Rating: 
Summary: Changing the way we look at baseball
Review: Moneyball is one of the most intriguing and insightful baseball novels we have ever read. The Oakland A's uncharacteristic approach to baseball is shown by the scouting and statisticians who have helped change the way the game is played. By drafting players who weren't seen fit to be picked in the first few rounds, the A's were able to sign them to a weaker contract than the normal players that got paid millions more for being a spot a head or behind in the draft.In the novel, Billy Beane and Paul DePodesta use the statistical analysis to predict what the team would need to win for the A's to make it to the playoffs. With mind-boggling formulas, they where able to break down every action on the field into a point system and from there they were able to determine what exactly the team would need in runs to win. In our opinion, it is the duty of every general manager and owner in baseball to pick up this book and learn about the genius that is Billy Beane. Any time a small market organization can turn into consistent powerhouse, the league and world should learn from their accomplishments.
Rating:
Summary: A terrific read
Review: Michael Lewis has written a wonderful, insightful, warm book about using guile and teamwork to beat the big bully. For the past ten years, David has been consistently thwacked by Goliath. The low payroll MLB teams have always fared poorly against the mega-payers, i.e., the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, etc. Not any more, thanks to GM Billy Beane of the Oakland A's. By carefully drafting and trading for players who were not wanted by other clubs and forcing those players to play a team game where, for example, on-base-percentage is Gospel and attempting to steal is heresy, he has managed to create a ballclub at bargain basement prices that has the A's knocking on the door to baseball's penthouses, a province heretofore occupied by teams with payrolls three and four times larger than that of the A's. But what I found most interesting is the way Beane got these players to play his game, a "team" game, where working a pitcher to an eight pitch groundout is thought of as a team effort, an act that will draw dividends later in the game as the pitcher tires. Baseball, more so than football or basketball, is thought to be a game of individual achievement masquerading as a team effort. Beane's theories of playing the game changes all the rules in that what you do in your turn at bat and on the bases has a much greater impact on runs scored than previously thought and puts a premium on team play rather than individual glory. And wouldn't that be refreshing...thinking that players are really interested in the team and not just themselves. If only one team has won more regular season games than yours for the past three years, and at a much higher payroll, (Atlanta's Braves) and if your team leads all other MLB teams in second-half,(post July 31st trading deadline) victories, it must be recognized that you are doing something extraordinarily right. The only logical conclusion is that you have recognized talent, acquired it, and are maximizing those skills to the utmost and in a fashion that is making the big spenders look foolish. Kudos to Mr. Lewis. This is the baseball book I've been waiting for and my only disappointment is that, as with all great books,it seems to end all too soon.
Rating: 
Summary: Theory vs. theater.
Review: I just finished "Moneyball" and found it a fascinating read. While I am neither a huge baseball fan nor an expert in statistics, I nevertheless found the blending of the two subjects quite captivating. I also found the style of the writing that author Michael Lewis uses to be very conversational and accessible to the reader. I can see why this book, and the events it chronicles, caused such an uproar in the baseball world. The crux of the conflict seems to be theory vs. theater. The approach of Billy Beane and others has proved that using certain statistics to choose a team and project where they will go during the season is a valid, successful approach to the game. However, there is a case to be made for their opposition's claim that such an approach takes the flair and theater out of baseball. I recall that someone once said, "We don't know how the game will turn out. If we did, it wouldn't be worth playing." It's that peppering of random chance that creates the theater of a baseball game. Sometimes the crowd wants to see flashy, dramatic and unexpected plays. My sense is that ultimately some combination of the statistical and the traditional will come about. That team managers will be able to use both the flash and the stillness to achieve victory. I definitely recommend this book, whether you're a baseball fan or not. Also, if you are interested in reading about the inside story of the bond markets during the mid and late 80s, Lewis's first book, "Liar's Poker," offers the reader the same accessible style.
