Mark Cuban made his fortune through the sale of his company, Broadcast.com, to Yahoo for $5.7 billion in 1999. Rather than push his luck during the frenetic peak of the Internet bubble, Cuban took his cash and fulfilled a dream, buying the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks for $280 million in 2000. With a risk-taking approach and a focus on marketing and investing in the product, Cuban has since presided over the Mavericks’ transformation into one of the league’s most successful and high-profile teams. Cuban recently chatted with Baseball Prospectus about the role of a good owner, labor relations in pro sports, and more.
Barry Bonds, Adrian Beltre, Albert Pujols and company are well on their way to huge seasons. But Dayn Perry writes that 1996 and 2000 dwarf this year’s cavalcade of offensive outburstery.
Taking a whack at the concept of success cycles, the Tiger Plan has proven an effective strategy in Motown. Nate Silver takes a closer look.
Will Carroll has the latest on Jermaine Dye, Preston Wilson, Paul Byrd and more. Plus find out why Will’s volunteering for pain. All that and more in today’s Under The Knife.
Ever wonder, when you see a manager make a terrible move, if he has a grander plan? Derek Zumsteg sees method behind the madness, and explores.
Neil DeMause checks in with the latest on the Expos saga. More extortion = more delays. And yes, this is not a reprint of old content.
Why does Willie Bloomquist get to have all the fun? Derek Zumsteg writes in with a handy-dandy guide to becoming an MLB ballplayer, and a fan favorite to boot.
Jim Baker’s latest Prospectus Matchups peruses the Rangers’ rotation, the mashing of Calvin Pickering, and an alternate ending to the Yankees’ drafting of Derek Jeter.
The Angels’ roster shuffling means more playing time for the deserving Jeff DaVanon.
Earl Snyder and Cal Pickering finally get a fair shake. The Dodgers try to patch
their bullpen with Elmer Dessens and Scott Stewart. The Pirates bring up some
intriguing young arms. These and other happenings in today’s Transaction Analysis.
You might think that Derek Zumsteg would be furious about Bud Selig’s contract extension. But that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t understand it.
Waxing philosophical, Will Carroll ruminates on the mixed emotions a baseball August can bring.
The Astros haven’t lived up to expectations this season. Albert Pujols has posted another monster year for the Cardinals. The Rangers are on fire. These and other news and notes out of Houston, St. Louis and Texas in today’s Prospectus Triple Play.
Beltre for MVP? Kerry Wood burnt up? Commish-for-life? All your questions are answered in The Week in Quotes.
The Yankees have lost six games of their lead in the AL East in the last eight days. How did it happen?
Jonah Keri takes a closer look at roster construction, in search of a better way. Bobby Cox, Earl Weaver, Casey Stengel and George Stallings lend a hand.
Eric Gagne has given up a run every day since Wednesday. Is it time to panic?