GW
@gwoltjer.bsky.social
PRPL Director. Professor. Husband & Father. Baseball fan. Fan of small & academic presses & obscure/forgotten books. Play sports. Touch grass. Read books.
Current read(s):
DREAM by Mirin Fader
BASEBALL IN THE ROARING TWENTIES Thomas Wolf
Current read(s):
DREAM by Mirin Fader
BASEBALL IN THE ROARING TWENTIES Thomas Wolf
These two biographies were both excellent reads. I especially enjoyed @mirinfader.bsky.social’s because of the nostalgia I felt while reading it. #biography
November 5, 2025 at 6:45 AM
These two biographies were both excellent reads. I especially enjoyed @mirinfader.bsky.social’s because of the nostalgia I felt while reading it. #biography
@thomaswolf47.bsky.social providing a great read.
Samuel Adams providing some great suds.
I can’t wait for pitchers & catchers to report.
Samuel Adams providing some great suds.
I can’t wait for pitchers & catchers to report.
November 2, 2025 at 7:15 PM
@thomaswolf47.bsky.social providing a great read.
Samuel Adams providing some great suds.
I can’t wait for pitchers & catchers to report.
Samuel Adams providing some great suds.
I can’t wait for pitchers & catchers to report.
@shotdrjr.bsky.social you can’t be serious that there are 76 better players than Sam Jones!! (I’m loving the book, btw!)
November 2, 2025 at 7:06 PM
@shotdrjr.bsky.social you can’t be serious that there are 76 better players than Sam Jones!! (I’m loving the book, btw!)
@gartharizona.bsky.social this one from @paulknepper.bsky.social just came in the mail. I think you might dig it.
November 2, 2025 at 6:51 PM
@gartharizona.bsky.social this one from @paulknepper.bsky.social just came in the mail. I think you might dig it.
@mirinfader.bsky.social’s DREAM is one of the best sport biographies I’ve read. I’m feeling all the emotions.
November 2, 2025 at 5:28 PM
@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.
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.
November 2, 2025 at 5:26 PM
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.
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.
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.
November 2, 2025 at 4:35 PM
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.
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.
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.
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.
November 1, 2025 at 4:32 PM
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.
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
October 31, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Just going to hang with the boys tonight
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
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
October 28, 2025 at 10:51 PM
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
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
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
October 27, 2025 at 11:43 PM
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
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
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.
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.
October 27, 2025 at 12:56 AM
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.
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.
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.
October 26, 2025 at 3:46 AM
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.
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.
First raking of the season. Three or four more before the snows entomb the land. I love this time of year.
October 25, 2025 at 9:01 PM
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
October 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
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
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
October 24, 2025 at 12:17 PM
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
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.
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.
October 23, 2025 at 11:59 PM
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.
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.
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.
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.
October 23, 2025 at 1:02 AM
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.
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.
I expect this level of interaction when I share my reading of this fat bastard. Clocks in at about 1,000 pages.
October 22, 2025 at 3:39 AM
I expect this level of interaction when I share my reading of this fat bastard. Clocks in at about 1,000 pages.
I picked up a couple of friends this evening
October 22, 2025 at 3:09 AM
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.
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.
October 21, 2025 at 3:30 PM
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.
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.
