Book Update

by John Sickels on Jan 9, 2026 10:31 AM EST Comment 22 comments

The rough draft of the 2009 Baseball Prospect Book is complete. Jeri is now editing and it will go to the printer next week. We are still on schedule for January 31st shipping.

The book was quite a trial this year. I didn't say anything about it at the time, but Jeri was injured in a car accident in late October, and for much of November and December she could not see properly...whiplash had damaged an optic nerve. So for several weeks I was pulling double duty, doing all the driving, shopping, and kid-toting, while still trying to write the book. She is fine now, thank god, and for the last two weeks we've been back on a normal schedule. But I really had to push to get the book finished, and I'm mentally and emotionally exhausted right now.

I need a couple of days off. I will pop in this weekend with some discussion questions for you, and on Monday I'll start posting a few book excerpts.

0 recs | Comment 22 comments

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Comments

re: glad things are better

Yikes, that’s rough John, Jeri!

I am glad to hear that Jeri is on the mend, the book is less important than the value of health and welfare of a loved one!

here’s for a 2009 wish for continued great health and well- being for your family, John.

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Jan 9, 2026 10:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

Glad she’s okay.

The Personal Finance Playbook.

by Toddius on Jan 9, 2026 11:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Thanks for all you do. I’ll be ordering the book soon!

by demondeaconsbaseball on Jan 9, 2026 11:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1000000

by cubsfan1 on Jan 9, 2026 11:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm glad Jeri is feeling better

You guys have had a stretch I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

by aCone419 on Jan 9, 2026 11:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sorry to hear that john,

me and my wife were in a bad rollover in November coming home from the Monday night Bills game. My wife was injured with a concussion and whiplash so I feel your pain.

Hope all is well. Now go rest up.

The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ

by NYTXFAN on Jan 9, 2026 1:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Lord, when will this awful stretch end???

My word, John, you guys have endured such a awful stretch these last 18 months or so. Jeri has always been super responsive to my emails and I have always admired how frank you are in telling us just how you feel about her. 2008 was ugly for alot of folks and I continue to hope that 2009 is a happier, healthier and more peaceful year for you two and everyone who enjoys this site.

by CouncilmanJim on Jan 9, 2026 1:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

John,

Will you be sending out the top 50 lists to those who have ordered the book?

by rogero on Jan 9, 2026 2:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

50/50

Well it isn’t done yet. When it gets done it will go out.

by John Sickels on Jan 9, 2026 6:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Your insurance

Your insurance company should be taking care of you via an uninsured motorist coverage, though. I’m figuring by the “ha” that isn’t the case? Have you filed a claim, do you have such coverage?

by Sethy on Jan 10, 2026 12:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow.

Well, glad everything’s OK. I hope you’re all right with the insurance companies.

Thanks for the update, by the way.

by METSMETSMETS on Jan 9, 2026 2:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

hah

It was a hit and run.

by John Sickels on Jan 9, 2026 6:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jeri

Hopefully you are fully recovered. Thinking of you and yours.

"I got my pregnant wife (the Yankee fan) with me. Hoping my kid learns to kick her everytime the Mets score." -Schifftis-

by future on Jan 9, 2026 2:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

Health is more important than prospects, every time!

by slickterp on Jan 9, 2026 4:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You sure?

by gogotabata on Jan 9, 2026 4:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not

I’m kidding of course.

I’m glad everything is okay now, John.

I know that must’ve been rather scary and stressful for you and the family.

So did the kids get mac and cheese every night from you?

Everett, Laird, Treanor, and E. Jackson. Print those WS tix now!

by sportznut3081 on Jan 9, 2026 11:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the update!

And I’m glad to hear that Jeri is doing better now.

by horns91 on Jan 9, 2026 6:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Your strength is impressive.

Keep hanging in there John.

As far as the book I always look forward to the excerpts … makes me that much more anxious to receive the book. It definitely helped make my decision to order it the first time, and I’m sure it’s the same for others.

by carverslacker on Jan 9, 2026 7:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Best wishes

Glad to hear Jeri’s recovery is coming along well… you have both made a big impact on many hundreds/thousands of us with your willingness to relate to us directly and to be both straight and open about what you are able to do for this ever-absorbent community of prospect junkies. John’s talent is what drew us here, but the personal relationship we feel with the Sickels family keeps us loyal and grateful for all you do.

by JRTwins on Jan 10, 2026 4:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

From the Cream

I’m so glad that Jeri is OK. Man, we all take our health for granted — and yet it can be pulled away in an instant. I’m thinking 2008 was a really, really, REALLY tough year for the Sickels.

2009 should be a great year for you guys though. You both deserve it!

by sharksrog on Jan 10, 2026 6:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

A better 2009 ahead for your family, John.

Your family has had more than its share of challenges over the past couple of years, and I hope everyone has better times ahead. Best wishes to you and Jeri, and here’s hoping you both get your rest now.

by asinwreck on Jan 10, 2026 12:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

All the best

Wishes to you guys. You’ve certainly had a rough patch here for awhile. Glad that Jeri is doing OK and thanks for all of your hard work on the site, book etc.

by raygie on Jan 13, 2026 8:36 AM EST reply actions 0 recs