This Week in SABR: January 30, 2026
Welcome to “This Week in SABR” on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Click here to view this newsletter on the web.
SABR 54: Hear from Cleveland Guardians executives, Major League film director
Dangerous Danny Gardella by Robert Elias wins 2026 SABR Seymour Medal
Vote now for SABR Analytics Conference Research Awards winners
Join us next week for live Oral History interview with Greg Maddux
Find a SABR Day event near you on Saturday
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SABR 54: Hear from Cleveland Guardians executives, Major League film director
At this summer’s SABR 54 convention on July 29–August 2, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio, attendees will have a chance to hear from the creator of an iconic baseball movie and top brass from one of baseball’s most forward-thinking front offices.
Here’s our initial group of speakers, with player panels and more to be announced soon:
- David S. Ward, writer and director of Major League, who will lead a Q&A session following a screening of the classic 1989 baseball film
- Sky Andrecheck, Assistant General Manager, Cleveland Guardians
- Keith Woolner, Principal Data Scientist, Baseball Analytics, Cleveland Guardians
- Kyle Burris, Director, Research & Development, Cleveland Guardians
- Stay tuned for more speakers and panelists to be announced!
Conference and hotel registration for SABR 54 will open on Tuesday, February 3 at SABR.org/convention. All baseball fans are welcome to attend.
SABR 54: Call for research presentations
SABR invites all members to present their research findings to their colleagues attending SABR 54, the annual convention on July 29-August 2, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio. Oral presentations are expected to last 20 minutes, followed by a five minute question-and-answer period. Posters will be presented, with the author on-hand to discuss the work, during a poster session of 60 minutes and they will remain on display throughout the convention.
Click here to submit abstracts for SABR 54
The submission deadline for SABR 54 abstracts is 11:59 p.m. PST on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
In addition, we seek volunteers who wish to participate in the blind review process (beginning in March) and/or on-site judging (at the convention in Cleveland.) Those volunteers are also requested to apply by sending an email to convention-presentations@sabr.org.
Dangerous Danny Gardella by Robert Elias wins 2026 SABR Seymour Medal
Dangerous Danny Gardella: Baseball’s Neglected Trailblazer for Today’s Millionaire Athletes, written by Robert Elias and published by Rowman and Littlefield, is the winner of the 2026 Dr. Harold and Dorothy Seymour Medal, which honors the best book of baseball history or biography published during the preceding calendar year.
Elias will receive his award during the 33rd annual NINE Spring Training Conference on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Tempe, Arizona. To learn more about the NINE conference, visit nineconference.com.
The finalists for the 2026 Seymour Medal were:
- Touching Home: Baseball and the Liberal-Republican Tradition in America, by Mary Craig (University of Missouri Press)
- Opening the Door for Jackie: The Untold Story of Baseball’s Integration, by Keith Evan Crook (McFarland & Co.)
Click here to read the full announcement at SABR.org.
Early registration ends soon for SABR Analytics Conference
Early registration discounts end soon for the SABR Analytics Conference, which will be held in person from February 27-March 1, 2026, at the Beus Center for Law and Society on Arizona State University’s Downtown Phoenix Campus in Phoenix, Arizona. Register by February 10 to take advantage of discounted registration rates.
We’ll bring together the top minds in the baseball analytics community to discuss, debate, and share insightful ways to analyze and examine the great game of baseball. Register today to join us!
- Registration: Click here to register for the 2026 SABR Analytics Conference. Early-bird registration before February 10 is $395 for SABR members, $495 for non-members, and $150 for currently enrolled high school or college students. Student-only virtual registration is $50. Students should email Scott Carter with a photo of their student ID to receive the discounted registration link.
- Student Registration: Students should email Scott Carter with a photo of their student ID to receive a special link to register at a discounted rate. Students have the option of choosing virtual ($50) or in-person ($150) registration. Both include access to General Session panels and presentations on Friday, February 27 through Sunday, March 1, and a student-only virtual session on Thursday, February 26. All student registrations also include a one-year SABR membership ($25 value) and a complimentary Rapsodo Certified Course ($395 value). SABR membership will be fulfilled after event sign-up and access to Rapsodo course will be delivered after the conference.
