Even if these two think success over the 162-game regular season is more impressive than an October run, they play in a system where championships are awarded based on postseason play and exist in a universe where championships are the ultimate goal. I'm sorry if they think that's silly, but it's time to give them the Godfather II speech. This is the life they have chosen.
Moneyball is a quick, engaging read and story for baseball fans, who will marvel at the inside look into a Major League front office. It may sound like I didn't like the book or that I think it's full of hooey. I don't. Beane is a smart guy and quite possibly a jerk. DePodesta is a studious guy. Their willingness to things differently and their studied approach are interesting and have ignited debates within the baseball community. The results they achieved strongly suggest they aren't just full of hot air. Contemporary fans should read and understand this book, and Lewis breaks it down in such a way that they probably will. He also presents this as if you're reading the Holy Grail of Baseball Knowledge, and that's where they lose me a little. Does that make me a heretic, or at least an iconoclast?
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
The one thing that always got me about this book was that Jeremy Brown retired before making it to the major leagues.
Michael Lewis' article on Shane Battier for the NYT is also fantastic, if'n you're a Moneyball/Lewis fan.
2 - Josh Hathaway
Wasn't Shane Battier eaten by a pack of wild boars? Beane was right about Youk, though. I'm glad he's where he is right now. Thanks, Suss.