#Murderland on Forbes’ Best True Crime of 2025: www.forbes.com/advisor/t/be...

I look forward to watching the recording of this. Two incredible biographers discussing a fascinating person and a brilliant craft.

These two biographies were both excellent reads. I especially enjoyed @mirinfader.bsky.social’s because of the nostalgia I felt while reading it. #biography

So excited about this upcoming event in collaboration with NYPL! 📖 Register here: www.showclix.com/event/writin...

"What has happened is that aesthetic production today has become integrated into commodity production generally." Fredric Jameson 1990

Ditto

I thought this thought more than once this postseason

@thomaswolf47.bsky.social providing a great read. Samuel Adams providing some great suds. I can’t wait for pitchers & catchers to report.

I feel seen with this post

@shotdrjr.bsky.social you can’t be serious that there are 76 better players than Sam Jones!! (I’m loving the book, btw!)

During the WS, Dave Hollins texted Gary Varsho. "Varshy, I love it when I hear Daulton’s name. It makes my heart feel good." "Daulton" in this case is Daulton Varsho, CF for Toronto. He's named after Darren Daulton. Now, he's honoring him on the biggest stage: www.inquirer.com/phillies/dau...

Abduction of Proserpina, by Giambologna, 1579 (from the @NortonSimon Museum in Pasadena), 📸 by @nturchiarophoto

I can’t have the @houstontexans.bsky.social beat the @denver-broncos.bsky.social…it’ll mess up my pool sheet😂

Nico Collins is legit

@gartharizona.bsky.social this one from @paulknepper.bsky.social just came in the mail. I think you might dig it.

I will happily work as an underling when you become commissioner. I just want to be close to this marvelous game. What an incredible postseason.

@mirinfader.bsky.social’s DREAM is one of the best sport biographies I’ve read. I’m feeling all the emotions.

No. 77 - Sam Jones 77!?! Jones is a top 50. Smh, this book is probably going to start to get really annoying. 10x champion. NAIA player who dominated for years. Would be known as the precursor to Jordan or Bryant if he had made the game only about himself.

No. 78 - Pau Gasol HOFer. Champion. Elite player. Does he belong in the Top 100? This one is hard. His play was certainly elevated bc of the teams he played for. Individually, he could be dominant. If pressed, I’m not going to expel him from this list, but I would place him closer to 100.

The Ken Burns of Cardboard, SABR’s own Alex Newton, just released this fantastic video on the earliest baseball cards. youtu.be/Xf39x6NtOMA

No. 79 - Alex English Think about 80s basketball. In the least, you’d admit it was a violent game. Now think about this: English led all scorers for the decade. Not Moses, Kareem, Magic, Bird, or Wilkens. English was a bad dude. Top 100? Absolutely. He deserves to be in the top 75.

Just going to hang with the boys tonight

@gartharizona.bsky.social no submission today. I forgot the book in my office. Back tomorrow.

No. 80 - Kyrie Irving Irving poses a problem for me. His basketball abilities make me think he’s top 100. His off-court boneheadedness makes me think otherwise. Is this a situation of separating the art from the artist? Possibly. If pressed, I put him on the list of being on the outside looking in

No. 81 - Pete Maravich I’m biased about Pistol. I never saw him play, but the mythology of his upbringing fueled me as a young player. His style transformed the game. But his selfishness could be argued as the reason teams he played on never fully reached success. Top 100? Yes. He’s rated correctly

@1988toppspodcast.bsky.social excellent Car Talk finish!

No. 82 - Manu Ginóbili Top 100? Perhaps. I’d place him at 99. His role on a team is underrated. And his “introduction” of normalizing the Euro-step in the league certainly changed the game. But, like Parker, an argument can be made about his individual skills vs his inclusion on a phenomenal team.

No. 83 - Spencer Haywood Incredible story. Pivotal person in NBA history. Deservedly in the HOF. Top 100? No. He probably would’ve been had his career been contiguous and not interrupted by drug abuse. He’s a baller, for sure. But, for me, he’s on the outside looking in.

It’s that time of year

First raking of the season. Three or four more before the snows entomb the land. I love this time of year.

Today’s a good day at work

No. 84 - Grant Hill One of the great ambassadors of basketball! Truly incredible talent. Hill’s popularity stems from Duke & his ability to market himself. But there is another aspect to explore: curse of injury. A ‘what could’ve been’ player, imo. Top 100? Only in an injury-free alternate timeline

No. 85 - Vince Carter This one is tough. Crazy durability. Helluva team player. Definitely dominant for a good segment of his career. The ranking of 85 is appropriate, if he’s included in the top 100. Arguments either way, imo. Certainly top 100 athletes to play the game.

Do I get free tickets as a member of the hirsute challenged club?

No. 86 - Chris Bosh Nope. No way. This HOFer is not top 100. Sure, his accolades support his inclusion in the HOF, but his statistics tell a completely different story. This dude had heart, no doubt. He could ball. But the farthest I’m willing to go is an honorable mention.

To my Ohio friends—would love to see you November 1 at the Buckeye book fair, Wooster. Over 100 authors and with the holidays approaching great shopping I’ll have both my books for sale and inscribe them in crayon! 📚

I picked up a couple of friends this evening

No. 87 - Tony Parker Legit player. But also a player I love to hate. Was he really that good or was he part of a really good team? Top 100? Not sure. Top guard? Yes, he was one of the best floor generals to put on a uniform.

Currently reading

Still feeling my disappointment from last night

No. 88 - Dennis Johnson This guy was a baller. Defensive genius. Able scorer. And a window washer at the guard position. Should he be ranked lower? Not sure. Definitely a top 100 player.

This opening paragraph is perfection. If you’ve ever collected cards, give this essay a read.

My eldest daughter in her happy place

I know the answer to this question, of course, but I still feel the need to ask: why hasn't Hollywood made what Abdel Kader Haidara and his team did to save the manuscripts of the Mamma Haidara Commemorative Library into a movie? It's got everything! (Except white people, which is why no movie.)

@vikings.social with a little wildcat! Touchdown!

Powerful essay by @mcrane12.bsky.social in this collection. Provided me with a perspective that I’ll not ever fully understand. Thank you for sharing your words & experience with us, Mac.

My boy keeping me hostage. I’m good with it.

@1988toppspodcast.bsky.social it makes me happy to know you’re safe in Chicago 😂

Excellent episode