Editor’s Note: Fall 2025 Baseball Research Journal

I am honored and delighted to greet you as the new editor of the Baseball Research Journal. I’ve been a SABR member for nearly 15 years, and many of my most cherished memories have been made at SABR Conventions. I never dreamed I’d one day be working for the organization that has brought me so much joy, knowledge, and camaraderie.

SABR has an incredible legacy, as does the BRJ, and being part of that is not something I take lightly. Six months ago, at this year’s SABR Convention in Dallas, I was able to hear one of the originators of that legacy speak about the start of this organization, and it put my job in perspective.

Tom Hufford, the last surviving founder of SABR, was given the Bob Davids Award on the final night of the convention in June, and he recalled a memory from decades ago when SABR was in its infancy. He remembers sitting at another founder’s kitchen table, stuffing envelopes with newsletters and other information—envelopes that all had to be sealed, addressed, and stamped before they were released to the postal service. That was a time that a volunteer could truly grasp SABR in their hands, a time when the future of the organization depended on the people at that table to keep writing letters, stuffing envelopes, and organizing meetings.

Over 50 years later, SABR is a vibrant organization of over 7,400 members (and growing), with chapters across the United States and the world. At every convention I see new faces of all ages, as well as increasing gender and racial diversity. That word, “diversity,” may be divisive to some, but as baseball fans we should welcome it, as it’s part of our heritage. Baseball has been played by adults and children of every stripe for at least 200 years, and it is a sport that has drawn fans from every possible walk of life.

What could be more delightful than attending a convention that reflects the universal appeal of the sport we love? What could be more satisfying than sitting in a room with people you wouldn’t have met any other way, knowing you all share the same passion?

My main goal as the new editor of the Baseball Research Journal is to reflect and share that passion with you. The authors of the articles you’re about to read have used their passion for the game to write about aspects of it that thrill them. In this issue, we’ve got articles about the history of early baseball, the invention of a new statistic, the discovery of a lost accomplishment of a legendary player, and someone even did research on other types of baseball research. With every issue, I want to share with you some of the most interesting work being done by our members, in the hope that you’ll learn something that will enrich your love of the game.

I’m so grateful to Scott Bush, Jacob Pomrenke, and Cecilia Tan for considering and hiring me for what I’ve called my “dream baseball job.” I also have to give a very special thanks to outgoing editor Cecilia Tan for walking me through this process step by step and week by week. Her guidance has been invaluable, and her incredible work as BRJ editor over the years has served as a tremendous example for me as I seek to pick up where she leaves off.

That’s the ballgame,

– Liz Roscher
Editor, SABR Baseball Research Journal

• Buy the magazine: Purchase the print edition of the Fall 2025 Baseball Research Journal from Amazon.com
• Download the PDF: Click here to download the PDF file of the Fall 2025 Baseball Research Journal
• Read online: Articles from the Fall 2025 Baseball Research Journal are available online at SABR.org