Rating:
Summary: Not your father's baseball
Review: Baseball of yesteryear was played with a lot less money and players were evaluated on various subjective criteria. Now the money involved is much more and some people, including Billy Beane, Bill James, and others, are saying that statistical analysis can be used to put together a good team. While reading this book you may re-think how a baseball player is evaluated. It's interesting how Beane's philosophy of avoiding outs (including sacrifices) at all costs and emphasizing getting on base (through walks) contrasts with so many people, including his own coaches and experienced players. Naturally, it is fun to compare Oakland's success under Beane to other organizations; let's say the Atlanta Braves (John Schuerholz) and the New York Yankees (Brian Cashman). Since 1998 (when Beane became GM) through 2002 the A's have won 457 regular-season games, finished first in their division twice and won no playoff series. In that time period, Schuerholz's Braves have won 493 games won their division each of those years and have won 4 division and league championships. Cashman's Yankees have won 497 games, 8 division and league championships and 3 World Series. Maybe these three general managers operate pretty well given their respective environments. Since Beane did not go to Boston we will never know if he could have made the Red Sox more successful (although Bill James is in their front office). This book is definitely worth the read. It gives the reader a lot to think about and perhaps the reader's view of the game will be different. Those who are in fantasy leagues might be particularly interested in some of the analysis. Some of the hero worship of Billy Beane could be toned down; he has only been at this business for 5+ years. On the other hand, Michael Lewis depicts Beane as more than human who can't stand to watch his own team play. Maybe he'll be the Branch Rickey of our times but it will take several more years to find out. Perhaps the most troubling for the sport are the conclusions near the end of the book: is this all worth it? The fans, the owners, the coaches and managers and even the players want the "flashy" baseball. Move the fences in and hit more home runs. Do the hits and runs and the base stealing -- that is what sells tickets and makes the sports highlights. How many championships have you won? Do we really want the game to be managed by spreadsheets and statistical projections?
Rating:
Summary: One of the most enjoyable books I've read
Review: I enjoyed reading this more than any other book I've read in a while.
It's about Billy Beane and how the A's have been run in the last couple of years.
It has a lot about Bill James as well... and mentions Rob Neyer a few times. It's not even really about money, which is surprising, coming from Michael Lewis, and with the title.. It's about baseball. And it focuses on the A's, going all the way until January this year.
As an A's fan, I'm worried that it gives away too many of Beane's secrets!
ALthough, there is a passage that puts me to ease a little (page 241)
"IF one didn't already know better, one might think that Voros McCracken's article on baseballprospectus.com would be cause for celebration everywhere inside big league baseball. One knew better. Voros knew better. 'The problem with major league baseball', he said, 'is that it's a self-populating institution. Knowledge is institutionalized. The people involved with baseball who aren't players are ex-players. In their defense, their structure is not set up along corporate lines. They aren't equipped to evaluate their own systems. They don't have the mechanism to let in the good and get rid of the bad. They either keep everytyhing or get rid of everything, and they rarely do the latter.'
He sympathized with basball owners woh didnt' know what to think, or even if they should think. 'If you're an owner and you never played, do you believe Voros McCracken or Larry Bowa?' The unemployed former paralegal living with his parents, or the former All-Star shortstop and current manager who no doubt owned at least one home of his own?"
Voros McCracken's astonishing discovery about major league pitchers had no apparent effect on the management, or evaluation, of actual pitchers. No one on the inside calld Voros to discuss his findings; so far as he knew, no one on the inside had even read it. But Paul DePodesta(assistant GM of the A's) had read it. Paul's considered reaction: 'If you want to talk about a guy who might be the next Bill James, Voros McCracken could be it.' Paul's unconsidered reaction: 'The first thing I thought of was Chad Bradford."
The article that Voros wrote is on baseballprospectus, about how pitchers don't control the hit percentage of balls in play, so the most important thing about them is the nubmer of strikeouts, walks, and home runs. [...]
This is just one of the many great points about the way baseball is now analyzed.
Run, don't walk, to get this.
Rating:
Summary: Consider me a convert!
