SABR DAY 2014

[Guest d'Kong76]

Preliminary info is available here for The Casey Stengel
Chapter - New York City:

http://nyc.sabr.org/index.htm

[Guest d'Kong76]

A program schedule for the 01/25 meeting of The Casey Stengel
Chapter - New York City is available here:

http://nyc.sabr.org/index.htm

Hope to see a couple of CPFr's again this year!

[Guest d'Kong76]

Time flies! Reminder that tomorrow is SABR Saturday.

http://nyc.sabr.org/index.htm

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Not sure I'm gonna make it.

[Guest d'Kong76]

I pre-paid, gonna get my butt there this year!

[Guest themetfairy]

Are there any pictures, descriptions and/or accounts of the event?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I pulled it together and made it. It wasn't the strongest program they've ever had but what they did have was fine.

Jane Leavy who wrote the Sandy Koufax and Mick books, examined the times they faced one another (1 HR, otherwise Sandy dominated). Lots of stories from the 50s-60s which is that group's wheelhouse. Said she's now at work on a Babe Ruth book.

Appriasal specialist who appears on Antiques Roadshow and is an expert on that biz discussed how and why she appraises items at the prices she does. That included a few interesting stories on the origins of some collectibles (you know, Lou Gehrig gives a bat to his maid, who hides it under a bed for 60 years etc etc). Ultimate point though is that valuable collectibles is not a biz for fans of average or even above-average means so it was kinda irrelevant except for the stories.

Hall of Fame director, and former front office guy for the MFYs, talked about the Hall of Fame and what it's doing to celebrate 75th anniversary. He's a straight-up Corporate Guy whose plan basically involves reimagining the marketing of HOF events (doing a televised rock concert in conjunction with the induction ceremony, exploring partnerships with the rock n roll hall of fame, re-launching the Hall of Fame Game as a "legends game" with former players, doing other weekend events to spark more tourism etc etc). He gave company-line opinions on the voting controversies (acknowledging fan interest, but not advocating change, defending Hall stance on Rose and on PEDs). I had my hand up to ask about his relationship with Selig and his thoughts as to who might succeed him when I realized it's not unimaginable that's a job he has HIS eye on. I didn't get called anyway.

The 69 Mets guy called in sick so became an old-timers around the room "memories of 69" which actually was fun.

Chipolte for lunch was good. KC won 2 raffle prizes!

[Guest themetfairy]

Sounds like it was a nice event!

[Guest d'Kong76]

Jane Leavy was fun, so was Leila Dunbar (Antiques Roadshow).
Not disappointed by HOF guy, but figured he'd be a talking-head.
He gave his presentation like a seasoned politician, and then handled
the Q&A like an even-more-seasoned fish fryer. It is what it is.

It's a great group of people, with a lot of who's-who in baseball
research and writing. The chapter needs to start getting some
younger people interested. Feel funny saying that at 51, but ...