took a tour of historic Cincinnati ballpark sites, including Crosley Field (right).
  • Read more: Download a PDF of Baseball in the Buckeye State, the SABR 34 convention journal
  • Photo gallery: Check out a collection of photos from SABR 34 in Cincinnati (courtesy of Rick Schabowski)

SABR 35: Toronto, Ontario
August 4-7, 2005
Holiday Inn on King
Keynote speaker: Paul Godfrey
Ballgame: Yankees 6, Blue Jays 2

  • The SABR convention traveled north of the 49th parallel for the second time as 461 members and guests converged on Toronto. Blue Jays president and CEO Paul Godfrey was the featured speaker at the awards banquet, emceed by longtime Montreal Expos announcer Jacques Doucet. A panel on the Canadian business of baseball included former MLB chief operating officer Paul Beeston, Tom Valcke and Gary Gillette. The “Domed or Doomed Stadiums” panel included sports writers Richard Griffin and Lou Cauz, architect Greg Alexander and Buffalo Bisons GM Mike Buczkowski. A panel on Canadian baseball literature included Martin Levin, George Bowering, Steven Hayward and David McGimpsey. The traditional players panel included Paul Spoljaric, Warren Sawkiw and Bill Humber. A Toronto media panel included Neil MacCarl, Larry Millson, Bob Elliott, Spencer Fordin and SABR member John Matthew IV. The close of the convention was highlighted by a maple pancake breakfast at Windows Restaurant at Rogers Centre with Sam Bat manufacturer Bill MacKenzie.
  • Photo gallery: Check out a collection of photos from SABR 35 in Toronto (courtesy of Rick Schabowski)
  • Read more: Download a PDF of Dominionball: Baseball Above the 49th, the SABR 35 convention journal

SABR 36: Seattle, Washington
June 28-July 1, 2006
Renaissance Hotel
Keynote speaker: Jim Bouton
Ballgame: Rockies 2, Mariners 0 and Tacoma Rainiers 6, San Jose Grizzlies 2

  • A gathering of former Seattle Pilots players, including Ball Four author Jim Bouton, was one of the highlights for 539 attendees at SABR’s largest convention held west of the Mississippi. Bouton and former teammates Steve Hovley, Mike Marshall and Jim Pagliaroni convened with moderator Jim Caple of ESPN.com for an entertaining session. Bouton kept busy with a book signing and his keynote speech at the awards banquet; he also participated in a vintage game (right) at nearby Bobby Morris Field during the convention and sung an a cappella rendition of the infamous song “Proud to be an Astro”. Dave Eskenazi’s amazing photo collection of Pacific Northwest athletes was on display all week. SABR celebrated its 35th anniversary with a panel that included founding members Tom Hufford, Bill Gustafson and Bob McConnell and longtime members Tom Zocco and Pete Palmer. A Pacific Coast League panel included Eddie Basinski, Dick Fitzgerald, Wes Stock and Edo Vanni, moderated by PCL Historical Society president (and past SABR president) Dick Beverage. A collective bargaining panel included Marshall, Dick Moss, Andrew Zimbalist and Rob Neyer.
  • Related audio: Listen to the Seattle Pilots panel with Jim Bouton, Steve Hovley, Mike Marshall, and Jim Pagliaroni
  • Read more: Download a PDF of Rain Check: Baseball in the Pacific Northwest, the SABR 36 convention journal

SABR 37: St. Louis, Missouri
July 26-29, 2007
Adam’s Mark Hotel
Keynote speaker: Joe Garagiola
Ballgame: Brewers 12, Cardinals 2

