This sucks. Just sucks.

Geez. This is awful. :(

Doug, you've taught something to everyone in the community. You certainly will be missed. You even had the kind heart to help me obtain data for my Masters thesis, for which I will be eternally grateful. Thanks for everything.

If any of Doug's family or friends reads this, I'm just an idiot, but Doug was a great writer with a funny sense of humor who hated Bud Selig.

RIP.

Wow. This is really terrible news.

How old was he?

Well, rest in peace, Doug. You'll now be writing about that big ballgame in the sky.

Doug's writing was the most lucid and influential. I'm going to miss that weight on the side of justice.

That is just awful. My deepest condolences to his family.

What sad news. He added greatly to a lot of people's understanding of the game, and I'm sure he had other wonderful qualities.

This is just tragic...he will be sorely missed.

damn

keep the clock running.....

My sincere condolences to his friends and family. Doug's intelligence was well beyond my comprehension. His work will be truly missed.

Someone over at BPro needs to get to work. They are promoting a chat with him next week. I thoroughly enjoyed Pappas work, he will be missed.

I learned probably more from his work (and Keith Law's Imbalance Sheet) than from just about anyway. Very sad news. I'll really miss his writing.

man this just sucks...

RIP

He was really a terrific writer. I didn't know him personally, but this is still a shock.

I loved his photos as well - prayers go out to Doug's family.

His site is the one I travel by everyday. He will be missed.

Say it ain't so! I've had his site bookmarked for a couple of years and checked it frequently. I've exchanged e-mail with him and always found him to be polite, humorous, and informative. Here's hoping there is baseball, played for pleasure and not profit, played in heaven.

Holy ####. A terrible loss for the community.

Doug was a true giant in the burgeoning field of Internet-based baseball writing -- I learned so much from his Numbers series back in '02 and in just about everything of his I read.

I saw him at a few BP-related events in the NYC area but never actually introduced myself. I feel like a putz for that, but at least I and the rest of the world got to know a part of him through his great writing.

My heart is heavy for those who did know him. He'll be greatly missed.

This is just awful and a bit of a shock. Rest in Peace.

Terrible news. I definitely learned a lot from his writing, and there are few, if any, people, who were doing the type of work he was doing as well as he was doing it.

My condolences to his friends and family.

I feel really dumb... what's "heat prostration"?

Heat stroke...

I would appreciate if at some point someone could direct me where to send a card, if possible.

I corresponded with him regularly on all issues Selig. I had hoped that at some point Doug would have the good fortune to publicly go "Ah HA!" in such a dramatic fashion that he could rid the baseball world of this scourge. D*mmit.

My deepest sympathies to his friends and family.

This is so sad. I never had the chance to meet Doug in person, but I spoke to him on the phone and via email frequently and always found him nothing but helpful. He was certainly the most knowledgeable person I knew about the way the business of baseball works, and I will miss his insights.

RIP, Doug.

Rest in peace, Doug. I was always pleased to correspond with him.

Damn. What a loss. He did such good work.

Peace to his family.

unbelievable. i'm shocked. when i was a high school/ college kid just getting into nerdy baseball stats, doug's contributions to the new york mets newsgroup taught me more about baseball than almost anything else out there. i've exchanged a few emails with doug over the years, and although i didn't really "know" him per se, he was an extremely nice guy. and brilliant. this is one of the biggest losses to the baseball community that i can think of.

Echoing the thoughts of others, I'd like to send my condolences to Doug's friends and family. Doug taught me more about baseball economics than all other baseball writers combined, and I'm going to sorely miss his work.

Rest in peace, Doug.

It's wretched news. A lucid and articulate voice amid the din of noise and obfuscation on the subject of baseball's finances will never be heard again. My condolences to those who knew him.

And let it be a lesson to the rest of us that heat prostration is no joking matter. Taking all of the precautions all the guidebooks recommend when engaging in strenuous activity in warm weather isn't wimpy or overprotective.

