1) What was the “Moneyball”approach that Billy Beane and Peter Brandt applied to the Oakland Athletics 2002 season? Was it an “art” or a “science”? What single statistic did they boil their value consideration down to? (In class research/discussion)
The moneyball approach was to look at players, not in terms of dollar value, or their popularity, but rather there on base percentage (OBP) to win games. This was a science that could be measure and calculated, however common sense dictates that you cannot win a game on stats alone. There had to be the player driven desire to win, on and off the field. This is the reason Billy fired Giambi, even if he was a major asset. He affected the teams overall moral and performance with his off-the-field attitude.
2) What is the equation used to calculate OBP? (In class research/discussion)'At bats'(AB) minus
'bunts'(B) equals total 'at bats'(TAB).
'Times reached base saftely'(RBS) divided by total 'at bats'(TAB) found above.
Round to third decimal place for the OBP.
3) What is design? (In class research/discussion)
"A detailed plan of something: to make a detailed plan of the form or structure of something, emphasizing features such as its appearance, convenience, and efficient functioning."
4) Describe 3 situations where movie characters (intentionally or not) applied a step from the PLTW 12 Step Design Process. Explain both the (a) situation as well as (b) how the step is relevant:
1 - When Billy first talks to Peter about his equation and asks Peter to make up the player bios, he's building a roster which is essentially building a model of what he wants the team to look like.
2 - Billy sets up the team, and even though the line-up coach didn't play them well, it could be considered a trial run.
3 - Billy knew through trail and error that you can't judge a player on their outside appearnce. He himself was almost a trial run at a great baseball player.
5) What is “Leadership”? List the three aspects of leadership that we come up with in class. (In class research/discussion)
Leadership is...
1 - Strength under touch situations
2 - Knowing what you want, and the initiative to get it
3 - Commanding fear and respect from the people you control
6) Describe 3 circumstances from the story where a character exercised effective leadership:
1 - Billy trading Giambi
2 - Peter learning to trade players
3 - Billy knowing how to manage his team
7) According to the movie, what was the A’s record at the start of their winning streak? ___ : ___
8) What does this ratio simplify to (roughly)? 1.44 : 1
9) How long was the A’s record setting winning streak? 20 games won.
10) Given the A’s win/loss ratio at the start of the streak (listed two questions above), what are the odds of winning 20 games in a row? Run the numbers. (In class research/discussion)
.44% each year
11) Based on your calculation, do you think the A’s got lucky or was there something to the Moneyball approach?
There is definitally something in the Moneyball approach, however it was luck that it happened to Billy. The randomness of Billy just meeting Peter before the season ended AT getting him. The fact that Peter had those calculations and that idea. The odds are phenominal.
12) Did Billy Beane strictly apply the “science” of Moneyball to his management approach? Was there an “art” to his efforts as well? Describe a circumstance where he broke from the Moneyball approach to make a positive change for the team.
Billy mainly applied the science of Moneyball however he knew based on past experiences when to listen to his gut. The best example and idea of this was when Billy traded several of the better players in order to force the lineup coach to play players the way they were meant to be played. For the team's moral benefit however, he traded Giambi, one of the best players on the team simply because he destroyed the team's moral off the field.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/news/2002/09/04/royals_athletics_ap/
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