The World's Best Book Summaries
Who is Ricardo Rincon? What was his role in Moneyball? Ricardo Rincon is a reliever that A’s GM Billy Beane has been eyeing the whole season. Now, Billy Beane spots the opportunity to get Ricardo Rincon on his roster. Read about how Moneyball‘s Rincon trade relied on Sabermetrics, and Billy’s dealmaking ability.
Who was Art Howe, and what did he do in Moneyball? How did Art Howe contribute to the A’s season, and what was his relationship like with Billy Beane? Art Howe, Oakland A’s Manager, clashed with Billy Beane over the idea of sabermetrics and Beane’s over-management of the team. Art Howe was eventually hired by another ball club, but Howe’s Oakland management was both contentious and successful.
Who is Scott Hatteberg in Moneyball? What did Scott Hatteberg do in Moneyball, and why was he important to the Oakland A’s winning strategy? Scott Hatteberg was a Moneyball character and real-life professional baseball player. He was recruited by Billy Beane and the Oakland A’s as a part of their data-driven strategy.
What are the Bill James Baseball Abstracts? How did the Bill James Baseball Abstracts change how teams looked at data? The Bill James Baseball Abstracts came from Bill James’s writings on baseball and data. James eventually published an annual baseball abstract to highlight the gaps in traditional baseball data, a publication sought after by proponents of Sabermetrics.
Who was Jason Giambi on the Athletics? What did it mean when Jason Giambi left the Oakland a’s? Jasson Giambi, Athletics star player and power-hitter, was one of the big talents on the Oakland Athletics. The loss of Jason Giambi from the A’s is what causes Billy Beane to think outside the box and consider groundbreaking new options, like Sabermetrics. Jason Giambi’s Athletics career is over. But the A’s are just getting started.
Who was baseball commissioner Bud Selig? What was his role in Moneyball? Baseball commissioner Bud Selig attempted to hold meetings about the cash disparity between teams, known as The Selig Commission. Billy Beane speaks on behalf of the strapped Oakland A’s, but he already has another plan in the works: Sabermetrics.
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.
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.
