Players' Choice: Eugene V. McCaffrey and Roger A. McCaffrey

The Hot Stove League will be banking its fires by the time this book hits the stores, but nonetheless it should prove exceedingly popular among fans. Members of the Society for American Baseball Research, the authors here survey some 600 players from every decade of the century and compile those players' choices for all-star teams, the best at each position offensively and defensively, the best hurler of each type of pitch and numerous other categories. Many of the selections are predictable yet there are a few surprises: Brooks Robinson outdistances other third basemen as to make it no contest; Ty Cobb is not ranked among even the top five of the best outfielders, and baseball writers are given an ego bashingamong the scribes suggested as best the choice is ""None of Them.'' Photos not seen by PW. (March 20)