Here is yesterday's weather report from Big Bend. For those who've never been, elevations (and therefore temperatures) within the park vary wildly. It can be 60 degrees high in the Chisos Mountains at the same time it's 100 degrees in the flat areas near the Rio Grande. The high temperature yesterday was 104 degrees at Castolón, which is near the river on the western end of the park.

My condolences. Pappas was, and remains, an important writer on the business of baseball. His diligence and intelligence uncovered a lot of how MLB really operates, and his work deserves the widest possible audience.

Terrible, terrible news. He'll be greatly missed.

I'm heartbroken. Here's the link to Doug's listing on Martindale-Hubbell, the lawyer directory. He was 43.

http://lawyers.martindale.com/xp/Martindale/Lawyer_Locator/Search_Lawyer_Locator/search_result.xml?PG=0&STYPE=N&LNAME=pappas&FNAME=douglas&FN;=&CN;=&CTY;=&STS;=&CRY=1&LSCH;=

I frequently used Doug's work to argue the sins of Bud Selig. Doug did great work, always well thought out and researched writing, and very pleasant to read.

Very sad news. I didn't know Doug personally, but observed, respected, and admired his work both within SABR and on the web.

If there isn't a place to send cards or emails, I hope someone directs his family to this site; I don't see a place at his BoB site to post comments so all we can do is post here.

Dang. Terrible news.

He made economics seemed understandable. Not many can do that.

Truly sad. I enjoyed just about everything he wrote, from his posts on the Mets newsgroup to his work with Baseball Prospectus. The online baseball community will never be the same without him.

R.I.P. Doug

Doug's death leaves an immense void in deciphering the world of sports finance and public policy. I've sent his web site location to more than a few fans and sports "journalists" trying to spread the truth about sports team finances. This is a sad day indeed for the sports world. My condolences to his family and friends.

Doug was survived only by his mother. If I find an address where people can send their condolences, I'll post it in this thread.

Pretty nasty news day, first Petrick's illness then Doug's death.

I'm shocked and saddened.

He had gravitas and was the reason I started reading Prosepctus, which eventually led me here.

prayers for him and his family

Double dammit. What a loss. He was a good man.

Rest well Doug, I don't know where you are right now but when Selig goes, he won't be where you are.

We'll keep your family in our thoughts.

Best Regards

John

Most of you have already expressed what I feel so eloquently, that all I can add are my own personal condolences to Doug's family.

While I've never exchanged correspondence with him, as many of you have, I'm deeply saddened by this loss. Whenever I've visited his web site, I've always left with a greater knowledge of sports finances and policies. He will be greatly missed.

RIP Doug, and best wishes for your family.

This is just horrible. I've enjoyed Doug's work tremendously. At least he died doing something he loves, and he no longer has to share a world with Selig.

You know, somebody should take Doug's business of baseball blog, and his Prospectus writings, and publish them as a book. Not only would it be a great memorial to him, but it would be an invaluable resource and would preserve a lot of important material that might otherwise get lost (as soon as next month's server bill goes unpaid).

Doug was also the foremost authority on ejections and won an award for best research presentation at the SABR convention in West Palm Beach.

BPro does have a notice on Pappas' death. I will certainly miss his commentary on economics. He was the first writer to convince me that Selig's competitive balance schemes were a sham.

This is the contact information for Doug's firm:

Mintz & Gold, LLP
444 Park Avenue South
New York, New York 10016

If I'm not mistaken, it was Pappas' Marginal Wins per Marginal Payroll information that sparked the intrigue of Micheal Lewis and eventually led to Moneyball.

I will miss his clear, passionate prose. I trusted his work.

Oh, wow, this is just awful. I met Doug once, at a BP Pizza Feed, and though I didn't really talk to him that much, it was obvious that he was a highly intelligent, articulate person who loved baseball and was willing to explain things to anyone who would listen. Reading his blog was an education and a pleasure, and he was also a master at expressing justified outrage.

