Description
Book SynopsisThe 1936 Yankees, the 1963 Dodgers, the 1975 Reds, the 2010 Giants - why do some baseball teams win while others don't? In Pursuit of Pennants examines and analyses a number of compelling, winning baseball teams over the past hundred-plus years, focusing on their decision making and how they assembled their championship teams.
Trade Review"Read this book for its treasure trove of baseball history and because it is a damn good read."—G. Louis Heath,
ARETE"The book is exceptionally well-researched, -reasoned, and -argued, and also exceptionally well-written."—Rob Neyer,
Just a bit Outside"
In Pursuit of Pennants is by far the best treatment of the building of baseball teams. It belongs in easy reach on every baseball researcher’s desk or bookshelf, and it’s going to be there for a very long time."—Jan Finkel,
Inside Game“Baseball fans across the board that dedicate the time to reading this book will enjoy it.”—
Gregg's Baseball Bookcase“Armour and Levitt have given the reader an inside look into the different cultures and challenges facing professional sports executives. Their management styles might differ, but the objective never changes: ‘Be a consistent winner.’”—Pat Gillick
“A rare combination of a must-have reference book and engaging storytelling by distinguished baseball historians Armour and Levitt.”—Vince Gennaro, president of the Society for American Baseball Research and author of Diamond Dollars: The Economics of Winning in Baseball
“This is an interesting, well-written, and well-researched examination of a behind-the-scenes look at how certain winning clubs have been constructed by notable baseball executives and the philosophies employed.”—Tal Smith, longtime baseball executive
“A great source of well-researched front office stories. . . . Armour and Levitt give an insider’s look at the teams’ efforts to innovate in this highly competitive industry.”—Sig Mejdal, director of Decision Sciences for the Houston Astros
“If Moneyball is the tale of how a modern front office works, In Pursuit of Pennants is the prequel that ably sets the stage.”—Jonah Keri, author of the bestselling The Extra 2% and Up, Up, and Away
Table of Contents List of Illustrations
List of Tables
List of Charts
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part 1. Professional Management
1. Owner-Operator
2. Field Manager
3. General Manager
4. Executive
5. Farm System
6. Organization
Part 2. General Manager Ascendant
7. Dodger Way
8. Dynasty
9. Integration
10. Commitment
11. Excellence Rewarded
12. Amateur Draft
13. The Machine
Part 3. New Order
14. Long Road Back
15. Expansion
16. Free Agency
17. The Zoo
18. Many Rivers
Part 4. Businessmen
19. Winning Now
20. Analytics
21. Post-Moneyball
22. Modern Game
Appendix
Notes
Index
