Category: Appearances

Ballots, Beer, Books, Brooklyn (or Maybe Manhattan)?

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UPDATE: Thank you to those who have reached out. We now have a venue and a time: Foley’s (18 W. 33rd St in Manhattan) from 7-9 pm on Tuesday, December 12.

Revisiting an idea I broached during the World Series, I’m thinking of trying to put together a beer & book event at a Brooklyn bar, or perhaps a Manhattan one, during the late November/December Hall of Fame ballot season. I’d do a Q&A over drinks, sell and sign books ($25, which is less than list price or what you’d pay for a signed book via Greenlight Bookstore), and leave enough time for causal hanging out after. Something like 7-9 PM on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, with the exact date TBD.

I have boxes of books already on hand. The event would be open to the public — many of you have already bought The Cooperstown Casebook, for which I thank you profusely — but I would need some kind of critical mass of direct pre-sales to pull this event off (via PayPal, most likely), as I’m not going to try to reserve space for an event that won’t generate turnout and I’m not schlepping books I can’t sell. If you have already bought (again, thank you!), perhaps you’ve got a friend or relative who needs a holiday or birthday gift? Just a thought, but if you do go that route, you’re free to bring your own copy for me to sign and personalize.

So, if this interests you, I need a virtual show of hands. Please fill out a contact form indicating your interest in pre-purchasing a book for such an event — using a valid email address which I swear on a stack of Edgar Martinez votes won’t be used for any other purpose — and whether you have a position on Manhattan vs. Brooklyn as a venue. I have bar options in mind for both, relatively convenient via subways.

Failing this, I may explore one other event idea during election season, but that will take more effort to put together.

The Trip to Texas

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There is no shortage of highlights or documentary evidence from my unforgettable August 25 adventure at the El Paso Chihuahuas game. My deepest thanks  to the Chihuahuas, who rolled out the red carpet for me: VP/GM Brad Taylor and his staff, including Angela Olivas, Andy Imfeld, Alex O’Connor and play-by-play man Tim Hagerty, who let me hang out in the booth; sponsor Loren Hodges and Longhorn Distributing, who underwrote this adventure; Scott Lewis of Townsquare Media, who documented it; and Steve Kaplowitz of ESPN El Paso, who conceived it and hosted me. You’re Hall of Famers in my book!

Out in the West Texas Town of El Paso

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For nearly 10 years, I’ve been doing weekly radio spots — covering not just baseball but craft beer — with Steve Kaplowitz of ESPN El Paso. In early 2015, he was able to bring me down to his fair town for a craft beer fest. This time around, he’s arranged to bring me to the August 24 Chihuahuas game to promote The Cooperstown Casebook:

Jay’s second appearance in the Sun City is sponsored by Longhorn Distributing.

The book is Jay’s first and takes a sabermetric look at the Baseball Hall of Fame. Over the years, Jaffe has developed his own metric for analyzing a player’s Hall of Fame resume. His JAWS (Jaffe WAR Score system) has been adopted by Baseball Reference and other websites as well as individuals who take a closer look at a baseball player’s Hall of Fame resume. The Cooperstown Casebook is a must for any baseball fan and Jay will also be throwing out the first pitch tomorrow night as well as spend an inning in the radio booth with Tim Hagerty.

First pitch! Color commentary in the broadcast booth! This should be a lot of fun. Now, who wants to hear some Marty Robbins?

Bookin’ in Brooklyn

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Monday, August 7, 7-10:30 pm
Pitch Talks
The Bell House
149 7th St, Brooklyn, New York 11215

Part of another installment in the great Pitch Talks series. I’ll be interviewed by Hannah Keyser of Deadspin and will be selling and signing copies of The Cooperstown Casebook. Also on the bill are Ben Lindbergh (my former Baseball Prospectus colleague, who now writes at The Ringer and co-authored the fine The Only Rule Is It Has to Work) and Jeff Sullivan (FanGraphs), who will be recording an edition of their Effectively Wild podcast, plus Lindsey Adler (Deadspin), Dave Cameron (FanGraphs), Anthony DiComo (MLB.com’s Mets beat reporter), and Tom Ley (Deadspin)

Tickets $15

Launch Week Events

On By cooperstowncasebookIn Appearances, Media and Events2 Comments

Here’s a tentative schedule of launch week events where I’ll be signing books and, in some cases, drinking beer. Please save the date if you’re in the area:

Sunday, July 23, 1-3 pm
Yogi Berra Museum
Montclair State University
With author Ira Berkow (It Happens Every Spring)
8 Yogi Berra Dr.
Little Falls, NJ 07424

Monday, July 24, 7-9 pm
Varsity Letters
With authors Mark Feinsand (The New York Yankees Fans’ Bucket List), Ron Kaplan (Hank Greenberg in 1938: Hatred and Home Runs in the Shadow of War), and Greg Prince, (Piazza: Catcher, Slugger, Icon, Star)
The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge
158 Bleecker St. (between Sullivan St. and Thompson St.)
New York, NY 10012

Tuesday, July 25, 5-7 pm
Foley’s NY Pub and Restaurant
18 W 33rd (Between 5th & 6th/Broadway)
New York, NY 10001

Wednesday, July 26, 7-9 pm
Bergino Baseball Clubhouse
67 East 11th St.
New York, NY 10003

Saturday, July 29, 2-4 pm
Willis Monie Books
139 Main St.
Cooperstown, NY 13326

Sunday, July 30, 7-9 pm
Induction Day SABR Meeting, Cliff Kachline Chapter
With authors Jonah Keri (Up, Up, & Away) and Richard Sandomir (The Pride of the Yankees) plus Chris Dial (SABR Defensive Committee)
Tillapaugh’s Funereal Home
28 Pioneer St.
Cooperstown. NY 13326