- Speakers: Click here to learn more about our featured speakers and panelists.
- Diamond Dollars Case Competition: Click here to register your team for the 2026 Diamond Dollars Case Competition. Registration is $1,750 per team, which includes admission to all SABR Analytics Conference sessions and a one-year SABR membership for each participant. Chaperones and advisors looking to attend the conference should register themselves separately here.
- Research Presentations, presented by Teamworks Intelligence: Stay tuned for more details on the 2026 schedule of research presentations.
- Certification Courses: Four courses in the online, on-demand SABR Analytics Certification program, including the newest offering Level Four – Applied Statistics for Baseball, are available now. Click here to learn more or to sign up.
Vote now for Analytics Conference Research Award winners
Voting is now open for the 2026 SABR Analytics Conference Research Awards, which will recognize baseball researchers who have completed the best work of original analysis or commentary during the preceding calendar year. Nominations were solicited by representatives from SABR, Baseball Prospectus, FanGraphs, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America, and Sports Info Solutions.
Voting for the winners will take place through February 6 at SABR.org, BaseballProspectus.com, FanGraphs.com, and IBWAA.com. Results will be announced and presented at the SABR Analytics Conference, February 27-March 1, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Student Programming at SABR Analytics Conference
We’re excited to announce student programming for the 2026 SABR Analytics Conference. Available to currently enrolled high school or college students, this schedule of student-specific presentations is geared toward those looking to gain an edge in breaking into the ultra-competitive baseball industry. The virtual student-only programming — which will be held on Zoom from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. MST on Thursday, February 26 — will include:
- Introduction to Baseball Databases: Bryan Walko, SABR
- Working with Baseball-Reference Data: Jonah Gardner and Zoe Surma, Sports Reference
- Baseball by the Numbers: Visualizing Performance Data with R: David Hyland, Xavier University
- Building Your First Baseball Model: Jeremy Losak, Syracuse University
- Working with Baseball Savant and R: Shanna Shi, Associate Data Quality Analyst, MLB
- Virtual networking session for student attendees
Click here to read the full announcement at SABR.org.
Find a SABR Day event near you and join us!
Join us on Saturday, January 31 for our annual SABR Day celebration! SABR Day is a way for all baseball fans to come together, regardless of where they live, and talk about the game we all love.
SABR Day 2026 events will include an All-Star lineup of guest speakers, including 2026 BBWAA Career Excellence Award winner Paul Hoynes and Zack Meisel of The Athletic in Cleveland; Tom Jacobs, Executive Director of the College Baseball Hall of Fame, in Kansas City; Tim Kurkjian and Jeff Kurkjian, co-hosts of the podcast “Is This A Great Game, Or What?” in Las Vegas; a preview of the new My Father, Dick Allen documentary in Philadelphia; Earl Weaver biographer John W. Miller in Pittsburgh; Bruce the Bat Dog in Rochester, New York; Cardinals executives Rob Cerfolio and Moisés Rodríguez in St. Louis; Padres Executive Vice President/Assistant General Manager Josh Stein in San Diego; Athletics television analyst Jessica Kleinschmidt in San Francisco; a panel discussion on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) with attorney Will Hall and Josh Turner and Meg Yariv of Florida State University in Tallahassee; former Blue Jays manager and current Los Angeles Angels bench coach John Gibbons in Toronto; and many award-winning authors and presenters elsewhere.
In addition, SABR Day events on Saturday are also scheduled for: Bloomington (IL), Boston, Cincinnati, Columbus (OH), Fort Wayne (IN), Houston, Jacksonville, Lexington (KY), Naples (FL), Nashville, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Portland (OR), Seattle, Tulsa (OK), and Victoria (BC).
Many SABR Day meetings are available for all baseball fans to attend virtually on Zoom. Click here to view full meeting details for each SABR Day meeting.