Thanks for everything, Doug.

Eric E. -- good points about the preservation of Doug's work. I for one would be willing to offer a chunk of server space to make sure his stuff remains available, but I'll bet that somebody closer to him, either personally or professionally, would be willing to do so as well.

This is terrible. Pappas was my favorite writer on baseball for all the reasons mentioned above. Thanks, Doug.

He was my favorite writer.

Thank you Doug.

Brutal. 24-Ruz already said what I would have -- he was insightful, unpretentious, and ALWAYS helpful, a rare combination.

He's just irreplaceable. No one who has come forward has his conbination knowledge and analytical ability. The only buffering thing I can think of is that he died doing what he loved doing.

Brutal.

Terrible news.

Definitely terrible news and a bit of shock.

He will be missed.

My condolences to his loved ones.

As insightful as anyone I've ever read on baseball. I'm grateful to have had a chance to be exposed to his work and words.

R.I.P.

Doug Pappas was the best of the Internet baseball writers. I know that posthumous recognition sometimes is cliched and out of good taste, so I think we should wait before deciding, but...

I believe we should rename the Primey for Best Baseball Article after Doug in some tasteful way. He won the award in 2002 for his "Numbers" 8-part series that was simply one of the best Internet baseball pieces ever written (if not THE best).

I don't want to seem like we're all so self-important and Primer probably will disintegrate after 5 or 6 years (just like all other things Internet) and it seems a little crazy to suggest something like this so soon after his death, but *if* Primer lasts for a very long time, it would be nice for Doug to be remembered in some way by this community that he had such a large impact on. If 10 years from now the good people of this site are still dishing out Primeys, it would be nice for Doug to be remembered by mentioning his name when the Best Internet Article Primey is awarded. Even something as simple as calling it the Doug Pappas Award or something non-foolish (the Pappas Primey doesn't sound quite serious enough).

From what I remember of Doug in RSB and in his writing, he would have aw shucks us into submission, but I'm just really feeling rocked by this news and one just feels kind of useless and desparate for something to do about it...

This is awful; his was the first blog I went to everyday.

His research and analysis of the finances of baseball were unmatched in my opinion; I can only hope that someone attempts to pick up where he left off.

Then again, those will be massive shoes to fill.

RIP Doug.

SABR has the obituary up

http://www.sabr.org/sabr.cfm?a=cms,c,767,40

Well Doug wouldn't want anything too pretentious. The award in his honour should be the funniest Bud Selig post/insult/one-liner.

We could call it the Pappasmear.

Trust me, he'd love that.

Best Regards

John

Oh.My.God.

I find it all but impossible to write about Doug in the past tense.

Such a character! Such a clear thinker and writer! Such a bitingly sarcastic wit!

I always spent as much time as possible with Doug at SABR conventions. Whether hopping over to a nearby saloon for a beer and a burger, or keeping things in line as parliamentarian at the Annual Business Meeting, or running the Business of Baseball Committee (who can possibly replace him as chair?), or snidely dishing on some fogy intoning about the Good Old Days, he always kept things lively and fun. He also served as SABR's legal advisor (pro bono, of course) for many years, providing the organization and its Board with sage advice at a moment's notice.

Doug was a friend, a good friend. He was a great guy to go to a ballgame with (our last one together is chronicled on his website). And he was always willing, even eager, to offer advice to someone looking for ideas of places to visit on roadtrips. My 2700-mile vacation drive through the Dakotas, Montana, and Wyoming last summer followed the itinerary he suggested almost to a tee.

That he died of heat prostration ... unexpected, shocking, tragic. That he died in the middle of an American roadtrip ... what a way to go.

I miss you, Doug.

Doug Pappas, we hardly knew ye. I learned so much from his amazing writings. He will be greatly missed by those in the SABR and blogging communities. My condolences go out to his family and friends. Doug Pappas, you will be greatly missed.

