The Hardball Times Season Preview 2008

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 11, 2008 12:01 AM PST in Seattle Mariners News, Regular

Buy it.

10 things David Gassko learned from reading it

If you've ever thought to yourself "I should make a little donation to Jeff for all his hard work," spend that money on this book instead. And if you haven't thought that, on account of being an ungrateful son of a bitch, you should still spend some money on this book anyway, because THT rocks, and they deserve your patronage. Last year's downloadable .pdf volume was already damn good, and now not only will you be able to get a physical book you can hold in your hands, but you also get 30-40 individual player comments for every single team. And everyone knows those are always gold.

Seriously, outside of Baseball-Reference, THT is probably the best baseball website on the planet, and they deliver all of their content completely free. So you should buy this book because (A) you know it'll be good, and (B) it's a great way to support an awesome group of people. After all, they can't continue churning out books if they don't sell. And when you do buy it, make sure you buy it from the publisher (ACTA Sports), because that way THT gets a bigger cut. To hell with those Amazon/Borders/Barnes & Noble plutocrats. They don't need your help. THT does.

I hope you buy it. And I hope you love it.

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Comments

I bought it last year

it was worth it, I'll probably do it again.

Thing is, last year, there was a .pdf version available. I'm not sure I want the whole 'physical book' thing, esp. as they're talking about sending out updates for when rosters change before opening day. Any idea why they're not doing the electronic option?

by marc w on Feb 8, 2008 1:57 PM PST reply actions

I don't think there'll be an electronic version

but hopefully Studes or someone will drop by to give you a better answer.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 8, 2008 2:00 PM PST up reply actions

No pdf = Huge mistake

I was about to drop the money for the physical edition when I learned that there was no .pdf. Now I'm not going to. I don't WANT a book, which becomes outdated instantly and is inconvenient to carry around. I want document I look at on my computer, when I'm doing my baseball blogging.

What a shame. If I had to guess why they made this dumb decision, it's because they were worried about piracy (people getting the .pdf instead of paying for the book). That's understandable, but it cost them a sale in this case.

by esoteric on Feb 10, 2008 12:05 AM PST up reply actions

I should really read the thread before commenting

Gassko was already here. Oh well.

by esoteric on Feb 10, 2008 12:07 AM PST up reply actions

You should buy it anyway!

...I'm not at my persuasive best on Sunday mornings.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 10, 2008 11:06 AM PST up reply actions

PDF

Hey,

I'm told that you should contact the publisher about this. If you buy the physical edition, they may be willing to send you a PDF.

by David Gassko on Feb 10, 2008 11:51 PM PST up reply actions

Are they still coming out with a .pdf version?

These pretzels....are making me thirsty!

by Goose on Feb 8, 2008 1:57 PM PST reply actions

must've beat you by about .1 second

by marc w on Feb 8, 2008 1:57 PM PST up reply actions

It's on my list

by Graham MacAree on Feb 8, 2008 2:00 PM PST reply actions

Will buy

after I accumulate a few paychecks.

Free Adam Jones

by bluemax on Feb 8, 2008 2:10 PM PST reply actions

I don't know how to read

or I'd buy one.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Feb 8, 2008 2:20 PM PST reply actions

PDF

Hey guys,

This is David Gassko -- I produced the book. We had a PDF version last year because the book was self-published; real publishers are afraid of piracy and the like when it comes to PDFs, so they're not as excited about that option as you would hope. But please buy the Season Preview anyway -- otherwise we won't invite Jeff back to write for us next year. (Just kidding. We won't invite him back no matter what.)

by David Gassko on Feb 8, 2008 2:58 PM PST reply actions

Yessir

Love the work you guys are doing, too.

by Graham MacAree on Feb 8, 2008 3:00 PM PST up reply actions

That hurt my head and my heart

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 8, 2008 3:03 PM PST up reply actions

Shouldn't have sent them your chapters in crayon.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Feb 8, 2008 3:09 PM PST up reply actions

It was an electronic submission.

I wrote everything in MS Paint.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 8, 2008 3:10 PM PST up reply actions

But not your mind

or your brain?

Because that makes it okay.

by Llewdor on Feb 8, 2008 3:10 PM PST up reply actions

So...how exactly

are the updates going to work? Will you resend new pages as trades/promotions/etc. occur?

