Reviews (1)

The baseball version of America's Sports Bible
Beginning in 1940 with the very first college football edition, Street & Smith's produced the first publications to offer a complete review of the previous season and comprehensive preview of the coming one. Always released well in advance of the start of each season, these annuals provide authoritative previews and predictions from some of the most respected sportswriters in the country. For decades when I only pick up one baseball annual it has been the one from Street & Smith's, which I think still deserves its reputation as "America's Sports Bible."

The main attraction here for fans are the statistics and schedules, profiles of teams and players, commentary and forecasts, plus the requisite fantasy tips required for today's fans. Yes, I know you can get stats on line but there is still something to be said for having a magazine in your hands while watching a baseball game on television. Along with the previews and predictions there are some nice color action shots of the stars of the game. As for those predictions, I understand that Street & Smith's was picked by the Stassen sports yearbook rating service for providing the most accurate predictions among annuals over the last decade.

Be aware that since this is an annual publication "Street & Smith's Baseball" comes up with 13 different covers (often with different posters) for various regions of the country: (1) New England: Johnny Damon, Red Sox; (2) East: Dual: Kazuo Matsui, Mets & Hideki Matsui, Yankees; (3) Atlantic: Pat Burrell, Phillies; (4) South: Rafael Furcal, Atlanta; (5) Florida: Josh Beckett & Marlins team celebrating; (6) Mideast: C.C. Sabathia, Indians; (7) Midwest: Mark Prior & Kerry Wood, Chicago Cubs; (8) Midlands: Angel Berroa, Royals; (9) Rockies: Todd Helton, Rockies; (10) Southwest: Luis Gonzalez, Diamondbacks: (11) Northern California: Eric Chavez, A's; (12) Southern California: Ramon Ortiz, Angels; (13) Far West: Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners. You can track down the one you want with a little effort. ... Read more

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Ah..Ah..Ah..Achitzbad!!!
I am a Christian, and I love sports (I have been subscribing to a weekly mag since 2000). So this magazine is just perfect for me, right? that's what my parents thought-and rightfully so- when I received a one-year subscription on my birthday this year. they even gave me a bonus issue! (March/april, which is currently my only content to judge on) Yet, like switchfoot's newest CD (title), this was a letdown.

Sadly, there are many problems with this 30-page, six-times-a-year sports magazine. yes some of the articles were good. The cover report on Angels left fielder Garret Anderson I lavished over, being a huge Angels fan. Most of the other athletes featured in that issue were unknowns to me, a die-hard fan who sometimes has problems without a SportsCenter fix in a week (sometimes....). Among them: Stu Grimson, 14-season NHL veteran (I'm looking at my magazine as I write this...) Val Sterk & Hunter Kemper (married couple...wife is a volleyball player, husband a triathlete. I saw Hunter in a Triathlon magazine a time later, but still....) Scott Poirier (racing no-name), Justin Davis (minor-league hockey player), Todd MacCulloch (NBA center), baseball pitchers jason Simontacchi, Josh Bard, Mike Maroth (probably the first 20-game loser in a long time..) Jeremy Affeldt, soccer player Desond Armstrong (US National Soccer '88-94) and baseball player Mike Sweeny. Now, I mean no disrespect to these players at all, I mean, you were featured in a Christian magazine, you're probably a swell guy, but for the shallowness of the writing...it makes for a mostly boring read, covering people that I haven't really heard of.

Now, of several counters that can be used against me and the above paragraph, one is: "Maybe these are simply the only Christian sports players out there." Well, they really aren't. I get the Breakaway magazine, which is aimed at Christian teenage guys. Not Christian teenage guy sports fans. Teenage Christian guys. On the front cover of the issue that arrived today is John Smoltz, one of the eilte in his class, an MLB closer. In my other two issues, I read about a 19-year-old who hiked the Appilaction Trail (2,168 miles) virtually alone, and an article about Tim Howard, who, last I heard, is going to be starting goalie for one of the big European teams, and, John Olerud, Seattle Mariners 1B. That's pretty good, if I do say so.

Now what I meant by shallow writing is: its really hard to fit the story of a devout Christian and his struggles in his career into a two-page report. I personally think its like Sports Illustrated for Kids, Christian Style. What I mean is, kids with less reading expirience will not really notice a bad story, which are sadly frequent in this magazine. One horrible outake follows as a writer tries to explain why the NCAA basketball tournament is NOT the greatest show in sports: "The ongoing circus of pro wrestling puts the mrketing of the NCAA to shame." What!?! Who's talking about wrestling???

Also, on the back, there is the Top Ten reasons to get a supscription of the Sports Spectrum that are just..bad:
8.Because after reading Sports Spectrum, your son or daughter will NOT be asking you when they can (A) start smoking (B) drink achoholic beverages, or (C) gamble on sports (now, I'm not eager to do any of these three things, but I don't because I use Operation Control upstairs).
4. Because Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden will NEVER order a supscription. (Boy, am i trying to hold back my comment on this 'n....)

My bottom line: the publisher's goals are worthy and righteous, but this is a bad investment unless you like Sports Illustrated For Kids. Sadly.
-crf ... Read more

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This magazine is TERRIFIC
This magazine has many great things going for it. The articles on todays players a phenominal and the pictures of current and past players are great. This is a great magazine to buy ... Read more

Reviews (1)

USA Table Tennis Magazine
I've subscribed to USA Table Tennis Magazine for many years, and can say that it's an absolute treat to anyone with any interest in the sport. First, it's a glossy color magazine, not some cheap tabloid. Second, each issue has coaching articles, profiles and interviews with the top players and others in the sport, news and tournament results, player rankings, lots of great photos, and so on. I strongly recommend this magazine to anyone who plays table tennis. ... Read more

Abstract

Captures the essence of the aggressive, ever-changing freestyle & dirt jumping scenes.
... Read more

Reviews (3)

Never filled out their promise
I orderd Ride BMX a year ago...they sent me my first issue and when I got that I was somewhat disappointed because they never sent me my beanie (hat) I every magazine they sent me...no beanie.Yesterday I got a letter rfom them...hoping it was about my beanie...but it wasn't...it was about subscribing...now I dont think im going to subscribe back unless they send me my stuff...

Ride BMX Review
I personally think this is the best BMX magazine out there. It's a great price, and it's filled with great articles and pictures. It is good for anyone that likes biking, or just wants something to read.

I highly suggest this magazine to anyone.

Really Good
I am an avid rider and have had a subscription to Ride BMX for over a year now and I haven't been disappointed yet. It covers all types of riding and tells all about whats going on. i'd reccomend getting it. ... Read more