End of the Bill James Handbook (Special from the IBWAA)

‘Bill James Handbook’ Says Goodbye With Farewell Walk-off Edition

By Dan Schlossberg (Special from the IBWAA)

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This article was featured in “Here’s The Pitch” the newsletter of the IBWAA and is shared with permission. This article was published in October 2023.

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The time has come. After 34 years, ACTA Publications and Sports Info Solutions has pulled the plug on the fabulous Bill James Handbook but saluted its 34-year legacy with a one-of-a-kind Walk-Off Edition to be published Dec. 1.

According to ACTA president and publisher Greg Pierce, “Change is inevitable in all areas of life, including baseball (look at all the rule changes from just the last couple of years). So we’ve decided it’s time to retire the Handbook. We are not going out with a whimper, but rather a bang (with apologies to T.S. Eliot).

“None of us, including Bill James, is planning on going anywhere soon, but most of the stats and analysis that have made The Bill James Handbook so valuable over more than three decades are now available more quickly and online, especially at SportsInfoSolutions.com, FieldingBible.com, and StatoftheWeek.com.”

The new book features several new essays by Bill James and reconsiderations of past Handbook articles by SIS staff and others analyzing how some of the ideas and predictions in the various annuals have held up over the years and influenced how baseball is played and analyzed today.

“This Walk-Off Edition is meant to be more of a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth than a strikeout with the bases loaded. So let us know what you think at info@sportsinfosolutions.com.

“Who knows? It may just lead to extra innings!”

Orders began on Oct. 1. The paperback sells for $24.95.

ACTA Publications can be contacted at its new address of 7135 W. Keeney St., Niles, IL 60714-3039 (Tel. 773-590-3801).

See also www.actapublications.com.

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Former AP sportswriter Dan Schlossberg of Fair Lawn, NJ is the author of 41 baseball books, including The New Baseball Bible. Catch his byline in forbes.com, Memores & Dreams, Sports Collectors Digest, USA TODAY Sports Weekly, and other outlets.