SUU Administrator Co-Authors Deep Dive into Baseball's All-Time Greats
Published: October 27, 2025 | Author: Clare-Estelle Perkins | Read Time: 2 minutes
A lifelong passion for America's pastime of baseball has led Dr. Tony Oliver, Southern Utah University's dean of the College of Health Sciences, to co-author a new book, The Greatest of Their Times. The book details a data-driven analysis of Major League Baseball's (MLB) peak performers and performances across eras.
Oliver partnered with four other academics on the project. The book is scheduled for publication by McFarland Press in late Fall 2025/early Spring 2026. The book thoroughly analyzes the official season-by-season and career performance records of every Hall of Fame player to select the best players at each position to construct era all-star teams from 1901 to 2020.
"Many books have explored the topic of Major League Baseball's greatest players, but few delve into baseball's official performance data as thoroughly as this one," Oliver said.
The book applies statistical comparisons and also includes standout black players who starred in the Negro Leagues prior to the racial integration of MLB in 1947.
"I hope readers will gain a clearer and more accurate perspective and appreciation for who were the most productive baseball players by position and era in Major League Baseball history," said Oliver.
The 18-month collaborative project also tackled the challenging task of sorting through over 120 years of modern MLB history and even considers controversial players whose superior performance records are undeniable but so far have yet to be voted into the Hall of Fame.
In his position as an administrator, Oliver felt it would be professionally important to lead by example and carve out time in his typical work schedule to make progress on scholarly interests and pursuits. He advises others considering large-scale projects to value the collaborative approach, which he utilized to share the extensive workload of analyzing over a century of baseball history.
The Greatest of Their Times will be available for purchase through sales and marketing channels and partners of McFarland Press.
About Southern Utah University and the College of Health Sciences
The mission of the College of Health Sciences is to offer students the knowledge and experience needed to build a healthier and sustainable tomorrow through dynamic, hands-on, and student-centered learning.
Southern Utah University (SUU) is a dynamic, comprehensive regional university committed to providing exceptional educational experiences for students from all walks of life. As one of the nation's top-ranked public universities, SUU is dedicated to innovation in higher education, student success, and positive alumni outcomes.
Contact Information:
Brooke Heath
435-586-5400
brookeheath1@suu.edu