This Week in SABR: August 11, 2023
Welcome to “This Week in SABR” on Friday, August 11, 2023.
Click here to view this newsletter on the web.
Join us on August 13 to visit new Black Baseball exhibit in Philadelphia
Cleveland chapter to commemorate 1948 World Series champs
Seeking volunteers to help catalog new Rucker Archive photos
Watch a replay of Ballpark Figures with Jay Jaffe
Call for papers: 2024 Frederick Ivor-Campbell 19th Century Base Ball Conference
Students, apply for a Fall 2023 internship with SABR
 |
 |
 |
Join us this Sunday to visit new Black Baseball exhibit in Philadelphia
A League Apart, a new exhibit on Black baseball in Philadelphia that was funded in part through the SABR Local Grants program, is now open to the public at the Cherry Street Pier, a popular local destination on the Delaware River waterfront.
SABR’s Connie Mack-Dick Allen Chapter will hold a meeting at the Cherry Street Pier from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 13; all baseball fans are welcome to attend. We’ll discuss chapter happenings, talk baseball, and receive an exhibit update. Find more details on the SABR Events Calendar.
The exhibit focuses on four Barrier Breakers in particular: Octavius Catto, Ed Bolden, Dick Allen, and Mo’ne Davis. The exhibit is open to the public until August 24, 2023. Visit aleagueapart.org to learn more or to donate and help the exhibit expand and travel.
Click here to read the full announcement at SABR.org.
Cleveland chapter to commemorate 1948 World Series champs
SABR’s Jack Graney Chapter in Cleveland invites all baseball fans to join us for a special event commemorating the 1948 World Series champions from 1:00-4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 19 at the Carl Stokes wing of the main branch of the Cleveland Public Library (525 Superior Ave.), prior to the Guardians’ Hall of Fame inductions and game that evening against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field.
We’ll hear from Luke Epplin, author of Our Team; Ike Brooks, who will talk about the historic seasons by Black baseball pioneers Larry Doby and Satchel Paige; Cleveland State professor emeritus David Goldberg, who will talk about life in Cleveland during the late 1940s; and Steve Dittmore, who will talk about Dale Mitchell, an All-Star outfielder who will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame that day. The event is co-hosted by the Jack Graney Chapter, the Cleveland Public Library, and the Cleveland Guardians.
Click here to read the full announcement at SABR.org.
Seeking volunteers to help catalog new Rucker Archive photos
SABR recently acquired The Rucker Archive, one of the world’s most extensive private collections of historical baseball photographs, spanning more than a century of baseball history. We are looking for additional volunteers to help us review and catalog remaining images in the archive. Training will be provided and there is no need to already be an expert at working with old baseball photos.
If you have an interest in supporting our work with the Rucker Archive, please attend our next training meeting at 8:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, August 15.
Watch a replay of Ballpark Figures with Jay Jaffe
Join us each month for SABR’s Ballpark Figures, a new interview series hosted by Shakeia Taylor. The virtual Zoom event is free and open to all active SABR members.
On Thursday, August 3, our guest was Jay Jaffe, a senior writer for FanGraphs, author of The Cooperstown Casebook and creator of the JAWS (Jaffe WAR Score) metric for Hall of Fame analysis.
Visit SABR.org/ballpark-figures to learn more about upcoming shows or view past episodes.
Call for papers: 2024 Frederick Ivor-Campbell 19th Century Base Ball Conference
All SABR members are invited and encouraged to submit a Research Presentation Proposal Abstract on any topic of 19th-century baseball for the 2024 Frederick Ivor-Campbell 19th Century Base Ball Conference at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. The 15th annual Ivor-Campbell Conference is scheduled for April 19-20, 2024.
The deadline for proposal Abstracts is October 31, 2023. Your abstract must be between 200-400 words for a 20- to 25-minute presentation. Please include name, title, and contact information and send your proposal as a Microsoft Word or PDF attachment to Peter Mancuso at peterplus4@earthlink.net.
Click here to read the full announcement at SABR.org.
Historical Black Newspapers Collection added to SABR Research Resources
SABR members can already take advantage of free online access to The Sporting News archives through Paper of Record and the Newspapers.com World Collection. Last month, another invaluable new archive was added to our Research Resources as a benefit for all members.