John, I'd appreciate it if you could make sure you stick around long enough to speak at my funeral. For two people with such divergent worldviews, we see eye to eye on many, many things.

Doug Pappas had the drive and talent to leave behind a notable body of work that made its mark on many people, like myself, who never spoke or even exchanged e-mail with him. Let us all see this not just as a legacy, but also as a model to which we might aspire. The world will be a better place if we do.

jayjaffe - although I am not close to him at all, if you need more space, I would also be very willing to dedicate as much server space to preserve Pappas's work.

he was the same age i was...makes you feel mortal.

It was writing like his that has opened the door for many other bright and eloquent fans (though none as bright or as eloquent) to be recognized and feared as baseball journalists.

Perhaps when the arrangemnts are announced we could each go out and send a postcard or other memento of our own particular part of roadside america to his mom. Let her know how succesful he was at becoming a true part of the american story.

I think that would be a tribute he would appreciate.

John, I'd appreciate it if you could make sure you stick around long enough to speak at my funeral. For two people with such divergent worldviews, we see eye to eye on many, many things.

Well, I've learned that 'if you can't beat it, laugh at it.' My wife taught me that....come to think of it, she taught me that on our wedding night.

Will you excuse me a moment? I have to go make a scene.

Best Regards

John

I visited Doug Pappas's site every day, and learned a great deal from it about baseball and the American road, a passion I shared with him. What a shock that he is gone. Pappas's work meant a great deal to the development of the Internet as a medium for level-headed discourse about sports, and the existence of this site, among many others, serves partially to memorialize him.

I'm devastated. I really can't believe this, I'm stricken with grief.

Goodbye Doug. I'll never forget you.

Awful, just awful. Perhaps as a sprit Doug can scare some sense into Bud Selig. Rest in Peace, Doug.

I'm stunned. I've known Doug for about 10 years, and while his writing was very direct and sometimes acerbic, he was a great person -- friendly, approachable and incredibly giving of his time and knowledge.

I still remember the first in-person discussion we had at the Pittsburgh SABR convention, when we talked about aspects of baseball that were barely being addressed and niches we could fill. I toyed with defensive stats for a while, then settled into being a Retrosheet volunteer, doing data entry and some research. Doug, meanwhile, became probably our foremost expert in baseball finances and baseball business history. His drive, discipline and love of what he was doing, whatever he was doing, was unparalleled.

I'm not sure who's now going to call Bud Selig on his never-ending stream of absurd lies and half-truths about the state of baseball, or provide a counterbalance to the mainstream media's unquestioning acceptance of them, but I know no one will equal Doug's encyclopedic knowledge and first-rate mind. It's hard to overstate how much he will be missed.

I just signed up for this year's SABR convention in Cincinnati yesterday; I can't even imagine what it will be like without you, Doug. We can only hope that your family is okay and that, somehow, those of us who are still here can build on your work at even a quarter the quality that you did.

Truly unfortunate news. My condolences to his mom.

There's nothing to say that hasn't already been said. Rest in peace, Mr. Pappas.

Shock and sadness here too.

Jeff

I learned a great deal from the little I've read from him. Perhaps the greatest sign of his significance is that his death has inspired 75 sincere posts in a row from a groups known for more than its share of insincerity, mockery and crassness. That has to be a record. Not even one comment from 'Bud Selig' about how this wouldn't have happened if Doug had worn a cap.

PS. I'm a little ashamed to have brought that comment up, but it was inevitable. And I hope somewhere Mr. Pappas is enjoying a little chuckle. I apologize to those who don't.

My heart goes out to the family Mr. Pappas left behind.

And which six of us could pick up his slack?

Dammitall.

I can't add much, having had limited interaction with Doug--though he was gracious and helpful when I had occasion to contact him.

I do know that except for Rob Neyer, more Primey votes have been cast for Doug and his work than any other person. His "The Numbers" series won its category by a bigger margin than any other winner in either year. I offer that just to illustrate both the quality of his work and the tremendous respect this community had for him.