  • SABR returned to St. Louis for the third time and set a convention attendance record with 726 members and guests. Former catcher and longtime announcer Joe Garagiola was the keynote speaker at the awards luncheon. A special vintage baseball game was played on the grounds of the Gateway Arch, with permission from the National Park Service. A St. Louis Browns panel of Bill Jennings, Don Lenhardt, Bud Thomas, Ed Mickelson and Roy Sievers shared entertaining stories of Satchel Paige and Bill Veeck, while the Cardinals panel included Al Hrabosky, Ricky Horton, Ted Savage and George Altman, moderated by Bob Broeg Chapter president Norm Richards. A panel on women in baseball included Jean Hastings Ardell, Erma Bergmann, Sara Blasingame, Dorothy Seymour Mills, Cecilia Tan, Judith Testa, Melody Yount. 1974 NL Cy Young Award winner Mike Marshall led an hour-long session on pitching — and then continued talking with SABR members for nearly two hours afterward! An umpire’s panel was highlighted by Larry Gerlach and Bill Haller. HOK Sport’s Jim Chibnall gave a presentation on the design of the new Busch Stadium. Ben “Cooter” Jones (right, with Damian Begley) performed a one-man play as “Ol’ Diz”. After the Trivia Contest finals on Sunday, many members gathered together to watch the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies live on television.
  • Related video: Watch highlights of the SABR 37 vintage game on YouTube
  • Photo gallery: View a collection of photos from SABR 37 (courtesy of Rick Schabowski)
  • Read more: Download a PDF of Mound City Memories, the SABR 37 convention journal

SABR 38: Cleveland, Ohio
June 26-29, 2008
Renaissance Cleveland Hotel
Keynote speaker: Ron Shapiro
Ballgames: Indians 6, Reds 0
Reading Phillies 7, Akron Aeros 2
Hagerstown Suns 4, Lake County Captains 3

  • Speaking for the third time at a SABR convention, Hall of Famer Bob Feller (right) welcomed 632 attendees to Cleveland, where the organization had been headquartered for nearly two decades. Ron Shapiro, agent to five Hall of Fame players and father of Indians general manager Mark Shapiro, was the keynote speaker. Mark Shapiro continued the baseball discussion after the awards banquet in a session with minor league executive Mike Veeck, son of Bill Veeck, that was moderated by former SABR Executive Director Morris Eckhouse. A player panel of former Indians, moderated by Rick Bradley, included Len Barker, Dave Burba, Joe Charboneau, Vern Fuller and Kevin Rhomberg. Rob Neyer, Charles Alexander and Tom Swift participated in an authors’ roundtable. An origins panel with David Block, Larry McCray, Sam Marchiano and Tom Shieber followed the world premiere of the documentary Base Ball Discovered. A media panel was led by Indians vice-president of public relations Bob DiBiasio, announcers Tom Hamilton and Rick Manning, and sports writer Russ Schneider; afterward, author Curt Smith played host to a special session on the state of broadcasting. Convention attendees saw an interleague game, for the second time in three years, at Progressive Field. A trip was also taken to University Circle for a picnic on Wade Oval and a tour of the Western Reserve Historical Society. Attendees also saw a minor league game at Akron’s Canal Park.
  • Read more: Download a PDF of Batting Four Thousand, the SABR 38 convention journal

SABR 39: Washington, D.C.
July 30-August 2, 2009
JW Marriott
Keynote speaker: Josh Alkin
Ballgames: Red Sox 6, Orioles 5 and Winston-Salem Dash 5, Potomac Nationals 0

  • SABR’s third convention in the nation’s capital drew 664 members and guests. Major League Baseball lobbyist Josh Alkin was the keynote speaker at the awards banquet (replacing Stan Kasten at the last minute.) A major league player panel, moderated by TV personality George Michael, featured 1983 World Series MVP Rick Dempsey and former Washington Senators slugger Frank Howard. A Negro Leagues player panel included Mamie “Peanut” Johnson, Rev. Henry “Pistol” Mason and Pedro Pastor Sierra y Quintano. Baseball Prospectus co-founder Christina Kahrl and Baseball Weekly founding editor Paul White spoke in separate special sessions. Members took a tour of Nationals Park in Washington (and heard a talk from local historian Phil Wood) and attended a game at Camden Yards (right) in Baltimore. Some also took a trip to Woodbridge, Virginia, for a Carolina League game and Waldorf, Maryland, for an independent Atlantic League game. Sessions on using the Library of Congress for baseball research were led by SABR member David Kelly and Librarian Thomas Mann.
  • Read more: Read every article from The National Pastime: Monumental Baseball, the SABR 39 convention journal
  • Related link: Click here for PowerPoint slides from the SABR 39 research presentations

