State of Play: The Old School Guide to New School Baseball

by Bill Ripken

Advanced statistics and new terminology have taken hold of baseball today, but do they accurately reflect the reality of the game? A baseball lifer states his case. America’s favorite pastime is enduring an assault of new thoughts and ideas. In recent years, the sabermetrics and analytics craze has infiltrated Major League Baseball—from its front offices to dugouts to clubhouses to media covering both, inciting a baseball culture war. New phrases like “launch angle,” “spin rate,” and “pitch framing” have entered the vocabulary, often with little real meaning when it comes to how the game is actually played on the field. No more. In State of Play, twelve-year Major League veteran, Emmy Award–winning MLB Network analyst, and bestselling author Bill Ripken breaks down these modern statistical methods to explain which ones make sense in the game’s historical context, bringing them together with proven old-school strategies. He simplifies those sabermetric terms hastily added to the baseball lexicon without being fully realized, taking new-school confusion out of old-school baseball’s tried-and-true common sense. In the end, he unites the teachings of each school to show fans of both how to listen to and understand the game as it’s played today and how it should be played moving forward. From a true baseball lifer and member of baseball’s first family, State of Play offers a fascinating insider’s look at how to reconcile years of historical tradition with the rules and trends of the new millennium. As Ripken sees the game inside the game cannot be measured by a spreadsheet—but it can be measured by a qualified, crusty baseball man. Play ball.

Genres: Sports, Baseball, Nonfiction

228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2020

About the author

Brother of Cal Ripken.

Reviews

[Deep Frey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok review of baseball stats. Readable

[Mike Kennedy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I listen to the audio version of this book, and I wish I hadn’t. The old school guide to new school baseball is basically a get off my lawn rant by Mr. Ripken. Rather than explain how old school thought and new school statistics can merge in today’s game, Mr. Ripken goes on to tell you how everything about Sabermetrics is wrong and how he is right.

I found this book lacking in substance and rational thought. I consider myself a moderate in the great sabermetrics debate, but Mr. Ripken’s thoughts were way off base. He did a lot of cherry picking stats to support his theories, and at times did not even understand the concepts he was arguing against.

This book is a perfect example of why sabermetrics supporters hate the old school side, they are unwilling to change. There was an opportunity here to point out the ways old school and new school could merge to make a better ball club, but Mr. Ripken didn’t take it. At least this was a short listen.

[John Deardurff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am admittedly an old school baseball guy. Over the last several years new analytical terms have entered the game of baseball that didn't seem right to me. Terms like launch angle, pitch framing, spin rate, etc... are being thrown around by broadcasters during every game. In this book, Bill Ripken a baseball lifer from one of the premier baseball families takes a swing at each of these new terms and how does it relate to us old school guys. Each chapter is concise and precise discussing the positives and sometimes negatives of each of these new school concepts.

Don't get me wrong, I have read "Ahead of the Curve" by Brian Kenny and "Smart Baseball" by Keith Law on the benefits of analytics in baseball, but this book is a perfect counter-balance to this new culture of only relying on the statistics.

[Jim Blessing · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm 69, but even I can not agree with Ripken's Old School Guide! He cherry picks a few example to try to defend his points. Plus nonsensical agruments that people (sounds like Trump) are saying that walks are as good as hits. No Doubles, Triples, Home Runs and even some singles (when runners advance two bases) and better than walks. Before OBP was championed, walks were practically totally ignored as a hitter statistic. I was amazed to learn about numerous players who not only were great hitters, but due to getting a lot of walks also had super OBPs.

[Noah Jensen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book claims that is the meshing of the old school and the new school but is mainly just a rejection of new school analytics. If you want to read why old school fans don’t like modern analytics, this is your book, and it gives good reasoning. However, if you are looking for a book to help you better understand modern baseball analytics while also trying to balance “old-school” traits this isn’t a good book.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill has a vast knowledge of baseball. Not only was he a professional player but his brother, Cal, is a Hall of Famer and his dad, Cal Sr, was a longtime baseball coach and manager. Bill is an analyst on the MLB channel. This book explores the virtues of traditional “ old school” baseball while not completely opposing some “new school” ideas.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bill Ripken essentially goes on a rant against new school baseball and analytics. He's a self labeled "old school guy"..fundamentals, RBIs, traditional lineups. And he has no use for some of the stats that take more time to explain how they are calculated - like runs saved. He brings out lots of examples comparing the stars of the 90's to today's stars. A fine read for lovers of the game, just be warned, his mind is definitely made up.

[Matthew RC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey you kids! Get off my lawn! I really enjoyed this grumpy old man screed by Bill Ripken. Jokes aside, there is a pint to made about the swing of the pendulum from the “eye test” to “data derivatives”. At some point it’s going to have gone too far. Are we there? Bill says unequivocally “YES!!!” Me? Not so
Sure.

[Adam Klusky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I consider myself an old-school fan so this book hit quite a few notes, resonating with a fan feeling like he's being pushed out. I found it very informative and while sounding "whiny" in a few spots, it was fun overall.

[Steve Reichardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

An examination of Sabre metrics by an old school baseball player. Ripken does a good job of explaining the terms and how they fit each situation.

[Armando · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected so much more of this book. It seems that rather to search for answers it’s just trying to make a point, even a rant, about the good old days.

[Joe]

good

[Guy Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed Billy's perspective on the game. A great mix of old school with an appreciation for the new school but doesn't have a problem calling out bogus new school ideas.

[Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an old school baseball guy myself, I loved Ripken's explanations and angles on all the new school baseball stuff. I'd love to see Ripken get a shot at being a GM, especially for my Angels.

[Steven Beningo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good review of the pluses and minuses of old and new school baseball analytics.

[Dave Cottenie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A generally cranky, old guy look at baseball and baseball stats and philosophies. Although much of what Ripken says is agreeable and his challenges of new stats are valid, he writes in such a way that makes him sound like a cranky, old curmudgeon. His over use of the term “those that played the game” is off-putting and takes away from any viability his arguments have. Not a great book for the audio version as there are too many tables of stats.

[Zachary White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gives great insight to what baseball used to look like and Billy’s thoughts on how it should be played. If you think baseball traditionalists are out of touch, then this isn’t for you.