This is very sad news. I really enjoyed his writing and learned a great deal from him.

Doug was certainly everything that everyone here has said, and then some.

I spoke to his mother about 9 hours ago. She says that he went out in the desert without water and without a hat. The salary cap reference thus has some extra unintended irony.

He started his last driving trip at the Las Vegas airport, where they were out of his usual choice of sensible little sedans. The only cars left were a Lincoln Town Car and a red convertible. Guess which one he took?

I will copy this thread into one or more e-mails and send it to his mother.

everybody ,
Please read poster #23 about Doug not getting to say ah ha to Bud Selig in public.Anonymous sources infer that he probably got to say it in private.And he may or may not have made it public for his baseball prospectus that was scheduled for tomorrow May 22nd.My guess is that Doug left on his vacation a very satisfied man.
God called his number ,but I believe that he left this earth for a better place with his mission accomplished.mike colbern

It's not often that the death of someone I never met, or spoken to, or even e-mailed really affects me. Doug's has.

Any idea if there's going to be any kind of public memorial service?

I think this is it.

Besides the business of baseball, one of Doug's great hobbies was an effort to compile a comprehensive list of all ejections in major league history. According to Doug's research, the all-time leaders in ejections were

John McGraw 131
Leo Durocher 121
Bobby Cox 109 (thru 9/1/03)

I also thought some people might enjoy this complete list of World Series ejections he compiled, which he was gracious enough to provide me when I was researching the history of the World Series:

Game - Player - Umpire - Reason

1907 Gm 2 - Hugh Jennings, Detroit MGR - Hank O’Day - Arguing caught stealing
1909 Gm 4 - Wild Bill Donovan, Detroit P - Bill Klem - Refusing to end conference with 3B coach
1910 Gm 3 - Frank Chance, Chicago 1B-MGR - Tom Connolly - Arguing homer should’ve been ground rule double
1910 Gm 4 - Tom Needham, Chicago C - Tom Connolly - Arguing “safe” call at home plate from dugout
1919 Gm 5 - Ray Schalk, Chicago C - Cy Rigler - Arguing “safe” call at home
1919 Gm 5 - Jimmy Smith, Cincinnati IF - Cy Rigler - Arguing from 3B coaching line
1933 Gm 4 - Heinie Manush, Washington OF - Charlie Moran - Brushing ump in argument
1934 Gm 7 - Joe Medwick, St. Louis OF - Kenesaw M. Landis (Commissioner) - Removed for own safety after unruly fans throw objects at him
1935 Gm 3 - Charlie Grimm, Chicago MGR - George Moriarty - Bench jockeying
1935 Gm 3 - Woody English, Chicago 3B - George Moriarty - Bench jockeying
1935 Gm 3 - Tuck Stainback, Chicago OF - George Moriarty - Bench jockeying
1935 Gm 3 - Del Baker, Detroit coach - Ernie Quigley - Arguing pickoff play at 3B
1952 Gm 7 - Ralph Branca, Brooklyn P - Larry Goetz - Bench jockeying
1959 Gm 6 - Charlie Dressen, LA coach - Ed Hurley - Arguing balls and strikes
1969 Gm 4 - Earl Weaver, Baltimore MGR - Shag Crawford - Arguing balls and strikes
1970 Gm 3 - Clay Carroll, Cincinnati P - unknown - Bench jockeying
1976 Gm 4 - Billy Martin, New York MGR - Bruce Froemming - Throwing baseball onto field from dugout
1985 Gm 7 - Joaquin Andujar, St. Louis P - Don Denkinger - Arguing balls and strikes
1985 Gm 7 - Whitey Herzog, St. Louis MGR - Don Denkinger - Arguing balls and strikes
1987 Gm 7 - Danny Cox, St. Louis P - Dave Phillips - Arguing balls and strikes
1992 Gm 3 - Bobby Cox, Atlanta MGR - Joe West - Arguing check swing
1996 Gm 6 - Bobby Cox, Atlanta MGR - Tim Welke - Arguing out call at 2B

Horrible news. I'd be willing to chip in a few bucks to fund something to preserve his work.

