Moneyball

I wish there were good news to write about regarding the All-Star break, but it was pretty tame. Unsung Alex Rios of Toronto slugged his way impressively into the final round of the home run derby, then sputtered to a 2-HR finish in succumbing meekly to Vladmir Guerrero. The game itself was a generally sterile affair, with the NL teasing us die-hard fans via a 9th inning 2-out rally before leaving the winning run on second base.

This former math major took a liking to the book Moneyball by Michael Lewis. It dismisses the traditional notions of baseball scouting, including its obsession over speed and arm strength, and relies heavily on analytics. In other words, Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane surrounded himself with Harvard-educated technocrats to determine the most cost-efficient statistics to buy in order to succeed with a league-low payroll. Some of their maxims based on their research:

- On-base percentage is the gold standard for hitters. He who gets on base, scores runs. He who scores the most runs, wins games.
- Fielding is overrated. In one case a first baseman was thrust into left field, where he fielded comically but was an on-base machine. Studies showed that one of the worst outfielders of this generation, Albert Belle, more than made up for the runs allowed through his hitting prowess.
- Base stealing is an unnecessary risk.
- Strikeouts, walks, and home runs allowed are the measures of a pitcher. These are the statistics that a pitcher has complete control over. Forget smoothness of the delivery, speed of the fastball, or ERA.

He orchestrated two of the winningest second-half teams in baseball history, notching over 100 wins in consecutive years.

I like that the A's embedded on-base percentage into the organization's DNA. No OBP, no promotion. The greatness of Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin emerged from their rigorous belief in core principles (the Union/Constitution for Lincoln, usefulness for Franklin). We should all hope to be so focused.