Review: I have been a "roto geek" for a number of years now, so I have understood and appreciated the use of on-base-percentage as an important tool for judging the future production of ball players. Yet, I really had no idea! That was until I read Moneyball! This book details the organizational structure of the Oakland A's, which is a team that is forced plays on a severely strapped budget. Yet, they continue to win. Basically, Oakland adheres to a philosophy of drafting college players that get on base, via the walk. This shows that the player has a god control of the strike zone and will most likely be able to hit on a professional level. This allows for Oakland to find value, in the market for players, that other teams have ignored. This philosophy not only incorporates strong statistical analysis of players, it also takes a new way of seeing baseball. That is look not at what a player might be able to do, but look at what they have done! Read this book (which can easily be done in one or two sittings) and you will see baseball in a completely different light, you will be happy you did!
Rating:
Summary: Think outside the box
Review: Moneyball makes a great read for both the baseball enthusiast as well anyone looking to study a truly remarkable business model that transcends mere baseball. For example, when replacing All-Star 1B Jason Giambi, Oakland GM Billy Beane says, "The important thing is not to recreate the individual. The important thing is to recreate the aggregate." In a highly unconventional, yet meticulously precise system of player development that drafts such players as C Jeremy Brown in the 1st round(he wasn't listed among the top 25 amateur Catchers by Baseball America), signs such castoffs as a C who can't throw from his throwing arm(Scott Hatteberg), lead-footed Jeremy Giambi, over-the-hill David Justice, Assistant GM Paul DePodesta says, "We don't get the guys who are perfect. There has to be something wrong with them for us to get them." "When you rule out an entire class of people from doing a job simply by their appearance, you are less likely to find the best person for the job."
- Michael Lewis
Rating:
Summary: Terrific And Not About Me Me Me!!!
Review: They used to call me "Moneyballs" in college so when I noticed this on the best seller list at the local independent, I got more than a little excited. Alas, I was to be surprised by yet another book NOT about Heavy Hop Dop. This is a book about my favorite sport! Baseball. And a good one too. It reads fast and even amuses in places. I'm not an A's fan (even if I did get all A's in school), but this "Moneyball" is an entertaining read. Play balls! HHD.
Rating:
Summary: More Than Lives Up To the Hype
Review: I am almost embarrassed at how much I enjoyed this book. I purposely avoided it for a long time annoyed at how much hype it was getting thinking surely it wasn't a 'real' baseball book for true fans. I gave in recently when the paperback came out and must admit that I am dumbfounded with delight. This is a GREAT book for true fans of the game and even for those who know next to nothing about baseball! Michael Lewis is a remarkably gifted author who can tell a great story, entertain, and inform with amazing ease while writing in excellent prose. His central focus in this book is "Why have the Oakland A's won so many baseball games lately with such a relatively low payroll and so few established stars?" You will quickly find out if you are a fan of "Old School" baseball or the "New Wave" thinking running through Oakland, Toronto, and even the Red Sox. Many will take strong stands along these sides and may even rate their opinion of this book solely upon that. Either way, this book is great entertainment and is very much worthy of a place on your bookshelf for "read it cover-to-cover keepers"!
Rating:
Summary: Attn: Fantasy Baseball
Review: It goes without saying - for baseball fans, numbers people, entrepeneurs, etc., this book is a must read. But unbeknownst to most, this book is a MUST READ for one demographic in particular: fantasy baseball enthusiasts. If you are a fantasy baseball owner, please buy this book, because essentially, Billy Beane is running a real-life MLB team no differently than you are running your fantasy squad. Once you read this book, you will be compelled to (1) attempt to outsmart your buddies by drafting and acquiring players that you identify as more valuable than your competitors (assuming you trust your analyses, as Beane does), and (2) outwit your buddies by trading and trading some more, again for players that you identify as more valuable than your competitors If you are a parent or of an obsessed fantasy baseball child, please buy them this book immediately. This book will capture their attention, thereby providing you way to get your sports/computer junkie child to pick up a book and read it cover to cover.....a task all too difficult all too often.
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