Daniel Okrent
Daniel Okrent (1948- ) is a writer, editor, and historian who has made several distinct contributions to baseball research. In a career filled with great works of nonfiction, two baseball books stand out: The Ultimate Baseball Book (1979, with Harris Lewine), a pictorial history; and Nine Innings: The Anatomy of Baseball as Seen Through the Playing of a Single Game (1985). In 1980, he and a group of friends created Rotisserie League Baseball, which launched a multi-billion dollar fantasy sports industry. In 1981 he wrote a profile of Bill James for Sports Illustrated that led to James getting a national book contract. He has turned his talents away from baseball in recent years, but his contributions to the enjoyment of the sport are undeniable.
Related links:
- Read John Thorn’s profile of Daniel Okrent in the Spring 2022 Baseball Research Journal
- Listen to Daniel Okrent’s 2019 interview on SABRcast with Rob Neyer
- Read “He Does It By The Numbers,” Daniel Okrent’s 1981 Sports Illustrated profile of Bill James
- Watch a trailer for Silly Little Game, the ESPN 30 for 30 film on the invention of Rotisserie League Baseball
- Listen to Daniel Okrent discuss Nine Innings on Justin McGuire’s Baseball by the Book podcast