I'll still get it. I wish I could quit you, Hardball Times.

by marc w on Feb 8, 2008 3:13 PM PST up reply actions

They're not going to send anything

the book will just come with a URL and access to an online spreadsheet, which they will update as necessary.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 8, 2008 3:16 PM PST up reply actions

Updates

Right. We'll post a THT Note every time we update the spreadsheet, so if you pay attention to that part of the site or just sign up for our RSS feed, you'll find out as soon as we do.

by David Gassko on Feb 8, 2008 3:25 PM PST up reply actions

Dave

How is the Bedard trade looking for the Mariners? How likely is the team to contend now?

I just bought the book and I don't want to wait for the update.

Also, because I bought the book, you must bring Jeff back next season.

by Wilder83 on Feb 8, 2008 3:45 PM PST reply actions

Evan

"How is the Bedard trade looking for the Mariners? How likely is the team to contend now?"

You sure you want me to answer that question? :-) On the bright side, Bedard projects for a 3.14 ERA in Safeco, so you have a lot to look forward to when he starts.

"Also, because I bought the book, you must bring Jeff back next season."

You've got yourself a deal.

by David Gassko on Feb 8, 2008 4:40 PM PST up reply actions

Thanks, Dave

I look forward to receiving the book.

by Wilder83 on Feb 10, 2008 12:45 AM PST up reply actions

Hope this isn't an awkward question...

But I've noticed a trend of people that used to support Baseball Prospectus supporting The Hardball Times instead.

Is this a reflection of the quality of BPs work? Has there been a falling out within the saber community, or is BP just established and not in need of so much love?

There's also an outside chance that I've gone insane.

Regardless, I definitely plan on purchasing the book. It's the least I can do, considering you don't have a subscription fee for your site.

by BakedAK on Feb 8, 2008 4:46 PM PST reply actions

Speaking for myself

I support them both, but prefer THT.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 8, 2008 5:07 PM PST up reply actions

BP just isn't as good anymore

there was a real dropoff in quality last year.

"You know, as that was coming out of my mouth, I knew that it was wrong."

by JI on Feb 8, 2008 6:51 PM PST up reply actions

Last year was the first year I didn't buy

the BP annual. Since the PECOTA cards are available online, there's just not much value-added with the physical book.

I started reading THT when they were helping distribute Lee Sinins's ATM Reports, and I've been hooked ever since.

by Llewdor on Feb 11, 2008 10:49 AM PST up reply actions

Speeking of

"I should make a little donation to Jeff for all his hard work,"

How is LL paid for?

by InSpokane on Feb 11, 2008 9:11 AM PST reply actions

Blez & Markos' pockets

so far, anyway.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 11, 2008 10:47 AM PST up reply actions

Good hourly rate?

Not including commenting, which is clearly optional.

...and now I'm here

by CapSea on Feb 11, 2008 10:51 AM PST up reply actions

Oh wait, you mean how do I get paid?

I don't. The site is kept alive by the upper management guys, but I don't have a salary or anything. The only money I get comes from advertisers.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 11, 2008 10:53 AM PST up reply actions

Huh. Okay, rephrase:

The total from which you get from Advertisers - does it end up equaling a good hourly rate for the writing and similar work you do, not including the time you take on comments.

...and now I'm here

by CapSea on Feb 11, 2008 11:00 AM PST up reply actions

And if it doesn't...

and I'm reasonably sure it doesn't, how else can we show our appreciation in a way that will enable you to keep affording good beer?

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Feb 11, 2008 11:02 AM PST up reply actions

Sign up for the online casino.

Clearly.

...and now I'm here

by CapSea on Feb 11, 2008 11:04 AM PST up reply actions

No, not really

but that's what day jobs are for.

If I were only in this for the money, then that would make me pretty stupid, I think.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 11, 2008 11:07 AM PST up reply actions

Well, of course.

I'm only curious what a successful blog makes, in general. So many people seem to be starting them nowadays but the profit % seems too low to be worth "the time" if you were in it for the money. If you're in it for other reasons, then of course.

...and now I'm here

by CapSea on Feb 11, 2008 11:15 AM PST up reply actions