MO MONEY, MO PROBLEMS

In his latest column, Rob Neyer answers e-mails regarding Michael Lewis’ book “Moneyball.”
Neyer also comments on the reception “Moneyball” is getting from the mainstream press (this means you Tracy Ringolsby):

The media coverage of Moneyball has, to this point at least, focused on 1) the reactions of a few baseball men who are portrayed in the book as something less than brilliant (they’re not all brilliant? alert the authorities!), 2) a few possible errors (errors in a book? say it ain’t so!), and 3) Billy Beane’s ego (ego in a baseball executive? stop the presses!).

Don’t pay any attention to all that stuff. Instead, remember two things. One, that Michael Lewis — and not Billy Beane — wrote Moneyball. And two, that Michael Lewis writes crackling good stories, and this might be his best story yet.

You can add Aaron Gleeman and Larry Mahnken to the growing list of baseball enthusiasts who have devoured “Moneyball.” Check out their glowing reviews pronto.

As good as “Moneyball” is, it is not the only baseball book of the season that is worth reading. Jay Jaffe has a good post today about baseball books, with some essential links for those who are interested.

Jon Weisman, over at Dodger Thoughts, has a thoughtful, and compelling write-up of Michael Shapiro’s new book, “The Last Good Season: Brooklyn, the Dodgers, and Their Final Pennant Race Together.” (There is no perma-link for the article, so just scroll down.)

Finally, Michiko Kakutani reviews “Triumph and Tragedy in Mudville,” a collection of baseball writings by the late Stephen Jay Gould. The Times usually devotes one issue of their Sunday Book Review to the latest in Baseball literature. Perhaps this Sunday will be the day.