I've got a good resource for them...

If, indeed, more schools are doing this, I would love to hear from them in terms of using 501 as a source guide:

HILLSBOROUGH: Kids can study baseball for credit

Literacy course to use America’s game as springboard

Really, if anyone knows about a school district or college/university that might consider using 501 Baseball Books as part of their curricula, please let me know.

I've got them "501 Baseball Books" blues

This is the time of year when you start hearing about all the exciting new baseball titles you can look forward to. And don't worry, I'll get to those soon.

But I can't help feeling a bit sad about the short "buzz-span" of a book. Heck, even that perennial best-seller Moneyball isn't talked or written about much, but the sales keep climbing. I know that people will still buy 501 Baseball Books Fans Must Read before They Die since the information remains basically the same (although I wouldn't be surprised if an updated version is in the cards). But even so, the newness isn't there any more. It's like having a kid go from an infant to an independent adult in a year.

All the new authors will be enjoying their experiences and, save for a perhaps few events, my run is over. Even though I'm working on a new (non-baseball) sports book, it's not the same. 501 was my first, about a topic I love, so it will always be special.

Here's to the 'winners'

Awhile back I notched my 100,000th visitor. To celebrate the occasion, I put up copies to The Kid: The Immortal Life of Ted Williams, by Bill Bradlee Jr., and The 34-Ton Bat: The Story of Baseball as Told Through Bobbleheads, Cracker Jacks, Jockstraps, Eye Black, and 375 Other Strange and Unforgettable Objects, by Steve Rushin, to the Bookshelf readers who I figured came closest to the mark (without doing the actual study to determine who, in fact, was the 100,000th).

So thanks to everyone who wrote in and congratulations to our two "winners," Stuart Schiffman and Greg Macedo.

Look for more Bookshelf giveaways in the weeks and months ahead. Good for you, in that you get new books, and good for me, in that my wife is happy I'm decluttering.

New review: "Bloggin' Baseball"

Andy Wolfenson over at the "Bloggin' Baseball (from the bench)" blog (say that five times fast) posted this review of 501 recently. Grateful that it's still in the air, so to speak.

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.

High praise, indeed

Saw this on Facebook from Jon Leonoudakis, producer/director of Not Exactly Cooperstown and 5:04 p.m.: A First Person Account of the 1989 World Series Earthquake Game:

"Christmas gift reading haul--I have read the first two profiles on "Glory" and am floored. Dipped into some of Ron Kaplan's gem, which is to be my book guide post for years to come. A pal gave me the 1974 Sporting News Official Baseball Register, another treasure trove of info and stories."

It's an honor to be on the same page -- literally -- as a classic like The Glory of Their Times (even if I did inadvertently omit it from 501).

I guess I'm doin' fine

Well hello there
My, it's been a long long time
How am I doin'
Oh well, I guess I'm doin' fine
It's been so long now and it seems that
It was only yesterday
Ain't it funny how time slips away

From "Ain't it Funny How Time Slips Away," by Willie Nelson

One of the questions I'm frequently asked by friends I haven't seen for awhile is "How's your book doing?"

Early on, I was told by my publisher -- University of Nebraska Press -- that it was doing well. But what did that mean? Well for a book of its kind? Well for their 2013 releases? It's all relative.

I Googled the question, "How many copies does the average non-fiction book sell?" I was shocked. I asked my wife what she thought and she said 100. Which was even more shocking.

According to this 2012 piece (and who knows if it's true; we're talking about statistics here), the average now-fiction book sells about 250 copies. 250! So by those standards, I should be very pleased, since I've more than tripled that number.

But that's just units sold; it doesn't necessarily translate into money. 501 has an "MSRP" of $24.95 but I doubt very many bought it for that price. You have Amazon, Barnes and Noble, et al. Many local book stores offer discounts as well.

It will be interesting to see how the next book does. I've been contracted to do a history of the Maccabiah Games )aka, the Jewish Olympics) by Skyhorse Press. If all goes well, it should come out in 2015. Because of the topic, I'm hoping to generate a lot of interest on the Jewish book circuit. I had one 501 gig at the St. Louis Jewish Book Fair, but since this one will have actual Jewish content those appearances should increase, which, in turn, should generate more sales (as will its suitability for bar and bat mitzva gift-giving).

Whatever else happens with 501 -- and future books -- down the road, I'm very grateful for my 15 minutes.