Join us next week for live Oral History interview with Greg Maddux
SABR members, join us for a special virtual event from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, February 3, 2026: a live SABR Oral History interview with Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux. This interview session on Zoom will be conducted by Oral History Committee chair John McMurray. The interview will be recorded and added to SABR’s Oral History Collection archive afterward. You must be a current SABR member to register for this free Zoom event.
Known for painting the corners with his pinpoint control, Maddux won four straight NL Cy Young Awards from 1992 to 1995 with the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves, and helped lead the Braves to a World Series championship in 1995. He notched 15 or more wins in 17 consecutive seasons (1988-2004), en route to 355 career victories, the eighth-most in major league history. He also won a record 18 Gold Glove Awards during his illustrious career.
Join us on February 17 for a special SABR Scholar Session with MLB’s Cory Schwartz
All student and young professional members of SABR are invited to our next SABR Scholar Session, held virtually on Zoom at 8:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Join host Tyrone Brooks, Senior Director, Front Office and Field Staff Diversity Pipeline Program at Major League Baseball, for our free virtual career development series created exclusively for SABR student and young professional members. This session’s guest speaker is Cory Schwartz, Vice President of Data Operations with Major League Baseball.
Tyrone and Cory will discuss their paths into baseball front offices and offer tips to stand out at industry events, like the upcoming SABR Analytics Conference. After an insightful conversation and Q&A session, we’ll learn more about how to put your SABR membership to work for you.
- To learn more or to pre-register for the SABR Scholar Session on Zoom, please contact Jessica Smyth.
Registration now open for 2026 Ivor-Campbell 19th Century Conference
Registration is now open for the 17th annual SABR Frederick Ivor-Campbell 19th Century Base Ball Conference, which will be held on April 24-25, 2026, at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. All baseball fans are welcome to register for this special event.
- Registration: Click here to register online.
- Schedule: Click here to view the complete schedule for the 2026 Ivor-Campbell Conference.
- Research Presentations: Click here for research presentation abstracts.
The 2026 conference will be highlighted by a keynote address from author Bruce Allardice, along with a panel discussion on the evolution of early playing fields with Irwin Chusid, Thomas Gilbert, Jonathan Popovich, and moderator Bill Ryczek; a 19th-century artifact session with Robert Mayer, Gary Passamonte, and Jonathan Popovich; a Member Spotlight interview of Herm Krabbenhoft by Dave Newman; plus research presentations.
Visit SABR.org/ivor-campbell19c for more information.
Call for papers: 2026 SABR Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference
SABR’s Negro Leagues Research Committee will host the 26th annual Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference on June 18-21, 2026, in Memphis, Tennessee. In addition to two days of research presentations and player/author panels, attendees will also enjoy special presentations connected to our theme of “Black Baseball in the Land of the Delta Blues” and the city of Memphis.
This interdisciplinary conference welcomes proposals for oral and poster presentations from all research fields. Previous presenters have included college faculty, public school teachers, graduate students, and independent scholars. Presentations may focus on any topic related to the theme, or other Black baseball topics.
Please email your proposal as a Word attachment to Dr. Leslie Heaphy before March 2, 2026.
Click here to read the full announcement at SABR.org.
Apply for a SABR Local Grant in 2026
The SABR Local Grants program provides an opportunity for chapters, research committees, and chartered communities to apply for funding for their projects under SABR’s Four Pillars: Research, Scholarship, Preservation, and Future of the Game. Applications are now open for a 2026 SABR Local Grant at SABR.org/local-grants. Submissions will be accepted until February 20, 2026.
All SABR chapters, chartered communities, and research committees are eligible to apply. Individual SABR members and non-SABR groups are not eligible, so if you have an individual idea for a program grant, please follow up with your local chapter leadership or appropriate research committee to discuss an application.
Click here to read the full announcement at SABR.org.
Member Benefit Spotlight: New Research Resources Portal and Member Login
As a SABR member, you have vast resources and benefits at your disposal. With so much information at your fingertips, we realize it can be overwhelming to absorb it all! To highlight key benefits, read on for a SABR Member Benefit Spotlight, an email series that identifies and explains some of the most valuable features of your membership. We hope this allows you to take full advantage of all SABR has to offer. This issue shows you how to access the newly designed Research Resources page.
