Smart Baseball: The Story Behind the Old Stats That Are Ruining the Game, the New Ones That Are Running It, and the Right Way to Think About Baseball

Keith Law examines the statistics used to judge baseball players, from batting average and runs batted in to pitcher wins and saves. He explains where these measures came from, how they can misrepresent a player's contribution, and which modern metrics offer a more accurate account. The book introduces sabermetrics and follows the use of data in front-office decisions.

A senior baseball writer at The Athletic who previously covered the sport for ESPN, Law writes without assuming a background in statistics. His explanations connect individual measures to the practical questions teams face when evaluating talent, comparing players, and building a roster.