The Historical Black Newspapers Collection, available through ProQuest, offers essential primary source content and editorial perspectives from 12 distinguished African American newspapers in the United States: the Chicago Defender, Philadelphia Tribune, Pittsburgh Courier, Baltimore Afro-American, and more. Log in now to view the Research Resources page and start browsing the Newspapers.com Historical Black Newspapers Collection.
Click here to read the full announcement at SABR.org.
Second course in SABR Analytics Certification program now available
In 2022, we launched the SABR Analytics Certification program, an online, on-demand curriculum offering professional development and learning opportunities for those interested in elevating their skills and knowledge relating to baseball analytics.
The second course in the program, Level Two – Advanced Analytics in Baseball, is now available!
SABR members save $55 on both available courses (and future courses), so we hope you’ll check out these exciting opportunities at sabr.org/analytics/certification.
Students, apply for a Fall 2023 internship with SABR
The Society for American Baseball Research is seeking student interns to work during the Fall 2023 semester. The remote internship is an educational opportunity that may count toward college credit, covering 15-20 hours per week with a flexible schedule. The internship will be for a fixed period of time and is designed to provide the intern with skills and training that may be applicable to working in a nonprofit research environment or in other research-based organizations.
Please send a resume and cover letter in PDF form to jpomrenke@sabr.org by 5:00 p.m. MST on August 28, 2023.
Click here to read the full announcement at SABR.org.
Registration open for this weekend’s Saberseminar in Chicago
Sabermetrics, Scouting, and the Science of Baseball, which donates 100% of ticket proceeds to the Alliance to Cure Cavernous Malformation, is holdings its first-ever event at Illinois Tech in Chicago on August 12-13, 2023.
Come listen to over twenty baseball research presentations from researchers, MLB insiders, and leading technology companies on statistics, roster building, and the science behind the game. Visit saberseminar.com for details.
Writing opportunity: 2001 Seattle Mariners book
SABR’s Editorial Board recently approved a new book on the 2001 Seattle Mariners, who tied a major-league record with 116 wins, led by American League MVP Ichiro Suzuki and future Hall of Famer Edgar Martinez. When completed, this book will join the more than 90 books already available in the SABR Digital Library.
The main feature of the book will be individual biographies of every player and coach on the team, as well as key executives, broadcasters, etc. There will also be game accounts of a number of key games and essays about the Mariners’ historic 2001 season. If you are interested in contributing as a writer or editor, or to learn more about which subjects are available, please contact co-editor Bill Nowlin.
Baseball fans, tune in this season to SABRcast with Rob Neyer, a weekly podcast hosted by award-winning author and longtime SABR member Rob Neyer. Episode #226 on Monday, August 6 featured Sean Kane, SABR member and a professional artist for 25 years whose specialty is painting original illustrations on vintage baseball gloves. Visit SABR.org/sabrcast to listen to the full episode or subscribe to SABRcast on your favorite podcast networks.
Find new updates to the SABR Research Collection below, including the Baseball Biography Project, Games Project, and Oral History Collection.
4 new biographies published at the SABR BioProject
- Tony Faeth, by Terry Bohn
- Karl Kolseth, by Kurt Blumenau
- Gary Sheffield, by Ralph Caola
- Bill Tuttle, by Rory Costello
Visit SABR.org/bioproject to learn more about the SABR BioProject or to get involved.
7 new stories published at the SABR Games Project
- July 26, 1930: Hack Wilson’s three-homer game spurs historic season, by Steve Dunn
- August 14, 1963: Red Sox honor lost USS Thresher, thrash Yankees, by Kurt Blumenau
- May 10, 1967: Henry Aaron hits his only inside-the-park home run, but Braves lose on passed ball, by Mike Huber
- August 11, 1981: Reds’ Scott Brown records his only major-league win as Fernando Valenzuela’s struggles continue, by Steve Heath (first-time author)
- August 16, 2004: Keith Foulke earns 20th save as Red Sox begin summer surge, by Bill Nowlin
- May 24, 2006: Yankees overcome Manny Ramírez’s 2 home runs to beat Red Sox, by Thomas J. Brown Jr.
- May 29, 2017: Astros erupt with 11-run eighth inning to rout Twins, give Jankowski only big-league win, by John Fredland
Visit SABR.org/gamesproject to learn more about the SABR Games Project or to get involved.