Next week, we will launch a newly designed and updated Research Resources page at SABR.org. You can find it by going directly to The Research Collection page or by using the “Research” dropdown menu at the top of any SABR.org page. We’ll also be rolling out a new promotional ad at SABR.org to help encourage other baseball fans to sign up for a monthly or annual membership.
Call for volunteers: SABR Research Grants program
Recently, SABR announced our new Research Grants program. In 2026, SABR will award a total of $10,000 in support of up to two research projects through this new initiative. Applications for the current funding cycle are due on March 1.
We’re looking for volunteers to join our application review committee. Committee members will be asked to review applications in March, with one planned Zoom meeting to select the 2026 recipients. If interested, please email Paul Zwirecki to learn more.
Find new updates to the SABR Research Collection below, including the Baseball Biography Project, Games Project, and Oral History Collection.
5 new stories published at SABR BioProject
- Sam Griffith, by Phil Williams
- Todd Hundley, by Thomas J. Brown Jr.
- France Laux, by Danny Spewak
- Mike Napoli, by Jason Scheller
- B.J. Surhoff, by Malcolm Allen
Visit SABR.org/bioproject to learn more about the SABR Biography Project or to get involved.
6 new stories published at SABR Games Project
- April 14, 1927: A’s stop Yankees’ winning streak at start of season with 9-9 tie, by Howard Rosenberg
- May 16, 1934: Retired Walter Johnson treats fans, pitches in Indians exhibition vs. Cornell, by Kurt Blumenau
- September 13, 1989: Cardinals’ division hopes fade after scoreless tie with Pirates, by John Fredland
- July 18, 1995: Faltering Jack McDowell flounders, flips finger to fans in frustration, by Jake Bell
- July 23, 2002: Nomar Garciaparra homers three times and drives in eight runs on his birthday, by Bill Nowlin
- April 29, 2008: Kevin Youkilis handles 16 error-free chances at first base, hits walk-off single for Red Sox, by Bill Nowlin
Visit SABR.org/gamesproject to learn more about the SABR Games Project or to get involved.
Native American Major Leaguers
Edited by Rob Daugherty and Bill Nowlin
Visit SABR.org to download the free e-book edition or save 50% off the paperback edition of all Digital Library books.
Here are some SABR headlines from recent weeks that we don’t want you to miss:
- Fourth course in SABR Analytics Certification program is now available
- SABR appoints Pat Filippone as Treasurer of Board of Directors
- Negro Leagues executives added to SABR MLB Team Employee Database
- Read articles from the Fall 2025 Baseball Research Journal online
- Gary, Vicki Gillette make gift to support Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference through 2030
- SABR welcomes new Town Ball research committee
- Learn more about new SABR Institutional Memberships
- Negro Leagues statistics added to SABR Lahman Baseball Database
- View a collection of nearly 100,000 player surveys in the Weiss Baseball Questionnaires collection
- SABR Digital Library: Vinotinto Venezuela Béisbol, 1939–2024: 85 Years of Venezuelans in the Major Leagues
- Hundreds of ProQuest US newspapers added to SABR Research Resources
- Find complete collection of SABR-Rucker Archive baseball images online
- Get a gift for baseball fan in your life with the SABR Store @ CafePress
Please give a warm welcome to all new SABR members who joined this week! View more Members-Only resources at members.sabr.org or click here to download the Membership Handbook. Find contact information for any SABR member in the online Membership Directory.