SABR 40: Atlanta, Georgia
August 4-8, 2010
Sheraton Atlanta
Keynote speaker: John Schuerholz
Ballgames: Giants 3, Braves 2 and Greenville Drive 12, Rome Braves 6

  • SABR’s first trip to the Peach State saw 435 members and guests at the convention. Longtime Braves general manager John Schuerholz was the keynote speaker at the awards banquet, where recently fired Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez was spotted taking in the festivities — and, later, joining SABR himself. Gonzalez was named to succeed Bobby Cox as Braves manager soon afterward. A standing-room-only crowd showed up to hear Cox, Mark Lemke, Ron Gant, Phil Niekro and emcee Pete Van Wieren discuss the Braves’ rise from “worst to first” in the 1980s and ’90s. A panel on Shoeless Joe Jackson and new developments in the Black Sox Scandal, moderated by Jacob Pomrenke, included Furman Bisher, David Fleitz, Mike Nola, Paul Duffy and Dan Voelker. Alan Nathan led a panel on new technologies in baseball with Dave Allen, Josh Kalk, Greg Moore and Rob Ristagno. Side trips were taken by members to the Ty Cobb Museum in Royston, Georgia; the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum in Greenville, South Carolina; and Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama. The Braves game was highlighted by Tom Glavine’s number retirement ceremony (right) despite a two-hour rain delay before the start.
  • Related audio: Listen to John Schuerholz’s keynote speech at SABR 40
  • Read more: Read every article from The National Pastime: Baseball in the Peach State, the SABR 40 convention journal
  • Photo gallery: View a collection of photos from SABR 40 (courtesy of Peter Garver and Jacob Pomrenke)

SABR 41: Long Beach, California
July 6-10, 2011
Long Beach Hilton
Keynote speaker: Scott Boras
Ballgames: Dodgers 1, Padres 0
Angels 9, Mariners 3
Lake Elsinore Storm 15, Visalia Rawhide 8

SABR 42 (2012): Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 27-July 1, 2012
Minneapolis Marriott City Center
Keynote speaker: John Thorn
Ballgame: Royals 4, Twins 3

SABR 43 (2013): Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
July 31-August 4, 2013
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
Keynote speaker: Larry Bowa
Ballgame: Braves 6, Phillies 4

SABR 44 (2014): Houston, Texas
July 30-August 3, 2014
Royal Sonesta Houston
Keynote speaker: Larry Dierker
Ballgames: Astros 8, Blue Jays 2 and Sugar Land Skeeters 6, Bridgeport Bluefish 3

SABR 45 (2015): Chicago, Illinois
June 24-28, 2015
Palmer House Hilton
Keynote speaker: Phil Rogers with Ernie Banks/Minnie Minoso tribute
Ballgame: Dodgers 4, Cubs 0

SABR 46 (2016): Miami, Florida
July 27-31, 2016
Hyatt Regency Miami
Featured: SABR 46 ballpark session with Barry Bonds, Don Mattingly, Andre Dawson, Tony Perez
Ballgame: Cardinals 11, Marlins 6

SABR 47 (2017): New York, New York
June 28-July 2, 2017
Grand Hyatt New York
Featured: SABR 47 ballpark session with Mets GM Sandy Alderson, broadcasters, and more
Ballgame: Mets 2, Phillies 1

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle at SABR 48 in 2018SABR 48 (2018): Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
June 20-24, 2018
Wyndham Grand Downtown Pittsburgh
Featured: SABR 48 ballpark session with Neal Huntington, Clint Hurdle, Joe Block, Dan Fox, and Thomas E. Kennedy
Ballgame: Diamondbacks 2, Pirates 1

