Shortform Books

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.

8 Enlightening Hidden Figures Discussion Questions

Are you looking for Hidden Figures discussion questions? Particularly, are you looking for discussion questions that explore adversity, prejudice, and other themes from the book? The following Hidden Figures discussion questions, explore many major themes in the book. You can use them in book club or educational settings, and hopefully they can serve as a jumping off point for a rich discussion of the book.

How Native American Discrimination Led to Murder in Osage County

What were the Osage oil murders? How are they an example of Native American discrimination? The Osage oil murders were a series of murders in the 1920s. The murders took place against the Osage Native American population and were orchestrated to steal the wealth from the Osage that the white residents of Osage, Oklahoma, perceived as unfair. Keep reading to understand the discrimination against Native Americans that led to legal systems and cultural norms that allowed these murders to take place.

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 Smith & Osage Terror (Killers of the Flower Moon)

Who was Bill Smith in Killers of the Flower Moon? What did he have to do with the Osage murders? Bill Smith was a white man married to an Osage woman, and he was a victim in the murder conspiracy that led to the deaths of many Osage. Keep reading to learn more about Bill Smith.

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.

John Ramsey, Murderer for Hire (Killers of the Flower Moon)

Who was John Ramsey in Killers of the Flower Moon? Did he participate in the Osage murders, and was he convicted? John Ramsey was an associate of the bootlegger Henry Grammer, and he was identified as the murderer of Henry Roan. After a long and difficult case, Ramsey was convicted. Continue reading to learn more about John Ramsey.