| NAME | HOMETOWN | NAME | HOMETOWN | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gavin Addleman | Lincoln, NE | Daniel McKeever | Liverpool, NY | ||
| Conor Aggers | Tempe, AZ | John Mihoch | Melbourne Beach, FL | ||
| Ro Brown | New Orleans, LA | Nicolette Miranda | Philadelphia, PA | ||
| Jay Buerck | Chesterfield, MO | John Misner | Summerville, SC | ||
| Pranav Chinthapalli | Clinton, NY | Kenneth Monson | Arden, NC | ||
| Craig Dalley | Plano, TX | Pete Quealy | La Grange, IL | ||
| Tres Fouer | Austin, TX | Ethan Rendon | New York, NY | ||
| Ethan Franzen | Baltimore, MD | Brady Richardson | Fayetteville, AR | ||
| Matthew Gennaro | Mission Viejo, CA | Chris Rodriguez | McHenry, IL | ||
| Richard Greenberg | Washington, DC | Cortez Rush | Berkeley, CA | ||
| Darryl Harvey | Los Angeles, CA | Scott Sabol | Medina, OH | ||
| Craig Houston | Winfield, WV | Luima Sanchez | Santiago de los Caballeros, DOM | ||
| Cooper Johnson | Evansville, IN | Paul Seamon | Waxhaw, NC | ||
| Steve Kenny | Owen Sound, ON | Bryce Soberski | Collegeville, MN | ||
| John Kohler | Orchard Park, NY | Dan Torres | Hurley, NY | ||
| Jayden Macdonald | San Marcos, TX | Kristen Turnbach | Mohnton, PA | ||
| Bobby Maghielse | Saint Paul, MN | William Warren | Encinitas, CA | ||
| Mike Mc Alpin | Davidson, NC | Joshua Whiteside | San Luis Obispo, CA | ||
| Tim McGrenere | Toronto, ON | Wendy Winstead | Roanoke Rapids, NC |
- Events Calendar: Find details of all upcoming SABR events.
- Video Replays: This week, we heard from Tatsuo Shinke (Mint Sports Cards and Games in Japan); Rick Cerrone of Baseball Digest; Brenden Gilbreath (“Properly Recognizing the Contributions of Negro League Veterans”); Karl Green (“2026 NCAA Baseball season preview”); Tom Bowen (“A Tour of Lost Ballparks in Dallas-Fort Worth”); Kevin Hurd (From Randy Johnson to Dallas Braden); Eric Vickrey (Before They Wore Dodger Blue); and Willie Steele (Going the Distance: The Life and Works of W.P. Kinsella). Click here to view video replays of virtual SABR events.
Upcoming Virtual Meetings
- January 31: SABR Day 2026
- February 2: Clyde Sukeforth (NH/ME) Chapter meeting with Donna L. Halper (7:00 p.m. EST)
- February 3: SABR Oral History Interview: Greg Maddux (7:00 p.m. EST)
- February 3: Deadball Era Author Talk: Bob Luke (8:00 p.m. EST)
- February 4: Baltimore Babe Ruth (MD) Chapter meeting with Tom Stevens and Kelly Bennett (7:00 p.m. EST)
- February 4: Canadian Women in Baseball Panel with Liz Benn, Sena Catterall, Andrea Goldstein, and Tosha Hains (7:00 p.m. EST)
- February 4: Clyde Sukeforth (NH/ME) Chapter SABR Day event with Brett Topel (7:00 p.m. EST)
- February 5: Magnolia (GA) Chapter meeting with Adam Lazarus (7:30 p.m. EST)
- February 7: Bob Davids (DC) Chapter Talkin’ Baseball: Thomas Wolf (9:00 a.m. EST)
- February 7: Women in Baseball Diamond Stories: Melissa Ludtke (10:00 a.m. EST)
- February 7: Southern Michigan Chapter SABR Day meeting with Rogelio Castillo and Chris Brown (12:00 p.m. EST)
Upcoming In-Person Meetings
- February 2: Northwest Ohio Chapter book club meeting (Toledo, OH)
- February 3: Bob Davids Chapter Virginia Hot Stove Dinner (Arlington, VA)
- February 4: Bob Broeg St. Louis Chapter fellowship meeting (St. Louis, MO)
- February 7: Elysian Fields Chapter SABR Day event (Paterson, NJ)
- February 7: Halsey Hall Chapter book club meeting (Roseville, MN)
- February 7: Emil Rothe Chicago Chapter meeting (La Grange, IL)
To add your SABR event to our calendar listings, please contact Jacob Pomrenke.
- Collegiate Baseball: Winter 2026 newsletter
- Games and Simulations: All SABR members are invited to participate in a weekly transaction Fantasy Baseball 5×5 league in 2026. Click here to learn more, including league rules and additional information. Limited availability. Contact Derek Bain or Jack Snyder if you are interested.
