The Bookshelf Conversation #168: Russell A. Carleton

The New Ballgame: The Not-So-Hidden Forces Shaping Modern Baseball by [Russell A. Carleton]

For those who think they know baseball, consider this quote from Tommy Lee Jones’ character in the movie Men in Black:

“A thousand years ago, everybody knew the Earth was the center of the universe. Five hundred years ago, they knew the Earth was flat. Fifteen minutes ago, you knew we humans were alone on it. Imagine what you’ll know tomorrow.”

I think I have a pretty good understanding of the game and the changes it has gone through over the years. But there are a few authors whose work I have especially enjoyed because they made me reconsider.

All due respect, there are plenty of biographies, team histories, and other topics, but I don’t find they’ve changed the way I perceive the game. Writers like Keith Law (my BC with him) and Rob Neyer (Conversation Part One and Part Two)have produced “aha moments” for me. And no doubt Micheal Lewis’ Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game has become required reading (sorry, no chat with Lewis).

Add to that short list Russel Carleton. In 2018 he published The Shift: The Next Evolution in Baseball Thinking, delving into the “new” phenomenon of defense and the impact it had on offense. His latest — The New Ballgame: The Not-So-Hidden Forces Shaping Modern Baseball — prompted me to contact him for a long overdue conversation. And even he acknowledges, with a degree of humility, that in 20 years, his theories and analyses might be replaced by something else.

Trying something new. Or rather old. Prior to the pandemic, I used to post these Bookshelf Conversations as audio-only podcasts. I realize not everyone can or wants to watch an entire video version, so I’m inserting these as audios as well. Not the most tech savvy person so I’m hoping this makes the rounds and gets added to whatever podcast services there are. If anyone out there can offer some advice, please email. Thanks.