The National Pastime: Heart of the Midwest
Edited by Cecilia M. Tan
Visit SABR.org to download the free e-book edition of The National Pastime or read articles online.
Here are some SABR headlines from recent weeks that we don’t want you to miss:
- Neal Traven selected as 2023 Bob Davids Award recipient
- Highlights from the 2023 Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference
- SABR Landmarks Committee unveils new Baseball Grave Map
- SABR Defensive Index rankings released through July 9
- SABR Local Grants update: Black Baseball exhibit opens in Philadelphia
- Read articles from new Spring 2023 Baseball Research Journal online
- Download the 2023 SABR Annual Report
- 10,000 images from SABR-Rucker Archive added to Research Collection
- Watch video highlights from 2023 SABR Analytics Conference
- Learn more about the recipients of 2023 SABR Local Grants
- Get a gift for baseball fan in your life with the SABR Store @ CafePress
- All e-books in SABR Digital Library available for free to members
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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Carroll | West Pittston, PA | Natalie Montanez | Washington, DC | ||
| Bruce Daniels | Miami Shores, FL | Michael Nieman | Eugene, OR | ||
| Daniel Dullum | Gardner, ND | James Orcutt | Centennial, CO | ||
| Jeffrey Kummer | Brooklyn Park, MN | Kelly Robinson | Chicago, IL | ||
| Wayne LaFranco | North Salem, NY | Jacob Robke | Edgewood, KY | ||
| Matt Lista | Havertown, PA | Jason Rucker | Madison, AL | ||
| D.C. Lundberg | Spokane, WA | Andrew Waber | Tallahassee, FL | ||
| Kyle Mcnary | St. Louis Park, MN | Lenny Wagner | Moorestown, NJ | ||
| Jude McPherson | Lexington, KY | Perry Zureick | Cincinnati, OH | ||
| Michael Merlino | Egg Harbor Twp, NJ |
- Events Calendar: Find complete details of all SABR events
- Video Replays: This week, we heard from Jay Jaffe of FanGraphs, Andy McCue (Stumbling Around the Bases), Patrick Ellington Jr. (“Harry Ford and the Resurgence of Black Excellence Behind the Dish”, and former White Sox pitcher Wayne Edwards. Click here to view more video replays of virtual SABR events.
Upcoming Virtual Meetings
- August 12: Talkin’ Baseball: Steve Gietschier (9:00 a.m. EDT)
- August 12: Rice-Russell Nashville (TN) Chapter meeting with Gerald Watkins (10:00 a.m. CDT)
- August 14: Central Florida Chapter meeting with Jim Jaworski (7:00 p.m. EDT)
- August 14: Connie Mack-Dick Allen (PA) Chapter meeting with Glenn Wilson (8:00 p.m. EDT)
- August 15: Central Illinois Chapter meeting with Jack Pelikan (7:00 p.m. CDT)
- August 15: Rucker Archive volunteer training (8:00 p.m. EDT)
- August 16: Roush-Lopez Gulf Coast Chapter meeting (8:00 p.m. EDT)
- August 19: Hank Gowdy Columbus (OH) Chapter book club meeting (9:00 a.m. EDT)
Upcoming In-Person Meetings
- August 12: Robinson-Kell Chapter meeting (Bryant, AR)
- August 12-13: Saberseminar 2023 (Chicago, IL)
- August 13: Connie Mack-Dick Allen Chapter meeting (Philadelphia, PA)
- August 15: Rocky Mountain Chapter monthly luncheon (Denver, CO)
- August 15: Bob Davids Chapter Maryland Hot Stove Dinner (Silver Spring, MD)
- August 16: Casey Stengel Chapter / Baseball Memories meeting (New York, NY)
- August 16: Baltimore Babe Ruth Chapter meeting (Baltimore, MD)
- August 17: Magnolia Chapter meeting (Sandy Springs, GA)
- August 19: Babe ‘n’ Bob Chapter Breakfast (Edgewater, MD)
- August 19: Jack Graney Chapter meeting (Cleveland, OH)
- August 19: Dusty Baker-Sacramento Chapter meeting (Sacramento, CA)
- August 19: Bob Davids Chapter ballgame/meet-up (Frederick, MD)
- August 20: Quebec Chapter ballgame/meet-up (Trois-Rivières, QC)
To add your SABR event to our calendar listings, please contact Jacob Pomrenke.