Sign up for SABR research committee announcements at SABR.org/research/committees.
- SABR Day: Check out details for all SABR Day chapter events scheduled for Saturday, January 31
- Halsey Hall Chapter: February 2026 newsletter (Minneapolis, MN)
- Larry Dierker Chapter: January 19 meeting recap (Houston, TX)
Sign up for SABR chapter announcements at SABR.org/chapters.
Click here to learn more about SABR chartered communities.
Here are some recent articles published by and about SABR members:
- Mark Simon: Interview with three SABR Analytics Conference Research Award finalists (Sports Info Solutions Baseball Podcast)
- Ben Lindbergh: Can the New-Look Mets Defy Decades of Hot Stove History? (The Ringer)
- Mario Delgado Genzor: Wishing on a North Star (Baseball Prospectus)
- Tyler Kepner: Rick Rizzs, ever-faithful voice of Seattle baseball, will retire after one last pennant chase (The Athletic)
- Sarah Langs: These 11 players are projected to make MLB history in 2026 (MLB.com)
- Ben Clemens: Fun with WAR Math (FanGraphs)
- Sahadev Sharma: How do the Cubs expect Alex Bregman to fare at windy Wrigley Field? (The Athletic)
- Anthony Castrovince: Will USA’s star-studded World Baseball Classic roster be enough to avenge 2023 defeat? (MLB.com)
- Jay Jaffe: Peering Into the Crystal Ball: The Next Five Years of BBWAA Hall of Fame Elections (FanGraphs)
- Ken Funck: What We Talk About When We Talk About Competitive Balance (Baseball Prospectus)
- Davy Andrews: Tanner Scott and the Ideal Zone Rate (FanGraphs)
- Sam Gazdziak: Obituary: Wilbur Wood (1941-2026) (RIP Baseball)
- Timothy Jackson: Inside Major League Baseball, Then as Now (Baseball Prospectus)
- David Laurila: Let’s Hear About, and From, a Quartet of Red Sox Southpaws (FanGraphs)
- Matt Monagan: 38 years ago, signing Kirk Gibson reversed Dodgers’ descent (MLB.com)
- Gary Ashwill: 1919: A Tale of Two Sluggers (Agate Type)
- Tiffany Babb: Visiting the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame (The Fan Files)
- Roy Carlson: Inspecting Vintage Topps Baseball Photos with Help from Their Transparencies (Sports Collectors Daily)
- Steven Goldman: Life During Wartime (Baseball Prospectus)
- César González Gómez: Babe Ruth, Cancer, and How He Hit the Last Home Run of His Life in Mexico in 1946 (ArqueoBeisbol)
- Mike Copper: Erie native Louis Bierbauer was Pittsburgh baseball’s original Pirate (Erie Times-News)
- J.P. Hoornstra: Tiny Forge, Negro Leagues Star Honored by MLB, Dies at 90 (Newsweek)
- Aaron R. Mushrush: Umpire Ronnie Geyer is in a league of her own (Cape Gazette)
- Jeff Cohen/Len Aberman: Baseball and BBQ interview with with Kevin Kernan (Baseball and BBQ)
- Thomas Love Seagull: Japan’s Favorite Players: Yoshinobu Takahashi (SABR Asian Baseball)
- Roberta J. Newman: Good Optics: The 1955 Yankees Tour of Japan (SABR Asian Baseball)
- Dave McNeely: An Introduction to NPB Baseball Cards (SABR Baseball Cards)
- Ryan Trembath: 1952 Tip Top Bread Labels (SABR Baseball Cards)
Please note: Some articles may require a separate subscription to view online. SABR does not endorse, and is not responsible or liable for, any content that appears on a third-party website.
This Week in SABR is compiled by Jacob Pomrenke. If you would like us to include an upcoming event, article, or any other information in “This Week in SABR,” e-mail jpomrenke@sabr.org. To find past editions of TWIS, click here.
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Originally published: January 30, 2026. Last Updated: January 30, 2026.