Perhaps we should contact his mother about compiling his writings and selling them as a book, then donating all the profits to a charity that he supported (or just giving them to her, which I am equally supportive of).

This is terrible. Damn random fate.

I just don't get it...

God never does things at random. As I said in my previous post#82.It was the completion of a plan.And Doug made the world better for it.

I'll definitely miss his work. It was, like anything by Steve Treder, John Murphy, Repoz and a few others, something I stopped in my tracks and made sure to read. A giant talent. Thank you for the great work.

Larry and Jay -- I've downloaded all of Doug's site for my own archives, and total size is just over 62.8 MB.

What a great book it would be -- one half on baseball business, the other on his travels.

*sigh* Too soon.

At least for me, Chris J. summed it up best in post 36:

"He made economics seemed understandable. Not many can do that."

Not much to add, except that Doug was one of the greatest influences in turning me on to sabermetrics. He'll be missed.

I feel as if I've lost a friend. Doug knew baseball the way I wish I knew it. God's comfort to his mom and friends.

Eric, Doug's list has one omission. I'm going to find out which ump ejected Clay Carroll from Game 3 of the 1970 World Series. I'll be in touch.

RIP

re: #91


how did you download the whole site? I would like to do that as well.

I wonder how many Primates (posters and readers) have passed away without us knowing. May they all rest in peace.

Sorry to hear of Mr. Pappas passing. I'm sorry that I never got the chance to meet him but the intelligence and wit in his writing will sorely be missed. Anyone who can explain economics in a clear and concise way that even a dumbass like me can understand is someone to admire. My best wishes to his friends and family.

Today was bad already when I got news earlier that my best friend and his wife lost their baby last week after her water broke 3 1/2 months into the pregnancy. Makes you appreciate how precious life is.

JoeHova -- I first started saving each article, spreadsheet, etc. one by one. I then realized there had to be a faster way. So I did some searching and found a few spider programs that didn't work too well or had issues. But I finally found SurfOffline 1.3 and used a trial version to successfully archive his site.

My tribute to Doug....

ntr Gospel of Luke chapter 16 vss 19-31 “But a certain commissioner was rich, and he used to deck himself with purple and linen, enjoying himself from day to day with magnificence.

But a certain writer named Pap´pa·s used to be put at his gate, full of indignation

and desiring to be filled with the any truth dropping from the table of the commissioner. Yes, too, the media dogs would come and laugh at his indignation.

Now in course of time the writer died and he was carried off by the angels to the bosom [position] of Abraham. “Also, the commissioner died and was buried.

And in Ha´des he lifted up his eyes, he existing in torments, and he saw Abraham afar off and Pap´pa·s in the bosom [position] with him.

So he called and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Pap´pa·s to dip the cap of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in this blazing fire.’

But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you received in full your good things in your lifetime, but Pap´pa·s correspondingly had to put up with your lying crap. Now, however, he is having comfort here but you are in anguish.

And besides all these things, a great chasm has been fixed between us and YOU, so that those wanting to go over from here to YOU cannot, neither may people cross over from there to us.’

Then he said, ‘How big is the chasm anyway? To which Abraham answered ‘about the same distance between your reported losses and actual profits.’ To which the commissioner replied ‘That big? Oh well, in that event I ask you, father, to send him to the house of my father,

for I have 30 brothers, in order that he may give them a thorough auditing, that they also should not get into this place of torment.’

But Abraham said, ‘They have Road Side Photos and Baseball Prospectus; let them read these.’

Then he said, ‘No, indeed, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them they will repent.’

But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Road Side Photos and Baseball Prospectus, neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead....besides your life has been contracted’”

Best Regards

John