I suspect your answer depends on which school you support.  K-State fans would think it’s likely that KU has lost more games given the relative dominance the Wildcats have enjoyed over the last 20+ years.  The success of K-State football has consistently overshadowed the KU program since the arrival of Bill Snyder.   Jayhawk fans will likely think K-State has lost more games in the last 50 years due to the miserable seasons the Wildcats are famous for in the pre-Snyder years.  Let’s face it, when was the last time you watched a K-State football game in which the announcers DIDN’T talk about the “Manhattan Miracle” performed by Bill Snyder. 

OK, what’s your answer?

 If you suspected this was a trick question, you’d be right.  Since 1962, both football programs have lost 316 games!

Here are the cumulative records:

1962-2011

KU was 236-316-11, a .419 winning %.

KSU was 248-316-5, a .436 winning %.

Let’s break the records down into 25 year segments:

1962-1986

KU was 112-151-9        .412 winning %

KSU was 72-192-3       .270 winning %

1987-2011

KU was 124-165-2       .426 winning %

KSU was 176-124-2     .583 winning %

Here are the breakdowns head-to-head:

1962-2011

KU leads the series 25-23-2 

KSU has actually outscored KU 1199-990 for an average score of 24.0 to 19.8

1962-1986

KU was 18-6-1             .720 winning %

KU outscored KSU 586-383 for an average score in the 25 games of 23.4 to 15.3

1987-2011

KSU was 17-7-1           .680 winning %

KSU outscored KU 816-404 for an average score in the 25 games of 32.6 to 16.2

There is ammunition for both sides in the “who’s better historically” debate.  Clearly, KU was better than K-State for the first 25 years.  K-State was clearly better during the most recent 25 years.

I’m struck by how consistent KU has been.  The records are very similar during both periods.  They actually weren’t very good overall in either period.  KSU went from really, really bad in the first 25 years to very successful in the past quarter century.  KU lacks the extreme lows suffered by the Wildcats.  But, the Jayhawks have never experienced a period of success equal to K-State’s run in the 90’s through the early 2000’s.

Head-to-head, KU’s 18 wins over KSU from 1962-86 represent 16.1% of their total wins for the period.  K-State’s 17 wins over KU from 1987-2011 account for only 9.7% of Wildcat victories for those years.

KU actually dominated the first 25 years with a slightly higher winning percentage, head to head against KSU, than KSU’s winning percentage edge over KU in the most recent 25 years.  K-State has, on the other hand, outscored KU by more than 2 to 1 since 1987.

So, who has the more successful program over the last 50 years, KU or K-State?  Here’s your chance to weigh in.

Named in 2006 as of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine, Bill James asks questions about the game of baseball and then sets about trying to come up with sound ways to answer those questions.  A number of his creations have made their way into the daily conversation about the game.  Runs Created, Pythagorean Winning Percentage, and Secondary Average are examples of his work that continue to inform analysis.  But, don’t think Bill James books read like some math book.  Clearly, statistical analysis is critical but his writing is much more than that.  His writing is often humorous, sometimes irreverent, but always committed to conveying the thoughts of a serious man who has formed ideas and opinions based on serious reflection and study.  If I haven’t convinced you to check out one his baseball books maybe I can interest you in checking out the latest by Bill James, a true-crime book Popular Crime: Reflections on the Celebration of Violence.  You see James is not only a leading expert on baseball but he is also a long-time devoted student of popular crime and criminals.  He brings the same kind of careful study and analysis to famous crimes from around the world.  James shares his thoughts and informed opinions to understanding what turns some crimes into sensational crimes, why we are fascinated with crime, as well as his thoughts on the guilt or innocence of the famous and the infamous.  Bill James is clearly an important Kansan.  I urge you to take some time to learn more about the work of this important author.  I think you’ll be glad you did.

O’Connor, currently a writer for ESPNNewYork.com, has covered Jeter for most of the player’s career and so has an insight built over time.  Drawing on that experience combined with over 200 interviews we learn about Jeter’s life as a young boy in Kalamazoo, MI all the way through the four-year contract signed in 2010 that will almost certainly take him to the end of his playing career.  What I found in the book was an engaging portrait of an athlete born not only with great natural physical talents but also a person who would work as hard as it took to maximize those talents in order to become what he always told everyone growing up he would one day become, the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees.

For the purposes of full disclosure I have to admit that I’m no fan of the Yankees.  I’ve always hated the fact that they seem to print money in New York and could and did buy playoff appearances.  But, even so, I know that Jeter is a special player and a sure Hall-of-Famer.  But, like non-Yankee fans I was a little tired of being told he was a great shortstop.  I knew he was a great hitter but I was also pretty sure he wasn’t a great fielder.  I admire Jeter.  I didn’t necessarily adore him the way true believers seem to.  But, having read this book I came away with an increased appreciation of why so many kids and adults say without hesitation that Jeter is their favorite player.  He does have something special that sets him apart and draws others to him the way few other players can.

That he is a great player is inarguable.  We can really only argue how great he has been.  But, within this apparently storybook career there have been controversies.  His relationship with Alex Rodriguez and the fact that other players have felt Jeter to have been overrated have been topics of debate in the press and in fan circles.  His struggles in the minors and the problems Jeter had in adjusting to pro ball are in here too.  Interestingly, differing evaluations of Jeter’s abilities have been going on since the early days.  O’Connor honestly tries to access the best of Jeter and at the same time doesn’t shy away from discussing in detail these things as well.

If you’re a baseball fan I recommend this read.  It does help to understand a little bit better why so many kids seem to want to have the number “2” on their jersey.

Members represent a wide range of sports.  Included, among others, are former Major League baseball players, former NFL players, an Olympic wrestler as well as two current Division 1 men’s basketball coaches.  Two retired coaches in the SCSHOF have also been inducted into National Coaching Halls of Fame as well.  All the Topeka high schools are represented by men and women of distinction in their sports.  KU, K-State, Washburn, and other colleges around the state and country have athletes and coaches with a Shawnee County connection included as well.  Inductee plaques include a photograph and a listing of outstanding accomplishments that earned the honoree the title “hall-of-famer.”

While you’re here for a look at these sports greats, be sure to take advantage of all the other great resources that can enhance your sporting life.  We have books and DVDs on exercise and diet.  Learn techniques on how to knock strokes off your golf score.  We can help you with coaching that little league team or helping youngsters with the fundamentals of wrestling or any other activity you can think of.  Who knows, maybe we can help you develop a future hall-of-famer along the way!

You’ll find the Hall-of-Fame plaques on the main floor in our New Books/Media Room.  When you come in just ask and we’ll be happy to show you where they are.  We look forward to seeing you at your library!

It’s that time of the year again.  Summer is coming to and end, school is almost back in session, and football is right around the corner!  And for those of you who are planning on playing fantasy football this season, we have a program coming up at the library that will be right up your alley.  Join WIBW’s Terry Blount and Bruce Steinbrock on Saturday afternoon, August 13 from 2:00-4:00 in Marvin Auditorium 101A, as they present a fantasy football strategies program geared to help you dominate your league.  Whether you’re experienced, or a rookie, Terry and Bruce will help give you the knowledge you need to navigate your way through your league’s season, including your draft.   

We would also like to invite you to join the library’s first fantasy football league.  Our draft will be Thursday evening, September 1, from 6:00-8:30 in the Hughes Room.  There is no fee to join, and no experience is required.  All experience levels are welcome, and the winner will take home a prize at the end of the season.  Registration is required and can be done at the Red Carpet Desk, by phone at 580-4545, or by email at nhohl@tscpl.org.  We look forward to seeing you there!