Schadenfreude

Although that's not quite accurate for what I'm trying to relate here. I do not take joy in others' misfortunes. They're not even misfortunes and I'm sure the Germans have a better word for what I'm trying to say. I just take a small degree of satisfaction in knowing that, as of this writing, 501 Baseball Books Fans Must Read before They Die ranks higher on Amazon's Best Seller Ranks than several recent baseball titles that received a lot more attention in terms of reviews in top tier publications, placement on "top" lists, and author appearances.

Again, this is in no way indicative of their quality and the rankings will probably change by the time you read this, but right now 501 ranks higher than (in no particular order):

• The Victory Season: The End of World War II and the Birth of Baseball's Golden Age 
• The Bird: The Life and Legacy of Mark Fidrych 
• Hank Greenberg: The Hero of Heroes 
• American Jews and America's Game: Voices of a Growing Legacy in Baseball 
• The DiMaggios: Three Brothers, Their Passion for Baseball, Their Pursuit of the American Dream 
•  Class A: Baseball in the Middle of Everywhere 
• Becoming Mr. October 

With the exception of Mr. October, which was released in the fall, they came out pretty much the same time as 501.

Again, this is in no way meant as gloating. I know many of these authors and have the utmost respect and admiration for them. A lot of this has to do with the publisher and how they promote the books.

But at this point, I have to take my joys where I can find them.