Sports Archives

The End of the Baseball Scout: How Data Took Over

What does a baseball scout do? And what do MLB scouts look for in a player? In Moneyball, Billy Beane argues that not even a baseball scout can answer that. Scouting is subjective, after all, and data is not. He continually butts heads with his baseball scout team, who argue that MLB scouts are seasoned professionals, and know what they’re doing. But for a cash-strapped team like the A’s, Bean can’t afford to have draft busts. Read about why Beane chose to rely less on scouting.

Sandy Alderson: A Pioneer of Data-Driven Baseball

Who is Sandy Alderson? What was Sandy Alderson’s role in Moneyball? Sandy Alderson was the general manager of the A’s when Billy Beane made his transition to the front office. He was considered a baseball outsider by many within the organization, mainly because he had never played baseball himself. Not only did Sandy Alderson hire Billy Beane to work in the A’s front office, but he also was an early proponent of Bill James and Sabermetrics. Sandy Alderson’s strategies eventually find a new home with Billy Beane, as he rises through the ranks to Oakland A’s GM.

Is Moneyball True? The Real Story of The Oakland A’s

Is Moneyball true? In other words, is Moneyball based on a true story? When you ask, “Is Moneyball true?” the answer is yes. All the people in the book are real people in the baseball world. Moneyball is a true story about how the Oakland A’s GM, Billy Beane, used data-driven tactics to form and operate the baseball team. But it’s important to not only ask “Is Moneyball true?” but to know why it works. Keep reading to find out.

Chad Bradford: Moneyball Pitcher Proves His Value

Who is Chad Bradford in Moneyball? Was Chad Bradford, Oakland A’s pitcher, a star? Chad Bradford in Moneyball is a submarine pitcher who Billy Beane recruits as a part of a new framework of pitching stats. Chad Bradford’s stats don’t boast power or speed, but Chad Bradford is exactly the type of pitcher the Oakland A’s are looking for.

The Runs Created Formula: Does It Really Work?

What is the runs created formula? How does the runs created formula work? The runs created formula is a mathematical equation developed to analyze the ability of a team to produce runs and wins. The formula’s creator, Bill James, argues that the most important measurement of predicting wins is not traditional statistics like batting average and RBI, but a new metric called the runs created formula, with a runs created calculator that helped them determine player value.

Bill James: How Sabermetrics Changed Baseball

Who is Bill James in Moneyball? How did Bill James’s Moneyball strategy lead to a successful season for the Oakland A’s? Bill James was an employee at a pork and beans factory when he began writing about baseball metrics. Eventually, Bill James’s Moneyball strategies were adopted by an important baseball manager searching for a solution: Billy Beane.

Jeremy Brown: Moneyball’s Best Value Draft Pick

Who is Jeremy Brown in Moneyball? Why does Billy Beane decide to draft Jeremy Brown? Jeremy Brown in Moneyball is a catcher that is overlooked by scouts and other teams. But Billy Beane exploits this thinking and picks Jeremy Brown for the A’s, beginning Jeremy Brown’s MLB career.

Joe Morgan: Moneyball’s Chief Opponent Gets a Win

Who is Joe Morgan in Moneyball? What did Joe Morgan do, and how did he influence how the baseball world viewed Sabermetrics? While Joe Morgan wasn’t involved in forming the strategies in Moneyball, he has a role as a strong, doubting voice of Sabermetrics and the Oakland A’s new strategy. Joe Morgan, a powerful and influential baseball insider, is a notable character in the book for his push-back against the A’s data-driven technology.

Understanding Sabermetrics: Finding MLB Wins in Data

What are MLB sabermetrics? What are the steps to understanding sabermetrics and what kind of statistics are used? Understanding sabermetrics is complicated. Sabermetrics are a fairly new concept pioneered by Bill James. MLB sabermetrics were made famous by their adoption by Oakland A’s GM Billy Beane, and the book Moneyball that chronicled the A’s first season of using and understanding sabermetrics.

Billy Beane’s Red Sox Offer + the Future of Sabermetrics

What was Billy Beane’s Red Sox offer? Was this Moneyball Red Sox offer hard to turn down? Billy Beane’s Red Sox offer would have made him the highest paid GM of all time in baseball. Billy Beane’s Red Sox offer helped Sabermetrics get recognition in the baseball community.