The magazine was created in 1942 by Herbert F. Simons, a sportswriter for the Chicago Daily Times. Simons first published the magazine in August 1942,[2] and served as its editor-in-chief until 1963. In 1981, Joan Whaley was published as its first female contributor.
After publishing on a 9 or 12 issue per year schedule, in 2009 the magazine was scaled back to six issues.
In March 2012, Baseball Digest merged with the professional scouting service ProScouts LLC.[3] This relaunch included major changes to the magazine's format, as it was published in full color for the first time and was made available in more locations.
Other current features include batting, pitching and fielding statistics, a "fans speak out" letters section, player profiles, quizzes, previews, rules reviews, a crossword puzzle, season-ending awards, and analysis of upcoming prospects.
In May 2018, Rick Cerrone, former Public Relations Director with the New York Yankees (and not to be confused with the Yankees catcher of a similar name), became the fourth editor in the magazine's history. Cerrone was tasked with re-imagining the publication.[4] Starting with the January/February 2019 issue, the magazine changed to a heavier paper stock and increased the number of pages.
On July 4, 2019, Grandstand Publishing, LLC, announced the introduction of BaseballDigestArchive.com,[5] a web-based subscription service featuring every issue of Baseball Digest.
In May 2021, ProScouts LLC, headed by entrepreneur David Fagley, purchased the remaining outstanding shares held by long-time publisher Norman Jacobs, who remains as Publisher Emeritus.[6]
