Bob Brenly is making a bid for Manager of the Year; Angel Berroa has been better than Rocco Baldelli, despite all the hype; and the Phillies enter the section of their schedule that could allow them to take hold of the wild card race. All this and more news from Arizona, Kansas City, and Philadelphia.
One of the more common themes running through my inbox this spring was Michael Lewis’ book, Moneyball, about the Oakland A’s and their approach to building a winning baseball team. I read it in in two sittings, and I enjoyed the heck out of it. The chapter detailing the conversation between the A’s scouts and their front office in advance of the 2002 draft was some of the most entertaining baseball copy I’ve read in years.
I never did write a column about the book, however, largely because I thought everything there was to say about it was said by others. In addition, the interviews Will Carroll did with Lewis and Billy Beane for Baseball Prospectus Radio provided the most interesting angle on the book that BP could supply.
So the standard answer I developed for people asking me about Moneyball was this: I enjoyed it, but it was neither the best Michael Lewis book I read this spring, nor the best baseball book. On a friend’s recommendation, I picked up Lewis’ Liar’s Poker, his book about his experiences at Lehman Brothers in the mid-1980s. It was more personal, more entertaining, and more educational than Moneyball, although some of that is due to my being less familiar with bond trading than with shortstop trading.
Nate Silver takes a closer look at replacement level in search of a better, zestier approach.
Roy Oswalt is making a point of shoving his doubters noses in his return. Randy Johnson remains on track for his July 17th return after having a successful side session. The fracture news isn’t as good for Nick Johnson. Kent Mercker has gone through more than almost any baseball player in recent memory, from a torn hand to a cerebral hemorrhage.
With the Juan Gonzalez trade still up in the air, Joe Sheehan urges the Rangers to play hardball with their reluctant slugger: accept the deal or grab some pine.
The White Sox may finally commit to Willie Harris. The Reds are playing all the wrong players. The Miguel Cabrera era begins in Florida. The Twins’ handling of Johan Santana is a crime. News, notes, and Kahrlisms in the latest edition of Transaction Analysis.
The Braves have a history of great minor-league pitching; Johan Santana continues to be oppressed by Lord Gardenhire; and the Devil Rays have a couple of players who might actually deserve a spot on the AL All-Star team. All this and much more news from Atlanta, Minnesota, and Tampa Bay in your Wednesday edition of Prospectus Triple Play.
Part II of Jonah Keri’s interview with Tendu founder Ron Antinoja discusses the rigors of being a Tendu scorer, some of the firm’s clients, and future improvements in the company’s database and software.
Edgar Martinez’s Hall of Fame candidacy remains controversial, judging by my e-mail, which baffles me.
There is a historical precedent for electing a Designated Hitter to the Hall of Fame. As baseball has evolved, the players who have evolved with it have been recognized for their accomplishments in the new roles they’ve filled. Shortstop, for instance, hasn’t always existed in its present role, but would anyone argue that no shortstop should ever have been elected to the Hall of Fame because they would be the first? For most of baseball’s history, the relief corps has been random swing starters, position players, the rotation on their off-days, and passers-by. Would anyone argue that true relief aces like Goose Gossage and Dennis Eckersley shouldn’t even be considered because their contributions in relief came in a role that didn’t exist, or wasn’t important, throughout baseball history? The DH is a position in the rules, and the DH contributes to a team’s success or failures.
Mark Buehrle isn’t the ace the White Sox hoped he’d be. The Cardinals offense is more top-heavy than Morganna. Kameron Loe may be a late-round steal for the Rangers. These and other news and notes out of Chicago, St. Louis, and Texas in today’s Prospectus Triple Play.
Matt Mantei is nearing his return to the mound–and his next appearance in UTK. Fred McGriff goes on the DL for the first time in his career. Melvin Mora’s off-the-charts season hits a snag. These and other injury updates in today’s Under The Knife by Will Carroll.
Joe Sheehan clears up a Fisk snafu, endorses Ryan Klesko for the NL All-Star Team, and mourns the loss of a die-hard Reds fan in Prospectus Today.