One of my all time favorite books "Moneyball" is going to be a movie staring Brad Pit.

 

Click on the link to see a trailer of the movie.

 

For me at least, it will be the first time I will go see a move in a theater in years!

Yes, sounds interesting. Didn't know the book was being made into a movie.

I didn't think the movie would look good, but the trailer looks really good. I'll probably check it out.

Speaking of books becoming movies, I found out last week that Leo is going to be staring in the remake of The Great Gatsby. Can't wait for that one.

Looking back, I think think Moneyball the philosophy has proven to be flawed. Small market clubs are reverting to the 90's Indians, draft and retain your own, and emphasize lots of pitching.

Looking back, I think think Moneyball the philosophy has proven to be flawed. Small market clubs are reverting to the 90's Indians, draft and retain your own, and emphasize lots of pitching.

How is that counter to the Moneyball philosophy?

Mainly the stat piece, which made Moneyball different from some good old fashioned values.

"Moneyball" wasn't just about statistical analysis. It was about finding a method that allowed a smaller-market franchise a consistent avenue to compete. What Cleveland did in the 90s was simply another means to get to the same end.

"Moneyball" wasn't just about statistical analysis. It was about finding a method that allowed a smaller-market franchise a consistent avenue to compete. What Cleveland did in the 90s was simply another means to get to the same end.

 

I bought the book last week and find it fascinating. I don’t have the book in front of me, but there are some interesting quotes in it. Billy Beane is the GM of Oakland. He was a highly touted prospect that never really panned out. I first saw him mentioned in The Mental Game of Baseball. Beane’s philosophy was trying to win at the lowest cost possible, essential for a small market team like Oakland. He tried to “buy” what was undervalued and sell what was overvalued. As far as prospects, his actions were to try to take some of the uncertainty out of the draft where previously maybe only 2 picks out of 50 rounds would make it to the major leagues. I thought it was interesting that the book compared his actions to a “card counter” at a casino where there was still a gamble involved, but better odds. Beane was recognized for his “intellectual courage” to use methods and ideas that others rejected or might have not taken seriously.

 

It seems like teams today have used a hybrid version of Moneyball. The Boston Red Sox, I have learned, have seemed to get smart, young businessmen that are bright and use data and video to evaluate players and then try to surround themselves with baseball people as well. The Boston GM is the youngest ever in baseball, a Yale graduate who later got his law degree. The scouting director actually has his degree in strategic decision information systems (or something like that). He, like the GM, was not a "baseball person." His previous job before the Red Sox was with General Electric. It’s hard to argue with success because this management team beat the “Curse of the Bambino” and have won two World Series after a long drought. Bill James worked for Oakland and Billy Bean in the Moneyball era is now on staff with the Red Sox.

 

Here is an interesting article about some of software that the Red Sox and other teams are using:

Numbers Game: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fsb/fsb_archive/2005/05/01/8259759/index.htm

Bill James worked for Oakland and Billy Bean in the Moneyball era is now on staff with the Red Sox.

I don't think James ever worked for a baseball team before the Red Sox hired him as a consultant.

Homerun summarized it pretty well. I still think this movie will be like the book in that it will confuse people as to the intent of Bean. We see it in this thread.

Speaking of books becoming movies, I found out last week that Leo is going to be staring in the remake of The Great Gatsby. Can't wait for that one.

 

Who will he be staring at?

Who will he be staring at?

 

I think Gatsby. The dude from Spiderman is going to be Nick Carraway.

I think Gatsby. The dude from Spiderman is going to be Nick Carraway.

 

:lol: I think my response might have gone over your head, buddy:

 

star

[stahr]

verb, starred, star·ring.

1. to feature as a star: an old movie starring Rudolph Valentino.

2. to mark with a star or asterisk, as for special notice.

 

stare

[stair]

verb, stared, star·ing

1. to gaze fixedly and intently, especially with the eyes wide open.

2. to be boldly or obtrusively conspicuous: The bright modern painting stares out at you in the otherwise conservative gallery.

3. (of hair, feathers, etc.) to stand on end; bristle.

 

:lol: I think my response might have gone over your head, buddy:

 

star

[stahr]

verb, starred, star·ring.

1. to feature as a star: an old movie starring Rudolph Valentino.

2. to mark with a star or asterisk, as for special notice.

 

stare

[stair]

verb, stared, star·ing

1. to gaze fixedly and intently, especially with the eyes wide open.

2. to be boldly or obtrusively conspicuous: The bright modern painting stares out at you in the otherwise conservative gallery.

3. (of hair, feathers, etc.) to stand on end; bristle.

 

 

:lol:

 

I didn't even realize what I had done :ohbrother: I'll take the easy way out and blame it on my phone