Steve Garvey at SABR 49 in San DiegoSABR 49 (2019): San Diego, California
June 26-30, 2019
Manchester Grand Hyatt
Ballgame: Padres 3, Cardinals 1

Baltimore Orioles legend Boog Powell at SABR 50 in BaltimoreSABR 50 (2022): Baltimore, Maryland
August 17-21, 2022
Hyatt Regency Inner Harbor
Keynote speaker: Tim Kurkjian
Ballgame: Orioles 15, Red Sox 10

Jason Benetti at SABR 51 on July 8, 2023 in Chicago.SABR 51 (2023): Chicago, Illinois
July 5-9, 2023
Palmer House Hilton
Keynote speaker: Jason Benetti
Ballgame: White Sox 8, Cardinals 7

SABR 52 convention logoSABR 52 (2024): Minneapolis, Minnesota
August 7-11, 2024
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis


Hall of Famers to speak at SABR conventions

  • 1974: Judy Johnson (SABR 4, Philadelphia)
  • 1979: Cool Papa Bell (SABR 9, St. Louis)
  • 1982: Sparky Anderson (SABR 12, Baltimore)
  • 1987: Harmon Killebrew (SABR 17, Washington)
  • 1989: Phil Rizzuto (SABR 19, Albany)
  • 1990: Bob Feller, Bob Lemon (SABR 20, Cleveland)
  • 1992: Stan Musial, Red Schoendienst (SABR 22, St. Louis)
  • 1993: Bobby Doerr, Dick Williams (SABR 23, San Diego)
  • 1994: Robin Roberts, Nolan Ryan, Buck O’Neil (SABR 24, Arlington)
  • 1995: Bill Mazeroski (SABR 25, Pittsburgh)
  • 1996: Buck O’Neil, Bob Feller (SABR 26, Kansas City)
  • 1997: Jim Bunning, Pee Wee Reese (SABR 27, Louisville)
  • 1998: Orlando Cepeda (SABR 28, San Mateo)
  • 2000: Monte Irvin, Tony Perez (SABR 30, West Palm Beach)
  • 2001: Bud Selig (SABR 31, Milwaukee)
  • 2003: Pat Gillick (SABR 33, Denver)
  • 2004: Marvin Miller (SABR 34, Cincinnati)
  • 2008: Bob Feller (SABR 38, Cleveland)
  • 2010: Phil Niekro, Bobby Cox, John Schuerholz (SABR 40, Atlanta)
  • 2016: Andre Dawson, Tony Perez (SABR 46, Miami)

Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa also spoke at the 2015 SABR Analytics Conference and pitcher Randy Johnson spoke at the 2017 SABR Analytics Conference in Phoenix.


SABR Trivia Contest history

In 2023, R.J. Lesch, Stephen Roney, Mark Simon, Cary Smith prevailed in the team contest, while Dan Massey won his fourth career individual title at SABR 51 in Chicago. Click here for a list of all past winners in the SABR Trivia Contest, including all-time leaderboards for individual, team, and total.


SABR Convention GamesSABR Convention ballgame history

SABR members are known for keeping track of everything — so why not the all-time standings for SABR Convention ballgames, too? Ever wonder how many MVP and Cy Young Award winners we’ve seen at the SABR Convention ballgame in the year they won the award? We’ve got that! Click here to view our Games Project series on every major-league, minor-league, and even old-timers games we’ve seen at the Annual Convention from 1972 to the present day.


Road Trips: SABR Convention Journal Articles

Road Trips: SABR Convention Journal Articles (2004)In 2004, SABR published an anthology called Road Trips with dozens of standout articles and stories from the first two decades of SABR convention journals, dating back to the first one in 1984 at Providence, Rhode Island.

Click here to read articles online from Road Trips. Or click here to download a PDF e-book edition.