- SABR 51 highlights: Click here to listen to panels and presentations from SABR 51 committee meetings
Sign up for SABR research committee announcements at SABR.org/research/committees.
- Buck O’Neil/North Florida Chapter: August 2 meeting recap (Tallahassee, FL)
- Connie Mack-Dick Allen Chapter: Join us on August 13 to visit new Black Baseball exhibit in Philadelphia
- Rocky Mountain Chapter: August 2023 newsletter (Denver, CO)
- Rogers Hornsby Chapter: August 2023 newsletter (Austin, 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:
- Clinton Yates: Rickwood Field hosting of MLB in 2024 a chance to reinvigorate Birmingham (Andscape)
- Howard Megdal: How Dave Dombrowski Created Michael Lorenzen’s Magical Night For The Philadelphia Phillies (Forbes.com)
- Lindsey Adler: The Sk8er Boi Who Threw a No-Hitter in Vans (Wall Street Journal)
- Cody Stavenhagen: Different strokes: How modern MLB players develop their autographs (The Athletic)
- Sarah Langs: From Witt to no-hit, a wild week in MLB stats (MLB.com)
- Tyler Kepner: A New Generation of Oriole Magic (New York Times)
- Hannah Keyser: How the Cubs flipped the narrative and became contenders (Yahoo! Sports)
- Alex Speier: This was one of the strangest ground-rule doubles in Fenway Park history — and Masataka Yoshida got an up-close look (Boston Globe)
- Mark Simon: Total Runs Leaders: Shohei Ohtani and Everybody Else (ACTA Sports)
- Eno Sarris: The inside move, the competitive window and the new battle for third base (The Athletic)
- Rob Mains: The Dodgers May Be The Best Team We’ll See (Baseball Prospectus)
- Jay Jaffe: The Diamondbacks Have Wilted in the Heat of a Playoff Race (FanGraphs)
- Andy McCullough/Zack Meisel: In MLB, plays that were once errors are now hits, as players wonder why (The Athletic)
- Jayson Stark: Guardians, White Sox announcers detail brawl calls after rolling with the punches (The Athletic)
- Russell A. Carleton: Is the Ninth Inning Really Harder? (Baseball Prospectus)
- Michael Baumann: Yusei Kikuchi Is Keeping the Ball in the Yard for a Change (FanGraphs)
- Michael Clair: Phillies coach shows off lifelong athleticism for US Women’s National Team (MLB.com)
- Ryan Fagan: Shohei Ohtani’s Angels career will end with no playoff appearances, and virtually no compensation (The Sporting News)
- Matt Monagan: How ‘Empire State of Mind’ helped carry Yanks to ’09 title (MLB.com)
- Gary Cieradkowski: Bill Faul: The Looney Tune (Studio Gary C)
- Zack Moser: Dominican Baseball for Dominicans: A History of MLB, Imperialism, and the Dominican Republic (Baseball Prospectus)
- Daniel R. Epstein: Let’s Watch Professional Hitters Whiff Middle-Middle (Baseball Prospectus)
- David Laurila: Kansas City’s Alec Marsh Weighs In on His Weird Fastball (FanGraphs)
- Stuart M. Blumin/Glenn C. Altschuler: When Sunday Baseball Came to Brooklyn (New York History)
- Anne R. Keene: A Legend Like No Other: Yankees Shortstop Turned CIA Operative (NINE)
- Vince Guerrieri: Cleveland Indians Owner Ted Bonda Aims His 5-Iron at Municipal Stadium’s Scoreboard (Cleveland Magazine)
- Amanda Lane: Cal Ripken, Internet Death Threats, and the Way We Were (Substack)
- Clayton Trutor: When Sports Writers Ruled TV (Next Avenue)
- Jason Foster: Immaculate Grid strategy: Is there a right way to play? (Medium)
- Jason Schwartz: Remembering Dave Hoskins (SABR Pictorial)
- Derek Bain: Retro Computer Baseball Game Review: Earl Weaver Baseball (SABR Baseball Gaming)
- Andrew Sharp: Tom Cheney and the ’63 Fleer set (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.
Are you receiving our e-mails? “This Week in SABR” goes out by e-mail to all members on Friday afternoons. If they’re not showing up, try adding “sabr.notes@sabr.org” to your contact list to ensure they show up in your inbox.
Originally published: August 11, 2023. Last Updated: August 11, 2023.