Earlier on BB, Coach started a discussion of Michael Lewis and his book Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game. With the White Sox coming to Oakland this week, Sox GM Kenny Williams has said he wants to speak to A's GM Billy Beane. It will be interesting to see who else wants to speak with Beane when the book is released later this month. Baseball Primer had a thread related to this discussion; here's BB's chance.
Based on what I read in the NYTimes, I am surprised that Beane wants this thing released while he's still working as a GM.
Isn't it considered good etiquette to wait until you've retired--or died?
Anyone else wonder whether it'll hurt his ability to pull off another miracle trade at the deadline this year?
Isn't it considered good etiquette to wait until you've retired--or died?
Anyone else wonder whether it'll hurt his ability to pull off another miracle trade at the deadline this year?
I forgot that Olivo went to Chicago for Bradford. I know that Bradford has been a key member of the A's bullpen but the trade no longer seems so one-sided considering that Olivo is on his way to being a good catcher.
It will be interesting to see who else wants to speak with Beane when the book is released later this month.
In the N.Y. Post, Joel Sherman speculated that Steve Phillips, the lame-duck architect of the Mets' demise, might like an unprintable word or two with Billy. So will Art Howe, the A's scouts... it will be a long lineup. San Jose Mercury News columnist Skip Bayless mentions Mark Shapiro as another GM who won't like his portrayal, and offers some interesting background on how Lewis got such intimate access:
Asked how he talked his way into such a ringside seat, Lewis chuckled and said, "Because I was a sneaky SOB."
...He kept hanging around, "holding my breath for a couple of months," then told Beane the article had turned into a book. Beane initially said no. But Lewis said, "I think he decided he was in too deep. He and Paul didn't mind having me around. But I became so obsessed with the story that I wasn't letting Billy get in my way."
Does this mean the magician got tricked into giving away his secrets?
In the N.Y. Post, Joel Sherman speculated that Steve Phillips, the lame-duck architect of the Mets' demise, might like an unprintable word or two with Billy. So will Art Howe, the A's scouts... it will be a long lineup. San Jose Mercury News columnist Skip Bayless mentions Mark Shapiro as another GM who won't like his portrayal, and offers some interesting background on how Lewis got such intimate access:
Asked how he talked his way into such a ringside seat, Lewis chuckled and said, "Because I was a sneaky SOB."
...He kept hanging around, "holding my breath for a couple of months," then told Beane the article had turned into a book. Beane initially said no. But Lewis said, "I think he decided he was in too deep. He and Paul didn't mind having me around. But I became so obsessed with the story that I wasn't letting Billy get in my way."
Does this mean the magician got tricked into giving away his secrets?
I think Beane may be letting success go to his head. He is smart, but...
A lot of Oakland's success is due to having three great starting pitchers all come up at the same time. If Escobar/Carpenter/Halladay had developed the way Zito/Mulder/Hudson did (which wasn't an unrealistic possibility three years ago), would Michael Lewis be writing a book about Gord Ash right now?
A lot of Oakland's success is due to having three great starting pitchers all come up at the same time. If Escobar/Carpenter/Halladay had developed the way Zito/Mulder/Hudson did (which wasn't an unrealistic possibility three years ago), would Michael Lewis be writing a book about Gord Ash right now?
I believe Beane sees himself as something of a modern-day Bill Veeck. (Not a bad role model, to be sure.)
And Veeck -- as in wreck -- was all about promoting himself first and foremost.
And Veeck -- as in wreck -- was all about promoting himself first and foremost.
"Anyone else wonder whether it'll hurt his ability to pull off another miracle trade at the deadline this year?"
I don't. If a team thinks they'll improve by trading with Oakland they will. Said another way, would you not make a move that you think improves your team because your feelings were hurt?
I don't. If a team thinks they'll improve by trading with Oakland they will. Said another way, would you not make a move that you think improves your team because your feelings were hurt?
Anyone else wonder whether it'll hurt his ability to pull off another miracle trade at the deadline this year?
Or the opposite may happen.
Perhaps there are some GM's out there who will be offended at not being considered as clever as Beane and may relish the opportunity to make a trade with him just to prove themselves superior.
Or the opposite may happen.
Perhaps there are some GM's out there who will be offended at not being considered as clever as Beane and may relish the opportunity to make a trade with him just to prove themselves superior.
would Michael Lewis be writing a book about Gord Ash right now?
Possible titles:
The World's Biggest Genius
Chrome(Sky)Dome
Hey, Kenny Williams: Bite Me
As Sharp As He Is Round
Buy This Book ... For One Meeeellion Dollars
All Guts, All Glory
Possible titles:
The World's Biggest Genius
Chrome(Sky)Dome
Hey, Kenny Williams: Bite Me
As Sharp As He Is Round
Buy This Book ... For One Meeeellion Dollars
All Guts, All Glory
http://economics.about.com
I'd guess it's because Chen is a headcase and JP didn't want to have to deal with him.
MP
I'd guess it's because Chen is a headcase and JP didn't want to have to deal with him.
MP
David Cameron of Strikethree.com has written an interesting piece about Moneyball, Billy Beane, high-school vs. college players, the "it's all about Hudson-Mulder-Zito" theory, and sundry other matters.